On the evening of arrival we will run through some housekeeping and let you know what to expect during the course: when meals will be available and what time you’ll be heading out for the day, how long any indoor sessions will be, the skills you’ll be learning and the order they’ll be taught. You’ll get to know your instructor a wee bit over dinner and afterwards he’ll chat about your gear and give you some tips and pointers for taking care of it when you’re out in potentially windy or cold conditions.

The course does not cover the use of GPS as we believe it is essential that a hillwalker should have a proficient level of old-fashioned navigation techniques before ever picking up a GPS. You must be able to read and interpret a map and use a compass before your GPS can help you.

HIGHLIGHTS

Of all the skills for the hills, navigation is the most important – no surprise when you consider that up to 80% of mountain rescue call-outs stem from navigational errors. This course provides a firm grounding in the essential skills as well as developing the right tactical approach to good mountain navigation. It’s ideal for both those who are starting from scratch, as well as those who have some navigating experience but would like to become more proficient and increase their repertoire of skills

SKILLS COVERED

Aspects and techniques covered in the course include:

• Feature recognition

• Map interpretation and relating the map to the ground

• Slope and contour feature interpretation

• Navigation with map alone

• Compass bearings

• Time and pace (distance)estimations

• Tactical Navigation techniques incl. aiming off, doglegging, attack points, etc.

RELEVANT BLOGS

Understanding navigation

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The post 2 Day Mountain Navigation Course appeared first on Scot Mountain Holidays.

The Cairngorms are an ideal training ground. Winter conditions are remarkably consistent. The terrain is quite subtle meaning that you’ll need to apply all you new skills.

The 2 days focus on obtaining the skills and correct approach for maximising your navigational skill level. We concentrate on contour interpretation and ‘play safe’ tactical techniques. We cover timing, pacing and compass bearings yet we develop a wide array of skills to avoid the pit-fall of an over reliance on these 3 techniques. You will increase your ability to gather information from the map and be able to apply corrective techniques.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 2 nights accommodation at Fraoch Lodge
• 2 breakfasts
• 1 dinner
• 2 packed lunches
• pick up from Aviemore station or Inverness airport
• transport to the hill
• instruction from a highly qualified, experienced, local guide

SKILLS TAUGHT

• appropriate navigational equipment for winter
• winter navigation tactics and limiting the effect of error
• recognition of contour features and their use as waymarkers in the winter mountains
• problems associated with navigating by certain features in the winter mountains
• recognition and use of different slope forms
• Navigating by and measuring slope aspect
• time and pacing (micro- navigation) techniques
• tactical navigation techniques incl. aiming off, attack points, collection features etc.
• “Inappropriate” and appropriate winter techniques e.g. hand railing and dog-legging

RELATED BLOGS

Understanding Winter Navigation

Why choose a winter skills course in Scotland?

Top 10 winter skills tips

The post Advanced Winter Navigation appeared first on Scot Mountain Holidays.