Map Skills - Moors and Dales, Navigation Courses.

Learn how to read a map, then navigate safely by using simple and easy-to-remember techniques.
Basic to Advanced navigation courses available.

This website is now unfortunately closed. I shall no longer be taking bookings for courses. Due to health issues, I am unable to offer classes. The effects of heavy smoking in my younger days have caught up with me – COPD. (I haven’t touched a cigarette in 30 years). Basically, I have to keep stopping to get my breath when ascending hills, because my lungs have lost their elasticity. The booking section of the website has been removed.
I will still be out walking & backpacking, at my own pace, but not taking classes.
Thank you to all those I have taught in the past. Any questions, get in touch via email. (11/12/2025)

ADJUSTING FOR MAGNETIC DECLINATION/DEVIATION.

Magnetic North has moved further to the east towards Siberia. For the previous 3 years, Grid North & magnetic north have been in alignment. So if you took a map bearing or a grid bearing, the bearing was the same.
Magnetic North in the North York Moors & Yorkshire Dales area is approximately 0’5 to 1 degree east of Grid North. [Magnetic north is moving approximately 1 degree east every 5 years].

From Map to CompasS you need to Subtract the difference.
(Subtract 1 degree from your bearing as you go from the map to the compass bearing)

From Compass to MaP you need to add (Positive).
(Add 1 degree to your bearing as you go from the compass to the map bearing)

Over a distance of 300 metres, the variation equates to a distance of 5.24 metres

Over a distance of 500 metres, the variation equates to a distance of 8.73 metres

OK at the moment, that will not make a great deal of difference as most base plate compasses are only accurate to 1 to 2 degrees. The distance between you actual target location and your “location” without making the adjustment is only small now, but will be greater in time, as magnetic north continues its journey further east.

December 2025, it has finally happened Grid North & Magnetic North are no longer in alignment. When adjusting for map & compass bearing you need to make adjustments!

One Day Map and Compass Navigation Courses in the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales

For walkers, hikers, backpackers
and wild campers.

Do you lack the knowledge and skills to navigate safely using a map & compass?
You have an Ordnance Survey map, but can you ‘really’ read it?
Learn the 5 D’s of Navigation – Direction, Distance, Duration, Description, & Destination
What are contours? Can you recognise features, valleys, spurs, and the shape of hills?
In an emergency, could you provide a 6-figure grid reference to Mountain Rescue?
Can you use a compass to take and follow a bearing?
Have the skills to know where you are, and where you’re going!
Book a Navigation Course and learn those skills.

Why book a One-Day Map and Compass Navigation Course in North Yorkshire?
Outdoor Safety and Adventure – Avoid getting lost. Whether you are hiking, wild camping, or backpacking, it is essential to know where you are and where you are going.
Learn to read a paper map and operate a magnetic compass; you are using traditional and still highly valuable skills, which are relevant even today.
Explore remote areas; rather than following the crowd, discover more by forging your own path!
Emergency Preparedness – There’s no need to rely solely on electronic gadgets. If your GPS failed, would you know what to do? For instance, be able to provide your grid reference in the event of an emergency.
Next, consider the distance: how far can you travel in the available time? Do not become trapped on the hills and mountains at night.
Discover ‘Timing and Pacing’ for measuring distance.
Learn about ‘collecting features,’ tick off waymarks as you progress along the route.
Recognize your destination by using ‘catching features’, a predetermined time, or a distinct physical object.
Moreover, be aware of any potential dangers along the route and know how to avoid them.
Personal Development – Learn a new, traditional skill. As a result, build your self-confidence in the outdoors.

One Day Map and Compass Navigation Courses in North Yorkshire

What you will receive

After booking your one-day Basic or Advanced Navigation Course in North Yorkshire, you will receive a pre-course training manual via email. This will be sent as a PDF file, which you can download and either read digitally or print for convenience.
Reading through this manual will provide you with a foundational understanding of map and
compass navigation.
We will talk about these in more detail when we meet and before commencing the practical navigation exercises.
In addition, you will be sent detailed joining instructions, including a recommended kit list to help you prepare for the day.
On the day of the course, you will also receive a laminated booklet. This handy reference guide will reinforce what you learn throughout the day and includes useful tools such as distance/time estimation tables and ascent/descent timing charts.
A 9.30 a.m. start at a cafe location (if available) for a hot drink, to discuss the basic navigation skills course notes you were sent.
A kit check, to ensure your clothing is suitable and you’re not carrying too much or too little.
By 9.45 to 10 a.m. We should be out practicing our new skills.
The days are not physically strenuous to allow for concentration on navigation, but are still in challenging terrain. There will be plenty of time for breaks, as the course can be mentally taxing.
Between 4.30 to 5 p.m. course concludes, then a debrief.

One day Basic Course

This Course is for those who wish to learn to navigate with a map and compass, safely in the outdoors, especially in upland and remote areas. Aimed at the complete beginner or those with limited experience of navigating using a map and compass. Discover about : –

Map scales.
Signs & symbols.
Contours.
Setting/orienting the map, so what you see on the ground is on the map.
4 & 6 figure grid references.
Distance, timing and pacing.
The parts of a base plate compass.
How to take a map and compass bearing & follow them.
About magnetic deviation / declination & how to allow for it.
The 5D’s of navigation: – Direction, Distance, Duration, Description, Dangers

Putting these all into practice. So you can follow a route with confidence
After completing this course, you should be able to locate yourself within a 100 metre square or a 6 figure grid reference

One day, Advanced Course

This course is for those who have already completed the basic course and spent time practicing those skills.
Or those who have been using a map & compass for some time and want to hone their skills.
An assessment of your existing skills will be made, and gaps in your knowledge or skills will be updated.
You will learn to use ‘Micro-navigation techniques’ of : –

Aiming off
Attack points
Handrailing
Funnel features
Way marks & transit points
Dog legging
Boxing
Leap frogging
Using back bearings
Slope aspect & shape
Resection technique#
Relocation [finding your location when ‘lost’]
Naismith’s rule & variants
How to plan a route & card
How to follow a bearing in white out conditions or fog

More precise navigation practice. After this course, you will be able to locate yourself within
10 square metres or an 8-figure grid reference