Navigation Skills in the Hills
FRIDAY, 17 JUL 2020 – SUNDAY, 19 JUL 2020
We will be running more of these weekends once COVID restrictions have lifted. To be added to the waiting list email bex@loveherwild.com.
*FULL*
Using a bunkhouse as a base, join this weekend dedicated to learning and improving navigation skills. In a relaxed, small and supportive team – and making use of the rugged Snowdonia mountains – you will have the chance to brush up on your skills and build map reading confidence.
The Plan
After arriving on the Friday night at a local bunkhouse (Gwern Gof Usaf) in the heart of Snowdonia, your expedition leader, Kate, will deliver a basic navigation session where you will get to grips with how to read a map as well as a briefing about what to expect over the course of the weekend. You will also talk about how you go about planning a route in advance.
After a hearty breakfast you will set off into the mountains for a day practising different navigation techniques. Everyone will have an equal chance to try your hand at leading the way (don’t worry – you won’t be forced to do anything you are comfortable with!) and also orientating yourself after getting lost. Kate will set relaxed and fun tasks to test your skills throughout the day.
Although you’ll need to be fit enough to take on a full day hiking in the mountains, the pace will be steady and there will be plenty of breaks. This isn’t a competition and it isn’t a race.
The team will return to the Bunkhouse for an early dinner (or you can choose to eat at a nearby pub, a short drive away). Saturday evening is a chance to share stories and unwind after a busy day in the hills. If you are feeling up for it and would like the practice, you will have another chance to head out into the mountains at night to try your hand at night navigation. Navigating at night is completely different and requires an entirely new set of skills. Make sure you remember your headtorch!
Sunday morning after breakfast, the team will head out for a final practice session in a new area of the mountains. These last hours will be used to practice any areas of navigation that you don’t feel confident with yet and to take on some even more challenging tasks. You will return to the bunkhouse before lunch which will mark the end of the weekend.
Start point: Gwern Gof Usaf Bunkhouse, Ogwen Valley – 17 July, 7pm
End point: Gwern Gof Usaf Bunkhouse, Ogwen Valley – Sunday 19 July, 1pm
Who will be leading this expedition?
This expedition is being led by Love Her Wilder Kate Owen, who is a qualified mountain guide and North Wales local. Kate is passionate about sharing this beautiful landscape with others. Those of you who came to the Love Her Wild Weekend 2018 may remember Kate from the navigation workshop she delivered.
What’s Included
– Experienced and insured mountain leader
– Training on navigation and expedition skills
– Group equipment including map and compasses
What’s Not included
– £24 cash for bunkhouse accommodation*
– Food and drink
– Transport to and from the bunkhouse
*you will need to pay £24 in cash on arrival at the bunkhouse. While your space at the bunkhouse has been reserved, we are not able to make the payment for insurance reasons (this is something we are looking to change for future adventures but for now, doing it this way means we are able to keep costs down for you!)
What will I need to bring:
– Sleeping bag & pillow
– Waterproof boots
– Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
– Day pack
– Warm Layers
– Hat and gloves
– Headtorch
– Compass and OS map of the area (if you buy a waterproofed map, which is recomended, a small permanent marker is useful for marking points and making notes on the map)
– Food:
Friday – Dinner
Saturday – Breakfast, lunch, diner (option to eat at local pub for diner or cook at the bunkhouse)
Sunday – Breakfast
Also bring plenty of snacks for during the hike and after the swim….cake strongly encouraged!
You do not need any previous experience. Although we won’t be covering huge distances, you do need to be comfortable hiking with your day pack on for a full day.
Dates: 17th – 19th July
Cost: £140
Where: Gwern Gof Usaf Bunkhouse
Note that spaces are limited to just 10. Bookings include a £50 non-refundable deposit.
Full booking terms and conditions can be read here.