What clothing and equipment to bring on a New Forest Navigation map reading course
Navigation will take place on forest tracks, paths, rides and sometimes across open countryside and other public rights of way some of which may be muddy, slippery and rough underfoot. Unless the weather is very windy navigation courses will still take place in the wind and rain!
You must wear appropriate footwear, bring waterproof outerwear and sufficient warm layers even in the summer. During the day you can expect to walk around 6-8miles in total with periods of time spent stopping to look at the map so extra warm layers are essential even in the summer months. Due to the risk of ticks and having to pass through areas of rough heathland or dense undergrowth you are advised to wear long trousers and a long sleeved top or shirt (see Ticks and Lyme Disease' information)
Day courses
Suggested clothing and equipment - packed in a comfortable rucksack
WEAR:
Comfortable ruck sack
Walking boots or sturdy trail shoes - no sandals, soft soled training shoes/urban shoes.
Walking trousers or similar.
Long sleeved base layer top and/or shirt.
Warm hat or sun hat.
Gloves - thin gloves so you can operate a compass and write on the map with them on.
Water proof jacket and trousers.
Personal first kit and any personal medication you are required to take.
Digital watch with a stop watch/timer function is very useful if you have one
CARRY or WEAR - depending on weather
Waterproof jacket and trousers (pack in rucksack anyway even if the weather looks dry)
Extra layer/s which could be a thick fleece or a synthetic or down top or thiner fleece and gilet top. Pack these even in summer months.
Warm hat, sun hat and spare gloves.
Suncream & insect repellant.
Drinking water - 1.5-2 litres
Lunch and snacks - You MUST bring sufficient food for mid morning snack, packed lunch and mid afternoon snack.
Optional extras
Flask or stove and bits to make a hot drink.
Small note book and pen/pencil - (not essential)
Sit mat
Charged mobile phone
You own map, map case, compass or GPS unit
Navigation equipment: New Forest Navigation will provide all navigation equipment required including waterproof maps/sections, compasses and china graph pencils. Those undertaking the training should bring a digital watch with a stop watch function, notebook and pen/pencil and are welcome to bring and use their own navigation equipment. Maps, compass and chinagraph pencils can be also be purchased form Nigel - Just ask and he will bring those items with him to the course.
Night Navigation
Suggested cloning and equipment for Night Naviagtion courses
Night navigation will take place on forest tracks, paths and stretches of open heathland/countryside some of which may be muddy, slippery and rough underfoot. Unless the weather is very windy navigation courses will still take place in the wind and rain!
You must wear appropriate footwear, bring waterproof outerwear and sufficient warm layers even in the summer. During the evening/night you can expect to walk around 3-6 miles in total with periods of time spent stopping to look at the map so extra warm layers are essential even in the summer months.
You will need a head torch and/or a good hand held torch - bring spare batteries as well. Give Nigel a shout if you want to borrow one.
Due to the risk of ticks and having to pass through areas of rough heathland or dense undergrowth you are advised to wear long trousers and a long sleeved top or shirt (see Ticks and Lyme Disease' information).
WEAR:
Comfortable ruck sack
Walking boots or sturdy trail shoes - no sandals, soft soled training shoes/urban shoes.
Walking trousers or similar.
Long sleeved base layer top and/or shirt.
Warm hat or sun hat.
Gloves - thin gloves so you can operate a compass and write on the map with them on.
Water proof jacket and trousers.
Personal first kit and any personal medication you are required to take.
Digital watch with a stop watch/timer function is very useful if you have one
CARRY or WEAR - depending on weather
Waterproof jacket and trousers (pack in rucksack anyway even if the weather looks dry)
Extra layer/s which could be a thick fleece or a synthetic or down top or thiner fleece and gilet top. Pack these even in summer months.
Warm hat, sun hat and spare gloves.
Suncream & insect repellant.
Drinking water - 1.5-2 litres
Lunch and snacks - You MUST bring sufficient food for mid morning snack, packed lunch and mid afternoon snack.
