Wilderness Navigation Course

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This Wilderness Navigation Course has four activities. Four are required. To complete the course you must complete all four required activities in order. Activities are:

1. Online Map & Compass (required)
2. Online GPS (required)
3. in-Person Workshop (required)
4. In-Person Field Trip (required)

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 COURSE ENROLLMENT

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

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

 THINGS TO DO

1. Register for this Wilderness Navigation Course and pay the course fee.
2. Register for the online Map & Compass.
3. Register for the online GPS.
4. Register for one Workshop.
5. Register for one Field Trip
6. Obtain required equipment and materials listed in “Required Equipment” and “Course Materials” tabs
7. Read the FAQ (Link provided in the Course Materials tab

 KEEP YOUR DATES

Once you sign up for an activity, please try to keep that date. If you move to a later date, do so very early so others have time to fill your spot or be pulled in from the waitlist. If you make changes at the last minute, it affects everyone.

 BADGES

This course earns you the Basic Navigation and Basic GPS badges.  The Basic Navigation badge is a requirement for many advanced courses such as Climbing, Scrambling and Intermediate Snowshoeing. The Basic Navigation badge is valid for 3 years.

The course also incorporates all materials and skills trainings required for obtaining the  Basic GPS badge. Thus, a Basic GPS badge is also awarded upon successful completion.

 DIFFICULTY

There are no prerequisites for Wilderness Navigation. It is suitable for students with little or no navigation experience.

However, this is not an elementary or simple course. It requires a significant commitment of time and effort, but will reward you with the confidence and skills to navigate in the backcountry. It satisfies the off-trail navigation requirements for Climbing, Scrambling, Backcountry Skiing and Intermediate Snowshoeing.

If you are simply looking for an introductory course or something focused on "on-trail" navigation, consider the "Staying Found On-Trail Navigation" course. Or, take a look at the many navigation courses offered by the other Mountianeers Branches.  Note: These courses do not meet the navigation requirements for Climbing, Scrambling, Snowshoeing, etc. Wilderness Navigation does.

 LEARNING OUTCOMES

The four main class activities build upon each other, with these ultimate learning goals:

• Skilled in travel thru varied terrain & conditions, on and off trail.
• Navigation tasks can be shared among the entire team.
• Able to maintain high level of situational awareness – all team members can determine point position & return to your Camp/Trailhead
• Skilled in using the full tool set – map, altimeter, compass, GPS, and awareness of emergency procedures and devices.

 COURSE ACTIVITIES

There are 4 separate required activities which must be completed in order to successfully pass this course. The entire course will take up to 30 hours to complete. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR THE ONLINE ACTIVITIES. THEY TAKE TIME.

1. Online Map & Compass 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.
2. Online GPS Module is “at your own pace” over a 2-week period and must be successfully completed before moving on to the Online Workshop. 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.
3. Workshop is currently scheduled as a 2-hour weeknight online session. Here you'll do more practical exercises with Map, Compass in preparation for the field trip. Register for one session after signing up for the course.
   
   Note: The Workshop was changed to an "online" format last year due to COVID. Our intent is to return back to an In-Person format once COVID rules allow this format and we secure a faculty. Registered students and instructors will be notified of any changes. 
4. Field Trip is an all-day event at the Raging River State Forest near Preston, WA. It includes both on and off-trail exercises, with about 4.0 miles of hiking and 800' of elevation gain. You'll tie together different ways to use all four tools in your navigation toolkit - map, altimeter, compass, and GPS. Register for one session after signing up for the course.
   
   

REQUIRED MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

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

REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENTS

During the Online Map & Compass activity, you'll have readings from the Burns & Burns book "Wilderness Navigation", 3rd Edition. 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. Please support the Mountaineers by purchasing it directly from the Mountaineers.

Additional reading is available in "Freedom of the Hills."

 FIELD TRIP CARPOOLING

The Mounteers does not facilitate carpooling. However, due to a small parking area we do encourage carpooling from the BPA substation to the Field Trip trail head.  Carpooling must adhere to  the club recommendations in effect when the field trip is held. See the club Covid-19 Response and Good Carpooling Practices pages.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND OTHER COURSES

For more info about this course, badge equivalency options or renewing your expired (or about to expire) badge please see the Foothills Navigation Committee page.