1 Jan 2021

Navigation – Silver NNAS Award

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National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) – Silver Award

 

The Silver National Navigation Award is a two day course and develops skills acquired at Bronze Level so that you can navigate in open countryside using compass bearings and natural landforms. The course is ideal for participants who are confident in using a map to follow paths and tracks in lowland countryside terrain and want to learn how to navigate off path.  The course will cover:

Setting and following compass bearings across open ground

Using pacing to measure distance

Estimating the time needed for height gain

Using landforms like hills, ridges, spurs and valleys to navigate

Adopting appropriate strategies for navigating from one point to another, using techniques like aiming off and attack points.

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The NNAS Silver Navigator Award will take place in Snowdonia National Park and will involve periods where you’ll be navigating away from paths and tracks. The course is accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 5 and 2 SCQF credit points are awarded on completion.

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Syllabus

Utilise the skills and techniques of the Bronze Award in the context of Silver Award navigation strategies.

Relate small hills, small valleys, prominent re-entrants and prominent spurs to their corresponding map contours. Use prominent hills, ridges, spurs and valleys as a means of navigation in good visibility.

Use landforms and point features to orientate the map and as collecting and catching features.

Use a compass to: Accurately follow a bearing; aim off; check the direction of handrails and other linear features.

Deviate briefly from a compass bearing to avoid obstacles or difficult terrain and accurately regain the original line.

Use back bearings to check route following accuracy.

Measure distance on the ground in varied, open terrain using timing and pacing and make practical allowances for any discrepancies.

Simplify legs using coarse navigation, attack points and fine navigation.

Recognise dangerous or difficult terrain on map and ground.

Plan and implement navigational strategies based on the above skills.

Maintain route finding accuracy in poor visibility or darkness.

Recognise a navigation error within a few minutes and apply appropriate relocation techniques.

Understand how personal fitness and nature of terrain affect route choice both at the planning stage and on the ground.

Understand the potential consequences of fatigue and physical discomfort in demanding terrain and/or extreme weather conditions.

Select appropriate clothing, equipment and first aid items for walking in open country in all weather conditions.

Demonstrate an understanding of the Countryside Code, current access legislation and the environmental impact of walkers on the countryside.

Understand the responsibilities of walkers towards other countryside interests such as farming, forestry and conservation.

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Course details:

This course runs over two days. You must complete the full course and pass the assessment in order to achieve the Silver NNAS Award. The assessment will normally take place on the afternoon of Day 2. All training (and assessment) will be delivered practically in the outdoors rather than in a classroom. This is a ‘hands-on’ real navigation course.

 

*Please contact myself via email with any course enquiries: mwall16@tiscali.co.uk or click on link below to book:

 

 

 

 

21 Sep 2020

Navigation – Bronze NNAS Award

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National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) – Bronze Award

The course takes place over 2 days in Snowdonia and will equip you to safely enjoy hillwalking and a range of other outdoor activities without getting lost. (Mountain Rescue estimate that 80% of accidents in the hills are the result of a simple navigational error).
The course is fun and interactive, based entirely outdoors.
The Bronze National Navigation Award is a practical hands-on award. It is aimed at people with no navigation experience whether you are new to the outdoors or have been relying on others, guidebooks or easy well-defined routes.
It is also the starting point for many Duke of Edinburgh students, scouts and guides and cadets who are looking to develop their outdoor skills. NNAS Bronze Award is accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 4, and 2 SCQF credit points are awarded on completion.
Your entry onto the scheme is linked to the Mountain Training D-Log system, enabling you to use a single system to record NNAS and progression to Hill and Mountain Leadership Awards if you should so desire.
The syllabus of the Bronze National Navigation Award teaches navigation in the countryside using paths tracks and other linear features. Basic map interpretation and compass work are also included.

 

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Syllabus

Navigate using a variety of maps and scales.

Use 4 and 6 figure grid references with worded descriptions to define the position of a map feature and to locate a feature on the ground.

Orientate the map using handrails, obvious point features and major landforms.

Use linear features (e.g. paths, tracks, clear boundaries) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.

Relate prominent landforms such as large hills and valleys to corresponding contour information on the map.

Orientate the map by aligning a compass needle against grid north and be aware that magnetic variation causes an inaccuracy.

Use an orientated map to confirm the direction of travel.

Use clearly identifiable features to confirm position along the route and to recognise when the target has been overshot.

Measure horizontal distance on the map and estimate distance on the ground using timing, pacing and simple visual judgements e.g.100m.

Plan and implement simple routes and navigation strategies based on the above skills.

Recognise a navigation error within a few minutes and apply simple relocation techniques using handrails and prominent features.

Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues, access legislation, personal responsibilities and the Countryside Code.

Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of walking equipment, safety equipment and emergency procedures.

 

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Course details:

This course runs over two days. You must complete the full course in order to achieve the Bronze NNAS Award. All training (and assessment) will be delivered practically in the outdoors rather than in a classroom. This is a ‘hands-on’ real navigation course.

*Please contact myself via email with any course enquiries: mwall16@tiscali.co.uk

or click on link below for bookings:

 

 

 

27 Jan 2018

Hill Skills Course

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Do you want to have your own adventure’s in the hills?.

If you’re new to hill walking, the Hill Skills course will provide a perfect introduction to hillwalking for anyone of any ability.

Skills include navigation, walking pace and movement, clothing, equipment and weather, discount available for AAC (UK) members, see details below and specific course dates for bespoke courses.

 

*Note: If you already have some hill walking experience, but want to progress to steep mountain terrain, then the Mountain Skills course is for you. Check out my other events for Mountain Skills course dates.

The 2-Day Hill Skills course is nationally accredited and endorsed by Mountain Rescue England and Wales and will provide you with the skills and confidence to:

  • Successfully plan a walk in the hills in the UK or Ireland
  • Understand pace, nutrition and movement skills over various terrain & steep ground
  • Make an informed choice of correct clothing and equipment – being suitably dressed and equipped can make the difference between a great day out and a complete disaster
  • Interpret the weather – how it may affect the hills and your day
  • Navigate in the hills – everything from selecting a compass and using a map to navigation in poor visibility and an intro to GPS
  • Environmental knowledge – how to minimise your impact on the hill, information on good practice and useful organisations
  • Hazards and emergency procedures in the hills – how to respond to any hazards you encounter and what to do in a real emergency

Booking on to either the Hill Skills or Mountain Skills course will automatically register with Mountain Training.

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Course details:

The 2-day course is run with a maximum of four people (larger groups can be accommodated) and will take place in either the Snowdonia National Park, the Clwydian Range or the Brecon Beacons.

Please contact myself via email with any course inquiries: mwall16@tiscali.co.uk 

or complete booking form below:

 

 

*Max Adventures is an accredited provider of the Hill & Mountain Skills Scheme