Advanced Navigation Course

The Campsie Fells, Conic Hill, Ochil Hills, Arrochar Alps, Loch Ossian. Other locations across the UK available on request.

2 days

Duration

Location

£140 per person, minimum group size of three for course to run.

Please get in touch for school / youth group / charity discounts!

Price

See booking below, also to suit your availability.

Dates

Minimum Age

13 years old

Expert Tuition
Use of required navigation equipment
Complimentary refreshments
10% discount on all items in our online shop

What’s Included

This is it – all your epics and adventures have led you to this moment. You are ready to venture forth regardless of terrain, weather or even daylight. Fame and renown for pinpoint accuracy is what you are after and we can show you how. You’re going outside and you may be some time!

Summary

  • Learn to navigate in poor visibility and at night

  • Expand and refine your skills to use in any terrain or weather

Highlights

A two day practical Advanced Navigation Course based in the Peak District aimed at enhancing your already advanced skills to get you out exploring the wilder and more remote parts of the UK. Aimed at navigators with a strong experience base wanting to push away from the paths and tracks, our Advanced Navigation Course offers an in depth insight into more technical navigation methods.

You will focus on the use of smaller and more infrequent features and navigating through poor weather or in the dark. On completion of this rigorous course you will be able to plan and follow routes in all open countryside, forest or hill environments and will have gained a lot of confidence in your ability to navigate in difficult and challenging conditions.

Based in the incredible Scottish Highlands and Central Belt, you will be perfectly situated to launch out onto the high moorland and ridges of the Campsie fells or the beautiful rolling valleys of Glen Coe. This course starts around midday on the first day and finishes in the early evening (to practice some night navigation). On the second day, the course will run from 09:30 to 16:30.

Course Overview

  • Utilise the skills and techniques of the Beginner and Intermediate Courses

  • Utilise contours and fine detail as the prime method of navigation

  • Accurately: Follow a route, judge distance, check progress against time, use relevant compass skills and maintain continuous map contact

  • Use back bearings and transits to confirm the current position

  • Use aspect of slope as an aid to relocation

  • Select appropriate techniques within an overall navigation strategy

  • Navigate in intricate terrain in reduced visibility i.e. mist or darkness

  • Select an appropriate, safe route in relation to height gain and loss, dangerous terrain and other major hazards

  • Assess the route ahead in the field in relation to prevailing conditions or changing circumstances (e.g. weather, time, daylight, ability/fitness) and re-plan the route appropriately if necessary

  • Shorten a route, use an escape route and know emergency procedures

  • Recognise the occurrence of a navigational error within a few minutes and apply appropriate relocation techniques

  • Select appropriate clothing, equipment and first aid for walking in remote areas in all weather conditions

  • Understand the physical demands created by hill and moorland terrain in all weather conditions

  • Understand the effects of cold, heat, fatigue and discomfort on decision making and execution of a selected route

Course Outcomes

A thoroughly researched programme with proven results

Selection of locally sourced refreshments included, and available throughout

Fully qualified and highly experienced guides

Fully customisable times and itineraries upon request

FAQ’s

  • This course starts around midday on the first day and finishes in the early evening (to practice some night navigation). On the second day, the course will run from 09:30 to 16:30.

    Please note, these times are approximate and could be subject to minor changes. Please leave plenty of time when booking public transport.

  • Anyone aged 13 or over can attend any of our scheduled courses.

    We hold an AALA license and are able to take out children who are younger than 13, however we only offer this on a private guided basis. See our private guiding rates, as this can work out very competitive, especially when booking as a family. There is no maximum age, if you feel young enough to attend then you are very welcome!

  • Almost all courses begin and end at our initial meeting place, which is usually a car park. Here your instructor will be able to provide a quick brew and a snack whilst chatting about the days activity.

    We do not provide food as part of our courses and you will need to bring a packed lunch along for each day. There are often local cafes within a short drive of our locations (but not always!) that can provide you with sandwiches, cakes and drinks.

  • Bookings can be made online. All of our courses can be booked in 3 ways:

    a) Attend a scheduled course.

    These are open to the public to anyone that meets the pre-requisites. We often advertise many dates for each course, we generally always list 12 months of available dates. This is the most popular and often works out the most cost-effective way of attending our courses.

    b) Add a date to our schedule.

    On some courses, we can add extra dates to our schedule, providing you are booking for a certain minimum number of participants, this could be as low as only 2 people. To give us plenty of time to assign staff to your course, you can only add a date to the schedule if it is more than 7 days in advance.

    c) Make a private booking.

    All of our courses can be booked privately, with a private instructor just for you or your group. This gives you the flexibility to book any date that suits you and also it means the instructor can fine-tune the course content to suit your aspirations. To make a private booking, you just need to fill out a booking request, we will then get back to you with availability and a price.

  • None

Book your Advanced Navigation Course

Book With Confidence

Please read the Crux Outdoors terms and conditions prior to making a booking.

Remember, we are also completely bespoke! If you’ve got a specific climbing goal or adventure in mind, we want to hear from you!
Whilst not every adventure may be feasible, we will certainly endeavour to put a package together to suit your requirements wherever that may be. We will also provide a no hidden fees quote at the same time.

We don’t limit ourselves to Scotland either and we love to travel. Whether it’s the beautiful English Lake District, stunning Snowdon massif or the picturesque Yorkshire Peak District, we can provide the experienced guides you’re looking for.