Wilderness Land Navigation Immersion Course

The ability to find your way is a critical skill to ensure your safety, survival, and success when traveling in the backcountry. This class is perfect for both beginners and experienced backcountry travelers. 

Gain the knowledge needed to make informed navigation decisions. This immersive, hands-on course is led by land navigation expert instructor, Steve Fritz. We will start at the very basic fundamentals and work up through the more advanced skills listed below. This course will take place in a wilderness setting, which allows us to immediately apply our skills in real life. Class will take place both indoors and outside in any weather. Camping on-site is included. Class will run most of the day with an hour break for lunch. We will also have an off trail night hike to hone skills learned during the day.

During this course, you will learn and practice several skills and cover the topics below:

• Reading Topographical Maps 
• Map Characteristics
• Land Navigation Terminology
• Declination
• The 3 Norths
• Point Plotting 
• Protractors
• Measuring Map Distance
• Route Planning
• Pace Counting 
• Compass Use
• Dead Reckoning
• Correcting for Terrain and Obstacles
• Nighttime Navigation Field Practice
• Terrain Association
• Lost Procedures
• Packing Essential Navigation Gear
• Tracking Progress and Landmarks
• UTM Grid
• Team Navigation and Communication
• Instructor-Led Routes
• Team Routes

Price: $425 Registration deadline is October 6, 2024

To avoid credit card service fees, you can opt to pay with a check at checkout.

Optional food package: $125.00 (includes 10 meals, day 1 lunch through day 4 lunch & tableware)

Space is extremely limited and will be filled in the order that payments are received.

Included:

• Primitive on-site camping
• Indoor classroom space
• Water, coffee
• Group gear
• Pacing beads
• NOW Outdoors notebook
• Maps, protractors, and compasses for use in class
• All other necessary materials for class
• Expert instruction

Each person will receive a compass with adjustable declination to use during the course. Compasses will also be available for purchase for $80.

Not Included:

• Personal camping items (clothing, tent, sleeping bag, camp chair, etc.)
• Personal meals if you choose to bring your own (meal package is available for purchase)
• Snacks
• Parking (If you have a state park sticker, you do not need to pay for parking. If you do not have a park sticker, you will need to pay a small daily rate)

AS ALWAYS >>> You will have access to a full recommended gear list and directions via our "group" page once your payment has been received. We have a limited quantity of gear for rent on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please contact us with any gear needs.

Please email us with any questions at info@nowoutdoors.org.