Name: NNAS Navigation Courses
SKU: 56267
Availability: InStock

Description

The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) is a personal performance, non-competitive, incentive scheme for all ages to learn navigation skills and gain confidence to get out and enjoy the countryside. NNAS courses are delivered throughout the country by over 300 approved providers.

“Change your habits. Instead of following a prescribed GPS route to creating and following your own.”

At Where2walk we offer courses in either in either Rothbury in Northumberland or Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales.

2 days Bronze &/0r Silver with Jonathan Smith (some indoor, mainly outdoor)
3 Days Straight to Silver
Maps and Compass for the 2 days
The fee includes a digital Certificate on completion recognized by the outdoor community

In essence the Bronze Award offers the basics of walking on paths, empowering you to explore areas in the outdoors you will not have visited previosly. It will increase your confidence.

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.
Be aware of the use of mobile phone location apps as a back up to map and compass and in emergencies.
Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues, access legislation, personal responsibilities, the Countryside Code and sustainability.
Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of walking equipment, safety equipment and emergency procedures.

The basis of the Silver Course is to encourage you to leave paths and clear routes and therefore venture further afield.

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.
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.
Understand how outdoor activities impact on the environment and how that impact can be minimised and sustainable use promoted.

This is a combination of the Bronze and Silver 2 Day Courses and is for those who want to be equipped to explore not only paths and straightforward routes but countryside that is away from paths. The ability to create your own route is key.

The Bronze syllabus tends to be covered on the first day, the 2nd and 3rd days cover more of the Silver syllabus.

Learning is informal and relaxed. There is plenty of practical experience out on the hills, moors and fells of Northumberland or the Yorkshire Dales.

The size of the group is small with a maximum number of 8 participants.

We cover between 5 and 8 miles each day, following paths across farmland, valleys, riversides and woodland on the Bronze Award but adding in pathless terrain across hills, fells and heather moorlands for the Silver Award. This course includes both training and assessment of each Award, delivered over the 2 or 3 days.

All relevant maps and compasses are included for each weekend.

Accommodation is extra but some ideas are listed below.

Rothbury, Northumberland.

Rothbury is a small market town nestled in the heart of the Northumberland Countryside. The area around is part of the rarely visited ‘Cheviots’ including the spectacular Simonside Hills

Rothbury or nearby Alnwick are the best places to stay.

Reeth, Yorkshire Dales

Reeth is a pretty market town in the heart of Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales. There are many places to walk nearby offering a variety of scenery, great for practicing your new navigation skills.

Reeth or nearby Richmond are the best places to stay.