1 DAY INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATION

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

The ability to navigate accurately is THE most important skill for all hill walkers. In British mountains in particular the weather and visibility can change very rapidly, making it especially important for mountain users to be able to navigate effectively even
in limited visibility. This lake district navigation skills course aims to give you the map and compass skills to enable you to navigate in all weathers and is suitable for beginners upwards, also a great course for family groups.

The course is based in the Langdale areas – and kicks off with a short introduction ,followed by a day out on the lower fells learning about contours, learning to pace and time distances, and getting to grips with really understanding what the map is showing us and how landscape features are represented. Many navigation kills course participants liken this day to learning a new language, and are pleasantly surprised at how fast they can learn it!

This is a great family course, with enough information to keep it interesting but not too much where it becomes hard to remember, the kids will love getting involved as well as learning valuable skills.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

Maps, scales, grid system, grid references
Concept of the three D’s – Direction, Distance and Detail
The Compass, different types, advantages and disadvantages, measuring and taking bearings, allowing for magnetic variation
Techniques for following bearings in bad visibility, back bearings
Pacing distances and timing distances, all measuring and calculations,
Understanding Contours – the shape of the land – and interpreting map features