Demystify night-time journeys and build confidence with the Night Navigation Evening Course near Bristol.
Hands-on training for mastering navigation after dark.
Guidance from experienced instructor with specialised knowledge.
Suitable for those seeking any size of adventure: walkers, runners, mountaineers, and climbers.
About your instructor - Jamie
I started learning navigation and later teaching it, as an air cadet in my early teens. This included air navigation which is a whole other story (nautical miles anyone?).
I went on to learn navigation from a range of different sources, not least when I started training towards being a mountain leader in the noughties. This involved testing my navigation skills in remote locations, often alone and in bad weather.
I progressed on to the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor award which includes an assessment of teaching navigation and other ongoing tests throughout the assessment week.
In the past 15 years I have been very active in mountaineering clubs, leading, planning and coordinating regular training and adventures.
As the days get shorter I spend a lot of my time winter climbing and mountaineering in Scotland, an environment where navigation can mean the difference between a warm car or bothy and an all night epic.
I still enjoy going for a simple local walk with an Ordnance survey map for reference, helping my awareness of the terrain I am moving through. I understand that my skills are ‘perishable’ and need regular practice, greatly assisted by open group reflection.
Groups on these courses come with a wealth of personal experience and I always welcome any input from anyone attending, no matter your background or experience.
Essential Skills Covered
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How to make the paper in your hand line up with the landscape around you. Also called “map to ground”
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How to know how far you need to go. How many paces do you do in 100 metres? How about uphill off road?
How fast are your group going today? How long will it take them?
What will it look like when you reach were you want to go?
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We remove everything else from the map and just think about the ground beneath your feet.
What does the ground do on your chosen path?
What effect will it have on you?
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Before you use a compass is there a quick but accurate way of doing this?
When do you need a compass and how do you dial in the correct bearing?
How accurate is a human walking on a bearing?
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-Personal kit, clothing, head torches etc
-Group kit, shelters, first aid kits,
-Compass and Map, map cases
-Digital options, phone, GPS, apps
-Pace counters, speed aide memoires
Venue in the heart of Bristol
I use the Ashton Court estate as our training venue. Despite its modest size and proximity to Bristol once night falls it has a full range of map features to practice on.
The ‘summit’ of the estate is featureless and a cool place to practice your dead reckoning, walking using your compass, with the lights of Bristol below.
The venue also allows you to squeeze in an evening without having to travel further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A little experience of following a pre planned route, this can be a very short walk of a couple of miles that you might do with family or friends. No map or compass skills required.
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The evening involves a walk of around 3- 4 miles with some steep slopes.
We will stop very often, with plenty of discussions and move as a group, the focus is on learning rather than any particular speed or difficulty.
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Ideally Hiking boots, if you are used to walking in trail running shoes on rough ground then these can be used at your own discretion.
Clothing for the weather, waterproofs and warm layers.
A small rucksack with snacks and maybe a hot drink.
Map, map case and compass if you have them. I have spares for the whole group so this is not essential.
Head torch, I also have spares if required
Spare head torch or small battery pack with a lead that fits your main head torch.
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We will be walking across open fields and on rough tracks.
Possibly up steep muddy slopes.
If you cover this terrain, possibly with the aid of walking poles, then the pace of the group can be adjusted to suit you.
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I aim to run the course despite minor poor weather, in the event of persistent rain, snow or high winds I will look to reschedule the workshop before offering a full refund.