Navigation
Map Reading Courses
Any one day course gives all who attend the confidence and skills required to safely navigate through the lowlands, hills and mountains of the UK. There will be lots of opportunities to learn and practice new skills under the friendly supervision of a fully qualified mountain leader.
Exploring the fundamentals of map work, we will look at various types of maps, their symbols and scales. Each course will cover contour interpretation, route selection and the use of pacing and timings. Run at a pace to suit everyone’s learning style, I will begin with simple techniques and use these as staged methods for progression.
All courses are based in various locations in England, although I'm always happy to venture into Scotland or Wales. My aim is to provide a course in close proximity to the individual or group, although this is not always possible.
In order to book a place on the IMPROVER navigation course, you must have either attended a previous navigation course, or be confident in using a compass for basic bearings, together with knowledge of map symbols and their meaning. You must also have the physical ability to walk over hilly terrain, carrying a rucksack with personal clothing and lunch.
Once your booking is confirmed you will receive a list of things to bring with you i.e. clothing, lunch etc…
Booking is essential on all our courses.
Contact me by email through our contact form or call now on
+44 07595 716 839
Map and Compass skills
I offer a beginner and improver course in navigation to suit your needs.
If you're a beginner and want training in the fantastic art of using a map and compass for navigation, I can assure you that you won't regret it.
In the meantime, spend some time looking at an OS 25:000/50:000 scale (Ordnance Survey) map, as this will help you prior to attending.
Beginner’s Navigation
If you’re new to navigation then start here to learn the basics, or if you have some prior experience then this course will refresh and update your map and compass knowledge.
The beginner’s navigation course is held over the course of one day, lasting between 5-6 hours depending on the size of the group.
This course is ideal for anyone who has limited or no understanding of maps and never used a compass to navigate.
This is a very hands-on course, with the time spent out on the fells learning and using these skills. At the end of the day, we will discuss the day’s activities over a brew and advise you what your next steps are.
During the day you can expect to cover >
- Learning about the Map – Map Symbols, Scales and Grid References
- How to follow routes and navigational tactics – Map orientation, handrailing, tick features.
- Compass Work – How to do a bearing and walk on it accurately.
- Gain a basic understanding of pacing and timing to understand and work out your position.
- Basic contour Interpretation for a higher understanding of map reading.
Minimum of 2 persons required. Maximum group of 8
Cost: £45.00 Per Person
Private 1:1 or 1:2 £150.00 per day
Improver’s Navigation
For those of you who have been on a Beginner’s Navigation course, or feel confident enough to step up a level.
If the Beginner’s Navigation course already covers the skills you have at present, then this Improver’s Navigation course is the one for you. We will spend a short period of time refreshing existing skills and knowledge.
This course will be based in a more complex area of terrain where less obvious features such as paths, tracks and walls can be used to navigate by. This allows me to teach you how to move across open ground using various techniques as well as interpreting the contours.
The whole day is spent out on the fell, lasting about 6 hours.
During the day you can expect to cover >
- Quick refresh on the basic skills
- Leave the security of footpaths to move across open ground confidently.
- Take and walk on bearings whilst timing and pacing over rough ground.
- New techniques- boxing round and resections.
- Navigation on different map scales.
- Contour recognition.