This is my third time instructing on a Fell Running Association navigation course and yet again it was a cracking weekend. Good students, good weather, good service from the hostel in Elterwater and good all round. It was good to have Tim along as an instructor this time too, and meet up with past and new instructors on the course.
The weekend schedule is:
Friday evening arrive, meet and greet followed by a classroom based intro to navigation
Saturday - early morning run, a short exploration close to the hostel and through the quarry
Saturday morning/early afternoon - navigation out on the hill
Saturday afternoon - solo navigation event putting into practice the skills learnt
Saturday night (after dinner) - night navigation exercise in pairs, 10 check points in a small area
Sunday - early run along the river, good views of the morning sun hitting the peaks high above the valley
Sunday - 10km solo navigation exercise, finding 10 check points on the open fell
I really enjoy the whole weekend, getting to spend time teaching map and compass skills. Even with a weekend it always feels like we need a week to really get the skills drilled in fully, and like anything confidence grows with practice and more practice.
 |
| essential kit for the weekend |
 |
| check point |
 |
| one of the good features to navigation from |
 |
| working out compass bearings and setting the map |
 |
| juniper tree |
 |
| juniper berries - and yes they did smell just like gin! |
 |
| view over towards Helvellyn direction |
 |
| mushrooms! (tiny ones) |
 |
| complex terrain to test out the navigation skills |
 |
| glorious views like this all weekend |
 |
| view towards Helvellyn on Sunday was even better |
 |
| which knoll am I aiming for? |
 |
| Good ole' Herdy sheep |
 |
| and don't forget the bracken! |
If you can't wait until the next FRA course (March 2016) and would like to have some navigation instruction then get in touch - Tim and I are available for one-to-one or group tuition in the Peak District, Snowdonia or the Lake District. As well as leading guided fell runs and taking runners out on race recces, we've both raced mini-mountain marathons, orienteering events and many fell races. Our navigation courses are tailored to what you want and to compliment the level of knowledge and experience you come with. We are also course providers for the NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) and can provide courses to help you gain your Bronze and Silver Awards.
Tel: 07985 251185 or contact@globaltherapies.com for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment