Navigation training
Navigation is not a mysterious dark art!
Have you ever wondered how some people safely and confidently negotiate the mountains when the mist reduces visibility to a few metres? Or do you wonder how or why people safely find their way about the hills at night?
No, they don't have any special powers, they've simply learned some practical but simple navigation techniques! There's no reason why you too couldn't be safely negotiating unknown terrain in the mountains or open spaces of the UK.
Whether you are starting from scratch, want to refresh your existing navigation skills or want to learn new skills we can help.
By learning new skills or refreshing your existing skills you will become more confident on unfamiliar terrain and will be more able to deal with the situation when cloud and mist descends. Navigation skills can potentially save your life or save red faces!
Even if you regard yourself as an experienced hill walker you can still benefit from our navigation training - you don't know what you don't know!
Our navigation training takes into account your current level of experience and is delivered in a friendly, inclusive style in the Lake District. However for larger groups we can arrange training events in any location in the UK.
Navigation training can be over 1, 2 or 3 days depending on your requirements. One day courses make ideal refresher days or an introduction day to navigation as well as allowing you to practice techniques in a safe environment. Two day courses enable much more detailed navigation training and the opportunity to practice techniques in a friendly atmosphere under supervision. Three day courses are ideal if you want that extra training or want to acquire a nationally recognised navigation award.
The learning outcomes include the following:
- Understanding maps & scales
- Understanding grid references
- Orientating the map with & without a compass
- Choosing navigation and route strategies
- Understanding contours and landforms
- Estimating distance on map & ground
- Using linear features to navigate
- Route card preparation
- Understanding 'attack points' 'aiming off' & 'collecting features'
- Understanding the compass and it's features
- Taking grid and magnetic bearings
- Walking on a bearing
- Identifying features & locating them on the map and / or ground
- Estimating distance travelled by timing and pacing
We cater for individuals and for groups of any size. Why not get a group of friends, colleagues or family together and learn some potentially life saving skills. There is no minimum age requirement for our navigation courses as long as participants under 18 are accompanied by an adult.
Our maximum ratio of instructor to student is 1:8 for navigation training and 1:4 for assessments on nationally recognised navigation qualifications.
We supply all maps and compasses for our courses but you will be expected to have your own weatherproof clothing and walking boots etc. We can provide rucksacks and head torches for those wishing to do some night navigation.
Our prices start at £150 per day for up to 4 participants. We also offer gift certificates for navigation courses which make ideal birthday and Christmas presents. We will be pleased to provide a no-obligation quote for your requirements.
For further information please contact us:
To book tel: 07584 177506
e-mail: enquiries@bigwalks.com