When the Path Fades: The Journey

WHEN THE PATH FADES: THE JOURNEY A coached off-path mountain journey planned, navigated and led by the group. 2026/27 OPEN GROUP DATES Sunday 8 November 2026 Sunday 6 December 2026 Sunday 10 January 2027 Sunday 7 February 2027 Sunday 14 March 2027 £95 per person | Maximum 1:6 ratio | Full mountain day The Journey is the Sunday part of When the Path Fades. This is where navigation skills stop being isolated exercises and become a real mountain journey. The group will be given an objective and a broad area. From there, you will help shape the route, choose the lines, share leadership and make decisions as the terrain, weather and day unfold. Jacob will coach, question and hold the wider safety framework, but the group will do the navigating. THE JOURNEY Expect a largely off-path route through rough, complex or vague terrain. There may be no tidy ridge, famous summit or obvious trail to follow. Progress depends on reading the map, interpreting the ground and making sensible decisions. The focus is on techniques genuinely useful during a British mountain day: reading contours, choosing handrails and attack points, using bearings when needed, checking progress and relocating calmly. The aim is not to demonstrate every possible method. The aim is to travel well. CORE HIGHLIGHTS Group-led route planning before setting out. Shared navigation and leadership throughout the day. Coaching and feedback from Jacob without simply being led from the front. WHY BOOK WITH MOUNTAIN CRAFT? Independence comes from applying navigation skills across a complete journey, not only practising them one at a time. Each monthly weekend uses a different venue and journey, allowing returning participants to build experience across new terrain and conditions. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE Reading the Ground is strongly recommended before The Journey. Experienced navigators may book independently, although I may contact you to discuss recent experience before confirming your place. You will need good hill fitness, resilience on rough ground and suitable kit for a full autumn or winter mountain day. WHAT’S INCLUDED Full-day coached off-path journey Maximum 1:6 ratio Group navigation and leadership development Pre-event kit and logistics information Weather-aware route planning Emergency satellite communication BUILD THE WEEKEND Book independently or combine with Reading the Ground and After Dark. Complete weekend price: £215, saving £30.