David Matthews
Professional
Mountain Leader
Residential Mountain Navigation Course
Residential mountain navigation courses can be
planned and provided for groups of friends at Smelt
Mill in the Bowland Hills of Lancashire.
The course is designed to provide the individual with opportunity to learn the theoretical principles of using a map and compass, and to provide opportunity to develop basic skills in navigating in remote hill country. At the end of the course it is expected that participants will have the confidence to navigate competently in conditions of good visibility, and have the basic understanding of the process to enhance their personal safety in poor visibility or complex remote terrain.
The pictures on this page show how Smelt Mill is perfectly situated in an area of moorland and rolling hills that is excellent for learning map and compass skills.
Example
Programme
Friday evening
1700 - Arrivals at Smelt Mill
1800 - Introductions
Outline
and discuss the course timetable
Identify current knowledge, establish personal learning outcomes
Outdoor equipment check
1900 - Evening Meal
2000 - Looking at maps, map legends, scales, grid references
Saturday
0800 - Breakfast
0900 - Outdoor Work, interpreting the map, using
legends
and contours.
Pacing and timing
distances.
Orientating the map
and following a planned route
Identifying
features and location
1300 - Picnic Lunch
1400 - Using the compass
Taking bearings
from map and environment
Using bearings to
establish location and features
Magnetic, Grid and
true North
Walking on a
bearing
1730 - Return to Smelt Mill, Discuss the day's activities, review learning
1900 - Evening Meal
2030 - Short night navigation exercise
2130 - Return to Smelt Mill
Sunday
0800 - Breakfast
0900 - Route planning, estimating distance, time, ascent and descent
1030 - Outdoor work
Following a route,
reinforcing learning (pacing and
timing), leading a walk
Techniques for poor
visibility
Walking on bearings
in difficult terrain/weather
1300 - Picnic Lunch
1500 - Return to Smelt Mill
Evaluate learning, answer
questions, identify ways
of reinforcing future learning
1600 - Course Ends - Depart
Information
The cost of the course is £125 per person, fully
inclusive of residence, all meals and instruction. A deposit of £25 is
required at the time of booking. The instructor/student ratio will
be 1:6 or less. (No more than 6 students per instructor). The course can run for
a minimum of 6 persons.
Make cheques payable to D.R. Matthews and post to: Fairfield, PO Box 310, Preston Central, PR1 9GH
Details of the location of Smelt Mill will be provided on receipt of a booking with deposit. Ample parking available. For more details about Smelt Mill click here.
Couples may share rooms if they wish. There are ample toilet/shower facilities, with unlimited hot water provided. There are no en-suite facilities!
Meals
Breakfast: - Choice of cereals with milk, Fresh Orange Juice, 'English Breakfast', Toast and jam/marmalade, tea or coffee
Packed Lunches: - Filled bread rolls, crisps, chocolate bar, fresh fruit hot and cold drinks.
Dinner: Soup or other starter, main course, dessert
Tea, Coffee and fruit squashes are available on a 'help yourself' basis. Please bring your own wine, beer etc with you.
There are no shops in the locality.
NOTE: Vegetarian alternatives can always be made available, but we must be notified at the time of booking.
What to bring
Personal casual wear for indoors, towel, toiletries.
Sleeping bag or duvet quilt, pillows are provided, but some people like their own.
Outdoor kit, boots, socks, waterproofs, jacket or fleece jumper, hat and gloves. Rucksac, Flask or drink bottle (can be provided).
Camera, pen and paper for taking notes, spectacles if needed, torch for night exercise (can be provided).
For the course you might like to buy your own compass, it is suggested that a Silva Type 4 is the best. If you have no compass a basic model will be provided for the duration of the course.
