2 Day Basic Navigation Techniques
National Navigation Award Scheme – NNAS – Bronze Certificate
Course Location: Patterdale, Ullswater – exact location TBC

What to expect

A professionally designed and delivered course by Hiking Highs on behalf of the NNAS (National Navigation award Scheme). Over the 2 days you will delve into Navigation like you never have before, pouring over maps, unlocking the code, planning routes and getting some proper ‘practical’ training in.

If you demonstrate the correct understanding after 2 days intensive training and assessment, then you will walk away with a NNAS Bronze Certificate and will be able to use this to either gain your Silver Award or put it towards a Mountain Leader Training course.

What will you learn?

How to read a map, understand contours & features
How to use a compass in conjunction with your map
How to orientate your map
How to relate land features around you accurately to your map
How to use features along your chosen route to identify your location at any given moment
How to set a bearing
How to re-locate, should you become miss-placed (we don’t like to say lost!)
How to use timing and pacing in order to find your chosen control point/location
Demonstrate an understanding of the Countryside Code, knowledge of what equipment is suitable for the fells and emergency procedures that are relevant
How to plan a route
Some safe navigational techniques
Identify hazards
What are the benefits?

Gain a deeper understanding on how to use a map & compass in order to navigate a chosen route, across different scales of maps.
Grow your confidence to take people further afield, but with-in your qualification’s perimeter’s
Gain a bronze NNAS certificate to show you have the skills (continued personal development)
Use this course to help you gain your Walking Leader Qualification (It will set you on the right track, giving you a good understanding of navigation, not give you the course work or qualification)
Increase your earning potential by being able to plan breath taking routes
Who is it for?

Fell Walkers who would usually follow others and would like to start to understand the map for themselves, Road & Trail runners new to navigation.

This is an entry-level course into navigation for personal development & will give you an NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) Bronze Award, assuming you are able to demonstrate a good understanding and application of the skills being learnt on the course.

No qualifications are needed in order to participate on this 2 day course.

Course Program

Arrival Time: 08:30 – 09:00 both days

Meeting place: Patterdale, Ullswater – Exact location TBC

Day 1:

09:00 – Meet and greet – please bring your own hot drink and snack
09:45 – Around 2+ hours theory in the morning
11:45 – Quick break for more refreshments
12:00 – Around 3.5 hours walk – lunch on the fell or earlier in doors, weather dependent (provided by you)
15:30 – Debrief of the day for day 2 on return walk
Day 2:

08:30 – Meet & Greet – route chat, folding & marking up your maps
09:00 – A day on the hill – 10-12km not strenuous but still a fell walk – lunch out on the fell (provided by you)
15:30 – Debrief of the day – private 5/10 minutes for each course participant on the return stretch of the walk
The course is based around the trails and fells above Glenridding/Patterdale

What to bring

Compass, preferably with magnifying glass – message us if you would like advice to buy one
Harvey/BMC 1:40’000 map of the Lake District or Ultramap XT40 – East – Hiking Highs can post you these maps out as we are a harveys supplier
Ordnance Survey 1:25’000 OL5 Map or the Lake District Dinky Map – Central Lake District, which is fully waterproof and light weight
Full waterproof cover (Jacket and Pants), these must be taped seems, please call to discuss if you’re not sure
Clothing suitable for the countryside & time of year – We will not be moving quickly, so please account for that in your clothing selection. – remember it is a 2-day course, so you will need clothing for 2 days
1 spare warm top, not cotton please. Wool or synthetic will be fine
Spare clothing for day 2, should your day 1 clothing get wet
Suitable footwear for wet ground, preferably off road/walking/running shoes
Hat & Gloves x 2
Head torch
Lunch, day-food & a water flask
Meet your coach & founder of Hiking Highs – Nicky Merrett

Nicky lives at the foot of Helvellyn, and the Helvellyn Massif is her playground all year round.

As an accomplished Nordic Walking Coach & walk leader, Nicky found her clients were keen to explore the higher fells, so took the next step to qualify as a Mountain Leader in 2018. She found herself being inspired by her clients, pushing their boundaries and giving an all round uplifting experience to all who walk with her.

Nicky also teaches Navigation to a high level, helping fellow hikers to loose the fear and gain confidence in maps to explore further and off the beaten track.

There’s always a story with Nic, and knowledge of the surroundings in which they walk. There is a huge excitement for Nic to give folk the tools in order to achieve and gain confidence in the fells. Hikers have joined her on many walking holidays, both high and low level all over The Lakes.

Nicky lives with her youngest son and daughter in the heart of the fells above Glenridding. She has 4 children, 2 grandchildren, who all share her adventures on the fells.

See our About Us page to find out more.

Cost: £130