Navigation & Routecraft in Eryri / Snowdonia

Reading the Ground develops the individual skills: contours, terrain interpretation, bearings, pacing, relocation and route choice.After Dark puts more emphasis on bearings, pacing, timing and small terrain features when distant visual clues disappear.The Journey brings everything together across a complete off-path mountain day where the group takes much more responsibility for planning and navigation.You can book individual sessions or combine all three.

You do not need advanced navigation experience for Reading the Ground.Some hillwalking experience and basic familiarity with a map are useful, but the day is designed to build and sharpen the foundations.After Dark and The Journey can also be booked independently by people with suitable existing experience.If you are unsure, contact me with what you have already done.

After Dark lasts up to four hours and starts as early as practical, usually around sunset, so we can move into darkness naturally rather than waiting around for it.If you are also doing Reading the Ground that day, I normally aim for around an hour between the two sessions. That gives you time to get some food and drink, sort kit and have a breather before heading back out.Where possible I'll base that break somewhere near a café or similar, although that depends on the location and isn't guaranteed.Once we're out, the session focuses on practical navigation in darkness using bearings, pacing, timing, contour shape and smaller ground features.

Poor visibility and imperfect weather can provide excellent navigation conditions, so these sessions are not automatically cancelled because it is wet, cloudy or dark.The route and terrain are chosen around the forecast, ground conditions and experience of the group.If weather or travel conditions become genuinely unsafe, the activity may be changed or cancelled in accordance with the Booking Terms & Conditions.

Possibly, but please contact me before booking.These are open-group mountain sessions primarily designed for adults. Anyone under 18 would normally need to attend with a parent or legal guardian who is also participating.Suitability depends on the young person’s mountain experience and the particular session.

You will need normal mountain clothing and footwear appropriate for the conditions, including waterproofs and a suitable rucksack.For After Dark you will also need a reliable headtorch and spare power.Bring your own map and compass if you already have them. Any specific mapping or additional requirements will be confirmed before the session.