Fortitude and persistence come to mind after reading this article written by Manohar Arasu, VU2UR in the January/February 2013 edition of The DX Magazine. I was impressed when their computer failed that the team resorted to paper logging and the use of a bug to send Morse code. Also, without significant financing or sponsored equipment; they activated a rare one without a linear amplifier and wire antennas only.
Perhaps, I'm witness to the Golden Era of DXpeditioning, because within the same pages W1HEO writes about escalating cost perhaps even a contraction of seige like expeditions. Even, Carl Smith, N4AA editorialized that he has observed a decline in the number of large scale operations and he is one of our statesmen. Others say expeditions of magnitude typically track a cycle peak as Cycle 24 either peaks once more or has started its period of wane?
I'm of the opinion, in either case, activating rare ones is ever more complex as a result of unreasonable expectations hoisted on the adventurers, themselves. It is, we, sitting in the comfort of a warm and secure shack demanding s9 like signals from those braving both life and limb. I'd say this equation is ridiculous and inverted instead an expedition needs to demand my best not the other way around. And, I believe, the VU7M operation is a shadow of what is to come especially if Cycle 25 predictions are remotely accurate.
Chase DX with honor, respect, and patience.