Women Embrace Introduction to Navigation Weekend Blue Mountains

Do you want to learn to navigate with a map and compass? How about reading a map with confidence?

If you’ve ever dreamed of being able to find your own way in the bush, break through the invisible walls beside tracks and step off the well-formed trail, read on.

Over two jam-packed days, you’ll learn some of the skills essential for off and on track navigation and build your confidence in finding your way in the bush and making wise decisions in an outdoor environment.

Like a detective in a story, you’ll be equipped with skills and knowledge to find the clues to solve the mysteries of where am I? How do I get where I want to go? and how long will it take me?

And you’ll get to spend the weekend with a great group of like-minded women, too!

Inclusions:

• Two nights twin share accommodation (Friday, Saturday) in Leura
• Two Wilderness First Aid Qualified Women Embrace Hosts to ensure you have the best experience possible.
• Navigation Instructor - the famous Caro Ryan (Remote Are First Aid qualified)
• Compass
• Copy of Caro’s book ‘How to Navigate’
• Topographic map and map case
• Lunch on the course - Saturday and Sunday
• Dinner Friday, Saturday 
• Breakfast Saturday, Sunday.  We cater for most dietary needs so let us know when you are booking.
• Snacks to take with you on course
• WEA Buff and other goodies
• National Park Fees, all safety equipment 

Exclusions:

• Transport to and from the Blue Mountains 
• Travel Insurance
• Alcohol

Dates/Time: Friday, March 3rd 2023, 4 pm until Sunday, March 5th, 2023, 4:00 pm   

Group Maximum: 6 plus your WEA hosts and Navigation Instructor

Fitness Level: Moderate to high

Grade: 4/5 hard. To find out more about the grading system, click here

Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites for this course; however, you will need adequate fitness to physically spend a day hiking in moderate, off-track terrain.

Cost:   $1240 pp (a non-refundable deposit of $600 paid upon booking will secure your spot - the remainder of the balance will be invoiced  to you)

What you need to bring with you: (We'll send you a complete packing list as well)

• Day Pack to carry personal first aid, water, jacket, snacks/lunch (all food provided)
• Hiking shoes/boots
• Water Bladder or bottle (2 ltr min)
• Hiking poles (optioinal)
• Toiletries and personal medications 
• Hike clothes (we’ll send a complete list before we go)
• Casual clothes to wear around accommodation at night

Itinerary 

Day 1:

Arrive at accommodation - meet the team - team dinner at our accommodation.

(Meals: D)

Day 2:

Breakfast at our accommodation. Grab some snacks for a day of learning. 

Beginning by building a solid foundation in map reading (we’ll provide the coffee!), we spend the day in our classroom at Blackheath getting the basics down pat. Together, we will learn the ins and outs, ups and downs of topographic maps - how to read, interpret and fall in love with them. With a ‘no dumb questions’ rule and lots of practical exercises, we’ll cover everything from datums to contours, grid lines and scale. You’ll get to know your compass (yours to keep) and be able to answer pressing questions like, ‘What is the difference between grid north, magnetic north and true north?’, ‘What’s the difference between Lat/Long and a grid reference?’, along with understanding declination.   By the end of this day, you’ll be able to interpret all the features and notations on a topographic map, be able to judge time and pacing correctly and plan a route in an off-track location.  

After our course, we will grab an early dinner in town and head home for a nightcap and get ready for the following day.

(Meals: B,L,D)

Day 3:  After breakfast, we will head out into the stunning Blue Mountains National Park, we’ll get dirt on our shoes through some practical exercises designed to build your confidence in identifying map features and learning to read the landscape.  Building on yesterday’s foundations, we focus on our compii (plural for compasses) with the aim of becoming familiar (and then confident) in its many uses. You’ll learn (and have much practice in) taking bearings, dead reckoning, identifying features and how to use your compass to find out where you are.   With much of the day spent in practical exercises, by the end of day two, you’ll have combined the knowledge of map reading and interpretation with compass techniques and practice in ‘reading the land’ and pacing to plan for future off-track adventures. After our day in the bush, we will say our goodbyes and head home with some new found skills and friends.

(Meals: B,L)

Note: The Itinerary could change due to weather etc., but flexibility is all part of the adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?

Designed for, walkers, bushwalkers, hikers, canyoners and climbers with little or no experience in map and compass navigation who want to cover the basics, through to intermediate skills associated with traditional navigation methods.

What will I learn?

This intensive workshop will cover the basics of choosing the right equipment, map reading and interpretation, reading the land, compass use, timing and pace, taking bearings and loads of other tips and tricks to help you recognise, prevent and solve the most common navigation challenges.

How fit do I need to be?

We recommend a moderately high level to participate in this weekend comfortably.  We will be hiking off-track on Sunday, putting our new navigation skills to the test. If you’re not sure this adventure is for you, then drop us an email at info@womendventure.com.au; we’ll happily give you a call to discuss. 

Do I need experience?

No navigation experience, but we recommend some previous hiking experience.  

How many women will be on my adventure?

We like to keep things quite small and intimate at WEA to offer you a supportive and friendly environment. We have a maximum capacity of 6 plus your WEA hosts and local guides on this adventure.

I’ll be coming on my own, is that ok?

Not a problem at all!  Lots of women come on their own to our adventures. Your Women Embrace Adventure hosts will make sure you meet everyone on Friday. We always have lots of fun; there’s no pressure, no judgment, and lots of encouragement from everyone. By the end of the weekend, you may have just found some new adventure friends!

Can bad weather conditions affect my adventure?

Wet weather will generally not cause the cancellation of a hiking tour. Wind and storms, on the other hand, can cause cancellations. If the wind is strong enough to be a potential safety risk, we will contact you in the days before the tour. If cancelled by WEA, you are entitled to a full refund, or we can transfer your booking to a rescheduled date if that suits you.

Stay Safe Procedures: Women Embrace Adventure is taking important measures to limit the transmission of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) such as:

*Contactless registration

*Zero share equipment, utensils

*Providing hand sanitiser to use at the start and during each adventure

*Ensuring social distancing throughout the adventure

Before attending an adventure please:

*Stay home if you or your family are unwell, or you have been advised to isolate

*Wash your hands and use hand sanitiser often

*Continue to social distance

*Read our full Covid-19 T&C's for full details https://www.womenembraceadventure.com.au/t-c 

*Terms and Conditions apply

By making a booking you agree to and accept our terms and conditions, including these Terms and Conditions, our Covid-19 Policy and the Waiver of Liability.

Your booking is final once your payment is processed and a confirmation email is sent to you. No refunds will be given but your spot can be transferred to another lady over the age of 18. Please email us at least 24 hours before the adventure and provide her contact details. This is an all-weather event. If cancelled by Women Embrace Adventure a credit or full refund will be provided.

This is a women's only adventure. Valid for sale until sold out. Advertised prices are per person. Prices are correct as of 9 June  2022 and are subject to availability, withdrawal and change at any time without notice due to fluctuations in charges and currency.

All current government safety and health guidelines at the time of booking and departure must be adhered to including all Covid-19 requirements. Any additional costs related to but not limited to government travel restrictions are the responsibility of the individual traveller and not Women Embrace Adventure. If this trip is undersubscribed or in circumstances where external events affect the viability or safety of this trip to go ahead, Women Embrace Adventure reserves the right to cancel or reschedule and to exclude/remove any participants from this trip. Dates are non-transferable.