Upskill for 2025!
Navigation is a life skill that we seldom consider learning. It is all too easy to rely on apps, devices, battery packs… I myself have fallen into this trap lately! It’s far easier to get the OS map up on your phone to double check your location, so recently, I have put my phone well out of the way (except for taking photos of the views!) and have kept an eye on the paper version of the map as I tackle the Lake District’s Wainwrights. Please do get in touch if you’d like to book a day, a half day or perhaps even a series of bitesize Navigation sessions in the Settle/Yorkshire Three Peaks area. It is always such a joy to share my passion for map reading and hill skills!
Learning navigation from scratch, a course generally starts with the basics. If you are a complete beginner it takes time to build up the skills. It is best to take new skills away and practise them on your own. If you book a longer course with me, we repeat navigation techniques as we come across opportunities to do so to allow things to sink in a bit. There is a lot of information to take in – map orientation, leg measuring, calculating time needed, hand railing ticking off features, taking bearings… We are bound to get some poor visibility along the way, creating the ideal situation where a compass might become a life saver!
Hill safety should always be included in a navigation course. How to call for help, how to give your location, how to avoid hypothermia… I can share tips of how to avoid being let down by technology if you like to use apps when exploring. We also talk about clothing, gadgets, poles, blisters, and anything else that comes up!
As I now lead exercise classes for older adults during the working week, I don’t tend to advertise particular courses on particular dates. Most of my courses are bespoke 1:1 or small groups of people who book together. If you are an individual looking for a group course, to keep costs down, we can discuss dates and then I can advertise the course to see whether we can find some more interest. Generally I have Thursday afternoons or weekends available for teaching navigation.
Book yourself a 1:1 course – either a half day or a little longer (£30 per hour)
OR a series of 4 shorter sessions (4x 2 hours for £220)
jowulf@wolftracks.co.uk or 07966981985 to book.
More about my courses – why not book a voucher for a friend or loved one – a unique gift!
Introduction to Navigation
Learn the basics of map reading. This includes learning how to orientate your map, use the key and recognise key features. Measuring distance and timing a walk are important key learning points. We look at using different Rights of Way and learn learn about the rules of access, countryside code and hill safety including how to call for help and give our location using a grid reference. By the end of the course you will have the skills to plan your own walk using a map…you’ll have the power to explore!
Advanced Navigation
This session is for you if you can already take a compass bearing. Learn more compass skills, such as aiming off, taking a back bearing, relocation skills, pacing – we stay mainly off piste on this course! Ideal for those wanting to go higher, preparing for a Mountain Leader course or wanting to practise skills to tackle poor visibility.
Intermediate Navigation
Ideal for those who already have some basic map skills. Already familiar with the map key, but have a compass and don’t know how to use it? This course gets you using a compass, combining measuring legs of a journey with walking on a bearing. We stay mostly off-path, learning how to deal with trickier terrain with less obvious features whilst also ensuring all the basic skills are consolidated too. We may start using pacing on a bearing (estimating 100m by counting our steps) depending on progress made.
Family Navigation Fun
Learn about the skills and equipment needed to keep your family safe in the hills, with this half day family friendly session that will have your kids navigating for hidden treasure! If it’s a birthday you’re celebrating, be sure to bring a cake, and we will find a cave to light the candles in for a sheltered birthday experience you’ll never forget! Gift vouchers available.
Wolftracks 