Basic Navigation (1 Day)

1 DAY | RATIO 1:6 | £100.00 PER PERSON

OVERVEIW

Do you wish you had the confidence to head out for a day hill walking, happy in your map reading and navigation abilities? This one day course will help you learn the fundamental skills of navigation, map setting, interpreting scales, contours and how to keep track of where you are. We use a range of maps and fun exercises to demystify the subject and build confidence. This one day course can be combined with the improver navigation one day course to provide you with the skills and confidence to head out independently and not rely on others.

DETAILED INFO

AIMS

Every day is slightly different depending on the weather conditions and the group aspirations, but we will cover all the core techniques required for confident hill navigation in summer conditions

PRE-REQUISITES

Fitness for a day of hill walking. No previous hill or navigation experience, although experience of some summer hill walking and being familiar with an Ordnance Survey map would be useful.

IS IT FOR ME?

There is no need for any previous hill or navigation experience, although experience of some summer hill walking and being familiar with an Ordnance Survey map would be useful. Using a map and compass and the associated skills of navigation in the hills are our main focus

CONTENT

The day is usually spent around the local area where we can use a variety of maps and build up the basics of map setting, following a route and introducing the compass.

Initially, using a map scale of 1 cm to 50m we can provide a fun and rapid learning experience with lots of opportunity for practice without the worry of the elements and hazards of the hills.

Effective use of the compass requires other skills such as taking bearings, learning about pacing and timings to help you keep track of your progress and also relocation skills for when you are uncertain of your location.

Route planning, from guidebooks, maps and taking into account information about the weather and how fast you walk should help you to make sound decisions when planning your hill days. Understanding the weather forecast and interpreting its influence on your journey is often key to enjoying a day in the hills, so we incorporate this into the planning of the day.

Our one day course start at 09.00, if you could aim to arrive by this time so teaching time is not lost. The day will finish around 17.00 with a review of the day.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

We only supply instruction for the course, it does not include transport or personal equipment. Your instructor will want to check that personal equipment is appropriate for the activity. Listed below are the essentials;

• Waterproof jackets and trousers

• Insulated synthetic jacket

• Appropriate footwear for the attended course

• Gaiters

• 40lt Rucksack

• Walking Poles

• Personal Clothing

• Warm Outdoor Wear

• Insulating Layers

• Trekking / Climbing Trousers (not cotton)

• Hat & Gloves

• Whistle

• Compass – Silva type 4 recommended

• Waterproof Map Case

• Rucksack liner (or sturdy bin liner) / dry bags

• Hydration system (water bottle)

• Packed Lunch

• Personal first aid kit

• Personal toiletries / medication

• Suncream & sun hat

• Map information – we encourage everyone on Climb Devon summer navigation & skill courses to have a map covering Dartmoor National Park. OS map OL28 1:25 000 covers the areas we use and is the recommended map for our courses - other scales will be discussed on the course. Please ensure that this is a weather proof active map or you have a map case. For courses in other locations please contact us regarding map information.

Courses require a minimum of two bookings to run, if minimum participant requirements are not met then any booked participants will be reallocated to a different date or offered a refund.