Optional extras
Flask or stove and bits to make a hot drink.
Small note book and pen/pencil - not essential
Sit mat
Charged mobile phone
You own map, map case, compass or GPS unit
Navigation equipment: New Forest Navigation will provide all navigation equipment required including waterproof maps/sections, compasses and china graph pencils. Those undertaking the training should bring a digital watch with a stop watch function, notebook and pen/pencil and are welcome to bring and use their own navigation equipment. Maps, compass and chinagraph pencils can be also be purchased form Nigel - Just ask and he will bring those items with him to the course.
Please be aware of the risks associated with ticks when out and about in the New Forest
Please follow the advice given on the external websites listed below. The contents and advice of these websites are not endorsed by New Forest Navigation
Information taken from New Forest District Council website here
Ticks and Lyme Disease
You can view a copy of our Tick Leaflet here. Ticks are found primarily in wooded and grassy areas such as the New Forest and feed on the blood or passing animals such as humans, particularly in the late spring and early summer. The leaflet gives practical advice on protecting yourself from ticks as well as guidance on what to do if you have been bitten.
External websites and information about ticks can be found at:
Lyme Disease Action website here
Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness UK here
Tools to remove ticks can be purchased online such as this one (New Forest Navigation do not endorse this or any other product)
Read the advice above for day navigation courses and then add or amend for mountain and hill conditions. The weather forecast will give an indication of what to expect but it usually always much cooler, wetter and windier at 600-800 metres!
Equipment, clothing and suitability to take part
Everyone taking part MUST be equip for walking across rough mountain and hill terrain and on exposed mountain tops in ALL weather. You must wear suitable footwear (leather or synthetic full height walking boots), bring/wear a full set of waterproofs (jacket AND trousers even if weather forecast is for fine weather), gaiters, additional warm layer/s (extra fleece or spare top in case of emergency), hat, gloves, spare hat and gloves and if we are lucky a sunhat and sun cream! You may need to bring insect repellant and it is advisable to pack a small personal first aid kit.
It is always much cooler on the exposed mountain and hill tops than you would expect it to be and we will spend quite some time be standing around looking at maps etc. so bring or wear extra to when just walking and spares (you can never have too many warm layers).
Extra clothing, food and water should be packed into a comfortable day ruck sack that is lined with a water proof bag or rucksack water proof liner. Phones, wallets and the like should be in a water proof bag inside the rucksack. An orange 'survival bag' is always a great idea in your walking ruck sack as it will provide additional protection should you have to stop for a prolonged period on exposed summits or during very bad weather.
If you normally need or like to use trekking poles then bring those with you as well. Also remember to bring any regular medication and personal first aid kit with plasters, medication, insect bite relief etc.
Food, water and snacks
Bring enough food, snacks, water (around 1.5-2 litres of water) and a flask (if you like a hot drink) for the entire day and some spare 'high-octane' food if you need an end of day boost. We are out all day and even if we do not walk to far we may not return to the cars until around 17:00-18:00.
Navigation equipment
All maps, compasses and navigation equipment you need for the course will be provided. If you want to bring your own to try out that is fine as well. I will be bringing a large safety ‘bothy’ bag we can use to sit in for lunch or a rest if it cold or wet so it is advisable to bring sit mat or section of camping mat to sit on inside.
Get in touch...
New Forest Navigation map reading courses start from car parks and villages within the New Forest National Park. The New Forest is located in south Hampshire, South East England. It is easily accessible from the surrounding counties of Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey, Sussex and London. No need to travel to Snowdnia or Peak District with the New Forest on your door step!
Course start locations are reached easily from all New Forest villages and towns, which all have a huge range of accommodation options; Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, Lymington, Christchurch, Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Burley, Sway and further afield at Bournemouth, Southampton and Salisbury.
New Forest Navigation
Learn Map Reading and how to use a Compass courses in the New Forest.07873575997