Nordic Walkers & Nordic Instructors. Road & Trail runners new to navigation.

This is an entry-level course into navigation for personal development & will give you a NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) Bronze Award, assuming you are able to demonstrate a good understanding and application of the skills being learnt on the course.

No qualifications are needed in order to participate on this 2 day course.

Please book your place here:

Book your BRONZE NNAS Course HERE

Course Details:

What to expect

A professionally designed and delivered course by WALX Helvellyn Ullswater on behalf of the NNAS (National Navigation award Scheme.  Over the 2 days you will delve into Navigation like you never have before, pouring over maps, unlocking the code, planning routes and getting some proper 'practical' training in.

If you demonstrate the correct understanding after 2 days intensive training and assessment, then you will walk away with a NNAS Bronze Certificate and will be able to use this to either gain your Silver Award or put it towards a Mountain Leader Training course.

What will you learn?

• How to read a map, understand contours & features
• How to use a compass in conjunction with your map
• How to orientate your map
• How to relate land features around you accurately to your map
• How to use features along your chosen route to identify your location at any given moment
• How to set a bearing
• How to re-locate, should you become miss-placed (we don't like to say lost!)
• How to use timing and pacing in order to find your chosen control point/location
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Countryside Code, knowledge of what equipment is suitable for the fells and emergency procedures that are relevant
• How to plan a route
• Some safe navigational techniques
• Identify hazards

 What are the benefits?

• Gain a deeper understanding on how to use a map & compass in order to navigate a chosen route, across different scales of maps.
• Grow your confidence to take people further afield, but with-in your qualification's perimeter's
• Gain a bronze NNAS certificate to show you have the skills (continued personal development)
• Use this course to help you gain your Walking Leader Qualification (It will set you on the right track, giving you a good understanding of navigation, not give you the course work or qualification)
• Increase your earning potential by being able to plan breath taking routes

Who is it for?

Fell Walkers who would usually follow others and would like to start to understand the map for themselves, Nordic Walkers & Nordic Instructors, Road & Trail runners new to navigation.

This is an entry-level course into navigation for personal development & will give you a NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) Bronze Award, assuming you are able to demonstrate a good understanding and application of the skills being learnt on the course.

No qualifications are needed in order to participate on this 2 day course.

What's included?

• Notes to be emailed to you each evening after day 1 and day 2, as there is always a lot to absorb
• A NNAS Bronze Award certificate, assuming you demonstrate a good understanding of the 2 days of learning & application

Course Program

Arrival Time: 08:30 both days

Meeting place: Glenridding Village Hall, Penrith CA11 0PA - parking at the Hall

Day 1:

• 09:30 - Meet and greet - please bring your own hot drink and snack (if regulations change by November, we will provide drinks & welcome snack)
• 09:45 - Around 2 hours theory in the morning
• 11:45 - Quick break for more refreshments
• 12:00 - Around 3.5 hours on the hill – lunch out on the fell (provided by you) 
• 15:30 - Back to base for quick debrief of the day

Day 2:

• 08:30 – Meet & Greet - Please bring your own hot drink and snack (if regulations change by November, we will provide drinks & welcome snack)
• 08:45 - Around 2 hours theory in the morning
• 11:15 - Quick break for more refreshments
• 11:45 - Around 3.5 hours on the hill - lunch out on the fell (provided by you)
• 15:30 - Back to base for quick debrief of the day

The course is based around the fells of the Ullswater Valley.

What to bring

• Compass
• Harvey/BMC 1:40'000 map of the Lake District and Ordnance Survey 1:25'000 OL5 Map
• Full waterproof cover (Jacket and Pants), these must be taped seems, please call to discuss if you're not sure
• Clothing suitable for the countryside & time of year - We will not be moving quickly, so please account for that in your clothing selection. - remember it is a 2-day course, so you will need clothing for 2 days
• 1 spare warm top, not cotton please. Wool or synthetic will be fine
• Spare clothing for day 2, should your day 1 clothing get wet
• Suitable footwear for wet ground, preferably off road/walking/running shoes
• Hat & Gloves x 2
• Headtorch
• Lunch, day-food & a water flask

Meet your coach - Nicky Sproson

Nicola is the inspiration behind Walx Helvellyn Ullswater, as well as being a qualified Mountain Leader, Nic has navigated her way around on the Mountain Marathon scene in the Lakes and Scotland also.  As well as guiding her Nordic Walking group up and all over the Lakeland fells on a weekly basis, Nic take herself navigating in all conditions to keep navigation skills fresh and at her finger tips.

