Mountain Navigation Course for Boards

donothoponpop

Following on from a few costly missed turns during IMRA races, Boards will host their first Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept, from the upper car park at Glendalough. If ever you felt you needed to get more from your map and compass during races, this is the day to sign up for.
Leading the course will be recent Wicklow Round completee Paul Nolan, one of the best mountain runners and orienteers around, who has represented Ireland on many occasions, and who knows these mountains inside out. I'd like to thank Paul for his generosity in offering to do this: not often do we get the opportunity to gain expertise from such a high caliber athlete.
Please sign up below. €5 charge (which will be donated to Mountain Rescue), map, compass, raingear, required. We'll have a bite to eat after in Laragh.

Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept

Date: Sat, 5th Sept.
Time: 11am
Meet: Upper car park, Glendalough. (There's a €4 charge to park here, so park at the hotel car park for free, and jog up)
Duration: 2.0/2.5 hours or how ever long it takes to do a 7km lap of the Glenealo Valley. This is a walk, not a run!
Map: The Harveys map.
Cost: free, although a €5 donation to Mountain Rescue would be a nice idea to make it all worthwhile.

There's a limit of 8/10 places for this, so get your name down quick. Paul has agreed to do another day at a later date for those who can't make this one.

********************
donothoponpop
figs
Slogger Jogger
Krusty_Clown
Dapope
__________________

belcarra

Hey DNHOP,

Very intereted in this but need to know what time and for how long this is likely to take?
Have a short appointment in the morning in Swords and may possibly have a football match also, but would really like to make this if at all possible.

Thanks and a great idea!

donothoponpop

belcarra wrote: »

Hey DNHOP,

Very intereted in this but need to know what time and for how long this is likely to take?
Have a short appointment in the morning in Swords and may possibly have a football match also, but would really like to make this if at all possible.

Thanks and a great idea!

Exact time to be finalized according to PN, but I imagine it will be about 12 noon to suit most people, and take an hour or two.

I edited my post above to include a €5 charge, which will be given to Mountain Rescue, I think this is a good idea (from Slogger Jogger).

scottreynolds

Any chance these things will be regular.... or does anyone know where I could do a similar course since I'm away that weekend?

jlang

After the Navigational Challenge series began a week early yesterday, I think I'd learn from something like this but unfortunately I'll be on holiday.

T runner

Excellent idea! It will be a great confidence boost too for your stonecross to Lug relay team. Paul Nolan is a real expert and a very nice guy to boot.

I would recommend anyone who has tried mountain running to try and attend this. Hoping to make it.

donothoponpop

scottreynolds wrote: »

Any chance these things will be regular.... or does anyone know where I could do a similar course since I'm away that weekend?

This is a one-off. **EDIT** PN has agreed to try and run this again later in the year, we'll post something when its decided.

I remember something on the imra forum (last year?) where something similar was being organized- don't know what came of it- it was an orienteer who was hosting it, and there was a few spondoolics mentioned in the cost.

figs

Count me in... planning to do a full season of IMRA once I've done this years DCM, so would definitely be of benefit. If there's a limited number of spaces, I'll happily pass to let a regular benefit.

stmochtas

Would love too but wont make it. Will probably learn some new navigation skills at electric picnic however.

Slogger Jogger

For obvious reasons I am counted in. Donothoponpop may have to drive me lest I lose my way.

Krusty_Clown

Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept
donothoponpop
figs
Slogger Jogger
Krusty_Clown

Sounds brilliant. Count me in. Have a long run that day, but will work around the navigation course. What map do we need to bring? I have Wicklow Way, Dublin mountains, Lug wtc, but don't think I have one specifically for Glendalough.

Thanks for organizing!

RacoonQueen

I'd love to do this but I'm in Leeds that day. :rolleyes: Might be an opening for a boards meet up for more experienced mountain runners to teach us newbies the basics some other time(when we're not all away on the same day) :pac:

donothoponpop

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

What map do we need to bring?

I'll find this out and let you know.

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I'd love to do this but I'm in Leeds that day. :rolleyes: Might be an opening for a boards meet up for more experienced mountain runners to teach us newbies the basics some other time(when we're not all away on the same day) :pac:

I appreciate the fact that there's a lot going on around these weekends. Paul Nolan is very much the master, but if some of us students get the opportunity, we'll pass on what we learned at some other later date towards the end of the year.

