‘Map Reader’ One Day Introductory Navigation Course.

Total beginner or keen hiker looking to brush up on your skills, The Right on Course ‘Map Reader’ is aimed at all those who want to feel more confident exploring the beautiful British Countryside. After a brief safety chat about hiking equipment and route planning we’ll head out on a day of countryside exploration during which we’ll learn how to get the most out of our map.

Starting at 10:00am prompt and finishes around 4:30pm with a lunch break somewhere pretty, weather permitting. The first part of the day will include the more formal structured teaching of the ‘hard skills’ of map reading followed by plenty of time to put those new skills into practice under Steve’s watchful reassuring eye. The course will go ahead in all weathers, please come prepared and wear suitable hiking boots, waterproofs, warm layers, a drink and a packed lunch.

The Learning Outcomes for the course are:

1. Understand the nature of a map as a two dimensional plan.
2. Understand how to use map symbols and scales, on a variety of maps.
3. Take a 6 figure grid reference for any given position and also locate such a reference on the map.
4. Orientate the map with and without a compass.
5. Use the orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of travel.
6. Choose simple navigation strategies and routes.
7. Use linear features (e.g. paths and tracks) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.
8. Estimate distance on both map and ground.
9. Using a basic understanding of contours, match major landforms like hills and valleys to their map representation.
10. Plan a safe, suitable walk.
11. Relocate using simple techniques on paths and other handrails.
12. Understand access rights and responsibilities.
13. Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues and access legislation.
14. Demonstrate knowledge of the Countryside Code, and of procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.