Beginners Mountain Navigation Course

Mountain Navigation

Beginners Mountain Navigation Course Overview

Our Beginners Mountain Navigation course is geared towards hillwalkers who want to gain more confidence and skills to head out in poorer weather. Perhaps you’re a confident navigator in fair weather and on well-marked paths and bridleways and want to feel self-sufficient if the weather turns? This practical and friendly course is designed to give you more confidence to carry on where maybe you would have turned back previously.

What’s covered on a Beginners Mountain Navigation Course?

This course is aimed at improving your map reading skills. Courses are usually run in the North Lakes but can be arranged anywhere. We will keep the format and content of the courses flexible, so if you would simply like to ‘brush up’ on a particular skill, then this can be arranged. We aim to have a great day in the hills and look at the following in detail:

  • Map symbols and scales
  • Setting (orientating) the map
  • Terrain and contour interpretation
  • Route Choice/Planning
  • Navigation strategies
  • Estimating distance and height
  • Relocation Strategies
  • Using a compass
  • Emergency Procedures

How many can participate?

This course works well with a maximum ratio of 1:6 (instructor to participant) and can be booked for one or two days in duration. This low ratio will ensure you receive quality instruction.

How much will it cost?

Our pricing structure is based on a sliding scale with a reduced daily fee for every additional day booked. If you would like to reserve a contingency day around your preferred date/s in order to pick the best weather and conditions for your course or activity we may be able to arrange this for an additional fee. For more details, please see our pricing structure.

How to book?

We offer a range of scheduled activities that are open to the public and that can be booked online via the red ‘Book Now’ button. Anything else (including this course) can only be booked privately and enquiries can be made via the form on this page or via the contact form at the top of the page. We require a 30% deposit to secure private bookings and full payment prior to your course or activity commencing. If you would like any more information or have a specific question, please get in touch.

What equipment will I need?

The following list covers all of the essential equipment that you will require for your course. If you have any questions about any of the items listed here or are missing something, please get in touch and we will be happy to assist you further.

  • Map (1:25 000 plus 1:40 000 / 1:50 000)
  • Compass
  • Warm layers (i.e. fleece)
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof overtrousers
  • Walking boots
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves
  • Headtorch
  • Rucksack (30 ltr)
  • Packed Lunch
  • Hot/cold drink

*Any other navigation tools such as GPS and altimeter will be useful but are not essential.


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