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

For obvious reasons I am counted in. Donothoponpop may have to drive me lest I lose my way.

I'll drive, you can give directions. A 1927 Ford Model T, plenty of room for lots of other navigationally challenged in it: large shoes, polka dot ties, and red noses; obligitory.

dapope

Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept
donothoponpop
figs
Slogger Jogger
Krusty_Clown
Dapope

Brilliant idea. Many thanks to Paul for volunteering.

donothoponpop

Date: Sat, 5th Sept.
Time: 11am
Meet: Upper car park, Glendalough. (There's a €4 charge to park here, so park at the hotel car park for free, and jog up)
Duration: 2.0/2.5 hours or how ever long it takes to do a 7km lap of the Glenealo Valley. This is a walk, not a run!
Map: The Harveys map.
Cost: free, although a €5 donation to Mountain Rescue would be a nice idea to make it all worthwhile.

There's a limit of 8/10 places for this, so get your name down quick. Paul has agreed to do another day at a later date for those who can't make this one.

Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept
donothoponpop
figs
Slogger Jogger
Krusty_Clown
Dapope

hunnymonster

Great idea and thanks Paul for doing this. I'm crewing at the liffey descent on the 5th but could I provisionally put my name down for the second "course".

GoHardOrGoHome

Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept
donothoponpop
figs
Slogger Jogger
Krusty_Clown
Dapope
GoHard

nerraw1111

Great idea. Alas I'll be trekking across the fields of the electric picnic.

Would definitely be interested in another date.

mithril

Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept
donothoponpop
figs
Slogger Jogger
Krusty_Clown
Dapope
GoHard
Mithril

Looking to give the Art O'Neill Ultra in January so hopefully will pick up a few tips to avoid getting lost.

Supercell

Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept
donothoponpop
figs
Slogger Jogger
Krusty_Clown
Dapope
GoHard
Mithril
Supercell

Definitely interested in this, would love to participate.

donothoponpop

Mountain Navigation Course on Sat 5th Sept
donothoponpop
figs
Slogger Jogger
Krusty_Clown
Dapope
GoHard
Mithril
Supercell

Ok, all the places have now been taken (there's a couple of other imra heads coming too), so unless there's drop-outs, no more names please until we hopefully run this again at a later date.

Thanks to everyone who expressed interest, we'll write up a report of how the day went, and what tips were learned.

GoHardOrGoHome

Going to pick up a couple of Harvey's maps today.

Anybody want one? Reply quick!

Woddle

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

Going to pick up a couple of Harvey's maps today.

Anybody want one? Reply quick!

Yes please, I suppose a couple of maps that cover most of the Imra races and the Wicklow way (thinking of the relay for next year )

Krusty_Clown

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

Going to pick up a couple of Harvey's maps today.

Anybody want one? Reply quick!

Yes, please. I'm currently 70/30 that I can make it on Saturday (depending on whether soccer mom can manage all the Saturday runs, but if I don't make it, I'll wire you the cost, and pick it up from you at an IMRA race or summit.

Krusty_Clown

Oh and for the really navigationally challenged, which one is the upper car-park at Glendalough?
Is it this one here: http://tinyurl.com/n3nmjy ?

Supercell

One for me too, I was wondering where I would get one of them!!

donothoponpop

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Oh and for the really navigationally challenged, which one is the upper car-park at Glendalough?
Is it this one here: http://tinyurl.com/n3nmjy ?

T112964, whaddaya, navagationally challenged or sumpin'?:D

Park the car in the main carpark by the hotel (shown on your link). Then cross the river, walk or jog the k or so up past the monastic site, past the first lake, and we'll meet at the upper car park between the two lakes, at 11am.

GoHardOrGoHome

I was going to get them today. I'll pick them up tomorrow.

Hopefully they'll have 5! They definitely have some.

GoHardOrGoHome

Right!

I got maps for:

Dapope
Woddle
Krusty
Supercell

See you on Saturday.

Krusty_Clown

Hi guys, thanks a million for organizing the course. It was a fantastic session, and I learned so many things about maps that had been staring me in the face for years, without ever realizing they were there.

