Walking and Climbing

For Autumn 2011, we are offering four separate weekend mountain Navigation Skills Training Courses. The programme outline is exactly the same as those run on Outdoors Magic's behalf in the past and the dates are as follows:-

October 29th & 30th

November 5th & 6th, 12th & 13th and 26th & 27th

The cost per person is a very reasonable £80 for the weekend course and will consist of two 8 hour days, the format of which will be as follows.

Day one - meet at Wilf Cafe, Staveley (GR 471983, Postcode LA8 9LR) at 09;00 and travel a short distance to Green quarter fell where we will spend the day looking at all aspects of navigation skills including:-

Orientation of the map

Pacing

Timings using Naithsmiths Rule

Identifying features from gound to map

Grid references

Tick off features

Aiming off

Attack points

taking a bearing/walking on a bearing

Resections

The aim will be to cover as much of the syllabus as possible on day one and day two will see us meet again at Wilfs at 09:00 and then head further up the Kentmere Valley to negotiate the Kentmere Horseshoe as a means to further put into practice; and consolidate, the navigation skills learnt on Day one.

These courses are not residential nor have any been so in the past. We will help people find reasonably priced accommodation and can recommend Maggs Howe Camping Barn at Kentmere as well as Ambleside Backpackers and also Ashes Lane campsite as handy for camping.

People have, in the past, dined at the Eagle & Child Pub in Staveley on the Saturday night. Anyway - here are a few recommendations for you for starters!

If anyone would like further information on the navigation skills course syllabus pm me directly and I will forward you a copy. There is a syllabus and you will be trained to MLTE standard over the two days, but it is not possible to attach the syllabus as a word document directly to this thread.

The same applies to a suggested kit list for the course. If you pm me with your email address I will forward you a copy

We will provide laminated maps in scales of 1:50 & 1:25, 000 scales for these courses. You will need to bring your own compasses and we would recommend the Silva Type 4 Expedition as being the best tool for the job

Any of these courses will run if we get a minimum of 4 people and we can work with a maximum of 8.

If anyone is interested in this offer then reply to me here or pm me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Iain Gallagher

As of today we have two people booked on to the Navigation skills training weekend taking place on November 5th & 6th.

We need a minimum of two more people for it to run.

The navigation skills training weekend course due to have taken place on November 12th & 13th has been cancelled due to lack of interest and I shall be attending an OM meet instead

The weekend of October 29th & 30th, November 5th & 6th and 26th & 27th are still open for bookings.

Anyone requiring additional info please pm me.

Regards

Iain

I have just returned from attending KMS's course held on the weekend of 5/6 November.

In my opinion, the course was excellent. For newcomers to map-and-compass navigation,  it provided a comprehensive introduction: for those already familiar with the basics, it provided plenty of reinforcement and practice. Iain, the tutor, was cheerful and patient throughout and all of us particpants enjoyed the course.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the course. (by way of disclaimer, I have no connection with KMS except as a customer).

See a report from the Navigation Skills Training course run on November 5th & 6th  here

The weather could not have been better

We are running a further course during November 26th & 27th if anyone within OM is interested.

Regards

Iain Gallagher