Required Preparation for the Navigation Course (Seattle)
 

Please read this page in its entirety before registering for the course. Know what you are getting into -- the fee is non-refundable unless you withdraw one week prior to the start of your workshop.


There is an extensive required reading assignment before the start of the course (you must complete the reading assignment before attending the workshop). In addition, you must have a suitable compass, and two required maps for use at the first session. No joke, we require that you get a good compass, so don't just go and buy any old compass, read the compass requirements section of this web page first.

Course Registration

You can register either online or by US mail using the registration form.

Online registration (strongly recommended) - You must first be a member of the Mountaineers for this option.


Log in to the Mountaineers Website (http://www.mountaineers.org).

Signing up for the Seattle Basic Navigation Course requires three steps: paying (registering) for the course, registering for a workshop and registering for a field trip.

1. Click here to register and pay for the course.

2. Click here for a list of workshops, pick one that fits your schedule.

3. Click here for a list of field trip dates, pick one that fits your schedule. You must complete a workshop before participating in a field trip. When you sign up for the Field trip online you will

If you need to change the date for your workshop or field trip, you can do so online until the closing date, usually a few days before the event. PLEASE cancel from the first date before selecting a new date. If you are not a Mountaineers member, you must call the Mountaineers Program Center (206-521-6001) to make the change. When you sign up for the Field trip online you will also have the opportunity to specify carpool preferences.


Registration by US Mail: Be sure to include the dates you prefer for the workshop and for the field trip. Please give first and second choice date for each. Use this registration form to register for the course. Mail via US Mail to:

Course Registration
The Mountaineers
7700 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115

For course or registration questions, call the Mountaineers Program Center at 206-521-6001. Non-members wishing to join should call the same number to ask for a membership application. In addition to the registration form, non-members must fill out a liability waiver.

Students must do the following things when registering for the course with the registration form:

  1. Pick a first choice workshop evening
  2. Pick a second choice workshop evening (in case you don't get into your first choice)
  3. Pick a first choice field trip day
  4. Pick a second choice field trip day (in case you don't get into your first choice)
  5. Send in the completed form (with your personal info and dates selected), and a check or credit card info

Be sure to put your choices on your registration form. Your confirmation letter will tell you which days you are registered for. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preferences. Note that you must attend the workshop prior to the field trip (no exceptions).

You may request your preferred dates on the registration form, but cannot be guaranteed they are available. If you want to verify availability before signing up, register on-line, rather than by mail.

Your successful registration will result in a confirmation letter by US Mail. This letter takes approximately two weeks to get to you (the Mountaineers staff processes all requests promptly, but does not provide same day service).
 
Schedule
 

Basic Navigation

Basic Navigation consists of a map and compass workshop (one full evening) and a challenging field trip (one full day at Heybrook Ridge, about 1,500' of elevation gain and considerable off-trail travel). Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a navigation card. Basic Navigation is REQUIRED for courses in Basic Climbing, Snowshoe and Alpine Scrambling, and some ski classes. The course is strongly recommended for all hike leaders, backcountry skiers and is useful for hikers.

All who are planning to take Snowshoe, Scramble or climbing courses are welcome in the October/November sessions. Get this requirement out of the way early! Seattle scramble students have precedence in March (their registrations take priority over all others in March).

Note that the navigation course is offered only 3-times per year: October/November, February, and March. The course is not given during the late spring, summer and early fall, as that is prime climbing/scrambling/hiking season.

 

Basic Navigation (Registration opens in September) for the Seattle Branch course

Basic Course Navigation Workshops at the Mountaineers Program Center (do reading assignment before attending workshop):

Workshops (2 Mondays, 2 Tuesdays, and 2 Wednesdays - pick one)

October 25, 2010 - Monday
November 2, 2010 - Tuesday

January 26, 2011 - Wednesday
February 1, 2011 - Tuesday

March 8, 2011 - Tuesday
March 14, 2011 - Monday

 

 

 

Basic Course Navigation Field Trip days at Heybrook Ridge (field trip must occur after workshop is completed):

 

Fieldtrips (Saturday or Sunday - pick one):

November 6/7, 2010

February 12, 2011
March 19/20, 2011

 

Remember, when you send in your registration form by US Mail, please give:

- a first choice workshop date
- a second choice workshop date
- a first choice field trip date
- a second choice field trip date

Note: you must complete the workshop before attending a field trip. And don't forget to include your payment.

 

Each student must attend one evening workshop and one all day field trip. It is required that the field trip be taken within two months of the workshop. In addition to registering for the course, students must separately sign up for specific sessions of the workshop and field trip (first come, first served) on a space available basis.

Sign-up early for the workshop and field trip of your choice. Failure to sign-up in a timely way will leave you with the dregs of the schedule. The limits for each date are fixed, and we will not accept over-booking, so be sure to sign up early, or be left with limited choice. Registration for the course opens in August or September, and you need to sign up for your workshop and field trip at the same time.

Homework Assignment prior to the workshop (Basic course): Read "Wilderness Navigation" by Burns & Burns before the workshop. Buy a suitable compass (warning: check the website before you buy! Many compasses are not suitable - the website gives details). Buy USGS Index and USGS Baring topographic maps. Learn basic topographic symbols from the book before you come. Bring everything to the workshop.
 
Homework Assignment (be sure to complete before the workshop)
  • Buy the USGS Index and Baring topographic maps
  • Read "Wilderness Navigation" by Burns & Burns in its entirety
  • Buy a suitable compass (see the compass section of this web site)
  • Bring paper, pencil, the maps, your compass and the book to the workshop
  • After you have registered for the course by mail, sign up for a workshop day & a field trip day with at 206-521-6001, if you haven't already done so at the registration web page (URL several paragraphs above).
  • Sign up for carpooling through the website or by calling the number above (carpooling is required at Heybrook ridge - parking space is very limited).

Subsequent Offerings

The basic navigation course is now offered once per year, with workshops and field trips in November, February and March. There are 6 workshops and 5 field trip days in this time period. The student should register for the course, and then sign up for one evening workshop, and one field trip day. For those who miss the course in November, February and March, the next offering of the course will be in November of the following fall.

You MUST complete the workshop before you can attend the field trip. Register accordingly.
 

Registration form

 

For a more printable form, use the Registration Form
 

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