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Afternoon all,
I'm after a few tips on navigation during a fell race and by race I mean I will be taking part and if I finish that will be an achievement rather than coming in top 10!
It will be my first longer race (14 mile) that requires navigation, and although I know the basics of using a map and compass have you any tips for making it easier on the day.
The race is pretty local for me so will get 1 or 2 recce runs in before hand.
Thanks for reading
If you can recce the route in advance then race day shouldn't be a problem.
To improve your running and mapreading at the same time then orienteering is worth a go, if you don't fancy entering an event try some local permanent orienteering courses: https://www.britishorienteering.org....eering_courses
Most maps only cost £1 or so.
You might also want to do one of the FRA navigation courses!
The basics is better than most of us ;)
On your race map, write down the bearings of the route you want to take from all the checkpoints. It saves thinking which way to go.
Do your own nav don't just follow.
If you can find a copy, Mountain Nav for Runners, is good.
Try a Nav course. The FRA do one twice a year or you could try; Nav 4, Everything Outdoors or The Fell Running Guide.
Have fun!
When you write down the bearings (on the map) keep them to multiples of ten - there's no way you can keep to a bearing of 101 degrees, just round things to the nearest ten so 100 degs. It's then easy and quick to set the compass.
Do short nav legs - anything over a Km will introduce too much error even if you did run close to an exact bearing. Use handrails like walls and ridges to guide you into checkpoints
Thanks for the recommendation sbrt. ;)
I've got regular courses in Navigation Fellrunner 27. where are you based.
I've 2 courses running this week but they are full I'm afraid. I'll be helping on the FRA courses but they are booked up this year.
This is the article I wrote for the Fellrunner, it should give you some tips.
basic- http://everythingoutdoors.co.uk/how_to/navigation-tips/
more skills- http://everythingoutdoors.co.uk/navigation-tips-part-2/
Ian, yes, our FRA course at Kettlewell in March is (more than) full, but at the moment Elterwater in September will still have some spaces. For more information on both subsidised courses, email Margaret [email protected]
Thanks for all the advice!
shame the kettlewell course is full! I live near Hawes so it would have been ideal!
I recently read both articles, very helpful! Thank you
Yes, write down the bearings from checkpoints and other critical points. Memorise/understand the lay of the land and match what you see on the ground with the map. And yes, do not follow!Quote:
Originally Posted by sbrt
Keep both of Ian's articles handy as reference because there are lots of little tips that won't register from a read through and without practice on the fell, you won't improve your skills and confidence.Quote:
Originally Posted by fellrunner27
Your knowing the basics of using a map and compass is probably far more knowledge than many who take part in fell races.Quote:
Originally Posted by fellrunner27
I'd bet that if you asked competitors to show how they'd take a compass bearing many wouldn't have a clue where to start.
So you're already well ahead of many in the nav skills.
I showed a few people how to do this on a recent recce i organised and most were experienced fell runners.Quote:
Originally Posted by wharfeego
Dan
How about using a thumb compass?Quote:
Originally Posted by wharfeego
I bet hardly any fell runners know how to use one of those :cool:
They are so simple to use I don't know why they are not more commonplace.
No one needs to know what bearing they're taking eg 'on a bearing of 246 degrees' ~ you just need to know which way to go!
Chris I was wondering if it was worth doing it as a handout on the course?Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris K
very true. just keeping thumb compass to orientate the map is often enough for a good navigator.Quote:
Originally Posted by mapper
I agree Ian but I prefer thumb compasses with graduated bezels, handy for dialling in a preplanned bearing or confirming a bearing with a partner but just as good for setting the map.
See you weekend after next.
Ian yes, if you have a bunch of handouts to bring, my thought would be to produce them during your Sunday morning FRA sponsors talk - as with the magazines - to take home afterwards. But Mark is the one in charge for this Kettlewell. The hypothermia we've had out on the Friday night as a reminder that all day on the fell on Saturday will require many layers!
Ah yes - Old Farts Reunion weekend after next ;)
Hi Ian - What he said!Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris K
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Navigator
.......and quite likely some new ones too!
Of course I would never; see a mate ahead and follow him,only to realise he was injured and had bailed out of the race. Doh!:oQuote:
Originally Posted by ydt
Just follow the person in front, they'll probably be going the right way and if they're not it's better to be lost with someone than lost on your own because you've tried to find your own route and got it wrong!
Who's an old fart...:DQuote:
Originally Posted by The Navigator
How many people do we have on the course.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark G
Ian - Margaret has done her usual fine job and its full (which I believe is 30) plus 10 of us and there are 8 reserves.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak