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Navigation Skills

Saturday, May 25, 2024 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 26, 2024 5:30 p.m.

Google Calendar ICS

Navigation - Don’t Get Lost in the Woods

Learn the most important tool in navigation on this weekend course!

Observation
Maps
Compass
Gadgets
Tech
& PRACTICE

We are bringing in Sean and Joy Prockter from Jasper Hikes and Tours to help us run a full Navigation Course.

Meet your guides

This course includes the use of some of the best navigation apps being used by guides, hands-on fieldwork, map and compass skills and practice leading. Over two days you will have classroom training and field practice. Take a look at all the information and skills we are packing into a weekend in Grande Cache!

DAY 1: CLASSROOM DAY

AM: Trip Planning

Resources for picking suitable hikes (books, apps, map books, etc.)
Mapping tools (Gaia, Fatmap, Caltopo, etc.)
Wx forecasting (SpotWx, Env’t Canada, etc.)
Map & Compass work

PM: Route Planning

Create a route plan
Whiteout Navigation
Discuss average paces in kms/elev. gain/loss
Hazards to identify using previously discussed resources
Brief discussion of avalanche hazard during the early season (“Recipe for an avalanche”) using photo examples
Est. time vs Actual time
Go outside and practice using a compass with a small course laid out
Back inside and talk about gear
Discus tomorrow’s plans

DAY 2: FIELD DAY

Full-day hike, incorporating skills discussed in classroom

Pacing
Use of hiking poles
Each student, if interested, will lead a portion of the hike, learning along the way

GEAR NEEDED:

Compass with a mirror
- Purchase here from a local GP Store, Trekkers Outdoor: Silva Compass
Topo map of GC area 14
- Purchase in the webshop at booking
Day hiking equipment
Weatherproof shoes
Packed lunch 2 days