The ability to walk over the land with a clear understanding of where you are, and where you’ve come from forges a bond with your environment like nothing else. You have, even from the forest floor, an opportunity to see a birds-eye view of the land through the map; and by mean of the humble compass you’ve access to the planetary forces of our world that aline needles north/south. These tools, used in conjunction with that more subtle sense of direction that can be gleaned from the trees, plants and stars themselves serve to guide you across your journeys. I’ve often marvelled at the sense of achievement we feel in hitting a small mark over miles of terrain with these skills, and that’s why I’m bringing you this series courses. -Jamie Dakota

WHAT’S COVERED: 

On this Essentials single day course we’ve really paired down our Introductory and Intermediate courses to bring you a concise, high density course that gives you the strongest foundation on which to build your own skills. If you’re new to navigation the day arms you with a suite of techniques to form routes and plan walks, and gives you the methods by which you can safely move away from footpaths into open spaces. For those already familiar with the basics it gives you to opportunity to quick learn and implement more advanced techniques to get you up the curve swiftly. Coming from any background though, this day course promises to be a fun, relaxed and enjoyable way to learn navigation skills in the great outdoors.

• Introduction to the map

  • Reading paths, rivers, contour lines and other features

  • Planning routes and using the land to your advantage

  • Gauging distances

• Introduction to the compass

  • The cardinal directions and how to orientate yourself

  • Using the compass to shoot bearings

  • Using a compass to relocate your position

• Natural Navigation

  • Using plants to get a sense of direction

  • Reading the growth of trees

  • How wind and water can help us when we’re lost

• The course is run as a long form navigation challenge, we’ll be moving most of the day covering around 8km over the course. We will be walking at a generally slow pace, working as a group with the guidance of the instructors to work out how to find each way-mark. As such you should be fit enough to spend most of the day on foot, walking at times up some steep/ rough ground.

ALPKIT

Our Wayfinder navigation courses are hosted by the Alpkit Hathersage Store, where we meet to begin each course with a coffee or tea, and a briefing on the sofa! From here we launch into a day of skills and excellent landscapes, returning at the end of the day for a debrief followed by an optional tailored tour of the store where the Alpkit store team can speak about their product design and materials, developments and repairs. We were honoured when Alpkit offered to support our navigation course by providing a hub for us, and having used their gear loads ourselves we were very happy to introduce some of their key pieces of equipment to you.

DETAILS:

• 10am - 4.30pm

• £65 per person

• Please note the terms and conditions before you book

• Small group size with a maximum of 8 guests to ensure we create a very high interaction time with the instructor.

  • This day course is also available as a private booking, so if you have a group of friends that want to get outside and learn some skills contact us directly for a quote.

• A full kit list is given out on booking, but you won't need much more than warm clothing and some lunch.

• Due the involved nature of this course, we don't feel its suitable to under 10 year olds (please ask if you have any questions)

• Under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult

• Run in the stunning Peak District, meeting at the Alpkit store in Hathersage. We'll send you exact details with the booking pack.

• Instructor: Jamie Dakota Instructor: Max Barnes Instructor: Robin Heath Instructor: Neil McDonald