ML REFRESHER
day into Night Navigation
A practical afternoon into evening session simulating poor visibility, focused on Mountain Leader assessment standards. Practise key navigation techniques, build confidence, and sharpen your decision-making with expert input from ML course directors.
5:00pm-11:00pm (approx) - spring/autumn dates only
Accreditation
This workshop is for Mountain Leader trainees.
MTA members gain 1 CPD point for attending
10% off this refresher when you book an LDM assessment
You can view the workshops here on Mountain Training
1 DAY COURSE
PRICES: £100pp
MTA PRICE: £85pp
COURSE OVERVIEW
This afternoon into evening workshop is specifically designed to simulate poor visibility conditions, giving you a realistic and practical opportunity to practice and refine your night navigation skills in line with Mountain Leader assessment standards. Navigating safely and confidently in darkness or low visibility is a crucial skill for any mountain leader, and this session focuses on building that capability through hands-on experience.
Throughout the workshop, we’ll explore a range of techniques and strategies including effective map reading, compass use, pacing, and navigate to assessment standard features.
This is an ideal chance to boost your confidence, identify any areas for improvement, and receive personalised instruction and constructive feedback from Mountain Leader course directors, helping you prepare thoroughly for assessment.
OUTLINE:
Night Navigation Challenges:
Understand the unique difficulties of navigating in low visibility, including limited visual cues and altered perception.
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Planning and Preparation:
Preparing for night navigation, such as maps, map cases, compasses, head torches and way to mark your ma and stay focussed on your location.
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Map and Compass Skills:
Refresh core map reading and compass techniques, adapted for use in darkness and reduced visibility.
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Pacing and Timing:
Practice accurate pacing and timing to maintain position and progress during night navigation.
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Route Choice and Decision-Making:
Develop strategies for choosing safe and efficient routes when visual landmarks are obscured.
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Techniques for Maintaining Orientation:
Explore methods such as handrails, aiming off, and attack points adapted for night conditions.
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Group Communication and Leadership:
Discuss best practices for leading and communicating with groups during night navigation to maintain safety and confidence.
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Debrief and Feedback:
Receive personalised coaching, review challenges encountered, and set goals for ongoing development.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
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Mountain Leader candidates preparing for assessment who want to strengthen night navigation skills
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Walkers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking confidence navigating in low visibility or after dark
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Leaders responsible for group safety during evening or poor visibility conditions
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Those looking to improve decision-making and route-finding techniques at night
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Anyone wanting practical experience and expert feedback on night navigation challenges
SKILLS COVERED:
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Equipment: maps and compasses and head torches
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Navigation coaching and selecting techniques for night navigation
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Gain accurate pacing and timing
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Introduce independent legs to landscape features
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Introduce ML style features for night nav (landscape features)
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Navigate in the dark to build towards solid, pragmatic navigation
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Goal setting and debriefs Discussion ahead of assessment
WORKSHOP PROVIDER CREDENTIALS:
Workshop provider: Sam Marsland (WMCI & ML course director)
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EVENT:
Your CPD record - If you attend this event and it counts as CPD, your CPD point/s will automatically be added to your record in due course - you will not need to add it yourself.
dates
If you are a looking to undertake a private workshop, then get in touch and we can help run a refresher bespoke to you
(1-1 £200 | 1-2 £250)
COURSE RATIOS
1:6 Ratio
Min. course size: 2
Max. course size: 6
Course needs 2 people to run
This is an open workshop designed for you to meet with other ML trainees and find other candidates to consolidate with.
Sam holds the WMCI award, is a ML Course Director and has national Mountain Training organisation requirements to run this course.
PRE-REQUISITES
18 years +
Registered and completed your ML training course.
Be a MTA member to access the benefits of:
Discounted price & 1 CPD point
None MTA can join but you won't be able to redeem your CPD points
This course is for you if you are looking to check in with your skills and gain further knowledge and understanding towards assessment for ML
EQUIPMENT
We will share a fully comprehensive kit list with you during the booking stage.
You will need to wear suitable outdoor clothing (warm and waterproof) and suitable mountain footwear (boots).
You will need all of your regular hill kit plus lunch, snacks and water for the day.
VENUE
This workshop is delivered from the Honister Slate Mine
It is recommended that you use the accommodation at Buttermere YHA or at Borrowdale YHA if you wish to stay over, they do camping too.
There are good transport links and buses running from Keswick
Here we will introduce the course outlines, planning stages and discuss our objectives
this course is accredited to mountain training
Mountain Training is the collection of awarding bodies for skills courses and qualifications in walking, climbing and mountaineering that operates across the UK and The Republic Of Ireland.
Our qualifications train and assess people to look after other people in these environments, whether that's leading a walk in the mountains, coaching in a climbing wall or teaching multi pitch rock climbing. People who hold our qualifications have been assessed at a nationally agreed standard.
Our Vision
A diverse and active outdoor society, supported by inspirational leaders, instructors and coaches.
Our Mission
To inspire, enable and develop people in walking, climbing and mountaineering through the provision of nationally and internationally recognised skills training and leadership qualifications.
Support for people
Mountain Training is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to attend our courses. We work in close partnership with the mountaineering councils and a key strand of their work is to ensure that participation is open to all. The BMC Equity Steering Group and initiatives like Adventure for All have been central to this and are an excellent source of information.
Hire our Lake District Mountaineering instructors for private and tailored programmes.
Suited to your goals & ambitions to make the most of YOUR time in the mountains.
Choose from the following areas to work on, on a bespoke basis
Micro Navigation Skills (Contour Only)
Day rates:
1:1 £200
1:2 £250
CONTACT
We look forward to hearing from you and working towards your mountaineering ambitions and helping to achieve your goals.
Phone or WhatsApp:
07458353048
If calls are missed we will respond when possible, please leave a WhatsApp or text message so we can respond to your enquiry.
Thank you