“The mountains will always be there, the trick is to make sure you are too”
Hervey Voge
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, although we do allow under 18's if they are accompanied by an adult. 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.
“Doubly happy, however, is the man to whom lofty mountain tops are within reach”
John Muir
What does the course cover?
- One day 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
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Outside the Britannia Inn, Elterwater
Postcode: LA22 9HP
Grid Reference: NY 327 048
Directions
From Ambleside take the A593 (Coniston) for 3 miles, turning right at Skelwith Bridge onto the B5343. After 2 miles turn left into Elterwater Village and The Britannia Inn is on the village green.
Bus Services
The bus stops in Elterwater opposite the meetpoint.
The 516 runs between Ambleside and the Langdale Valley.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:
Summer Courses:
- Walking shoes / Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
Winter Courses:
- Walking Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
- Torch (preferably a headtorch)
- Spare batteries for the above
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
-
Fantastic day out Review by Eva Beazley
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)
-
Amazing!!! Review by Lindsay
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)
-
Learning and enjoyment combined Review by philip
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)
© 2024 The Lake District Walker Limited. All Rights Reserved.