Mountain Navigation
The navigation skills taught on this course will allow you to safely find your way using Map and Compass skills, as well as navigation techniques specific to travel in mountainous terrain.

This course focuses on the application of map reading, compass use, orienteering, route planning and navigation. A pre-trip evening session covers map & compass theory and navigation fundamentals. On the field day you put theory into action while practicing new skills leading the group in a local sub-alpine area.

Dates:
April *9, 13, 2008
April *23, 27, 2008
May *14, 18, 2008
June *11, 15, 2008
July *16, 20, 2008
August *20, 24, 2008

Dates marked with an asterisk (*) are evening seminars held in Vancouver at 47 W. Broadway. These are held from 7-10 pm and are an essential aspect of the Mountain Navigation course.

Location
The first theory session is held in the Canada West Mountain School classroom at 47 W Broadway in Vancouver, BC.

The field-day session is held at one of a variety of different locations, depending on the conditions in the local mountains, and on the current weather. Typical locations include Mount Seymour, Buntzen Lake park, and on trail systems near the Squamish and Whistler areas.

Itinerary
The first evening classroom session will run from 7 pm till approx. 10 pm. This session will thoroughly cover all aspects of map reading, basic navigation theory and introduction to compass use.

On the field day you will meet with your group at the pre-arranged trailhead at 0800. You will usually spend the first 1-2 hours learning and refining compass skills (how to take bearings, determining position, re-section and triangulation) and practicing practical map reading skills here. After this session, you will head out on a short hike (1-2) hours in order to practice route finding skills, following compass bearings and identifying terrain and geographical features.

The afternoon is typically spent at a high vantage point working on various map and compass skills, as well as learning a variety of techniques for traveling in off-trail terrain.

You will return to the trailhead at around 4:00 pm. After a short wrap-up and question session, the course will finish at around 4:30 pm.

Equipment list for Mountain Navigation course
The following personal equipment is required - this is considered a basic list, please consult our office for more details or if you have any questions
(To download a printer friendly .PDF file of the equipment list, click here. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required)

• Boots: sturdy hiking boots or hiking shoes, broken-in and waterproofed.
• Backpack: 30-40 liter capacity daypack will allow you to carry all your gear. Preferably top loading
• Outer Jacket: An outer layer waterproof-breathable shell jacket with hood - Gore-Tex style
• Outer shell pants: Lightweight waterproof pants, full leg zippers are ideal to allow ease of on/off  - Gore-Tex style
• Hiking Pants: A light-weight hiking style pant (synthetic fabric, preferably not cotton)
• Gaiters: Ensure they fit over your hiking boots (optional - good for keeping snow, water and debris out of boots).
• Gloves: Medium weight gloves - wool, synthetic or fleece gloves
• Personal clothing layers: Shirt, sweater, vest, socks, etc – make sure they are synthetic or wool blend – preferably no cotton.
• Warm jacket: Medium weight fleece or pile
• Toque/warm hat: Wool or fleece style insulating hat
• Hat: With sun visor or full brim e.g. baseball cap, etc. (1)
• Sunglasses: Ensure they block 100% UV (if traveling on snow, they should be full wrap or have side-shields)
• Headlamp: small size with fresh batteries
• Sunscreen: Minimum 30 spf
• Insect repellant: optional depending on season
• Water bottles/Hydration system: minimum 1 liter (2+ liters for extended treks)
• Walking poles: Ski poles or collapsible walking poles (optional, helpful for long treks and big descents)
• Lunch and snacks: bring a lunch and enough snacks for the full day. Lunches should be easy to eat with minimal preparation.
• Walking poles: Ski poles or collapsible walking poles (optional, helpful for long treks and big descents)
• Compass: Supplied by CWMS if required

All other safety equipment and First Aid supplies will be supplied by your Canada West Mountain School trip leader.

Here are a few stores in the lower mainland region that supply good service and quality outdoor equipment. If you need to purchase or rent equipment, please contact the store well in advance of the course to ensure that what you require is available!      

Altus Mountain Gear, 137 West Broadway, Vancouver 604-876-5255 (rentals available)
Climb On Equipment, Squamish 604-892-2243
Coast Mountain Sports, 2201 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver 604-731-6181;  Park Royal store - W. Van. 604 926-6126
Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 West Broadway, Vancouver 604-872-7858 (rentals available)
Mountain Equipment Co-op, 1341 Main St, North Vancouver 604-990-4417
Valhalla Pure, Station Square, Squamish 604-892-9092  (rentals available)
3 Vets, 2200 Yukon Street, Vancouver 604 872-5475

Please go over this list before the trip to ensure that you are properly prepared. Contact our office if you have any questions, and we can suggest places for you to purchase or rent equipment if needed.

It is recommended that you also have a set of spare street clothes for the end of the trip after you have left the mountains.

Logistics and transportation
The evening class sessions are held at 47 West Broadway in Vancouver, BC (unless otherwise noted in your information package). These sessions start promptly at 7 pm, please arrive on time.

The field sessions will be held at a location within a 1-hour drive of Vancouver. All participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the trailhead. Car-pooling is encouraged and may be arranged at the classroom session, though CWMS cannot guarantee a ride will be available.