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ML Navigation & Night Navigation

Leadership

A focused Mountain Leader navigation workshop developing a consistent navigation process from daylight into darkness and reduced visibility.

Format
Workshop
Duration
1 day
Pathway
Leadership
Group
Small-group workshop
MTA CPD
1 MTA CPD point

£125 per person

Workshop Overview

Develop a reliable navigation process that continues to work as visibility deteriorates and the demands of leading a group increase.

The day begins by calibrating techniques in daylight before progressing towards more complex navigation and, where timings allow, darkness. Rather than simply making the navigation increasingly difficult, the emphasis is on choosing proportionate techniques, recognising errors early and retaining awareness of the people you are leading.

Key Information

  • Based in the Lake District. We choose the exact venue around conditions and the skills being practised.

  • Small-group workshop (Max 4)

Who It's For

  • Mountain Leader trainees after training.
  • Candidates preparing for assessment-style poor-visibility tasks.
  • Qualified leaders seeking a focused night-navigation refresher.

Skills Covered

  • Contour interpretation
  • Pacing, timing and bearings
  • Route choice and navigation strategy
  • Relocation and error management
  • Navigation in reduced visibility and darkness
  • Group management while navigating
  • Maintaining an accurate, calm and repeatable process under pressure

Pre-requisites

You should have completed Mountain Leader training or already navigate confidently in mountain terrain. Bring a reliable headtorch and spare power.

What to Bring

Weatherproof clothing, warm layers, food, drinks and personal medication. Walking boots or appropriate mountain footwear, a day pack, map, compass and headtorch. A dependable headtorch, spare power and extra warmth for stops after dark are essential.

Maps and compasses can be provided, but we recommend bringing your own. We will tell you which map you need and recommend a Silva Expedition 4 compass.

Itinerary

The exact plan may adapt to weather, venue conditions and the group's experience. The stages below describe the intended focus.

Dates & Prices

£125 per person. Choose a confirmed date below, or register your interest while dates are being finalised.

Dates, prices and places for ML Navigation & Night Navigation
Dates Location Price per person Places Book
Fri 26 Mar 2027 North Lakes · Borrowdale £125 per person 4 places left Book now, Fri 26 Mar 2027
Sat 13 Nov 2027 North Lakes · Borrowdale £125 per person 4 places left Book now, Sat 13 Nov 2027

Tailored development built around you

Need a different date?

Ask about arranging ML Navigation & Night Navigation privately. Tell us your experience, priorities, group size and preferred dates so we can confirm a suitable format and quote.

Get in touch

Where this workshop fits

Your Mountain Leader Pathway

The Mountain Leader qualification is built through experience, training, consolidation and assessment. Use this pathway to understand where you are and what your next step could be.

  1. 01

    Build experience

    Gain varied quality mountain days in UK and Irish terrain, developing your navigation, judgement and independence.

MTA Continuing Professional Development

This workshop is suitable for Mountain Training Association members undertaking CPD. Attendance carries 1 MTA CPD point and can be recorded through Tahdah.

Frequently Asked Questions

ML Navigation & Night Navigation FAQs

How does this differ from Night Navigation?

This workshop places the exercises in the Mountain Leader context, including group management and explaining your decisions.

When does the session run?

It is advertised as one day, with timing arranged to include darkness. Each booking date will show the expected start and finish times.

Can I attend after qualifying?

Yes. Qualified leaders are welcome to refresh night navigation alongside trainees developing assessment consistency.

Do I need two headtorches?

Bring dependable lighting and spare power as a minimum, and follow the joining kit list for backup requirements. Your equipment should let you navigate and manage yourself through the evening.

Will we practise relocation after dark?

Yes. We include responding when the expected picture does not match the ground, using a structured process to regain a reliable location.

Kit & Equipment FAQs

What if I do not have all the equipment?

Contact us before booking or buying kit. We will confirm what you need, what can be arranged and any hire charges for this workshop.

What happens if the weather changes?

We may change the route, venue or order of exercises to suit conditions and the group. The advertised learning aims remain the focus, and joining information explains the practical arrangements.

Booking & Cancellation FAQs

Can I book one place?

Yes. Public courses and workshops are priced per person, so you can book an individual place and join others. Check the page prerequisites before booking; you do not need to provide a whole group yourself.

How do I book?

Choose the course or workshop, check the date and location, and follow Book now. Complete the requested participant information and payment steps. If you are unsure about suitability or need equipment advice, contact us before completing the booking.

How do I pay?

Bookings below £300, or made fewer than 42 days before the start, are payable in full. For bookings of £300 or more made at least 42 days before the start, a deposit option is available, with the balance due 30 days before the start. The booking page confirms the amount due when you book.

Are prices per person or for the whole group?

Public course and workshop prices are per person. Private delivery is quoted separately for the agreed format and group. Mountain Leader reassessment is priced according to the scope agreed after reviewing your report.

Can I cancel or move my booking?

Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy before booking. It explains the applicable notice periods, charges and options for moving a place. Contact us promptly if your circumstances change, giving your booking name and date.

What if I am ill or injured before the course?

Contact us as soon as you know you may be unable to attend. Changes, transfers and refunds are handled under the Booking & Cancellation Policy. Let us know before the day rather than arriving unsure whether you can take part.

What happens if LDM changes or cancels the event?

We will contact you to explain the change and the options available under our booking terms. Read the policy before booking, particularly before making separate travel or accommodation arrangements.

What happens if minimum numbers are not reached?

Public dates depend on sufficient bookings. If numbers affect your date, we will explain the situation and the options under our booking terms. The places shown online are availability, not a promise that minimum numbers have already been met.

The date is full. Can I join a waiting list?

Use Join the waiting list where it is shown, or contact us with the course and date. A waiting-list request is not a confirmed booking; we will contact you if a suitable place becomes available.

There are no dates listed. Can I register interest?

Yes. Use Register interest or contact us with the offering and your preferred dates. We can let you know about forthcoming public dates or discuss private delivery, subject to availability.

Can I use an existing voucher?

Yes. We will honour valid existing vouchers as the booking system changes. Contact us with the voucher details before paying so we can explain how to apply it.

Can I give my place to someone else?

Contact us before arranging a replacement. We need to check the booking terms, the other participant's suitability and their details before confirming whether a transfer is possible.

I have not received booking confirmation. What should I do?

Check your spam or junk folder, then contact us with the booking name, course and date. Please check with us before making a second payment so we can establish what happened.

Structured progression

Your next step

You will receive specific feedback on accuracy, consistency and judgement, with clear practice priorities before assessment or future leadership work.

  • ML Navigation & Setting the Standard

    Pathway: Leadership

    A focused Mountain Leader navigation workshop designed to show candidates what good assessment-standard navigation looks like in practice.

  • ML Expedition Skills, Leadership & Wild Camp

    Pathway: Leadership

    A two-day Mountain Leader development workshop combining expedition skills, leadership, navigation and campcraft through a practical overnight mountain journey.

    A tent pitched beside a tarn below a high crag in evening light
  • Mountain Leader Assessment

    Pathway: Leadership

    A professional, fair assessment of the full Mountain Leader standard.

    Two people in yellow jackets look closely at a map together

Reading to support your learning

Knowledge Hub

Why choose Lake District Mountaineering?

  • Highly qualified instructors. MCI and WMCI qualified professionals.
  • Small groups, real attention. More time for coaching and feedback from your instructor.
  • Structured progression. Every course builds towards real independence in the mountains.
  • Real mountain environments. Trained on the fells of the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands.