This 2-day beginners navigation course is a practical hands-on award aimed at people with limited or no navigation experience.
Course Syllabus
- How to read and take a grid reference
- Using a map and compass to find North and set your map
- How to interpret terrain based on map contours
- Using map symbols and scales on a variety of maps
- Orientating the map with and without a compass
- How to use an orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of travel
- Choosing simple navigation strategies and routes
- Using linear features, such as a paths or rivers as handrails in simple navigation exercises
- Estimating distance and time on both map and ground
- How to plan a safe walk and what to do in an emergency
- Relocation techniques if lost
- Your access rights and responsibilities in the countryside
Day 1
- Welcomes, course introduction and theory
- Practical session outdoors
- Lunch break during the practical session (please bring lunch, no refreshments en route)
Day 2
- Route planning for your own walk (indoor theory)
- Practical session outdoors, consolidating all content from day 1
- De-brief and questions
- Assessment outcomes
Equipment
Maps and compasses are provided.
- Waterproofs (Upper and lower body)
- Warm layers (including spare items for any emergencies in your kit bag)
- Hats/gloves (appropriate to time of year)
- Any food/water/hot flask (there are no refreshments en route during the day)
- Personal medications and suncream
- Supportive and appropriate footwear
- Headtorch (for emergency use only)
- Gaiters are optional, but I do find they keep my boots drier for longer and protect my legs and trousers from the heather/gorse/bracken*
- A stopwatch or watch with a stopwatch function*
- Notebook, if you like to make notes*
- Sit mat*
- Walking poles if needed*
(*optional)
More Information
If you have any questions or want more information, get in touch via the contact page, or email.
Please note – full course information, including the meeting point, will be sent out approximately 4 weeks before the course.
Accommodation – Accommodation is not provided for this course; however, the course is delivered in a very central Peak District location near Hathersage, with many accommodation options for all budgets within a small area. Public transport within the area is very good, and I actively encourage participants to use it to reduce the impact on the local environment and communities. Sheffield is only a 20 min bus ride away with a regular and reliable service, so this may be an alternative location to base yourself. The Sheffield/Manchester train line is also accessible and within easy reach of the start of the course. If necessary, station pick-ups are available – please contact me to discuss. The main villages/towns that would also be good bases for the weekend are Edale, Hope, Castleton, Grindleford, Bamford, and Eyam – all within a 20 min drive or on the train/bus line.
Consent Forms – Medical Consent forms must be completed before the course starts. You can find the forms here.
Please read my Terms and Conditions.
