Wilderness Navigation 2

As low as:

$210.00 / person

(at 6:1 ratio)
  • STRENUOUSNESS
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  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
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Add-ons

Navigation Kit $10.00

Includes a map and compass

IAG Cancellation Coverage $11.00

As per our Cancellation Policy, your trip or course is 100% non-refundable after 30 days prior to the trip/course start date. Purchasing this addon will allow you to cancel your trip/course within that 30 day time period for reasons of injury, illness or family emergency, and will provide you with a credit for the full value of your trip/course fee which can be be used on any Island Alpine Guides or Hike Vancouver Island trip or course or trip for up to one year from the start date of the trip/course originally booked.

About 


Building on the foundational map and compass skills learned in level 1, the level 2 course includes resection (triangulation) techniques to find your location for when you have lost your way, using backstops, handrails, catch features, dead reconning, traveling around obstacles and whiteout navigation. The use of these techniques as well as others previously taught will increase your capacity to navigate in various terrain and weather conditions confidently.

Participants are encouraged to use their personal GPS's and nav apps to augment traditional map and compass techniques on this level 2 course.   

Take both Wilderness Navigation level 1 and Wilderness Navigation level 2 courses at once to receive a 10% discount. 

Curriculum

  • Quick review of basic techniques already taught in Wilderness Navigation level 1
  • Practical navigation techniques to include (but not limited to): taking bearings on the ground and applying them to the map, taking bearings on the map and applying them to the ground, using backstops, handrails, catch features, dead reconning, whiteout navigation and obstacle clearance techniques
  • Using your personal navigational applications and/or GPS to augment and confirm your basic map and compass skills
  • Hone in on your accuracy and confidence while navigating in the wilderness

Included

  • 1-Day of instruction with an ACMG-certified guide

Not Included

  • Transport to and from the meeting point
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Personal equipment (including snowshoes if there is snow on the ground at the time of your course)

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.

Locations


The field portion of this course will either be delivered in terrain accessed from either the Old Forbidden Plateau Ski Hill or Mount Washington. 
 
Note that locations are determined by time of year, and where the instructor feels they can best deliver the outlined curriculum, but all locations will be within easy driving distance of the Comox Valley. 

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Itinerary


A typical course runs from 08:30 to 16:00, and can be delivered year-round. We will begin the day with an orientation in the parking lot before putting skills to use in the field, primarily hiking off-trail. 

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior to your course.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details, or send us an email. 


Requirements


This is a level 2 course, meaning we recommend that you have some previous navigational experience with map and compass to get the most out of this course. To take this course, please: 

  • Have Wilderness Navigation 1 or equivalent experience 
  • Be prepared to spend the day outside in variable conditions — including in rain, snow, and hot weather (see gear list)
  • Travel approximately 3-4km over sections which may include bush, snow, and rough terrain 
  • Provide their own gear (a limited number of maps and compasses are available for rent — please see gear list in next tab)

Questions about the suitability of this course? Send us an email. We’re happy to help you find or customize courses to suit your needs. 

Gear List 


The list provided aims to prepare you to be comfortable in the field regardless of the weather. Please ensure that all your gear is functioning and in proper repair. 

Clothing & Footwear

  • Mid-weight jacket, wool, fleece, synthetic or down
  • T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt (white or other light colour), synthetic and/or light cotton in summer for cooling
  • Hiking pants, nylon or similar (ideally tough enough to resist tearing on bushes)
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants)
  • Toque or hat
  • Gloves (plus a spare if weather is wet)
  • Hiking socks - merino wool is best
  • Boots (suitable for hiking off trail)

For winter and spring courses, please also bring:

We will indicate whether snowshoes are needed in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior.

  • Snowshoes (while there is still snow in the mountains)
  • Walking poles (if using snowshoes)
  • Gaiters (typically needed November through to June)
  • Long underwear (top and bottom), poly- pro, wool or silk
  • Insulating pants, wool, fleece, or pile

If you do not own snowshoes, we recommend renting from Ski Tak Hut and can provide discount codes upon request. 

Course Items

Available as a rental add on when you book. 

  • Topographic map — 92 F/11 
  • Mirrored compass 

Other

  • Toilet paper (and small bag to pack out) 
  • Personal small first aid kit (blister kit) SPF lip balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle (2L capacity)
  • Lunch (prepared ahead of time and consumable on the go)
  • Sunglasses
  • Backpack (large enough to fit the items on this list)
  • Rite in the Rain notebook and pencil
  • Thermos (optional)
  • Altimetre (optional)


Rentals


Navigation Kit: includes map and compass, and are available for $10/day. Rental add ons are non-refundable, but can often be requested up to two days before the course. Please be aware that we have limited supply and these are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Snowshoes (if required for the time of year): Available for rent at 'Ski Tak Hut'(https://www.skitakhut.com/pages/rentals) if required for the time of year. Participants on HVI courses/trips are eligible to receive a 25% discount code (directly from HVI upon request) towards their gear rentals from 'Ski Tak Hut' for the duration of their course/trip. Note you will be asked to show the booking confirmation you received from us when you pick up your gear. 

Winter 4x4 Vehicle(s): 'Far Out Wilderness' (https://faroutwilderness.com/ski-tours-winter-4x4/) is a 4x4 vehicle rental service in Victoria that offers clients access to a fleet of rugged, reliable, and fully-equipped vehicles designed to conquer the most challenging winter terrain. Their vehicles come with snow tires with the 3 peak mountain symbol, chains, and ski racks. They also provide emergency equipment, including SOS, SPOT messenger systems, GPS, tire pump, toe rope, tire pressure gauge, a map to BC's backcountry roads, and a first aid kit. Everything you need to get safely to the ski slopes! Upon request, IAG clients can receive a 5% discount code towards their rentals from 'Far Out Wilderness'.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for information about gear fitting, rentals, add-ons, and /or other commonly asked questions, or send us an email.

Testimonials

What went well?: Everything, basically. We covered all the intended material, we got lots of practice, Rob answered all the questions well, he had clearly planned out the field route to suit the needs of the course, and we finished on time. This is exactly what I wanted, and I consider the cost of the course to have been well worth it. Leo, Wilderness Navigation 2