Rob Johnson
Mountaineering Instructor &
International Mountain Leader
Mountain Navigation Courses - Learn how to navigate in Snowdonia, North Wales
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What have previous clients said?

Hi Rob,
Just a quick note to say 'thanks for the brill w/e in Snowdonia on the Hill Skills course. I always think learning should be fun and enjoyable to be truly effective and you certainly achieved that on the course! Many thanks for the NNAS certificate, which I received at the end of last week; I look forward to putting it all into practice again in the very near future. I certainly intend to sign up for the Intro to Scrambling Course at some point, but as I'm off to work in Milan for 6-9 months very soon, I'm not sure when I will be able to do so. Still, I'm looking forward to some trekking in the Dolomites and maybe even do a couple of via ferratas as a warm up in the meantime.
Thanks again and best wishes for the future,
Regards Keith - April 08

Hi Rob - Thanks for the photos, we had a really excellent time and wish we were doing it all again this weekend. Howevere we are looking forward to trying out our new navigation skills in the Lakes tomorrow and Sunday! Thanks again, Sarah - Hill Skills & Navigation April 08

Hi Rob
I’ve only just got a chance to email you to thank you for a fantastic weekend in Snowdonia. It was good to learn from you and to have some company in the hills with like minded people. Although I think my tendency to drift off into a world of my own will be hard to overcome!

A very nice friend has actually bought me membership of the BMC and registration on the Mountain Leader scheme. So it looks like I’m doing the Mountain Leader training, which means more lovely weekends in Snowdonia and hopefully Scotland!!!

Anyway hope to see you again. Take care
Laura - Hill Skills April 08


Hi Rob - Just wanted to let you know that we are not in fact still wandering around, scratching our heads, in Snowdonia so you must have done a good job. We had a lovely day and almost didn't get wet. The ascent was interesting to navigate and beautiful, we'll do something more difficult next time. Thanks for a fun and very useful weekend. Regards, Joanna - Hill Skills July 2007

"Just a quick note to than you for your time and expertise in teaching me this weekend, I feel that I have gained a lot of valuable skills that I shall be reflecting upon in time to come...I look forward to booking futures courses with you." Tony - Oct 04

"Just a quick mail to say thanks for the ace time I had on the Hill Skills course back in October. A long time to get a response I know, but I have only just dryed out!
Since then I have had fun getting my family lost, and boring everyone at work with my contouring technique around the desktops! It has inspired me to get out on the hills a lot more, in fact I'll be back in Snowdonia this coming weekend trying out the Glyders! Who knows, this year maybe a scrambling course? Hope the business is thriving - onwards and upwards!"
     
   
 
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Mountain Navigation Course in Snowdonia (Silver NNAS) - Course Content

Location: Snowdonia
Price: £130 per person
Ratio: 1:6
Length: 2 days

Who is the course suitable for?
This course is ideal for anyone that wants to be self sufficient in the mountains of the UK. Whether you are a hill walker who wants to be able to head out in all weathers, considering enrolling on the Mountain Leader scheme or a climber who wants to be able to navigate from the top of the route back down to the pub in the dark the skills are the same.

What does the course cover?
- Two full days of practical navigation in the mountains of Snowdonia
- Introduction to different map scales
- How to set the map
- How to interpret contours
- How to interpret key symbols ie how to find a footpath, fence, stream etc
- How to plan and follow a route using paths and other key features
- How to plan and follow a route across featureless terrain
- How to estimate distance using pacing and timing
- How to navigate in poor or limited visibility
- How to use the compass
- How to re-orientate yourself if you do get lost
- Training and Assessment to Silver NNAS standard (optional - if you want to attend the course for your own benefit and do not require the certificate and cloth badge then you do not need to be assessed)
- Certificate and badge for successful candidates assessed to Silver level
- Movement over steep gound (this is not a scrambling course but will give a gentle introduction)
- Mountain weather - how the weather affects our route planning and choice during the day
- Emergency procedures in case of an incident
- Choice and use of equipment

What is the NNAS?
The National Navigation Award Scheme is a nationally recognised structure for the provision of navigation training courses. It is arranged into 3 levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. This course covers the Silver award which covers more open country techniques such as contour interpretation, distance judgement and good compass use. The awards are becoming more widely recognised by schools and youth groups.

Where is the course held?
We run the course in Snowdonia and generally spend one day looking at micro navigation on the lower slopes before completing a mountain journey on the second day. We have the right to roam in Snowdonia and so are not restricted to staying on footpaths and this helps develop our map to ground reading skills.

What about accommodation?
We do not include accommodation with this course. For a variety of different accommodation options in Snowdonia, from camping to nice hotels, visit this link.

Book this course

If you have any questions about booking a course then please just call or email. Booking is a simple two stage process:

1. Choose a date.
Individuals - visit the diary page for details of open course availability
Groups of 2 or more - Call or email to arrange a date to suit you -

2. Book the course
Online: You can book online securely by clicking on the "buy now" button
or
Download a postal booking form from our booking page.

Course type Location Price Quantity  
Mountain Navigation & Hill Skills   £130 per person