Navigation Resources for Your Next Adventure

Everyone is Made To Move

Navigation Resources

You will find links to lots of navigation resources below. Review some of the content before a navigation course. In particular the first segment contains ‘Slide Shows’ that you might find helpful before attending a course. General navigation resources information about meeting times and locations can be found on individual course information pages.

Course Information Pages

Navigation Resources you might find useful before the course

You don’t have to read this but it may help you during the course, we will be reviewing it anyway.

Map Relief and Elevation: Read before a course

Maps depict relief and elevation in different ways. This slide show introduces you to some of the concepts used by map manufactures.

The Map Grid & Grid References: Read before a course

The map grid is used to locate a unique area on any map. Knowing how to read and write a grid reference is essential.

Mountain Hazards: Read before a course

There is a long list of mountain hazards. Understanding hazards and avoiding them is the best strategy.

The Compass: Read before a course

Covers the fundamental parts of the compass necessary for taking a bearing.

Navigation Resources you might find useful after the course

You will find lots of links to navigation resources below. Some of which we may mention on a navigation course, it is a quick reference for you when you are trying to recall a book or equipment we mentioned.

Books: Hillwalking: The Official Handbook of the Mountain Training Walking Schemes.

Lots of info for people hoping to practise and so their Mountain Skills assessment. Also lots of info for potential Mountain Leaders. ISBN: 9780954151195

https://www.kennys.ie

Books: Winter Skills: Essential Walking And Climbing Techniques

Some good graphics in the section on taking a bearing, easy to understand. ISBN: 9780993033711

https://www.dubraybooks.ie

Books: The Ultimate Navigation Manual

Lots of good simple graphics: ISBN: 9780007424603

https://www.dubraybooks.ie

Books: Cicerone Navigation: Techniques and Skills for Walkers

Pocket size guide with simple drawings: ISBN: 9781852844905

https://www.cicerone.co.uk/navigation-2

Books: Best Irish Walks: Joss Lynam

The original, lots of ideas for routes: ISBN: 9780717130658

https://www.gillbooks.ie

Books: The Wildflowers of Ireland: Zoe Devlin

Organised by flower colour so easy to use: ISBN: 9780717130658

https://www.gillbooks.ie/

Books: Complete Irish Wildlife: Introduction by Derek Mooney

Nice and simple, can fit in your rucksack: ISBN: 9780007349517

https://www.dubraybooks.ie/

Maps: East West Mapping: Spot heights, grid labels & brown lines

East West Mapping has a useful webpage page that explains some of the details on their maps:
https://eastwestmapping.ie/spot-heights/
https://eastwestmapping.ie/grid-labelling/
https://eastwestmapping.ie/brown-lines/

Navigation: Aids & Tools

Grid Reference Tool and lots more. “Essential Tools for Serious Navigators” https://shavenraspberry.com/

Navigation: Timing & Pacing

A Useful guide, print it and laminate it, but it’s easier just to practise and learn the numbers. https://www.everythingoutdoors.co.uk

Navigation: Magnetic Declination

A link to a Magnetic Declination Map. The link below will tell you the Magnetic Declination using a dropped pin on a map. https://www.magnetic-declination.com/

This is an explanation of Magnetic Declination on my Resource Page. https://madetomove.ie/resources/the-compass/

Apps: Hiiker

A useful App that you can locate yourself and also record your track. Good for practise particularly at night. The app has East West Maps and Irish Ordinance Survey (OSI) maps when you pay for the Pro Package. Free maps too.
https://hiiker.app/

Apps: Outdooractive

Another useful App that you can locate yourself and also record your track. The app does not have East West Maps but does have Irish Ordinance Survey (OSI) maps when you pay for the Pro Package. Free maps too.
https://www.outdooractive.com/en/

First Aid: Providers

Enda Broderick
https://www.facebook.com/enda.broderick.77

Remote Emergency Care
https://www.recfirstaid.eu/home/instructors

First Aid: Hypothermia

A link to a resource about Hypothermia, it’s free, but you have to register. It’s worth it. https://bicorescue.com

Ticks

Lots of info here about Ticks and how to spot them and deal with them.

HSE Tick Help Page

Tick Talk Help Page

Gear: Group Shelter

These come in various sizes and weights to accommodate your group size. Lots of different manufacturers. I use a two man when I’m hiking by myself. I consider it essential. You can survive without food and water for a few days but you may not survive long without shelter. Buy one and bring it with you. Great for lunch breaks too!
https://rab.equipment/eu/group-shelter-8-10

Gear: Boots

I prefer leather boots for Irish conditions, winter and summer. Make sure to keep them in good condition. Don’t dry them next to heaters or the leather will dry and eventually crack: https://www.scarpa.co.uk/walking-boots/trek-gtx/ Nikwax: Waterproofing https://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/waterproofing/

Gear: Jacket

Waterproof and breathable with a good adjustable hood that closes around your neck and face but also turns when you turn your head. I look for a jacket with a map/chest pocket, it makes the map and compass disappear and reappear as you need them, no need to put the map in a rucksack, you are more inclined to use the map if it is easily available https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/collections/mens-waterproofs/products/lhotse-mens-jacket

Mountaineering Ireland Route Card

I’d suggest doing a sample route card, and do a couple of legs. It will really get you looking hard at the map and putting it together with the landscape. Also its great practise for using the compass.

Route Card Download

https://www.mountaineering.ie/_files/Route%20Card.pdf