Ten Key Points from our Wilderness Arc experience

1) It's a Team Event - Team Dynamics

We shared the same objective - 'To finish, and to finish well.'

We had done enough training sessions to know that we were compatible, including some whacky Gorge walking on a freezing February night. We didn't get as much physical prep done all together that we might but we had done enough. Importantly we had each worked on our weaknesses, in pairs and threesomes where needed, to bring us up to a reasonable level of skill. Perhaps kayaking skill is the most under-rated need, and the most difficult to practise and train for. Good technique is really useful in poor conditions.

2) Preparation

Pre race prep is invaluable. The two days spent in Fort William with briefings, skill testing and equipment checks, raced by as we prepped bikes, sails and food. All this was bad time management, and should have been done in the days or weeks before hand. Pre-bagged food divided into man/day bags with a good variety of food is crucial. Fitting new brake blocks and fettling gears should not be a last minute thing!

3) Pace Yourself - look after each other

The most important issue that lead to our success was pacing our effort over the week. We went at the pace of the slowest in the party, not the fastest and consequently didn't burn any of us out. Perhaps that's the difference between 'racing' and merely 'completing' but to 'finish first, first you have to finish.' With hindsight, I now wonder if we could have gone faster in the earlier part of the race but that would have been risky strategy. During both the WARC and World Championships in Sweden, teams have blown out on the last stage and within hours of the finish, by a team member hitting 'the deck'

Keep Together. Trek crocodile fashion on the fells, it will really help. Draft each other on the bike on the roads. Or ride as a four, '2x2', when the terrain allows so that by simply looking sideways you can see all three team mates. That way you can talk and discuss options and check on each others condition. (We never actually towed... or carried each others rucsacs, but would have if the need arose. It is a very worthwhile tactic.) Make conversation if needed... keep talking... don't suffer in silence.

4) Sleep...

Our biggest winner... We become infamous for our 'sleep strategy'. Teams spend hours talking about, but they are only trying to justify not having any. It is false economy not to sleep. Accidents happen and mistakes are made when you haven't slept. Hours can be lost by a navigation mistake made at night, or when tired.

Sleep is essential. We were one of the few teams to get some sleep on the first night. It was dictated by circumstances as we came ashore as it had got dark and were then due to start the mammoth trekking leg including the jumar ascent at 3000' above sea level. It made no sense to go onto this section before first light. If we had gone straight onto the mountains we would have been trying to locate the jumar section in the dark. By stopping for a few hours we got some sleep at the right time of day, and when we did restart we later caught those who had gone through the night non-stop.

At that time of year in Scotland it is only really dark between 11pm and 3:30am. My pre-race idea/model was to aim to sleep between 12 and 2:30 each night, if conditions and terrain allowed. It is also prudent to take 'power snoozes' during the day, in the warmth of the sun and out of the wind. A ten minute power snooze can really make the difference.

5) Equipment - Less Is More

Take less gear - 'faff' a lot less.

Generally we had too much gear, and found the allowance of 40kg very more than adequate. You actually need very little clothing and equipment and the more you have the more you will be slowed down by 'faffing' around looking for items at the bottom of your kit box. Good AR Clothing is meant to be warm when wet, and with exception of socks you will need very few changes. A nice clean shirt/pants/thong! may feel nice, but after an hour it's dirty again but ...

Clothing needs to be selected carefully. It needs to perform in a variety of conditions and be adaptable. You must have a full range from sun hat to warm hat and gloves.

I have been a big fan of of RAB Vapour-rise garments for some time and persuade the team to buy these as well. Similarly we choose Montane Superfly Jackets as the best option. We were fortunate enough to be able to use KIMM-lite or 'OMM' sacs too, 2x 25 litre sacs and 2x 35 litre. There is a difference in back length as well as capacity but having a big sac you can carry everything inside and close it down when necessary.

Manage Transitions Effectively

Tri-athletes call transitions the fourth discipline and practise them. You can loose a lot of time in transition. Discuss what you need to do prior to getting to the transition, and then actually agree who is going to do what before you get there, and how long you will stay. Appoint a time keeper. Like cooking a meal, start the most time consuming task first. Eg Set up the stove first, and get the kettle on, then sort your gear. If you are going to do foot maintenance strip your socks off to let your feet dry whilst you eat or sleep.

Sticking to the 'Transition Action Plan' is very difficult as there are many distractions. Marshalls will want to talk, and you want to respond, but stay focused. Don't be rude, be calm and polite... panicking or rushing doesn't help... and thank all helpers profusely when you leave.

6) Be safe

I had some 'heavy duty' warm gear tucked away in the box just in case the weather took a turn for the worst like in 2005. We had a three person tent and a good bivi bag, and sleeping bags and mats so that we could all sleep properly. We also had a warm jacket each for enforced bivis and sleep during each leg. Our equipment and food stocks would have allowed us to sit out a very long delay and then re-start the race. In 2005 many teams had to pull out because they could not survive bad weather even whilst in transition. Race organisers seem to have taken this point on.

7) Food

You need a good variety of food, both snack food and instant meals for transitions. Pasta, cous-cous, noodles etc really work, as do the add hot water meals. A stove and sizable kettle for brews is essential as is fresh coffee and a cafetiere. Don't forget the feta cheese in olive oil, Olives and Pringles. Savoury food is a must. John will never eat another energy again.

8) Navigation

We had two navigators: John leading the MTB sections and myself favouring the Trekking. Having two enabled each of us to take a lead and the other to back up the first. With two sets of maps one is in the hand at all times and the other set carefully stashed away in my sac. The route book must be looked after very carefully. You will need an enormous amount of extra wide 'Transeal' and assorted quality plastic bags to keep this lot dry.

Never criticise you navigator, they will know they have made a mistake, but do get involved in the route planning and discussions. It keeps everyone involved and is another way for people to gauge how the team is feeling.

10) Trekking Poles

We each had a pair of trekking poles in our kit boxes and expected to use them towards the end of the race when tired or injured. Some teams used them from the start. We used them from Day Two and they are invaluable on rough ground. They assist you by helping you relax on 'chossy' terrain and offer support when tired and sore. Trekking poles are inconvenient when mixed with ropes, bikes or kayaks.

Never try and micro nav with poles in your hands - you need full concentration with map and compass constantly to hand.

And Finally . . . . have fun and enjoy it - even the tough bits don't last for ever!