Johannes Petersen Mountain Navigation Coach

Still plenty of time get involved with the Northern Night Cup with 3 races remaining after Christmas...perfect preparation for the British Night Orienteering Championships which are going to be held in Deeside in 2019.

Working for Glenmore Lodge absorbing a whole week of pre-winter CPD. What makes good CPD? I know I've sat through some pretty tortuous training things elsewhere in the past...but this is very different. Looking back through my notes from the first 2 days alone, I can count 20+ specific learning points and 3 excellent book / article recommendations. Then there's the intangible benefits in terms of the countless little moments and light switches going on in my head. But most of all it's simply the rare luxury of time surrounded by 30 vastly experienced instructors, and being presented with so many ways and inspirations with which to raise my own game. Game on for the rest of week...and the rest of the winter.

One more day left to enter Round 1 of the Northern Night Cup - entries close at midnight tomorrow (Monday) https://goo.gl/ANpHbL Tonight's reasons to enter are aimed at folks who are maybe thinking that night orienteering isn't their thing because it's too hard. Now I'm not going to lie, it is going to be absolutely pitch black out there so you do need a decent grasp of walking on a bearing and be able to interpret basic orienteering map symbols. A night event is not the best... place or time to learn those fundamentals. But if you've got them sorted, here's a few reasons why night orienteering isn't as intimidating as you might think. #1 Each control is marked with a very reflective kite. These are so reflective that some of our more experienced competitors complain about them! Basically if you can navigate reasonably close to the control then you will see it. #2 All the courses are cunningly planned so that you pass very close to the "assembly area" (i.e safety!) about 2/3 of the way round. This means that if you're going quite slowly you can still have a fun run and just retire at the 2/3 mark. No one will judge you, we'll just be glad you're back before the cutoff time. #3 Unusually, there is excellent 4G phone signal throughout Craig Leach. The organiser's mobile number is printed on the map. So if you want to run with your phone in a small rucksack, you'll have a pretty reliable safety backup in case you get horrendously lost. #4 Although the Northern Night Cup is all dressed up as a competition, it isn't actually very serious and everyone is just there for the sheer fun of it. You are very welcome to go round in pairs, threes or whatever you want. So, hopefully that's a bit of encouragement for you. If you do decide to enter and you're feeling a bit unsure, please just show up nice and early, have a chat with us at Assembly and remember the Golden Rule - always report to "Download" at the end, and you must be back by the time "Courses Close" at 8pm! Photo credit Chris Spencer
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Looking forward to next Wednesday 5th December when I'm putting on the first round of this year's Northern Night Cup. You've got 4 days left to register yourself for this awesome event, as entries are going to close at midnight on Monday 3rd. So, here's today's reason to enter: IMHO the map of Craig Leach gives one of the best and most technical navigation challenges around Inverness, and we hardly ever to orienteer up there because car parking is very limited. Therefore it's perfect for a smallish event like next Wednesday. With kind permission from Dochfour estates you'll be able to park just metres from the start. https://www.orienteering.scot/northern-ni ght-cup

I had the privilege of providing a Winter Navigation workshop as part of the recent Mountaineering Scotland AGM at Glenmore Lodge. If you're not involved already please do consider supporting their important work by joining. For my part I am pleased to offer a 15% discount on my course fees to all Mountaineering Scotland and British Mountaineering Council members.

Today I'm delighted to share my first Run4It Expert Advice article. This one is all about how to stay sane and motivated running through a Scottish winter - enjoy! https://www.run4it.com/…/dancing-in-the -dark-hills-trails-…/

CLUE: today I'm coaching orienteering in a wood very close to Inverness, and using one of my favourite ever control sites. Can you work out exactly where this flag is? Answer in the comments below!

A whole year has rolled around and now it's time for my final navigation course of 2018. Join me this Sunday for a fun, sociable day where I hope to take your map & compass skills through the roof in just 8 hours 😀😀😀 Get sorted for all your 2019 hill bashing adventures - book now at www.johannespetersen.scot/dates

Last week I was working for Glenmore Lodge on a Summer Mountain Leader training course. The course finished with an unforgettable 2 day expedition up on the Great Moss from Glen Feshie. These photos from ML candidate Kevin really show the crisp, frosty conditions we enjoyed, with Loch na Cnapan providing a great campsite and a peerless night navigation venue as ever. Thanks to my colleague and Course Director Mike Jones for putting together a great week for the 12 candidates who attended. It is such a privilege to work on these courses, doing my best to share what knowledge & skills I have with folks who are 100% committed to learning & growing as leaders.

Do you have some experience but feel that your navigation skills are holding you back? We will cover navigation for your local hills, for bigger adventures, and for going out in bad weather. You'll learn how to sort yourself out when you do get lost, and on the 2-day courses you'll also learn how to navigate at night. Compass skills, map interpretation, route planning, emergency navigation, GPS tips and tricks - we cover all this and more according to your individual needs.

If you want a quick hit of navigation skills, try a 3 hour evening session for just £20. There's no classroom time, we just meet at the car park and head straight out on the hill. There'll be no more than 6 people in the group, so you'll have time to practise the basics and pick up some new skills.

If you're starting from scratch, this course is for you. You don't need any prior experience and everyone else on the course will be at a similar level. You'll learn how to use map and compass to navigate independently in the hills. This course is about walking on established footpaths and simpler popular Munros. It's the perfect starting point for a long, safe & enjoyable hillwalking career.

