Town of Banff Banfflife / Mountainlife programme

Navigation Course Information Package

If you landed on this page from a Google search, this course is for participants on the Town of Banff BanffLife and MountainLife programmes. If you are a resident of Banff you are eligible to attend this course, go to the BanffLife (under age 30) or MountainLife (over age 30) websites for more information.

If you have already signed up for a course please read this information package carefully. It should answer all your questions but if not you can contact me.

What this course is about

This is a basic course that will help you understand how to navigate in the mountains. The goal is for you to be able to read a map and use some simple navigation tools to be able to keep yourself oriented in the mountains.

Course participants NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

  • Read and understand the guide waiver. You will need to sign this waiver at the beginning of the course. It is important that you understand it before you arrive.

  • Bring note taking materials and a smartphone that can connect to the internet to the course. You will need to load a couple of apps on to your device. See below for more information.

  • Let me know if you have any questions.

Your Instructor

The instructor is Mark Klassen. I have been working as a ski patroller, guide and avalanche forecaster since the mid 80's and am an ACMG/IFMGA certified Mountain guide.

IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES (MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME)

We will meet in Banff at the Fenlands Recreation Centre at 8.30 am.

Course Itinerary

We will cover the following topics on the course:

  • Reading a topographic map

  • Using an altimeter and compass

  • Using GPS

  • Introduction to the following apps: Gaia GPS, Avenza, FATMAP

  • Making your own map with Gaia

  • Navigating in poor visibility

  • Outdoor exercises: dead reckoning, triangulation, GPS tracking, GPS navigating

Pre-Course Preparation

Before the course please do the following:

  • Load the free versions of the following apps on to your phone. Paid versions work as well and will give you more functionality, but are not required.

    • Gaia GPS (may be worthwhile to wait until just before the course and then utilizing the free trial of the Premium version)

    • Avenza Maps

Equipment and materials required

  • Note taking materials

  • Smartphone with the apps installed

  • Compass with declination adjustment. We just need a couple of these in the group as they can be shared for our exercises. Compasses on phones or watches don’t work well for the exercises we will do.

  • Altimeter. iPhones and many watches have an altimeter and these will work well enough for the course. Not everyone needs an altimeter as they can be shared.

  • Outdoor clothing and footwear for a short walk near the Fenlands

  • Paper maps will be supplied by the programme

Remember, YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

FOLLOW: