Navigation Improver

course info

Winter is a fantastic time of year to get out into the mountains and the cooler air and quieter summits make for a more enjoyable, peaceful day out. The arrival of winter however, does bring new challenges to the hillwalker and the reduced visibility and shorter days make planning and navigating more crucial than they are in the summer months.

What will you cover?

Our Navigation Improver course will look at all aspects of walking in the mountains from planning around bad weather, navigating in reduced visibility and what to do in an emergency. We also look at lots of softer skills like what to wear in the autumn and winter months and any extra kit you would need to take out with you!

Who is this course aimed at?

This one-day navigation course is ideal for all outdoor enthusiasts looking to develop their navigation and become more competent and confident navigating in poor weather conditions. Ideally you will have some basic understanding of using the map and compass, but our small groups sizes make this course ideal for people of all levels from novice to advanced.  

During the day you will look at:

• Route planning (Planning around bad weather, understanding wind speeds etc)
• Fundamental navigation skills (Taking a bearing, map features, distance, scale)
• Strategies for navigating in poor visibility.
• Contour lines and how they are key to navigating in bad visibility.
• Compass bearings and how to use them effectively.
• What to do in an emergency.

How fit do I need to be?

To attend this course you don’t need to be super fit but a good level of fitness will ensure you get the most out of the course. We usually walk around 6-8 miles in mountainous terrain, but we have loads of breaks and make sure that the pace is steady to allow more focus on the navigation. If you're unsure about your fitness or suitability for this course please get in touch so we can discuss it with you.

WHY USE THE MOUNTAINEERING COMPANY.

My main aim is to enable you to learn the skills you need in a fun and engaging environment. I purposely keep groups sizes small to ensure maximum learning so that myself or our instructors can focus more on you and what you need. I do on occasion bring in one of my friends to instruct or run session for me. All of my friends are qualified instructors with years of experience and hold the relevant qualifications, first aid and insurance for the course they will be leading.