This week I was working on a Summer Mountain Leader training course for www.petehillmic.com Autumn is really starting to take hold in the Cairngorms now - we had our first snow showers on the expedition, but otherwise a week of benign weather. Thanks to a great team with lots of good chat & high morale throughout.

Learning to use map & compass can seem daunting! With 20 years' teaching experience, the hallmark of my courses is friendly, positive and patient instruction that'll have you feeling confident in no time. Check out the full range of dates available throughout this autumn, priced from just £20 for an Evening Taster Session. https://www.johannespetersen.scot/course- details

Highly recommend this 3-in-a-row series of Friday evening urban orienteering events in Inverness starting next week (Holm Dell, Lochardil & Kinmylies). Ideal for 2 reasons - firstly for runners this is a great way into orienteering as it's mostly left / right decisions instead of vague forest contours. Secondly, for hillwalkers it's actually very good practice for mountain navigation as you quickly get very proficient at setting and resetting the map (every few seconds if you run fast enough!). See you there!

Amazing how much you can pack into 3 hours! 1:1 Evening Taster Session last night. Like a lot of folks I meet, Cathel is keen on both running & hillwalking. So we covered: simpler trail navigation (setting & thumbing the map); mountain contour features (ridges & re-entrants); using the compass (rough & fine bearings); how to navigate whilst running; map memory; handrailing and using the compass to confirm the direction of paths and fences. Check out our route on Strava here: https://goo.gl/964xwW

😀😀😀 Friendly, packed with new ideas & skills, and all based in the local hills round Inverness. 3 more courses coming up in August - evening taster for runners this Thursday, 2-Day course for total beginners next weekend (25th-26th August), and a 1-day course for hillwalkers on the Monday 27th bank holiday. All details & prices on the website at www.johannespetersen.scot/dates

Another fun evening with such a lovely crowd - everyone from total beginners to West Highland Way Race finishers! Next course is an Evening Taster Session this Thursday 16th August, spaces still available - check www.johannespetersen.scot/dates

We did the running taster session last night in the dark. Mostly off track. Whilst it was scary and all new. I felt safe and confident there. What a great experience and would definitely recommend for all levels. I am a complete novice and it’s given me a great insight. So thank you!!!!

I’ve been so nervous of going back into the Mountains after having my little boy and having been out for a day with Johannes I’m back on the road to building confidence. From initial chats, to me being 100% involved in the pre-planning, route choice, on the day options, navigation work and his expertise on the small scrambles, my friend and I had a fantastic day. Johannes was friendly, knowledgeable, aware of safety and fun, honestly couldn’t ask for anything better. Please don’t hesitate to use him for navigation skills, confidence or any other mountain adventures, he really is fab! ��

I have just completed a very comprehensive two day hill walking navigation course. Johannes did a fantastic job of managing to keep all of the members of a mixed ability group suitably challenged whilst ensuring that nobody felt neglected. I can honestly say that I have finished the training significantly more confident and equipped to navigate efficiently even in night or poor visibility situations. �

I had a great time on the two day course for hill walkers. Lots learned and lots of fun in the hills! Highly recommend!

Have just completed the 2 day walkers course and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to up their game in mountain navigation. A day learning the basics, followed by an evening of applying new skills to low light conditions. The second day the weather co-operated by giving us genuine low visibility, and with the saftey net of individual tracking devices we were able to go off on our own and practise navigating in the Scottish mist! Great fun, empowering, met some lovely people and felt well looked after throughout.

Had a fantastic day out and learnt valuable skills that I required for a SML course. This day helped me build confidence to take that extra step to enable me to go out independently and also safely, up Munros and camping! I would highly recommend this to anybody either lacking the confidence to go out or simply requiring skills to navigate, anywhere. Easy company and great teacher :)

We did the running taster session last night in the dark. Mostly off track. Whilst it was scary and all new. I felt safe and confident there. What a great experience and would definitely recommend for all levels. I am a complete novice and it’s given me a great insight. So thank you!!!!

I’ve been so nervous of going back into the Mountains after having my little boy and having been out for a day with Johannes I’m back on the road to building confidence. From initial chats, to me being 100% involved in the pre-planning, route choice, on the day options, navigation work and his expertise on the small scrambles, my friend and I had a fantastic day. Johannes was friendly, knowledgeable, aware of safety and fun, honestly couldn’t ask for anything better. Please don’t hesitate to use him for navigation skills, confidence or any other mountain adventures, he really is fab! ��

I have just completed a very comprehensive two day hill walking navigation course. Johannes did a fantastic job of managing to keep all of the members of a mixed ability group suitably challenged whilst ensuring that nobody felt neglected. I can honestly say that I have finished the training significantly more confident and equipped to navigate efficiently even in night or poor visibility situations. �

I had a great time on the two day course for hill walkers. Lots learned and lots of fun in the hills! Highly recommend!

Have just completed the 2 day walkers course and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to up their game in mountain navigation. A day learning the basics, followed by an evening of applying new skills to low light conditions. The second day the weather co-operated by giving us genuine low visibility, and with the saftey net of individual tracking devices we were able to go off on our own and practise navigating in the Scottish mist! Great fun, empowering, met some lovely people and felt well looked after throughout.

Had a fantastic day out and learnt valuable skills that I required for a SML course. This day helped me build confidence to take that extra step to enable me to go out independently and also safely, up Munros and camping! I would highly recommend this to anybody either lacking the confidence to go out or simply requiring skills to navigate, anywhere. Easy company and great teacher :)