BMC Introduction to Navigation & Hill safety

Book Course

BMC Introduction to Navigation and hill Safety

A one day navigation and mountain safety course for BMC club members.

This one day course introduces the basics of navigation and safety when walking in the mountain environment. During the day you will look at the basic equipment you should have with you on a days hill walk, how you might plan a days walk and then the navigational skills you will need to carry out that days walk. This will be a day spent outside in whatever the weather brings learning by doing.

Course Dates

Sat 14 Aug
Sat 2 Oct
Sat 8 Jan 2022

Meeting Point

The course will meet in Grindleford at 0900. It has good bus and train links to Sheffield and good train links to Manchester.

Course Format

Start 09:00 Grindleford

We start with a short chat to introduce the course and ourselves and also work out individuals knowledge before heading out. During the day we will cover:

• Using the map as a two-dimensional plan.
• Using map symbols and scales on a variety of maps.
• Orientating maps with and without a compass.
• Using the orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of travel.
• Taking a 6 figure grid reference and location reference points on the map.
• Choosing simple navigation strategies and routes.
• Planning safe and suitable walks.
• Using linear features (e.g. paths and tracks) as handrails.
• Estimating distance both on maps and on the ground
• Using contours to match landforms to their map representation.
• Relocating using simple techniques
• Understanding access rights and responsibilities.
• Countryside Code and procedures to be followed in emergencies.
• What basic equipment you might take on a days hill walking

Close 17:00

Equipment Required

A full kit list with recommendations as to what works best is contained in the Joining Instructions. These also contain a host of helpful tips and links to articles and videos to help you get the most out of the course.
Key items are:

• Map.  The Peak District White Peak area 1:25,000. OL24. We strongly recommend using laminated maps
• Compass. We recommend the Silva Type 4 or Expedition compass. Read our review here. Cheaper compasses malfunction very regularly (on average 1 per course) so we advise you don’t waste your money and buy a good one from the start.

Recommended Reading

Whilst it is not required to read anything before the course (apart from the joining instructions!), we give some detailed suggestions together with a host of helpful links and videos are contained in the Joining Instructions.

Accommodation

This Beyond the Edge course is non-residential to allow you to select between a thermarest or 5 star hotel as you require. There is lots of accommodation in the Hope Valley and we recommend The Sir William which offers BtE clients a discounted rate and most courses start from here. Other options are listed on our Accommodation page.

Fitness/Training

A good level of general fitness is necessary with the ability to complete a 6 hour day walk in the hills.

Related Courses

BMC club courses are available in navigation, scrambling and rock climbing.