Wilderness Navigation

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The Everett Mountaineers Wilderness Navigation Course consists of one day in-field and lecture.  In addition, we are using CoAssemble online training guide as an optional, at-home study guide.  It is highly recommended to take these two CoAssemble classes prior to attending the in-person field trip, but we WILL be using in-person training for 2023 to go over lessons and practice skills.

COURSE ENROLLMENT

Due to the limited availability of spaces, we are limiting signups to those students that are already registered for either the Alpine Scrambling Course or Basic Climbing Course offered by the Everett Branch of the Mountaineers and still need the navigation course as a graduation requirement. This signup restriction will be in effect until January 3, 2023.

We are keeping an “off-line” sign up on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to be added to this list, please contact the Course Leader (under Contacts to the right). We currently expect there to be availability at that time.

The Everett Mountaineers Wilderness Navigation Course does not maintain “rolling enrollment”. This means that individuals on the last course offering’s waitlist are NOT automatically rolled over to the next course offering. Individuals who were waitlisted for the current course must re-enroll when the next course is posted.

We encourage you to enroll even if there is a waitlist. No fees are required to be on the waitlist and there are always some cancellations before the course begins. The waitlist is managed on a first come, first served basis. If a participant does cancel, you will receive an email offering you the option to register. Payment of course fees are required upon accepting this offer to enroll.

MOUNTAINEERS & CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PROTOCOLS

Washington State no longer has a COVID mandate for vaccination status, but we still encourage safe distancing and hygiene.  Students can choose to wear a mask for the indoors, but please ask the Course Leader for questions or concerns.

THINGS TO DO

• Register for this Wilderness Navigation Course (pick one of two dates in March 2023) and pay the course fee.
• Inside your chosen March class, register for the CoAssemble online Map & Compass and GPS classes (look under leader notes)
• Obtain required equipment and materials listed in “Required Equipment” and “Course Materials” tabs.

KEEP YOUR DATES

Once you sign up for an activity, please try to keep your date. If you must drop from the course or change an activity to a different date, do so A.S.A.P. (As Soon As Possible) so others have time to fill your spot. Changes at the last minute truly do affect everyone.

BADGES

Upon completion of this course, you will be awarded the Basic Navigation Course badge.  If you have chosen to complete the CoAssemble GPS class, you will also earn the optional Basic GPS Course badge.  The Basic Navigation Course badge is a requirement for many advanced courses such as Climbing, Scrambling and Intermediate Snowshoeing. The Basic Navigation badge is valid for three (3) years. Currently, the GPS badge is NOT a requirement for any other courses, but still highly recommended to take.

DIFFICULTY

This is not a beginner's course; however, it is suitable for students with little or no navigation experience. There are no prerequisites for the Everett Mountaineers Wilderness Navigation Course. This course focuses on off-trail navigation requirements for Climbing, Scrambling, Intermediate Snowshoeing and other more advanced courses.

If you are simply looking for an introductory course focusing on on-trail navigation, consider "Introduction to Map and Compass", " Staying Found On-Trail Navigation " and/or “Introduction to GPS Navigation, Trip Planning and Workflow”. NOTE: These courses do not meet the navigation requirements for Climbing, Scrambling, Snowshoeing, etc. Wilderness Navigation does.

COURSE ACTIVITIES

The 3 course activities of Wilderness navigation course are the optional CoAssemble Map & Compass online class, optional CoAssemble GPS online class, and thirdly the in-person lecture and combined in-field exercises. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR THE ONLINE ACTIVITIES. THEY TAKE TIME to COMPLETE.  THEY ARE OPTIONAL HOWEVER AND YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE BEFORE OR AFTER THE IN-PERSON COURSE FIELDTRIP/LECTURE.

• The Online Map & Compass activity is “at your own pace” over a 2-week period. It takes 7 to 8 hours to complete. It must be successfully completed before moving to the Online GPS Module. This activity covers the basics of map and compass, coordinate systems, plotting and taking bearings and coordinates, altimeter and GPS system basics, and an introduction to trip planning. It includes readings from the book and practical exercises at home with map and compass. Register after signing up for the course.
• The Online GPS and Digital Navigation activity is “at your own pace” over a 2-week period.  It will take you 4-6 hours of online work and practical exercises. It expands upon Online Map & Compass into GPS and the use of digital tools for trip planning. It has you set up Gaia GPS on your smartphone and use CalTopo for trip planning. Register after signing up for the course.
• The In-Person Trip Planning Workshop and Field Trip is an all-day activity at Boy Scout Camp Edward north of Monroe, WA.  We will spend between approximately 4-5 hours indoors on practical exercises with Map, Compass, and GPS in preparation for the outdoor Field Trip. The 2-3 hour outdoor Field Trip includes both on- and off-trail exercises, with about 6.0 miles of hiking and 200' of elevation gain. You will tie together different ways to use all four tools in your navigation toolkit: map, compass, altimeter, and GPS. Register for one (1) activity date in March after signing up for the course.  Plan to start about 7am and end around 3-4pm rain or shine.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The three (3) course activities build upon each other, with these ultimate learning goals:

• Identify items related to topographic maps.
• Relate items in the field to items on topographic maps.
• Identify the parts of a compass.
• Demonstrate how to use a compass with a map and in the field.
• Plan and follow a route on- and off-trail through various terrain and conditions.
• Maintain situational awareness: Determine your line and point position and be able to return to the camp or trailhead.
• Navigation tasks are shared among the entire team, but everyone must be skilled in the full tool set: map, compass, altimeter, GPS, and awareness of emergency procedures and devices.

REQUIRED MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Compass, Book, Maps, Smartphone, and Gaia GPS (with subscription), Altimeter (optional: Gaia GPS functionality will suffice). See the Required Equipment and Course Materials tabs for details and links.

REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENTS

During the Online Map & Compass CoAssembel activity, you will be assigned required reading from Wilderness Navigation, 3^rd Edition by Mike and Bob Burns. Mountaineers members get a 20% discount when ordering it online from Mountaineers Books as well as purchasing it in person at the Mountaineers Bookstore located in the Seattle Mountaineers Program Center (7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA). Please support the Mountaineers by purchasing it directly from the Mountaineers.

Additional (optional) reading is available in Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, 9^th Edition and Wilderness GPS: A Step-by-Step Guide by Mike and Bob Burns.

FIELD TRIP LOCATION AND CARPOOLING

Click HERE to download directions to the Camp Edward parking lot. PLEASE!!! DO NOT DRIVETHROUGH CAMP PIGOTT TO GET TO CAMP EDWARD!! Those roads are for Boy Scouts Service Vehicles ONLY!! Please park along the far west edge of the lot to leave room for any other visitors accessing the camp.  Carpooling at this time is optional.