News from Peak Navigation Courses

In the last few days, I have watched 2 couples out for walks in the Peak District struggling to follow a route using a mobile phone. The first was on a fairly isolated bit of moorland; the weather was not the best, and we had just finished talking with our 4 clients about safety and using a compass on the moor where people have got lost in bad weather.    The couple concerned spent a good 10 minutes looking at their phone, trying to work out where they were and then wanted to get to.    As we returned to our cars, we met them again on the road - they had presumably walked to the far side of the moor, then joined the road for a mile or so.    They could have had a lovely off-path walk round the moor, much nicer than the road, had they had the skills to work this out for the map. Today I met another couple in our village, looking for a footpath. They asked a neighbour where to go, but a few minutes later had hardly moved and still looking perplexed so I gave ...

Hill and Mountain Skills Courses Peak Navigation are keen to promote hill and mountain safety and enable people to enjoy getting out into the hills safely. Our hill and mountain skills training courses are available both for those new to hill walking and as a "refresher" for the more experienced. The courses includes: Mountain Safety, Weather and Equipment; Navigation, using a map and compass, route choice and using a GPS.  This 4 day course is based in The Peak District.  Details can be found on the Peak Navigation Courses website. The 7 day Mountain Skills course is  based in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains and additionally includes scrambling and some rope work. This is both valley based and hut based (1 or 2 nights) including ascents of Mulhacen and Alcazaba. Cost from £550 depending on your choice of accommodation and includes your pick up from malaga Airport and final drop off.  Further details can be found on our  website Sierra Nevad...

Introduction to Navigation Course 10th March 10 students from far and wide attended last weekend’s Introduction to Navigation Course with Peak Navigation Courses . The first hour and a half was spent in the classroom learning the basics about maps, contour lines, grid references and how to use a compass before setting out on a five hour walk to put it all into practice. It’s so good seeing the smiles on people faces when they find themselves “spot on” using the compass and pacing to hidden sheep folds and stone circles. Well done everyone! Jane and Mike from Peak Navigation Courses are always happy to answer your questions about navigation, hill skills and equipment, even if you don't book a course with us!

Peak Navigation Courses have been the first step for many people who come to us, learn navigation and hill skills, then go on and become qualified Mountain Leaders. We have recently come across this good article about someone attending a Mountain Leader training course Both Jane and Mike from Peak Navigation Courses are fully qualified International Mountain Leaders and British rock climbing instructors. There is a profile of Jane and Mike on the Website. Jane and Mike are always happy to answer your questions about navigation and hill skills. You could always book onto one of our courses !