I spent the bike trip home looking at the crags and contours and landscape features, instead of watching the road. Navigation may kill me some day.

donothoponpop

Yeah, thanks a million to Paul Nolan for this. There was an awful lot of "first principles" learned today, Paul is an excellent teacher, the right amount of information given to quickly understand how to orient your position in the world. After those two hours, I can read so much more detail from a map. If I knew this a couple of months back, I'm sure I wouldn't have got lost in cloud off Tonlagee. Good to meet some new faces too.

Paul has offered to host something similar soon, in a different location, as there's others who are interested in doing this course. Details will be posted in the next couple of weeks

**Quick Report**
All those signed up met at the car park, and we set off past the Upper Lake towards the Glenealo valley. We stopped on the path, and as we took in our surroundings, Paul Nolan took us through the very basics of mapreading, treating the group like the novices we were. This was the correct approach, because we soon saw the importance of orienting the map in the correct direction, and of positioning your thumb to where you were on the route. A bend in the path was pointed out on the map, and we stopped to correspond it with the many other features in view. Very quickly, I became aware that I had been using maybe 10% of the information on maps I had previously used, and that every dot, shade, colour, and mark, was there on the map to be deciphered.
As we moved up the valley, elementary "forward planning" was discussed- the idea being that when mountain running, its very important to be confident of where you're running to. Too many times in races, a path or track is followed beyond where it should be- the concept is to forearm yourself with route info from the map, so as best to be able to spot a correct turn. When we had reached a nice elevation up the valley, route choice was discussed, as in how best to choose a route from A-B on the map, using the info to your advantage. A strong climber may be happy to take a more direct route that involves crossing a lot of contour lines; while someone else may be happier to run long around a ridge. Route choices can involve forestry (as Izzy said, good orienteers want to stay out of forests!), and the compass could complement the map in this instance. For most of the walk, the compass stayed in our pockets; they should only really be used to compliment the (more important) map, or to orient in bad visibility. How to line up your compass, and the use of thumb compasses, was also discussed. What to do when you get lost, mistakes to avoid while doubling back, and ensuring you know how many paces you generally take in 100m; were among the myriad of other hints and tips mentioned that I could have used on countless previous IMRA races.
The whole shebang was a very quick two hours, and everyone seemed to get an awful lot out of it. I'm looking at maps through different eyes now, and am amazed at the sheer amount of cartographic information that I had been ignorant of. I'd highly recommend this "primer" course to anyone looking to use a map to benefit their hill running.

mithril

I agree. I thought I knew how to read a map before but this course showed me there is so much additional detail on it which I was ignoring.
Very helpful. Thanks a lot to Paul for giving it and everyone else for organizing it.

Slogger Jogger

Can't agree more. Thoroughly enjoyable and informative.

A few quid collected for mountain rescue too. Thanks all.

figs

Found today's session really useful. Thanks to Paul for the expert tuition and to DNHOP for organising.

dapope

Paul delivered an excellent course today. I had no idea about mountain navigation, map reading or basic compass skills up until today. I now have the confidence to recce routes and look forward to maybe covering the legs of the STONE CROSS TO LUG RELAY in the coming weeks. Unfortunatly I won't be able to take part but I'd love to tag along with anyone going out on a recce.

Well done to donothoponpop and slogger for organising.

Slogger Jogger

I put some of that nav stuff into action today. Conditions were quite challenging though, particularly when theres no discernible features in low cloud and rain
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=61981195#post61981195

donothoponpop

Second date for Mountain Navigation Course- Sat 10th October

Paul Nolan has offered to do a second course, as before, places are limited to about 8 or so. Anyone is welcome to stick their name down. The venue might be different this time, but will be somewhere tbd in the Wicklow mountains.

As before, suggested donation is €5 which will 100% go to Mountain Rescue.

