Level One Navigation Course

Learn to navigate confidently in the mountains and bush.

Location: Mount Hotham, Victoria Duration: 2 days / 1 night (optional 2 nights) Group size: Small group training for personalised instruction

Safety: All instructors are qualified, insured and hold Wilderness First Aid and Parks Victoria Operator Licensing

This two day, mountain based course teaches essential outdoor navigation skills — how to travel safely through the bush, hills and alpine terrain using a map and compass plus an introduction to GPS and electronic navigation tools.

What You’ll Learn

• Navigate confidently on and off track using a map and compass
• Read and interpret topographic maps features, contour lines, and grid references
• Plot and calculate bearings accurately
• Find and mark your location on a map
• Apply celestial navigation techniques
• Estimate distance through pacing and timing
• Match map to ground and identify key landforms
• Plan and walk an off-track route using UTM coordinates
• Terrain travel techniques and safety
• Conduct a resection (how to find your location when lost)
• Navigate in reduced visibility and challenging conditions
• Understand GPS systems and devices

What’s Included

• Two full days of professional instruction
• Saturday night accommodation (shared lodge-style rooms) at Aardvark Ski Lodge
• Optional Friday night stay available for $35 pp
• All maps, pencils, and rulers supplied
• Emergency Management and Comms

Meet Your Instructors

Paddy Howlett Ex-military veteran and qualified navigation instructor with an aviation and rescue helicopter background including HEMMS 2 rescue helicopter. Paddy has competed at World Series level in adventure racing and National level in rogaining. His latest expedition — a 1,600 km survival paddle race from Canada to Alaska through some of the world’s most remote wilderness — pushed his navigation skills to the limit.

Kelly van den Berg Mountain guide and APSI Nordic Instructor professional outdoor educator and expedition leader with experience ranging from the deserts of the Sahara to alpine ascents. Kelly was Paddy’s race partner and navigator for the Yukon 1000 Expedition Race.