The Lost Art of Navigation

The increasing numbers of walkers heading in to the outdoors has combined unfavourably with the increase in technology leading to a reduction and, in many cases, loss of traditional Navigation Skills. I have written below my views on why it is happening and why it is such a shame.

What is Navigation?

“The art or science of moving from one place to another using position and direction” is the accepted definition. Different techniques are applied to different situations. The term originates from nautical positioning but was soon adapted on land. The history of navigation is a fascination in its own right and how it has developed over the centuries. Now it is also undergoing a fundamental change, driven by the improvements in technology. I have concentrated on how the changes have affected walking and hiking in the outdoors.

Loosely, there are three types of walker/hiker heading out and about today.

• Traditionalists: Walkers who head out using a combination of paper map, compass, an app (usually the O/S one) for convenience and bags of experience. They are mainly older, less techno proficient and comfortable in their own knowledge. Decreasing in number.
• App Users: The fastest growing group for anyone heading on a hike above the valley floor. Using one of All Trails, Komoot, Strava (more for tracking rather than planning) and others they tend to be familiar with the outdoors, technically savvy and have a definite purpose for the walk (eg: a climb of Scafell Pike)
• Chancers: A growing group of people treating the outdoors as an extension of driving a car or walking through town. They use Google maps, have little idea where they are going and no/very little experience in the outdoors. Inevitably they regularly get in to trouble, become lost and are the cause of an increasing number of call outs.

I would like to take each group, one at a time, and expand on the consequences of how they access the outdoors. This is based on my own experience (and other experienced navigators) who have spent years in the mountains.

1. Traditionalists

My story of learning to navigate is typical. A combination of basic map reading skills (often through school, scouts or parents) and experience in the hills led me to be very confident in my ability to find where I want to go and not to be concerned if I am a little off course. There is no substitute for practice and experience, getting lost a few times is not the tragedy it is often portrayed to be. I certainly have.

However times change. Technology cannot be ignored and I now use the excellent O/S app when I am out on a walk. It is simple to use, mainly reliable and tells me exactly where I am. Its simply more convenient than rolling out a paper map whilst out and about. However, I always plan my walks on a paper map in the comfort of home. It is easier to look at, covers a large area, offers the opportunity to plan alternatives/bad weather routes and is simply great to look at spread over the floor.

I also take a paper map with me on a walk. Technology may fail. Apps lose charge/phones fail in the wet/the signal is sometimes variable etc: In addition to being a back up it is very satisfying on a calm sunny day to spread out a map, orientate it (what is that I hear people cry) and look at the scenery nearby, mountains, valleys etc. One of the many joys of a day out in the mountains.

Compasses though are essential. Rarely used, they are vital in cloudy conditions (as I found out on Glaramara recently). The on phone compasses are considerably less accurate and more difficult to use over rough ground.

2. App Users

Without doubt this is the largest group of hikers now on the mountain (at least at higher altitude). The majority of walkers using prescribed routes found on hiking apps are competent navigators, many could use traditional methods but choose not to. The routes they follow from All Trails and the other apps are (in the main but not always) perfectly good, may be the best ones to any given point and, for those in unfamiliar terrain, extremely useful.

But there is the crux. Many, but not all, users are competent in the mountains and will not get in to trouble if the app fails. However religiously following the prescribed route certainly takes some walkers beyond their ability zone, creating trouble for others (including the MRTs). Confronted with cloud, rain, wind and rough terrain changes the mindset. Having the basic navigation skills can make a huge difference, if only to your confidence.

I am not a user of such apps with their pre loaded routes for the following reasons.

• You are using another persons route and therefore not in control of where you want to go.
• An inability to vary the route whilst on the go. To go off piste, make on hill decisions.
• A lack of awareness of the bigger picture and what is around you.
• An inability to ‘cope’ if something goes wrong.
• Missing out on the ‘fun’ and satisfaction of learning an important skill

However the use of apps has without doubt driven many more in to the outdoors. This is a good thing. Long may it continue to give people the confidence to start off. However (for the above reasons) I would also urge those who only use prescribed routes to learn the Art of Traditional Navigation alongside it. Thinking about it, navigation may be a science – a debate for another day.

3. Chancers

I have many examples of those who I have met, re-directed and helped who have absolutely no navigation skills at all. This is a real problem and an ever increasing issue. The situation has arisen from our/societies ever increasing reliance on technology and phones in particular. Many are glued to them and believe (sincerely) their phones have the answer to everything. In particular the issue is Google Maps. Google Maps may get us all around the roads of Britain but are utterly hopeless in the outdoors.

A year or so ago I was guiding a party along the Corridor Route up Scafell Pike in bad weather when we heard voices from above. Emerging from the mist was a badly kitted party of youngsters (roughly 15 of them) completely lost and trying to locate the summit. The leading lad and me conferred and he showed me his phone with Google Maps on it. It was a light bulb moment for him when I then showed him the O/S app and the difference between them.

They were a nice group of lads and lasses so I told him to follow us up Scafell Pike. I was very keen not to put them off the outdoors by being overly judgemental. They did, the leader downloaded the O/S app and returned down to Wasdale (their point of origin). And that is the point. We want people in the outdoors, getting lost is not a crime but learning from experience is so important. I hope all 15 return with a suitable app and traditional navigational skills.

And the Answer Is?

As things stand we are heading towards increased problems in the outdoors with more and more people heading out without suitable navigation skills or, as a minimum, common sense. Whilst influencers are sending people to infinity pools, tick mountains and other instagramable spots it is becoming almost impossible to stop. The outdoors are good for physical and mental well being. All should have the opportunity to do it. Unfortunately an increasing number do not have the skills and experience.

The following suggestions would help, in addition to taking individual responsibility:

• Learn the traditional navigation skills and most importantly the reason why you should
  • Ask your parents or someone who knows to take you out with a map. Even if its low level and local, the familiarity is comforting.
  • Take an Introduction to Navigation Course to learn the basics. It will increase both confidence, knowledge and desire to try it out.
  • Go along to some Guided Walks. There are plenty about and you will pick up tips and experience just by being out there.
  • Walk locally with a map (paper or app). Even in a city you will learn so much.
  • Think of it as an enjoyable new skill to learn. Being able to find your way is satisfying and avoids embarrassing situations
  • Finally accept some responsibility and do not believe that the outdoors is the same as indoors/car travel. It is not.

More generally as a society we should be looking at the following, maybe pie in the sky at the moment but if people keep saying it enough..

• Add a session or two in to school whether within a Geography lesson or General. Why is navigation less important now than it was ‘back in the day’.
• Relaunch the Duke of Edinburgh scheme making it more accessible to a greater number of school kids and not as a money making exercise.

Concluding Thoughts

The combination of many more people on the mountains and the pre-eminence of technology has led to a lack of navigation skills. Just like the road map in cars is confined to history so the paper map could well follow. It appears inevitable but we must try.

What makes the loss of skills so regrettable (even more than the increased call outs) is that with the loss of Navigation Skills walkers will explore the countryside less and discover their own gems.

When a walker becomes more focused on an app on a phone and you tube routes the true joy of walking and hiking is lost. Too many people in increasingly few places causes not just local environmental problems but also a loss of awareness of what makes the outdoors so very different. The reality is with a little imagination and most importantly the ability and confidence to venture forth; the countryside is largely empty and ripe for exploration. I wrote about this in a previous blog Avoiding Malham where I compared a walk to Malham Cove with a trip round the Trafford Centre.

Keep those Navigational Skills alive. It will so improve your outdoor experience.

Jonathan