Two days mountain navigation and hills skills in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales.

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to get out and enjoy, and have the confidence to plan and walk routes in UK hills and mountains.

You will learn to:
Gain confidence to plan and walk routes on UK hills and mountains.
Accurately follow a route and check progress using time, pacing and continuos map contact.
Navigation in reduced visibility using compass bearings, contour information and fine details map reading.
Selecting and following a safe route in response to prevailing conditions and changing circumstances.
Assessing conditions and responding by suggesting safe 'escape' routes and knowing emergency conditions.
Recognise and respond to navigational error within a short timeframe.
Techniques for relocation including aspect of slope.

Hill skills
Select - appropriate clothing, equipment and emergency equipment for walking in remote areas as well as gaining an understanding of what to do if things go wrong! A full kit list will be supplied prior to the weekend.

Who is the course for?
Anyone who wants to get out and enjoy the hills and mountains. The course takes place on high moorland terrain but you do not have to be super fit as we will be taking things at a steady learning pace.
Those taking part should have ideally completed a map reading course before such as the one or two day map reading course or the silver NNAS. You do not need prior hill and mountain experience but will need to be properly equipped to have fun and stay safe. A Friday afternoon refresher can also be arranged if requested.

Course cost
The course cost includes the use of maps, compasses and other navigational equipment. Use of emergency equipment and full course tuition for the two days (12-14 hours).
The cost does NOT include accommodation, transport, food etc.

The course takes place each day outdoors on the hills and mountains near to Talybont-on-Usk, South Wales.
Each morning we will meet at 09:15 for 09:30 start outside the Canalside Cafe in Talybont-on-Usk.
The cafe website, address and postcode is here: http://www.talybontstores.co.uk/
There is a village car park about 100 metres down the road from the shop. I have room for 4 people in my car if you wanted to leave yours in the village car park during the day. Saturday we will drive around 10 minutes to a start location near Pencelli and Sunday around 20 minutes to a hillside car park. The security of your car and an belongings within whilst you are parked is your responsibility and it is always advisable to remove any times of value.

Course Format
The course takes place entirely outdoors. The first day will be spend on the lower slopes of Waun Rydd and Bryn learning and practicing navigation skills and techniques, the second will be a mountain walk putting it all into practice over the high plates of Waun Rydd and Gwaun Cerrig Llwydion.
Saturday we will start from Pencelli church and ‘navigate’ our way onto the eastern slopes of Bryn revising rusty map and compass skills on out way.
Much of the day will be spent learning and gaining confidence in using the map and compass, understanding contours and using pacing and timing to walk on accurate compass bearings. We will also run through relocation techniques and what to do if things go wrong on the hill.
Sunday we will park near Blaen y glyn and practice you new found skills by navigating our way across the high plateau of Waun Rydd and Gwaun Cerrig Lywydion with a few practice bearings and navigation challenges as we go!

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.
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.
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.
Please ensure you have declared any medical or fitness issues with Nigel prior to taking part in the course. You will need to be fit enough to walk all day on open moorland/mountain terrain, mountain tracks and paths and across pathless moorland sections, with a number of steep ascents and descents for around 12-16km (8-10 miles, with a relaxed pace with time to enjoy the course and views.)

If you turn up without suitable footwear and clothing and equipment you may not be able to take part in the course. Please check what you need before travelling to Wales!

If you need any clothing or equipment advice drop me an email and I will be only too happy to run things through with you.
Contact me securemail