Chiltern Society organises Pathfinder map reading course

A one day course to help walkers and ramblers make the most of the countryside has been organised by the Chiltern Society for Thursday 26 March.

Following an indoor introduction, experienced guides will take the group on a walk to put their new-found knowledge into practice and cover a range of skills to help them navigate confidently in the Great Outdoors.

The course includes learning about map scales, grid references, contours, symbols, compass bearings and estimating the time it will take to do a walk. It also covers information about access rights and useful tips on clothing and equipment.

Former National Park Ranger John White, the society’s Director of Conservation and Development, said: “More and more people are enjoying the countryside but some are deterred from venturing into areas they would really like to explore because they fear they don’t have sufficient map reading skills. This day course will give them the confidence and skills they need to walk in unfamiliar areas.”

For further details and to book please visit the Chiltern Society’s website athttp://www.chilternsociety.org.uk/or call 01494 771250. Participants will need clothing and footwear suitable for the weather on the day, a small rucksack with a packed lunch and personal items along with a 1:25000 map of the area around Chesham (Explorer 181) and a compass. An ideal compass would be the Silva Ranger or Silva Expedition 4.

The course starts at the White Hill Centre, Chesham at 10am. It costs £6 for members of the Chiltern Society and £10 for non-members.