Night navigation for runners | Lake District | October to March

If you’ve got your sights set on a long ultra: the Montane Spine, Marmot Dark Mountains, Montane Cheviot Goat or the Lakeland 100 – sound night navigation skills are essential. Our night navigation is designed to give you the expertise you’ll need to stay on course with confidence after dark. We’ll be working with real race maps, but the techniques you’ll learn will be just as useful if you get caught out in the mountains on a regular day and need to return to the valley floor swiftly and safely in low visibility conditions. Gain confidence in your ability; dispel the common myths around night navigation and equip yourself with vital insights to help keep yourself and your companions safe in the mountains.

You’ll learn:

• Essential tricks and tips to keep you on track after dark
• How to read different maps
• Insights from course planners and race directors: we have first-hand experience of designing a wide range of navigational courses, and can teach you the skills you’ll need to succeed.

Anyone with their sights set on a self-navigated ultra or a long day in the hills will benefit from the course. Don’t worry about previous navigational experience or confidence: we will teach to your level.

Come on your own, or bring your friends: discounts are available for teaching groups of 2 – 10. See our Price List for full details.

Max group size: 5. If you have a larger group, please contact us to discuss your needs.

• A mix of theoretical and practical sessions, designed specifically for mountain runners, by mountain runners
• Tuition from a expert coaches
• Access to a range of genuine race maps, supplied by Mountain Run

Night navigation courses run for 6 – 8 hours from October to March only, starting in daylight and running through dusk and into the night. The start time will vary according to time of year.

• Headtorch (minimum 250 lumens; brighter is better!)
• Waterproof jacket & trousers (taped seams please)
• Spare L/S base layer, Primaloft layer or similar (no cotton please)
• Hat or buff
• Gloves
• Survival Bag
• Whistle
• Hill food/Lunch Snacks
• Race Vest/Small Pack to put it all in.
• Aggressive-soled running shoes for mountain terrain

Please be aware we might be moving at slow speeds at some points during the day: please account for this in your clothing selection. Check the weather forecast in advance of the course and come prepared.