A course aimed at beginners or those with little or no experience in hill navigation.

It is split into 2 half days or evenings and covers;

 

Safety in the hills - footwear, clothing and emergency kit. Basic Map work – reading a map, identifying key features and relating them to the landscape. Basic Compass work – taking a bearing, following a bearing, using a compass in conjunction with a map. Micro Navigation – working out your personal pacing and timing, relating this practically to the route. Observation – use of landscape features as handrails, tick points and catchment features. Contours – basic use of contours to aid navigation, route planning and establishing escape routes.

This intensive course is aimed those who have an existing interest in hill walking. It is primarily practical, and requires a basic degree of fitness. The practical elements take place in the unspoilt Manx countryside, and therefore may well be in unfamiliar, and occasionally uneven or steep terrain. Sessions are scheduled a week apart to allow for personal practice and consolidation.

A course aimed at those who have already completed sessions 1 + 2, or are reasonably competent in hill navigation.

It is split into 2 half days or evenings and covers;

Contours – use of contours as primary means of navigation. Low Visibility and Night Navigation using pacing, timing and compass work. Weather – reading synoptic charts, isobars, fronts and depressions. Comprehensive route planning, personalising Naismith’s Rule using pacing and timing, use of grid references. Introductory leadership skills in the field.

This intensive course has both theoretical and practical elements. As with sessions 1+ 2, the practical elements take place in the unspoilt Manx countryside, and therefore may well be in unfamiliar, and occasionally uneven or steep terrain. Sessions are scheduled a week apart to allow for personal practice and consolidation.

We promote and teach minimal environmental impact ethos, and ensure low instructor to group ratio (max 1:4).

 

Following this course, we offer multi-day trips which include Mountain Walking to North Wales, The Lakes and Scotland. Please contact us, or see the Calendar for details.