Navigating Through the Wild

Navigating Through the Wild: Know Where You're Going and How to Get Back  is an elearning course for students who want to spend time learning this skill at their own pace, on any device, from wherever they want. The lessons are designed for outdoor enthusiasts who are comfortable venturing on trails and now want to expand their adventures by moving around the backcountry off trail.

The lessons are based on decades of curriculum, refined and taught by The Mountaineers, a 110-year-old member organization whose mission it is to teach outdoor recreation skills. The course follows the lessons discussed in the textbook, Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter & GPS, 3rd Edition, written by Bob Burns and Michael Burns.

Students will learn:

• How to read a backcountry map and use a compass, and altimeter (GPS device use is also discussed)
• How to plot the wisest route to your destination
• How to find where you are on a map at any point on your trip
• How to use the UTM backcountry system to determine your present or coordinates or go to the coordinates for any location
• How to estimate distances on the map
• How to make a trip plan
• What to do if you get lost

The course is interactive and self-paced, with exercises to keep it lively. Students typically will complete the course in approximately 6 hours, not including the reading assignments. When you finish the course you will receive a certificate of completion. (This course does not earn The Mountaineers Wilderness Navigation Badge, which requires additional training.)

After registering for Navigating Through the Wild, you will have 4 weeks to complete the course, starting from the day you are emailed your login access information (generally within 3 days of registering).

A map and a coordinate tool is provided in the price of registration. Backcountry examples and the map that goes with them are all in Western Washington, but the skills taught are applicable to every location. The textbook is not included in the price of the course, but can be purchased at the point of registration or wherever books are sold.