I am pleased to announce that I will be delivering the Straight to Silver NNAS Courses in the Peak District this coming year.
Accommodation is not provided for this course; however, the course is delivered in a very central location near Hathersage, with many accommodation options for all budgets within a small area.
This course is designed for walkers looking to gain knowledge, confidence, and independence in the hills. It combines the Bronze & Silver Course over 3 days, providing a fast-track to a higher level of navigation skills. Ideally, you will have some experience of navigation and/or time in the hills to gain the most from this intensive course.
The course includes the Bronze training on day 1 and moves into the Silver Award syllabus during days 2-3. The Silver Course adds skills required to navigate to features and places some distance from paths and tracks. It teaches accurate compass work. It will also teach you to select the suitable navigational techniques to cross open country.
Price is per person. There is also a distance learning study paper to complete before the course.
Course Syllabus
We will be covering the following skills (please take a look at the NNAS Website for the full syllabus for both awards):
- How to read and take a grid reference
- Using map symbols and scales on a variety of maps
- Understanding and interpreting terrain and contours
- How to use an orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of travel
- Choosing simple navigation strategies and routes
- Estimating distance and time on both map and ground using paths and in varied and open terrain
- How to plan a walk
- Understand and know how to use a compass to set your map, follow a bearing; aim off; find catching features, check the direction of handrails and other linear features.
- Deviate briefly from a compass bearing to avoid obstacles or difficult terrain and accurately regain the original line.
- Simplify legs using rough navigation, attack points and fine navigation.
- Maintain route finding accuracy in poor visibility or darkness.
- Recognise a navigation error within a few minutes and apply appropriate relocation techniques if lost
- Select appropriate clothing, equipment and first aid items for walking in open country in all weather conditions and how to deal with emergencies
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Countryside Code, current access legislation and the environmental impact of walkers on the countryside.
- Understand the responsibilities of walkers towards other countryside interests such as farming, forestry and conservation.
Day 1
- Course introduction and theory
- Practical session outdoors covering items from the Bronze Syllabus
- Lunch break during practical session (please bring lunch, no refreshments en route)
Day 2
- Please note – (later start time of 12:00, finish at approx 7:00pm)
- Route planning for your own walk (indoor theory)
- Introduction to the Silver Award
- Recap Bronze Syllabus and introduce Silver Skills
- Practical session outdoors
- Lunch break during practical session (please bring lunch, no refreshments en route)
Day 3
- Recap day 2 with more content, consolidation and practice
- We’ll go for a longer walk, putting into practice all the skills learnt on day 1/2
- Lunch during practical session (please bring lunch, no refreshments en route) and assessment outcomes
Equipment
Maps and compasses are provided
- Warm layers (including spare items for any emergencies in your kit bag)
- Waterproofs (Upper and lower body)
- 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
- 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 a watch with a stopwatch function*
- Notebook, if you like to make notes*
- Sit mat*
- Walking poles if needed*
Upon successful completion of the course, the NNAS will send you a digital certificate that you can download. If you would like a printed certificate, there is an additional £10 charge payable at the end of the course.
The Silver NNAS Navigator Award is accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 5, and 2 SCQF credit points are awarded on completion. Whilst there is a very informal and friendly assessment process at the end of the course, if you are only interested in the course and don’t want the qualification, you do not have to be assessed. (The price is the same.)
More Information
If you have any questions or want more information, get in touch via the contact page, or email.
Consent Forms – Medical Consent forms must be completed before the course starts. You can find the forms here.
NNAS Registration – For more information about the course content and syllabus, visit the NNAS website. Before attending this course, you must register with the NNAS via JustGo.
Please read my Terms and Conditions.
Other Useful Information
The start location for days 2/3 may differ from the meeting point for day 1. Day 2 has a later start time to enable us to include an hour of darkness so we can replicate how to navigate to our finish point. I can help with transport if arranged and discussed in advance.
