Pete Hawkins

Why Navigation Skills

Compass on Orienteering map

Why Navigation Skills? Pete Hawkins Twenty-eight years  – it’s a long time and over the past 28 a great deal has happened. The internet, mass computer ownership, mobile phones to name just three.  Twenty-eight years ago I was a twenty-nine year old newish dad, had some hair and worked for the Peak National Park teaching […]

Visit an Orienteering Course – ready made for practice

Like any skills, it’s important you go out and practice them regularly.  Not everyone can get out into the hills on a regular basis but there is one resource on most people’s doorstep – your local permanent Orienteering Course.  These make ideal places to fine tune those new found navigation skills. First find your orienteering […]

Looking After Your Map – Basic Map Care

A map is a tremendous resource, packed with lots of details about the landscape and invaluable for anyone wanting to successfully navigate a walk.  Maps aren’t cheap however so it is important to look after them. Even on a dry day, walking with some form of map cover will reduce the wear (and probably tear) […]

Choose your map scale

One of the regular questions I’m asked is what map scale should one practice with?  Well it every much horses for courses really; if you want to pursue orienteering as a sport, then you need to get used to large map scale (1:5000 or 1:10000 typically although others are used).  If exploring the wilds of […]

Buying a compass

Compasses come in many shapes and sizes, some good, some bad and some very bad. It is important to know what to look for when you’re buying a compass. The diagram on this page shows the essential elements that a compass should have. There are compasses which have more than this but if you buy […]

Silva Navigation School 2018

silva navigation school 2018

The diary has been checked and double checked and so I’m pleased to announce that the Silva Navigation School 2018 dates are now official and available to book.  There is something for everyone again this year, from one day map and compass courses aimed at beginners to two day weekend courses for those who want […]

2017 Dates available

The dates for the 2018 round of Silva Navigation School courses are now available. Bronze, Silver and Gold level navigation courses are available across the year. For more details, contact Pete on info@silvanavigationschool.com

Cotswold Outdoors Talks

cotswold outdoor logo

Plans are developing to run series of evening workshops at various Cotswold Outdoor Stores during July and August. Covering essential Map and Compass Skills and a chance to get your pressing questions about navigation answered. A list of stores and dates will be posted soon.

Wild Times Review

Wild Times Magazine

One of the joys of doing this job is the feedback I get from the folk who come along on a course. Taking them from beginners to confident navigators in a weekend is great fun and great to watch. What’s even better is when a nice write gets published too and here’s one from Tracey […]

2014 map and compass dates now live

To celebrate the posting of the 2014 map and compass dates, the site has been given a bit of a revamp and freshen up. The shop has been updated and should work even more efficiently than it did before. You can but gift vouchers and if you just want to download one of the free […]

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