Staying Found: On-Trail Navigation

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. Students must complete the following components to graduate from the class and receive an On-Trail Navigation badge:

• The evening online instructional seminar on May 14, 6:30-9:00 p.m.  Register for the seminar. 
• A field trip on May 18 or May 19 at 9:00 a.m. held outdoors at Tiger Mountain State Forest. You will need to register for one field trip, which includes map and compass exercises, a trip planning exercise, and  a hike to apply the skills you have learned. 
• The online Low Impact Recreation course (completed at your leisure).

An optional navigation hike to practice your navigation skills will be offered after the field trip. Date, time, and location will be announced by email after the field trips are completed.

Readings will be assigned from the Modern Wilderness Navigation pdf found in the course materials.

Additional Course Materials will be uploaded by March 10th.

FIELD TRIP REGISTRATION: PLEASE READ!

• Please sign up for one field trip only. If the field trip you would like is filled, select another.  Do not add yourself to the waitlist.
• The options are Easy Peasy (easy), Swamp Foot (easy), Talus Rocks (moderate), and Great Adventure (moderate), from easiest to hardest. The routes are 3-5 miles with varying levels of elevation gain.
• Each route will be offered at  9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• The field trip will take 5-6 hours.