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 ...

At Peak Navigation Courses , we pride ourselves in our compass navigation, getting a real thrill out of sharing map and compass navigation techniques with others Whether you are a complete beginner or joining one of our advanced navigation courses where we use the compass to cross Kinder Scout, choosing the best compass for you can be a real minefield. Go to one of the outdoor or online shops and you will find a sometimes bewildering array of different compasses, so which is best, and how do you choose? If you are a new hill walker, or never used a compass before, a cheaper model is often appealing.  You can pick a compass up from an online shop for a couple of pounds, but is it worth it? Highlander Summit As a starter compass, this may seem appealing, it is light, easy to carry and will point north. However the plastic base is very short, and lacks an arrow to show which direction you should walk - not one we would recommend. Vango DLX0 The Vango DLX is a reas...

How to use a compass A compass is a simple and brilliant navigation tool.  At the very least it will have a needle that points north which will allow you to orientate your map and give you a rough indication of which way to walk.  If you have one designed for hill walking, mountaineering and orienteering then you will have "the full monty" and be able to use it for accurate map reading and navigation.  The compass used to illustrate this blog is a Silva type 4 Expedition (not the military version) and is a great all round compass. In this short feature I can't teach you all of the techniques involved in navigation but will show you how to use a compass to navigate across a short stretch of open moorland from a known point (where you are) to another point (where you want to go). Step 1: I want to navigate from the Trig Point 590m to Madwoman's Stones. Step 2: Lay the edge of the compass across the Trig Point 590m and Madwoman's ...

Peak Navigation Courses,   Which is the Right Course For   Me? At Peak Navigation Courses we want you to have the best learning experience and select the right course so that you get the greatest benefit. Hopefully this Blog will answer your questions.  We run a range of stand alone courses in both traditional (map and compass) navigation and some 1:1 training to get you started with your GPS. Additionally, our Introductory Course (1st Steps to Map Reading & Navigation) can be combined with our Intermediate Course (Moving onto Moorland) to become the Silver National Navigation Award. Intoductory Course - 1st Steps to Map Reading & Navigation Prior Experience.             None required. Classroom based with 2 short walks of 1.5 hours and 2 hours. Terrain encountered.             Paths, fields and some rough pasture on easy mo...

Map Reading and Navigation Courses Being able to navigate accurately through the countryside, moorland and mountains is an essential skill that all walkers should have if they want to stay safe. Navigation Training on Eyam Moor Looking at the different maps for walkers Having the ability to look at a map and plan a route, knowing what the map is telling you about the terrain and having a good idea of how long it will take to walk the route are good map reading skills.   Navigating efficiently around the planned route takes the skills on a stage further. All of these skills can be self taught through books, videos and practice. However learning from experts can give you added knowledge and the benefit of years of experience and topical advice (i.e. which way to get out of the car park or what to do when the map shows one path but on the ground there are two). Successfully Using a Compass to Navigate At Peak NavigationCourses we have a range of...

Learn Map Reading and Navigation with Peak Navigation Courses Silva Type 4 Compass Being able to map read and navigate well is not only a means to keeping safe on your walks but is fun too!   It’s great being set free from guide books and have the ability to plan your own walks. Peak Navigation Courses run a range of courses from those suitable for absolute beginners through to “ Navigation Master Classes” aimed at providing a testing day with useful revision for those already expert. There is something for everyone! Most courses are 1 day courses, usually on a Saturday or Sunday and there is scope for progression through the courses. 1st Steps to Map Reading and Navigation Course The 1 st Steps to Map Reading and Navigation Courses is a good foundation level course that goes through the basics of map reading and how to use a compass. The day starts with a classroom session then progresses to a short walk through fields before lunch.   ...

Our first Map Reading and Navigation course of the Autumn 2013 season got off to a successful start, with 9 participants, one of whom continued to our Intermediate Course the following day, and as a result achieved his Silver National Navigation Award . Despite an uncertain weather forecast, it stayed dry and mostly sunny offering great views from Longstone Moor during the afternoon, when we were able to put those new found skills of reading the map and using the compass to the test. There are plenty of places left on Peak Navigation courses during November, so if you know anyone who may be interested, do pass on the details.

BL***Y Foreign Maps Mike and Jane from Peak Navigation Courses spend the summer months guiding people in the mountains. This summer will see us in Spain’s Sierra Nevada, Swaziland, Mozambique, Scotland and Slovenia. As International Mountain Leaders we are trained and assessed at using all sorts of foreign maps.   We have a lot to be thankful for in the U.K. as our Ordnance Survey maps are perhaps the best in the world. It also makes navigation easier with good maps and makes for safer enjoyment in the mountains. Map extract - Spain's Sierra Nevada In the UK our maps show crags and rock features. This is especially useful as you wouldn’t want to take a line over a cliff.   The map above is from Spain’s Sierra Nevada.   From the contour lines it appears that these are nice rounded hills with no crags at all.    The cliffs at point A on the map The next pictures below show Jane climbing / scrambling at points A and B on the map! Not...

Silver National Navigation Award in a Weekend Learning to navigate in the snow Peak Navigation Courses ran a Silver NNAS course over the Easter weekend for Natural Born Hikers, a “Meet Up” group from London. Ten students in total attended the weekend which was staffed by Jane, Mike and Steve from Peak Navigation Courses.   Normally the Silver NNAS is just a two day course but being Easter the course was extended so that after the Silver NNAS, we included a night / poor visibility navigation session on Big Moor and looked at some more advanced navigation techniques on Kinder Scout. All ten students achieved the standard and had a great time. Night Navigation on Big Moor   Peak Navigation Courses have a programme of Navigation Courses, either 1 day or 2 day (NNAS) based in The Peak District throughout the year. Day courses are priced from £40 per person whilst the 2 day NNAS courses are £85 per person. The courses run by Peak Navigation Co...

More Navigation in the Snow! Peak Navigation Courses run a series of “Quality Days“ or Navigation Master classes aimed at allowing people who can already navigate the chance of some more testing navigation in remote locations. Last Sunday’s course certainly proved that in snowy conditions on Bleaklow with high winds and wind chill temperatures estimated to be -8 degrees (though I thought colder). Setting off from Birchin Clough car park we ascended Lady Clough before crossing the Snake Road onto Bleaklow via Upper North Grain. Difficult navigation on featureless terrain - Navigation Masterclass Quality Day on Kinder Scout Specifically we practised pacing and pacing in snowy conditions where there is a significant loss of traction requiring more paces to 100m. After joining the Pennine way which we followed for 300m, we continued off path navigating to obscure pools and spot heights; via Over Wood Moss before reaching the shelter and welcome respite of Oyster...