Some technical ground will be covered so all terrain shoes with a good trail grip are essential.

Please also bring waterproofs with you, even on a good day, these will act as your emergency layer.  We will get a good speed up to do this loop in the allotted time so make sure you come with a water bottle & high energy snack, and a pack to take some layers off as we head off!  PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF YOUR FITNESS LEVEL OR ABILITY TO WALK ON THE TRICKY LAKELAND TERRAIN AS I'M HAPPY TO HAVE A CHAT ABOUT THIS. You will not be allowed to walk with our group if you do not have the right kit with you and suitable sustenance/drinks/food! Sorry to sound so strict, but we are out with you guys in the fells often with no road close by, so important you come equipped.  Our leaders will always have a first aid kit & emergency kit but you must be able to carry your own rucksack for the duration of the walk. From September until end of April, please bring a headtorch on all walks which are due to continue into the afternoon after lunchtime...

If you are joining one of our adventures/activites outdoors, by signing up you are consenting to our help in the case of emergency with regards to 1st Aid as required, and that you have updated any medication info to your instructor prior to the activity if anything has changed since you last walked with us.

If you are keen to come from futher afield and would like to book accomodation, please mention Nics Nordic Walks for a possible discount... i recommend

1. 1. Beech House. Great B&B right in the centre of Glenridding, preferential rates if you mention WALX Helvellyn Ullswater when speaking to Lynn, she will look after you very well!
   2. Crookabeck B&B Typical farmhouse B&B, a family suite with private sitting room, 2 twin or double rooms + sitting room area also, super friendly and preferential rates for our clients when you speak to Adam at the foot of the patterdale fells. A couple mins drive from Glenridding.
   3. Old Water View, Patterdale - Fabulous river location in Patterdale with the mountains all around, just a couple mins drive to Glenridding & couple mins wander to The White Lion Pub!
   4. Ullswater Way Cottages, Watermillock, Ullswater Stunning holiday cottages on The Ullswater Way route, extreemly luxurious self catering accomodation if you want to extrend your stay around your walk for a few days.
   5. Inn on the Lake, Ullswater. - Great hotel right in the centre of Glenridding, on the shoes of Ullswater... literally! Contact nics@walx-helvellynullswater.co.uk if you would like us to obtain you preferential rates at the hotel.
   6. The Heaning Estate, Windermere Truely beautful & luxurious self catering accomodation just over the hill near Windermere, they will accept 2 night bookings from our clients. The will take 2 or 3 night stays if you mention WALX Helvellyn Ullswater when booking, by arrangement.
   7. The Ravensworth, Windermere Great B&B Guest House family run by a friend of ours here at WALX Helvellyn Ullswater.
   8. Hill Top Air BnB, Windermere Fab luxury double B&B room high above Lake Windermere, a perfect stopover before one of our walks, Julie, one of nics close friends will look after you well, please mention us if you book to stay with her.
   9. Lake Escape Camper Hire - or be totally different and hire a camper van from Kendal and explore further after your course??
   Please be aware that we may accept some dogs on our walks, who we know very well & we know are very well behaved.  If you find it difficult to be around dogs, or would prefer no dogs were on your walk - PLEASE feel free to let me know as the dog owners are more than happy to leave them at home!

Lastly, I may snap a few shots during our walk, PLEASE let me know if you would prefer not to be on social media or your pic used for advertising Nics Nordic Walks.  I totally understand that some folk would prefer to keep their mountain adventures as an escape from the outside world, but unless you let me know, then your image may be used.  

Thank you.......