Navigation techniques

Coping with Terrain The map will not tell you what the ground is going to be like under foot. It could be boggy, scree or thick heather. Heavy packs can make steep terrain much more difficult to cope with. Climbing with a full load can be tiring and needs to be taken slowly at a steady pace. Zig Zag up and down steep slopes. Always keep your map handy and orientated and never pass up a good opportunity to confirm your position

Group leadership When leading a group ensure you walk at the pace of the slowest member and stay together. That way every one will benefit from rest stops as well as being involved in the group’s navigation.

Appoint someone experienced to bring up the rear who can ensure that no one is being left lagging behind and occasionally check that you are still on your bearing. The group splitting up and not staying together is one of the main reasons for mountain rescue callouts and fatalities in the Irish hills.

Linear features It is sometimes possible to locate your position along a linear feature such as a stream by its direction. This can be done by either setting the map or by taking a bearing along a section of it and comparing this with the map. This is also of use to confirm you are at the correct river junction. Take a bearing of each branch and compare these with the river junctions on the map.

Attack-points Attack-points are used when navigating to an isolated spot. The attack-point is the nearest or most obvious “dead fix’ point which can be reached comparatively easily. Once at the attack-point orientate the map and work out the exact location of your target destination using fine navigation i.e., timing, pacing and compass bearings The river is used as a hand rail until the distinctive bend is reached (the attack point) and from there use fine navigation to get to the isolated hut.