This mountain navigation course is ideal for anyone who wants to be self sufficient in the mountains of the UK.
This course is perfect for anyone with little or no prior navigation experience. Whether you are a hill walker who wants to be able to head out in all weathers, considering enrolling on the Mountain Leader scheme, or a climber who wants to be able to navigate from the top of the route back down to the pub in the dark, the skills are the same.
If you have existing navigation skills we will be able to build on these over the course.
The course is suitable for anyone over the age of 18. There is no maximum age and we regularly get a mixture of ages and experience and are used to tailoring the course to meet the needs of a varied group of people.
What does the course cover?
- One full days of practical navigation in the mountains of Cumbria
- Introduction to different map scales
- Setting the map
- Interpreting contours
- Key symbols, i.e. how to find a footpath, fence, stream, etc., and how to interpret them
- Planning and following a route using paths and other key features
- How to plan and follow a route across featureless terrain
- Estimating distances using pacing and timing
- Navigating in poor or limited visibility
- How to use the compass
Where to Meet:
Legburthwaite Car Park, St John's in the Vale, CA12 4TQ
Legburthwaite can easily be found on the A591 between Grasmere and Keswick, just to the north of The King's Head Inn and Thirlmere, turn off the main road onto the St John's In The Vale road, drive past The Lodge in the Vale and over the humpback bridge and the car park entrance will be seen on the left.
Equipment:
Each client is expected to bring suitable personal equipment, this should include the following:
Walking Boots / Walking shoes
Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
Suitable warm clothing for walking (no jeans)
Warm tops
Packed lunch
Water
Torch (Preferably a head-torch).
Warm hat
Gloves
You may also wish to use your own equipment during the course, if you have any of the following please feel free to bring it along:
Lake District Maps (OL7)
Compass
If you do not own the above don't worry, The Lake District Walker will provide it.
