Updated Oct 2022 – So I first wrote this blog 3 years ago – I’ve done a lot of teaching night nav now so I thought I’d update it. New comments are in italics and the links have been updated. Suddenly when I look up from working in the hut at the bottom of the […]
I spend a lot of time teaching and assessing navigation and one of the things I’ve noticed is that I often see the same mistakes being made by complete beginners AND by people getting ready (& sometimes actually on) their mountain leader assessment. For navigation to be right it needs to have a good foundation. […]
Every week it seems there’s another story about hillwalkers needing to be rescued because they’re “navigationally challenged” (lost!). Navigation courses remain the most popular courses I offer. But navigation – like all skills – is evolving, so I thought I’d write a post on where I am with this nowadays. Like most people working in […]
The high fells have had their first dusting of snow. Sure it’ll disappear for a while – but now ‘proper’ winter has made it’s appearance – the fells are more alluring , but also a little more dangerous. So how many of you change the absolute basics of what you take out with you – […]
As winter starts to make it’s presence felt on the high fells there is one clothing question I get asked more than any other; “What gloves do you recommend?” Just like any of my top tips or gear reviews I’m only going to write about items and systems that I’ve actual first hand experience of, […]
I closed my last Safeguarding article with this: these are the four main characteristics of an adult who a child or vulnerable adult is likely to put their trust in: Being there; children, young people and the vulnerable want to have the general feeling that someone is there for them. Proving themselves; taking the time […]
I run a lot of navigation classes and workshops – and it is always one of the most popular refresher days I offer – it’s a skill that needs to be practiced and can’t be learnt from books. Perhaps the element I see people struggle with the most is being able to translate what they […]
Water seems to be one of the things that people most under estimate when they plan a day out. Even a small amount of dehydration can affect your ability – yet frequently I find I’ve clients who bring too little – presumably to save weight , we all like to save carrying weight if we […]