Staying Found: On-Trail Navigation - 2025

Day Hiking, Backpacking & Navigation Course

Staying Found: On-Trail Navigation

This course is focused on learning and practicing key skills 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.

This course, tailored to on-trail adventurers, is designed to help students become confident reading a topographic map, using a compass and altimeter, and maintaining awareness of their location on a trail. Students will receive detailed information on skills and tools, as well as hands-on practice on the trail. Basic digital navigation instruction using Gaia will be included. 

The course includes an evening online instructional seminar and a field trip held outdoors at Tiger Mountain State Forest. The field trip includes map and compass exercises, a trip planning exercise, and  a hike to apply the skills you have learned. Students must complete all components to graduate from the class and receive an On-Trail Navigation badge. 

Students should select one field trip from the options below. 

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
For Leaders Only: Orientation (optional)
Online Classroom
Tue, Apr 22, 2025
Registration opens Apr 1
11 participants
For Leaders Only: Staying Found Field Trip Practice (optional)
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sat, Apr 26, 2025
Registration opens Apr 1
11 participants
Staying Found Fundamentals of On-Trail Navigation: Online Workshop
Online Classroom
Wed, Apr 30, 2025
Registration closes Apr 21
41 participants
8 instructors
Staying Found Field Trip - Easy Peasy
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sat, May 3, 2025
Registration closes May 1
6 participants
0 instructors
Staying Found Field Trip - Talus Rocks
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sat, May 3, 2025
Registration closes May 1
7 participants
1 instructor
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sun, May 4, 2025
Registration closes May 2
7 participants
1 instructor
Staying Found Field Trip - Swamp Foot
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sat, May 3, 2025
Registration closes May 1
8 participants
1 instructor
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sun, May 4, 2025
Registration closes May 2
10 participants
1 instructor
Staying Found Field Trip - Great Adventure
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sat, May 3, 2025
Registration closes May 1
9 participants
1 instructor
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sun, May 4, 2025
Registration closes May 2
3 participants
1 instructor
Staying Found Field Trip - Easy Peasy
Tiger Mountain Lowlands
Sun, May 4, 2025
Registration closes May 2
7 participants
1 instructor

Additional badges needed to graduate

Completed

Roster
Required Equipment
  • Baseplate Compass with adjustable declination (see  Mountaineers Information Sheet)
  • Green Trails Tiger Mountain map #204S
  • Smartphone with GaiaGPS loaded
  • Whistle or other emergency communication device
  • #2 lead pencil to take notes
  • Day Pack or larger
  • Outdoor gear, including footwear suitable to on trail travel day of Field Trip