Beginners' navigation course
A map reading course for beginners based in the Lake District. If you have never looked at a map or would be unsure about planning and following a route along paths and tracks then this is the course for you.
To book a place on this course please email us or call us on 07984 410230 first with your choice of dates to find out if there are still places available and then follow the instructions on our "How to Book" page.
Beginner course syllabus
Understand the nature of a map as a two dimensional plan.
Understand how to use map symbols and scales, on a variety of maps.
Take a 6 figure grid reference for any given position and also locate such a
reference on the map.
Orientate the map with and without a compass.
Use the orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of
travel.
Choose simple navigation strategies and routes.
Use linear features (e.g. paths and tracks) as handrails in simple
navigation exercises.
Estimate distance on both map and ground.
Using a basic understanding of contours, match major landforms like hills
and valleys to their map representation.
Plan a safe, suitable walk.
Relocate using simple techniques on paths and other handrails.
Understand access rights and responsibilities.
Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues and access
legislation.
Demonstrate knowledge of the Countryside Code, and of procedures to be
followed in the event of an emergency.
Useful Information
You will need to bring:
Enough clothes to keep you warm and dry
in all weathers. (Jeans are not suitable for outdoor activities.)
Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
Walking boots.
Head torch.
Lunch and drinks.
Ordnance Survey Map 1:25 000 Explorer OL4 (NW Lakes)
Digital Watch with a stopwatch
Pen and paper
Reading glasses or a magnifying glass if you think it will be necessary
for you to see very fine detail on the map.
We will provide:
Compass (bring one if
you have one but we would recommend not buying a new one before the
course and trying a few of ours out first.)
Other Information:
There will be no more than six participants per instructor.
Accommodation is not provided.
The course lasts two days usually from around 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Travel to the venue is not included but if you are staying in or near
Keswick we can almost always arrange a lift share.
2012 Dates
24th-25th March
21st-22nd April
17th-18th May
23rd-24th June
28th-29th July
25th-26th August
29th-30th September
27th-28th October
24th-25th November
£110/person/2 day course
If you regularly go hill walking and read a map well enough to follow a route using paths and tracks then we would recommend the Intermediate course. It does not matter if there are a few things on the Beginner syllabus that you do not know - we can fill in any gaps on the Intermediate course.
If you would like to find out what other customers have thought of our navigation courses please have a look at our Customer Feedback
I would like to say a huge thank you for making the weekend of the navigation course one of the best weekends I have had in a long time. Jill made the course interesting and fun and pitched it completely at my (very low) level all the time. I was totally engaged throughout both days and learned far more than I anticipated or realised I could or would. Your patience and clarity in explaining things were amazing and your passion for what you do was completely obvious and has inspired me to get out much, much more. (Jude, Beginners Navigation Course)
