Mountain Navigation Next Steps

Now that you have completed your navigation course it’s time to think about how to put your newfound learnings to use. Here is some advice on what you need to do to keep learning about being safe in the mountains.

where to find maps

  • Specialty maps for popular areas close to the road can be found at local outdoor shops.

  • For more remote areas you will need to find the NTS maps. Some shops may carry a limited selection but a full library can be found online at Go Trekkers and MapTown.

  • BC has the TRIM maps at 1:20,000 scale and 20 m contours and these are the best maps for navigating in BC. You can download free geo-referenced PDF maps on the BC Maps and Orthos website. These PDFs can be used in the Avenza app, and local print shops such Bow Valley Basics should be able to print them for you at the correct scale.

Recommended apps

There are many options for mapping apps but the ones I use are:

  • Google Earth (computer version works best, the phone app is not as useful)

  • Gaia (both computer and phone apps are good)

  • Granite (both computer and phone apps are good). The 3D satellite imagery is the best of the phone apps.

  • The Avenza phone app is great for geo-referenced PDF maps such as the TRIM maps or specialty maps.

Learning resources

Use the following resources to help you learn more about navigation:

  • The Core Guiding Skills manual published by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides has excellent information on many mountain travel skills, including navigation. Available for purchase, $20 for an e-book and $55 for a paper copy.

  • Although I haven’t reviewed them recently the following publications from The Mountaineers are sure to be helpful: Wilderness Navigation and Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills.

  • The internet has so much information of course. Start Googling!

Have a Consistent Process

Approach each trip in the same way:

  • Be diligent with your pre-trip planning.

  • Identify hazards and route finding cruxes on paper maps and online resources beforehand.

  • Come up with a route plan that considers hazards and comfort.

  • Make a time management plan where you know where you have to be when to complete the trip before dark.

Once on the trip keeping track of where you are is important:

  • Pull out your map (paper or phone app) at every rest break or change in the terrain.

  • Identify where you are and look ahead to see where you are going.

  • Is the trip going as expected? Is the terrain what you thought it would be?

  • Make sure you are keeping up with your time management plan. Are you on track, ahead, or behind?

  • I find it helpful to record details of the trip and other observations in a notebook.

  • Reflect at the end of the day to consider if the trip went as you planned. If it didn’t why do you think that was? How can you correct on future trips?

Further related training

The following are courses you should consider taking to help you learn about some other aspects of safe backcountry travel. BanffLife/MountainLife offers these courses:

  • First aid

  • Weather

  • AST 1 and AST 2

  • Companion Avalanche Rescue

  • Crevasse Rescue

  • Glacier Travel

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