Can someone recommend me a good navigation course / book

[CAL]

I need to learn how to read / navigate with an OS map and compass.

I know it sounds pretty simple but my background is with sea charts / rulers and a pair of dividers. I'm really struggling get my head around using an OS map.

I can read the symbols but seem to struggle to put these into practice on the ground. A very good example of this was this weekend in the lakes. I had a very clear starting point, followed the map pace by pace but still ended up on the wrong path. Fortuanately all paths led to the same place, the visibility was good and we had a GPS (borrowed) but if it was bad weather / more demanding it would not have been good and I'm not happy on relaying on GPS (even if I did buy one).

So can you recommend to me a good course either through a book, through attendance or both.

When I was learning how to use sea charts I first did a book based course and then went on a boat and did it for real. I found this to be an excellent combination.

Thanks,

Craig.

 

[sam_acw]

Be Expert with Map and Compass by Bjorn Kjellstrom is considered a pretty standard text and is kind of the original orienteering book.
Lots of pictures and lessons to follow, I certainly rate it.

 

[Shewie]

The OS website has or used to have some good tutorials on there for varying grades of experience. Might be worth a look

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

Mountain Leader/ WGL Training courses are very good, you just need to register and log a few days experience out on the hills. otherwise lot's of places offer good navigation courses.

An excellent book is "Hill Walking" - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hill-Walkin...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235401251&sr=8-1

 

[Treemonk]

Mountaincraft and Leadership by Langmuir is somewhat of a seminal text

 

[hammock monkey]

Mountaincraft and Leadership by Langmuir is somewhat of a seminal text

2nd this book, one of the very best!

 

[He' s left the building]

Mountain Navigation by Peter Cliff is the recommended reading for MLT candidates, with the official handbook being Hillwalking by Steve Long. Langmuir is also recommended as the classic text.


I just linked to this pdf on another thread, so here it is again: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/mapshop/pdf/map_reading_made_easy.pdf as I usually use this leaflet as a teaching aid.

 

[CAL]

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll check out the books and I can't believe I didn't think of looking on the OS website.

 

[Walks with dogs]

2nd this book, one of the very best!

Thirded or fourthed if soemone has beaten me to it. Should be compulsory reading for anyhone heading into the hills.

Best of all though is practice. And don't fret about having gotten "lost" most people do at one time or several.

 

[timboggle]

Hill walking (Steve Long) and Mountain Leadership (Eric Langmuir) in my opinion are by far the best, make sure you get the most upto date editions though, Pete Cliffs book is a good starter also but nothing beats good hands on training, making mistakes and learning the why as to the how.

Couldn't go wrong on a Plas Y Brenin navigation course mate
http://www.pyb.co.uk/

Good luck

 

[jungle_re]

CAL,

Speak to Gary at Bearclaw Bushcraft http://www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk/courses.htm
There is a camping weekend scheduled for April where i will be teaching several map reading/navigation lessons gratis.

If you want to know more about my background and quals send me a PM and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

This has been set up as a precursor/introduction to a bushcraft orientated 3 tired navigation course which are things being equal should commence this summer. Further information and links will be post on BCUK after Easter.

Cheers Will

 

[jungle_re]

book wise you wont go far wrong with:

Map and compass - the art of navigation by Pete Hawkins

 

[bri66]

Hi another good book is the british orienteering federation's teaching book,Brian