Women's Learn to Navigate Course

SUNDAY 14 JULY 2024: 08:30 AM - 13.30 PM

Join us in an all-women environment and learn:

• Why learn navigation?
• Features of a Baseplate Compass
• Tips and tricks with compasses
• How to use a Baseplate Compass
• What not to buy (and why)
• How to read and understand a Topographic Map
• Grid Reference Points / Latitude & Longtitude
• Take a bearing from a map
• How to walk on a bearing
• Navigation tips and tricks
• How to adjust for declination (and what it is)
• Calculating and estimating distance
• How to re-orient and problem solve if you get lost

We will start our day with some critical navigation theory in a warm, local coffee shop and progress to a close-by outdoor location (20 minute drive), where we will then use all the theory from our morning session, putting it into practice by walking a series of 10-11 bearings, and finding our way off-track around a route of approximately 5 klm / 200 metres ascent.
You'll learn plenty of tricks and tips also - how to use natural features to keep you on track; common mistakes people make and how people get lost. We'll look how to know when you've made a mistake, and how to get yourself unlost - the steps to take to work out where you are, where you went wrong, and how to progress from that.
Even if you aren't planning on walking exploratory off-track hikes just yet - just knowing how to find a direction and keep yourself safe is an essential skill for staying found.
Navigation is also useful if there is an emergency, and you have to leave a track and meet emergency services in a different location.

It's a critical skill, that every outdoor person should have.

Once you understand paper map and compass navigation, then you can progress to using GPS and navigation apps, much more safely and with less risk.

We recommend that every outdoor participant carries a topographic map and compass, as one of their ten essentials when they get outdoors.

WHAT TO BRING

• Hat / Sunscreen
• Water
• Reading glasses
• Lunch / snack

OPTIONAL

• Gaitors
• 1 hiking pole - we have one steep gully section. 1 pole will be helpful if you have dodgy knees

We can provide a loan compasses for the session - if you wish to try a compass out, or you can buy your own. If you need a loan, just indicate on the RSVP.

I've also written a comprehensive article and summary of which compass you should buy, here:

How to Buy a Compass (bushsafe.com)

In addition, I have some of Caro Ryan's excellent 2nd Edition 'How to Navigate' books for sale - you can save on postage and I'll bring your copy along on the day. It will be a fantastic prompter for what you will learn on the day, and you won't have to try and keep any notes.

If you'd like a copy of the book, just purchase one in the RSVP.
* I will send everyone details of our starting location, a week out from the event, but it will be in Central Canberra/Belconnen area**

REFUNDS

If you are unable to attend the course for any reason, unfortunately we do not offer refunds. We may consider a request to transfer your spot to one future event (and a refund cannot be provided from that event).

ABOUT THE ACTIVITY LEAD

Kelli Jackson is a former Search & Rescue member who deployed to Afghanistan for 9 months, and has helped get over 5,500 women safely outoors. Through Bushsafe, Kelli also runs practical Survival Skills courses specifically for women hikers who might find themselves in an emergency situation.
Kelli is regularly featured on ABC radio and in print media, about the outdoors.

You can read about her, here:
How light is too light? - Wilderness Magazine

Host or Publisher Bushsafe