Staying Found: On-Trail Navigation - Foothills - 2022

Day Hiking, Navigation & Backpacking Course

Staying Found: On-Trail Navigation

This course is for Mountaineers who wish to understand the basics of on-trail navigation using information from a map and observations in the field, combined with a compass, watch, altimeter and GPS. Students who complete the course will be well prepared to confidently follow even remote backcountry trails and, if desired, continue on to an off-trail navigation course like Wilderness Navigation.

This hands-on course, tailored to on-trail adventurers, provides focused information on key skills and tools and hands-on practice on the trail. Students will learn to read a topographic map, use a compass and altimeter, and practice using an online phone app to maintain a steady awareness of where they are on the trail.

The course includes a few hours of mandatory homework, an evening online instructional seminar on May 10, a field trip at Tiger Mountain State Forest on May 15, and the online Low-Impact Recreation course. Students must complete all elements to graduate from the course  and earn the Staying Found Badge. Please:

  • SIGN UP FOR THE EVENING ONLINE CLASS ON MAY 10. Students will receive an email with instructions on how to join by Zoom. 
  • SIGN UP FOR ONE FIELD TRIP. Students may choose to attend  a field trip on  May 15 (from 9 AM to about 2 PM or  12 PM to about 5 PM). Five  routes are offered in the morning session: Easy Peasy, Great Adventure, Talus Rocks, Swamp Foot and Grand Ridge. Easy Peasy is the easiest; Grand Ridge is the most challenging.  Grand Ridge is not offered in the afternoon session.  One field trip is required for all students, please sign up for only one. Please DO NOT sign up for more than one field trip.
  • COMPLETE THE HOMEWORK. The homework is located in the Course Materials tab. Please download and complete by May 10. 
  • REVIEW THE REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. Students must have the  required equipment by May 10 to participate in the online class. 
  • COMPLETE THE LOW-IMPACT RECREATION COURSEThis is a quick, online course about reducing your impact on the environment when recreating outdoors.  

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment
  • Compass with adjustable declination (see How to Buy a Compass). YOUR COMPASS MUST HAVE ADJUSTABLE DECLINATION!
  • Green Trails Tiger Mountain map #204S. If you order from the Mountaineers bookstore, you will receive a 20% discount with the promo code "Staying Found." NOTE THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE THE MAP OR DOWNLOAD THE TIGER MOUNTAIN MAP AND TIGER MOUNTAIN LEGEND (pp. 11 and 12) FROM THE COURSE MATERIALS TAB. If you choose to download these documents, please print them in color.
  • Watch (preferably digital) or smartphone
  • Altimeter, or smartphone with altimeter app

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