Wilderness Navigation

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The Everett Mountaineers Wilderness Navigation Course consists of three (3) activities. For credit you must complete all three (3) activities in the order listed:

(1) Map & Compass - Online Classroom

(2) GPS & Digital Navigation - Online Classroom

(3) Trip Planning Workshop and Field Trip - Camp Edward and adjacent DNR Land

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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, 2022.

We are keeping an “off-line” waitlist 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 severed 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 PROGRAMMING AND THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Due to the Trip Planning Workshop on the day of the Field Trip taking place indoors, Mountaineers policy is that we must verify vaccination status for every participant and instructor following the Washington State Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Status guidelines. We will allow a negative COVID-19 test result in lieu of vaccination. Tests must be administered by a testing provider (not at home rapid test) and taken 72 hours or less before arriving at the program. Testing in lieu of vaccination is the responsibility of the individual. Visit this blog to see a timeline of our responses to COVID-19, and follow the link to our COVID-19 Response page to see all of the resources available for volunteers, members, guests, and staff.

THINGS TO DO

• Register for this Wilderness Navigation Course and pay the course fee.
• Register for the online Map & Compass activity.
• Register for the online GPS activity.
• Register for one (1) Trip Planning Workshop and Field Trip activity.
• 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 and Basic GPS Course badges.  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, I do not have information about the expiration of the Basic GPS badge.

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 three (3) separate activities which must be completed in the order listed to successfully pass this course will take up to 30 hours to complete. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR THE ONLINE ACTIVITIES. THEY TAKE TIME.

• The Map & Compass activity is online and “at your own pace” over a three-week period. It takes seven (7) to eight (8) hours to complete. It must be successfully completed before moving to the GPS & Digital Navigation activity. 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 GPS &Digital Navigation activity is online and “at your own pace” over a three-week period and must be successfully completed before moving on to the Trip Planning Workshop and Field Trip. It will take you four (4) to six (6) hours of online work and practical exercises to complete. It expands upon 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 Trip Planning Workshop and Field Trip is an all-day activity at Camp Edward north of Monroe, WA. Here we will spend between two to four hours indoors on practical exercises with Map, Compass, and GPS in preparation for the outdoor Field Trip. The 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) session after signing up for the course.

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), Computer (or laptop, or tablet with quality monitor and internet access for online activities). See the Required Equipment and Course Materials tabs for details and links.

REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENTS

During the Online Map & Compass 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 DRIVE THROUGH 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 is currently not required nor encouraged. Please see The Mountaineers COVID-19 Response for complete information.