NNAS BRONZE: July 27TH/28TH BY BRYN wALKING

​Learn to Navigate with the NNAS AND BRYN WALKING

​The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) is a personal performance, non-competitive, incentive scheme for all ages to learn navigation skills and gain confidence to get out and enjoy the countryside. NNAS courses are delivered in Wales by Bryn Walking and courses take place in the Bannau Brycheiniog and Cambrian Mountains.

The aims of the National Navigation Award Scheme’s Navigator Award are simple – to give lovers of the outdoors, whatever their sport, age or fitness, the freedom to explore the paths, trails, hills and mountains of Britain and abroad. Gaining an award does not give you a qualification to teach or lead. It is a recognition of the level of skill at which you can navigate.

There are three levels – the Bronze Award, the Silver Award and the Gold Award. Progressing through the three awards will take you from being an absolute map and compass novice right through to be an expert navigator at Gold.
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​This Bronze Navigator Award was a private course for four participants and was delivered by Alan Ward (International Mountain Leader).

 Bronze navigator award SYLLABUS

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• Navigate using a variety of maps and scales.
• Use 4 and 6 figure grid references with worded descriptions to define the position of a map feature and to locate a feature on the ground.
• Orientate the map using handrails, obvious point features and major landforms.
• Use linear features (e.g. paths, tracks, clear boundaries) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.
• Relate prominent landforms such as large hills and valleys to corresponding contour information on the map.
• Orientate the map by aligning a compass needle against grid north and be aware that magnetic variation causes an inaccuracy.
• Use an orientated map to confirm the direction of travel.
• Use clearly identifiable features to confirm position along the route and to recognise when the target has been overshot.
• Measure horizontal distance on the map and estimate distance on the ground using timing, pacing and simple visual judgements e.g.100m.
• Plan and implement simple routes and navigation strategies based on the above skills.
• Recognise a navigation error within a few minutes and apply simple relocation techniques using handrails and prominent features.
• Be aware of the use of mobile phone location apps as a back up to map and compass and in emergencies.
• Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues, access legislation, personal responsibilities, the Countryside Code and sustainability.
• Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of walking equipment, safety equipment and emergency procedures.

DAY 1

The day began in the classroom at the National Park Visitor Centre with refreshments offered on arrival followed by introductions and an outline of the 12hr course over two days.
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The day consisted of a classroom based morning theoretical session with the afternoon out on Mynydd Illtyd Common to practice new or refreshed navigation skills. 
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The highest point on the afternoon session was the trig point on the Twyn y Gaer (367m) iron age hillfort with views northwards over the Usk Valley and to the south, the wide panorama of the Central Beacons.

day 1 - gallery

day 2

The day commenced at the Llangasty Village Hall car park with the four participants taking it in turns to lead sections of the planned route today.

Key features of the route included: The Paragon Tower, Allt House, Allt yr Esgair (393m), Llangasty-Talyllyn Church, Llangorse Lake and the colourful Ty Mawr Farm.

All four participants passed the requirements of the Bronze Navigator Award so congratulations to them all - well done!

Back at the car park there was a debriefing and general discussion of individual action plans which ranged from attending the next NNAS level which is the Silver Navigator Award whilst there was also strong interest from one participant about the Mountain Leader (Summer) Award.

DAY 2 - GALLERY

COURSE FEEDBACK

The greatest strengths of this course are:

• Being a very practical hands on course
• Outdoor assessments
• Alan's wealth of experience and enthusiasm
• Beautiful walks and scenery
• Putting the theory into practice - just the right mix

The course could be improved by:

• Can't think of anything
• More map information

NOTE FOR HELEN:
I suggest once participants are booked on a course that a pre-requisite for attendance is to have looked at the map glossary on their maps and have a very good understanding of symbols and map information.
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bryn walking training courses

NATIONAL NAVIGATION AWARD SCHEME (NNAS):

• Bronze, Silver and Gold Navigator Awards
• Tutor Award for those wishing to deliver navigation training

RESCUE EMERGENCY CARE (REC) FIRST AID: Outdoor First Aid Courses

• HSE Emergency First Aid @ Work (EFAW) - 8hrs
• HSE First Aid @ Work (FAW) - 18hrs
• Outdoor First Aid - 16hrs
• High Altitude First Aid - 4hrs
• Trekking First Aid - 8hrs (includes high altitude First Aid)
• Travel & Expedition First Aid - 16 hrs (includes high altitude First Aid)

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (RGS):

• Off Site Safety Management (for those leading or organising trips, travel and treks)