Wilderness Navigation

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The Everett Mountaineers Wilderness Navigation Course consists of one evening workshop plus one day in-field skills training.  To save costs we are moving away from our traditional one-day class and going back to a hybrid model of using the CoAssemble online training at-home study prior to the evening workshop.  In the workshop we'll briefly cover the topics and make sure everyone is ready for the in-field skills day.  In addition - there is a CoAssemble GPS training class that is valuable for in-field day.  We will be incorporating GPS skills throughout the in-field training day.

COURSE ENROLLMENT

Due to the limited availability of spaces, we prioritize the two principal courses of Everett Mountaineers Branch's Alpine Scrambling and Basic Climbing.  However - we welcome all branches and non-members alike to join us.  The skills we learn in navigation are useful for any land-based activities.

The Everett Mountaineers Wilderness Navigation Course also offers a limited course equivalency for those with prior experience navigating/orienteering.  Please see course coordinator for details.  We just ask that you help out with one of our classes to teach and share your knowledge.

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 & 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.  Students are welcome to bring snacks and food during the workshop and in-field day.  Just be considerate of others and clean up any messes.

THINGS TO DO

• Register for this Wilderness Navigation Course (pick one of two evening workshop dates, and one of two in-field days) and pay the course fee.
• Register for the CoAssemble online Navigation class. https://mountaineers.coassemble.com/unlock/cStPIlT
• Register for the CoAssemble online GPS class (optional).
• 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 there are questions as to what off-trail means or details of in-field training, please ask the course coordinator.

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 TIMING

The 3 parts of the Navigation course include (1) evening workshop, (2) all-day in-field training, and (3) online CoAssemble training for navigation and GPS.   DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR THE ONLINE ACTIVITIES. THEY TAKE TIME to COMPLETE.  YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE BEFORE OR AFTER THE IN-PERSON TRAINING DAY, but you will get lot more out of the training by doing the online course beforehand.

• The CoAssemble class "Wilderness Navigation" is “at your own pace” over a 2-week period. It takes 7 to 8 hours to complete. This class 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 CoAssemble class "Introduction to Digital Navigation"  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 the Wilderness Navigation 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 in-field training day is  all-day at Boy Scout Camp Edward north of Monroe, WA.  We will spend about 1-2hrs initially making sure everyone is comfortable with their compasses, followed by long and short course planning, then students will be assigned in small groups to practice bearings, field-navigating, and walking on foot into the woods navigating for rest of the day.  The on foot work will involve up to 6 miles of hiking and 200' of elevation gain through possible wet/slick forest and tree canopy forest. You will tie together different ways to use all four tools in your navigation toolkit: map, compass, altimeter, and GPS. The in-field training day is rain or shine - so prepare for possible wet/sunny conditions.  Many students bring what they typically wear for a hike, but note that your hands usually need to be available to hold compasses and maps.

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 CoAssemble "Wilderness Navigation" class, 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, 10^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 at this time is optional.