Mountain Skills Course - Bennachie

A step up from our Beginner Hill Skills Workshop, this course will enhance your existing navigation skills and help build your confidence to walk in the mountains using a map and compass, even in poor visibility. Ideally you will have attended one of our beginner hill skills workshops before or be a Bronze Navigator Award holder.

The course starts either inside the Bennachie Visitor Centre or at the Back o’ Bennachie carpark area, after which you will be walking on trails and off path for the remainder of the day.

Course Content:

• Planning a day in the mountains, including what equipment to take for a day in the mountains.

• Develop your map skills, recognise contour features on the map and on the ground (re-entrants, spurs, valleys, small hills, break of slope, etc).

• Be able to orientate your map using contour features.

• Follow a compass bearing using strategies to be successful (aiming off, use of attack points, dogleg, boxing, etc) and be able to deviate from a bearing to avoid obstacles.

• When you would use back bearings.

• Be able to track distance covered on the ground using timing and pacing.

• Develop movement skills.

• Use of mobile phone apps, trackers and GPS.

• Discuss our responsibilities in terms of access and environmental sustainability in the outdoors.

• Hazards and what to do in an emergency.

MEET TIME, LOCATION AND ESTIMATED WALK DURATION

The course starts at 10:00am at the Bennachie Visitor Centre, finished approximately 5pm. You could be walking around 10-15 km, some of which will be off path, with up-hill sections.

There is a charge to park of approx £3 per day.

This course is limited to 6 places.

JOINING DETAILS AND KIT

Joining details, participation forms and kit lists will be sent out the week before the course. Please have a look in our shop, we can post or deliver items to you at the event. All participants receive a 15% discount on goods (except gift vouchers, sale items and books).

 Terms and Conditions apply.