Navigation Instruction for FRA, Elterwater

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.

FRA Navigation Course, Kettlewell

Teaching navigation to fell runners is great because I get to spend time with others who love being in the hills. So when asked if I would instruct on the Fell Running Association navigation course at Kettlewell it was a no-brainer! This is my second time instructing on the FRA nav course (Elterwater last year) but first time at Kettlewell. It was great to have Tim along as one of the other instructors too. On Saturday there's a short indoor session then it's out on the hill to practice practice practice....

walking on a bearing

superb views all weekend

handrailing a wall....and the snow line!

Then on Saturday afternoon it's a solo navigation course, with check points scattered around....

No photographs of the Saturday evening night navigation course...but I can tell you, from my point on the course (CP2) the stars and views were amazing. I even saw a shooting star and a few satellites orbiting above us.

Sunday morning came around all too quick and it was time for the 10km navigation course. 8 check points out on the hill to be found. I started in position at CP1 until all the runners had passed, then a short hop down the hill to my next station at CP8. I was slightly distracted on my way down as there was a guy out on the hill with a very bouncy spaniel....and then I noticed he was holding a bird of prey!! It turned out to be a Harris Hawk, which flew off then returned - amazing to see one so close (I could have touched it!) and to see it flying too.

check point 1

view from just below check point 1
I was being watched over by two curlews and their beautiful calls

check point 8

Many thanks to Carl (weekend organiser), his band of instructors, and Margaret and Jenny for their warm hospitality and super organisation, and to the family who now run Kettlewell YHA.  If you are looking for somewhere to base yourself in that area I definitely recommend the now independent YHA - the owners did a grand job of looking after us, masses of food for our breakfasts, lunches and dinner on Saturday night and they're really helpful and attentive. Already looking forward to the next FRA course back up in Elterwater later this year. I hear it's about three-quarters booked so if you're thinking of booking be quick!

Myself and Tim are also available for one-to-one or small group navigation training 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 a mix of adventure races, mini-mountain marathons and orienteering events. Our nav courses are tailored to what you want and to compliment the level of knowledge and experience you come with.

Instructor on the FRA Navigation Course, Elterwater

I was delighted to be asked onto the instructor crew for the FRA Navigation Course in Elterwater, perhaps the ultimate praise anyone could give me about my skills. A special thanks to Chris Knox, the organiser, for inviting me, along with Margaret and Jenny for their super organising of everyone, and Ian Winterburn for putting me in touch with Chris.

The weekend is made up of indoor map and compass instruction on the Friday night, an early short pre-breakfast run on Saturday, a solid 4-5 hours on the hill having practical nav instruction and testing skills along the way. On Saturday afternoon the attendees are given a new map and sent off on an orienteering style course with 10 check points with instructors are dotted around ready to give a hand if necessary.  The evening is a paired night navigation exercise and then Sunday starts with a de-brief of the night nav, a talk about the FRA and then onto the hill for a 10k mountain marathon style solo event.

Having spent no time on the hill around Elterwater I decided to head up early on Friday and wander about with a map and compass to familiarise myself with it. The weather was ideal for a recce; blue skies, warm, brilliant sunshine and little wind. The map used on the course is a 1:10000 scale, one I'm not familiar with on the hill. I spent about 4 hours wandering around, reading contours, finding features (knolls seemed to feature quite a lot!) the attendees would be searching out. The level of detail on this scale map is amazing and really intricate for micro-nav.

Looking down onto Chapel Stile

Herdy sheep and the amazing view

Silver How

Lunch spot for me on Friday

Pre-breakfast run briefing from Ian Winterburn

and leaving the hostel on the pre-breakfast run

Paths were often very hidden by the bracken

Navigating a short leg between the many knolls

Route choices being discussed

Marshy areas were used as handrails

Solo nav event through the woods

Check point 3 on the mountain marathon style 10k
event. Sorry to anyone who got wet feet, at least
the dibber wasn't in the middle of the tarn!

The weekend was so enjoyable for me as an instructor, attendees were really keen to learn and took on board all the instruction really well. With any nav course there can be an overload of information, but clearly a good chunk of it sunk in as everyone completed all the mini-events in great time. A very special thank you to Elterwater Hostel, a brilliant base with great food and facilities and super friendly staff.

The next FRA course is in March, and I'm pleased to say that I'll be there. If you're thinking about doing this course stop thinking and get booked on. It's wonderfully social, you'll learn lots and spend time with other runners who might be just as nervous as you about nav, but you'll leave confident and with new friends.

If you can't wait that long and want to have some nav instruction then get in touch - I'm available for one-to-one or small 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, I've personally raced mini-mountain marathons and a few orienteering events. My nav courses are tailored to what you want and to compliment the level of knowledge and experience you come with.