🗺️ Mountain Navigation Skills – Map & Compass Confidence

🧭 Navigation Skills – Master Map & Compass in the Hills

Never feel lost again. Our Navigation Skills course teaches you real, reliable route planning and map & compass techniques—skills that let you explore mountains confidently, even when GPS fails.

📊 Course Details & Overview

• ⏱ Duration: 5 hours

• 👥 Group Size: 2-8 participants

• 💷 Price: £60 per person

• 🔰 Skill Level: Open to beginners or anyone wanting to sharpen navigation skills

• 🌍 Locations: Mountain trails / hills around North Wales & nearby uplands

🧭 What You’ll Learn & Experience

• How to plan a mountain route: reading route descriptions, using OS maps & Harvey maps

• Map scales & symbols: difference between 1:25000 vs 1:50000 etc. and how to use them effectively

• Understanding contour lines & elevation: estimating climb / descent and route difficulty

• Pacing, timing & estimating distance—how to walk 100m, how long to travel in poor visibility

• Compass bearings: taking, following, and navigating by bearing under cross‐wind, low visibility or tricky terrain

• Practice in real conditions: navigating small routes off path, finding features, judging direction

👣 Who This Course Is For

Ideal for you if:

• You have little or no formal navigation training

• You’ve relied heavily on phones/GPS and want more independence and safety

• You hike in remote areas, at dusk/dawn, or in low visibility (fog/mist)

• You want to boost your confidence planning mountain walks

🛡️ Why Learn Navigation with Yonder Adventure Company?

• Qualified Mountain Leaders with first-aid & emergency procedure trained

• Practical, hands-on instruction in real mountain terrain (not just theory)

• Small group sizes so you get individual feedback and confidence building

• Guides bring local mountain knowledge, route stories, folklore, to make learning memorable

• Safety prioritised: route choice, contingency in bad weather, checking conditions

🕒 Sample Timeline

• 09:00 AM – Meet at arranged location; introductions & gear check

• 09:30 AM – Map reading basics: scales, symbols, contours

• 10:15 AM – Compass use & plotting bearings and pacing practice

• 11:15 AM – Short route navigation off path; applying map & compass in the field

• 12:30 PM – Lunch & discussion: route choice, emergency planning

• 13:00 PM – Return navigation & debrief; Q&A & confidence tips

(Timings approximate; influenced by weather, visibility, group pace.)

🎒 What’s Included & What to Bring

Included:

• Map & compass use instruction; route planning support

• Qualified guide & safety oversight

• Hands-on navigation practice in terrain

Bring:

• OS map & compass (if you own; if not, we provide or loan)

• Waterproof jacket & trousers; warm layers

• Sun protection, hat; gloves (weather dependent)

• Snacks & water (2 L minimum)

• Suitable walking boots; small daypack; personal medication

💬 Testimonials

"I used to panic when map & compass didn’t match GPS — now I feel like I can trust myself on remote paths." — R. M., Wales

"The practical navigation day changed how I walk mountains: less worry, more freedom." — S. J., Lake District

❓ FAQs

What if visibility is poor or fog appears?
We teach you how to navigate in low visibility using contour features, compass bearings, timed pacing, and staying safe.

Is GPS / phone navigation okay?
Phones are useful backups, but they fail often (battery, signal etc.). This course gives you reliable skills when technology isn’t enough.

Do I develop confidence to plan my own walks after this?
Yes — the aim is to equip you to plan routes with confidence; reading maps, picking bearings, safe navigation.

Can children attend?
Yes—if they are comfortable walking off-path and attentive; supervision by adult recommended.

📅 Book Your Navigation Skills Course

Gain confidence. Reduce fear of getting lost. Learn skills that last a lifetime. Spaces are limited—book now for the next navigation day out.