Woddle

Do you know roughly what weekend your thinking of?
Well done on getting a second one going.

donothoponpop

Woddle wrote: »

Do you know roughly what weekend your thinking of?

donothoponpop wrote: »

Second date for Mountain Navigation Course- Sat 10th October

Get that coffee pot on Woddle!;)

donothoponpop

Second date for Mountain Navigation Course- Sat 10th October

Date: Saturday Oct 10th
Time: 11am
Meet: Glendalough Church. From Dublin take the M50 to Kilmacanogue then head off towards Roundwood and continue straight ahead to Laragh. At the Y-junction follow the right fork (don't turn down towards Lynhams and the Visitor's centre), drive past the white restaurant on the right and the petrol station on the right, then take the road up right and move just past the Brockagh Ressource Centre. There's a small car park here at the entrance to the forest leading up the Brockaghs.
Duration: 2- 2.5 hours. We will be navigating around Brockagh mountain.
Map: Will be provided, although if you have a Harvey's map and compass, bring them with you.
Kit: Appropriate weatherproof clothing, drink.
Cost: €5 donation to Mountain Rescue.

Stick your name down below, to a limit of 10.

donothoponpop

scottreynolds

donothoponpop wrote: »

Second date for Mountain Navigation Course- Sat 10th October

Stick your name down below, to a limit of 10.

donothoponpop

scottreynolds ---- oh yes I'd start a second thread for this so people can find it. Its a bit vague hidden here

RacoonQueen

hmmm...Simon Fun Run or this. If I can scab a lift from someone I'll choose this, if not I'm out.

scottreynolds

RacoonQueen wrote: »

hmmm...Simon Fun Run or this. If I can scab a lift from someone I'll choose this, if not I'm out.

Lift from where?

Rusty Cogs 08

Where does one register their interest for this. One is interested

RacoonQueen

scottreynolds wrote: »

Lift from where?

Where ever is convenient for the lift giver.

donothoponpop

Second date for Mountain Navigation Course- Sat 10th October

Date: Saturday Oct 10th
Time: 11am
Meet: Glendalough Church. From Dublin take the M50 to Kilmacanogue then head off towards Roundwood and continue straight ahead to Laragh. At the Y-junction follow the right fork (don't turn down towards Lynhams and the Visitor's centre), drive past the white restaurant on the right and the petrol station on the right, then take the road up right and move just past the Brockagh Ressource Centre. There's a small car park here at the entrance to the forest leading up the Brockaghs.
Duration: 2- 2.5 hours. We will be navigating around Brockagh mountain.
Map: Will be provided, although if you have a Harvey's map and compass, bring them with you.
Kit: Appropriate weatherproof clothing, drink.
Cost: €5 donation to Mountain Rescue.

Stick your name down below, to a limit of 10.

donothoponpop
scottreynolds
RacoonQueen
Rusty Cogs

scottreynolds

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Where ever is convenient for the lift giver.

I live in Portmarnock and will drive either straight through the city or round the M50. Happy to divert. Send me a PM and we can figure it out. The real reason for picking you up is cause I want to see someone else running up hill at my pace (my DCM is 3:45-sub 4).

Rusty Cogs 08

dp, is this still all systems go ? thread went a bit quiet and I'm just organising 'my diary' for next weekend.

I guess there are still places available for anyone else interested.

I'll be on the magic St. Kevins bus (unless there are any lifts from our Fair City ?).

donothoponpop

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

dp, is this still all systems go ?

Yes. its still going ahead as planned. Only a few places left, stick your name down below, before I offer the places on the IMRA site.

*******************

Second date for Mountain Navigation Course- Sat 10th October

Date: Saturday Oct 10th
Time: 11am
Meet: Glendalough Church. From Dublin take the M50 to Kilmacanogue then head off towards Roundwood and continue straight ahead to Laragh. At the Y-junction follow the right fork (don't turn down towards Lynhams and the Visitor's centre), drive past the white restaurant on the right and the petrol station on the right, then take the road up right and move just past the Brockagh Ressource Centre. There's a small car park here at the entrance to the forest leading up the Brockaghs.
Duration: 2- 2.5 hours. We will be navigating around Brockagh mountain.
Map: Will be provided, although if you have a Harvey's map and compass, bring them with you.
Kit: Appropriate weatherproof clothing, drink.
Cost: €5 donation to Mountain Rescue.

Stick your name down below, to a limit of 10.

donothoponpop
scottreynolds
RacoonQueen
Rusty Cogs

Woddle

Hi DP, I'm down in Donadea that day so hopefully round 3.
Thanks

scottreynolds

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

I'll be on the magic St. Kevins bus (unless there are any lifts from our Fair City ?).

I've potentially got space....