The Seattle Navigation Committee offers the following courses
Wilderness Navigation Course
- This is the comprehensive navigation course that is required by many other Mountaineers courses. It covers the use and integration of Maps, Compass, Altimeter, and GPS.
- Who should take this course?
- I want to learn about on and off-trail navigation and all the tools that I have at my disposal
- I need a basic navigation badge that is a requirement for other courses such as Basic Alpine Climbing and Alpine Scrambling.
Instructor Training for Wilderness Navigation
- Training specifically for the wilderness navigation's workshop and field trip.
- Who should take this course?
- I have signed up to instruct one or more activities as part of the Wilderness Navigation Course.
- I have not instructed at Discovery Park in the last 12 months.
Wilderness Navigation Equivalency
- You will earn a Basic Navigation badge
- Who should take this?
- I have the skills mastered for Wilderness Navigation.
- I can teach these skills as you will be required to teach these skills to students as part of the Wilderness Navigation course.
- Go to the Seattle Wilderness Navigation Equivalency Information page to learn about the equivalency process and how to apply.
Introduction to Map and Compass
- An introductory overview of map and compass, designed to be an entry level course with an interactive video conference session and an urban environment field trip for hands on practice.
- Who should take this?
- I want an introduction to map and compass and don't want to commit to a more comprehensive course.
On-Trail Navigation
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- Learn and practice key skills needed to maintain an ongoing awareness of where you are and how to find yourself if you get lost on even the most complicated trail system.
- Who should take this?
- I don't have much or any navigation experience, but want a hands-on course to learn key navigation skills, and become confident reading a topographic map, using a compass, altimeter, and GPS phone app.
- I plan to hike mostly on-trail but, if I find myself off-trail, I have the skills to find my back to the trail.
Bushwhacking Navigation at Heybrook Ridge
- This course is designed to practice the skills learned in the Wilderness Navigation course in dense vegetation along a 5 mile course.
- Who should take this?
- I have taken the Wilderness Navigation Course and have a current Basic Navigation badge.
- I want to sharpen my off-trail (bushwhacking) skills along a 5 mile course
- I want to practice accurately navigating through dense vegetation and other terrain obstacles.
Currently Scheduled NAVIGATION Courses and PROGRAM
Special Events and Activities
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- Special event instruction or projects to improve your navigation experience (varies by year):
- The Seattle Branch and Olympia Branch Navigation Committees are partnering in September 2026 to offer the following clinics at the Seattle Program Center:
Fun and Related Courses
- Ever wondered where the North Star (Polaris) is in the night sky and how to use it to find cardinal directions? You're in luck! Every spring, The Mountaineers Seattle Night Sky Committee offers two "stellar" courses to learn about night time objects and telescope use. The classroom sessions are capped off with an overnight dark sky field trip to Goldendale Sky Village.
