Night Navigation

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Night Navigation and Poor Visibility Navigation Course

Most of us who have been walking in the hills and mountains have experienced the mist coming down. Also in Britain once the clocks change in the autumn, it seems as if there are fewer daylight hours and it is not uncommon to see people returning from their walk after it is dark.

On Kinder Scout in the mist
Whether you are caught in the mist or end up coming down in the dark, it is useful to have practiced in poor visibility beforehand.

Map reading and navigation in poor visibility, especially off path across open ground requires slightly different techniques and strategies.  It is harder to interpret the “contours” around us and if navigating in a straight line using a compass we need greater precision and strategies using “handrails” and “catching features.” 

In situations like this pacing and timing play a more vital role in telling us where we are. Knowing just how many paces you take to a hundred meters in a variety of terrains is so important.

Peak Navigation Courses - Night Navigation Course 

 Peak Navigation Courses run night navigation courses during the winter months aimed at equipping you with the skills and strategies necessary for poor visibility navigation.  Each course runs from 6.30pm to 9.30pm in The Peak District.

The courses are really only suitable for people who already know how to use a map and compass and are confident on rough moorland off path.
Peak Navigation Courses run a range of other courses:

Night Navigation Course with Peak Navigation Courses
1st Steps to Map Reading and Navigation;

Introduction to Moorland Navigation Course;

a more demanding “Intermediate” navigation course that involves a range of techniques crossing Kinder Scout;

as well as this Night Navigation Course.
With winter coming fast, consider a night out with the experts!

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