Beginners Navigation Course: Private Guiding

Having benefited hugely from Neil's patience and wisdom as a guide up Scafell Pike last year we decided to go on a beginner's navigation course with him this year. We had a fantastic day out learning a huge amount about maps, compasses and how to observe the terrain around us to find our way. Neil was hugely knowledgeable, long-suffering as we jumped around with our questions, and great fun to be with. We loved it and felt vastly more confident as a result of our day. The next three days' walking around and about Derwent Water were even more enjoyable as as result. Thank you! (Posted on 15/05/2018)

When I arrived at the Britannia Inn, Elterwater, on a hideously wet morning, to meet Neil, who had the unenviable task of teaching me how to navigate, I really didn't want to even get out of the car. I had booked the 1 day beginner's navigation course for my birthday. I had managed to get to 52 years old with no sense of direction and no clue how to navigate. As my daughter and I had decided to attempt the 214 Wainrights over the next few years, I realised that, unless I learnt to navigate, success was unlikely and danger to life and limb was probable. I booked the private session because I knew I would need all the help I could get.
I am so glad I got out of the car! Neil was brilliant! He has the patience of a saint. I honestly thought I was one of those people who was incapable of learning to map read or navigate. I was wrong. After 7 very enjoyable and mentally taxing hours, I now feel confident to get out of the fells and not get lost. I can't recommend the course enough. If you, like me, think you can't do it, you will be amazed to find that, with the right tuition, not only is it possible to learn to navigate, but it is also fascinating to use a map to find your way around. Using a compass and map is so clever and I now feel I have learnt a really important skill that I can build on for the rest of my walking days.
Thank you again, Neil. You gave me the confidence to believe I could do it and now I can.
The walk itself was really enjoyable, despite the howling wind and drive rain that soaked us all morning. After lunch the weather lifted and we finished the day in great spirits, although by the end of the day, my brain was fried with all the new information.
I'm going out tomorrow to try out my new skills. I can't wait! I am also planning to do some of the more technically difficult walks, such as Sharp Edge, with LDW, because I know it will be a safe and enjoyable way of achieving some of the Wainwright's that probably are best not attempted with my daughter, on our own.
Lindsay Smith
Thank you Lake District Walker!! (Posted on 26/10/2017)

My partner bought a private guiding day for my birthday and we really didn't know what to expect. We are pretty much novices with navigation and feared not being to grasp the principles. Our Guide Neil was terrific - patient, knowledgeable and full of useful insights. He filled the day with useful information and tips and took us in a route that tested our newfound skills. At the end of the day we felt that we had gained valuable insights into the skills and art of navigation and, equally importantly, had a most enjoyable time on the fells. (Posted on 06/08/2017)