Guides Meeting Notes #2 7. July 2011
Vatnajökull Voyager A few quick notes on the trip, we called the lagoon and were wondering how we can make things more efficient for waffles. A few good notes from the lagoon: 1. Keep your group together until you have figured out if you need to start with the waffles if you have to wait for a boat, ask them to start the waffles so they are ready then you arrive. 2. We need politely keep a track on the waffle makers and check up on their progress so that we get served on time. Regarding the visitor center and soup. We tried to get a seat at the gas-station and the hotel but they are not able to compete with the price so unfortunately we will have to continue searching for another option for food that is not as packed for places during lunch traffic.
The Glacier The glacier is not proving to be as easy as we all would like so there has been a lot of step chopping and it is important that we all work to keep the path as good as possible. So its up to us all to chop each time we travel by an area that needs work. If there is a need for more work on the path, we need to talk about it on a meeting and then its time to put a trail crew on the job – if a couple of us need to be there at 7, 6, 5 in the morning before the trips run to keep things running safe then that’s what we will do! No different than a summit trip or a long day just keep your hours if they run longer than the “standard” 10hr days. There needs to be more active screening on clients, preferably by the sales team but guides also, if you believe someone to be at the limit of making the trip safely simply describe the trip in as much detail as you can so they can get a feeling for what the difficulty is. Use specific details like uneven terrain, slopes this steep and so on. Age limits: It is vital that we keep with the age limit set in the brochure and that we explain the trip to the parents. They need to know that the kids behavior is their responsibility but in the end the kids life is in your hands as the guide. Consider a harness for kids or carry one in your pack just in case you need to put a rope on them If we have kids that are younger than our age limit they can only join on private trips.
Issue #: [Date]
Dolor Sit Amet
Driving and buses:
Just so everyone is clear on the driving and bus options we have to get to and from work here is the deal: We have a deal with Iceland Excursions for a free ride to and from Skaftafell if we call ahead and ask for a seat. Its up to you to arrange your seat on the bus after ALWAYS discussing your transportation options with Erin A.K.A BadAss. They run our Vatnajökull Voyager on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and leave Skaftafell at 18:00. IE also runs a daily departure to the Lagoon that goes by Skaftafell between 4:30 – 5:30 bound for Reykjavík. If we want to use that option we need to check for availability on that bus by calling IE and getting the phone number of the driver, contact him and arrange for a pickup in Skaftafell or meeting him on the main road. The sooner the better since they only make one stop at Skaftafell either before or after the lagoon they can then arrange to make the stop on the way back if you are nice enough. Be prepared to talk on the microphone about glaciers on the way!! Now a quick note about personal cars and other bus options: If we ask you for any reason to take your personal car we will pay for your gas, sometimes we even do it anyways to be nice but just to beat a dead horse we need receipts with our kennitala 670509-1410 and your name clearly written on the back. If you prefer using your own car you are on your own! If you choose another bus company than IE for any reason, you are on your own! If the options we provide are not fitting your schedule and Erin cannot suggest another way – you guessed it – you are on your own. We will as always try our very best to meet your needs and keep you happy.
Ropes: We have new ropes that are 70m. They are still in the bags and we are trying to minimize use until we need to open them. The 4 new purpal ropes are ment for the summit and Glacier Extreme trips only so we don´t fill them with ash and there is a new mark on all of the older ropes so all the length are right. It is time to start watching the older ropes for ware and tair so keep an open eye for sheat damage and such and make sure to retire or cut the ones needed.
First Aid kits: New First Aid Kits are numbered and there is a checkout sheet that you need to put your name on as you take the kits. PLEASE remember to return them along with all other GG gear when you leave after your shift!!!
In conclusion: As far as we are concerned the year of 2011 will from here on be known as “The Year of The Dream Team” 2