Rescue Dynamics Edmonton, AB, Canada T6L 1K5 email: Download a printable copy of the waiver and applications forms View a copy of the booking and cancellation policy View the course calendar by month

Greetings,

NOTE: Public courses and guiding were suspended for summer 2022 due to continuing issues related to COVID. We are hoping to return to a more regular schedule in 2023.

This letter will serve to introduce you to the Mountain & Wilderness Navigation Course you expressed interest in. The date for the course is TBA.

In order for you to be confirmed on the course you must first complete the personal information form, then read, understand and sign the waiver. You will then need to mail or email those completed forms in. You will then be billed for the course fees.

If you have not paid, your spot is NOT yet confirmed. We reserve the right to cancel the course in the event of severe weather or low enrollment. Should this happen, your course fees will be refunded. See our website for complete cancellation policies and procedures.

Should less than three persons sign up for the course, we reserve the right to cancel the course. We also reserve the right to cancel the course in the event of severe weather. Should this happen, your course fees will be refunded.

The course consists of two days of map reading, compass use, bearings, back bearings, resections, dead reckoning, aiming off, handrails, altimeter use, backstops, whiteout navigation, wands, satellite GPS and more jam packed into the weekend. A great mix of classroom and outdoor exercises. Instruction begins in Jasper and travels into the mountains from there.

We will provide instruction and all the necessary gear including maps, compasses, GPS and more. If you own your own compass, feel free to bring it, but DO NOT buy a compass before coming. Most people change their minds about what they should buy after attending this course. If you must buy before you come, give us a call first.

We DO NOT provide hiking boots, day pack or clothing. Be sure your clothing can handle the changes in a mountain environment, including heat, cold, wind, rain (or snow?), sun and insects. We are indoors on the first day and outdoors on the second day. The course will proceed in all but the most severe weather. You are responsible for your own meals, accommodation and transportation for the entire course. Bring a bag lunch and water or other drinks for each day of the course. We do not return to the vehicles for lunch on the second day.

Meeting time and place for the course is 8:00 am, at a location to be announced in Jasper, Banff or Canmore (depending on the course dates). Be completely ready for an indoor class at that time, but bring warm clothes for an outdoor session later in the afternoon. Persons unfamiliar with the location can check our website for maps to be posted prior to each course (or call for directions). The second day will be outdoors. Locations will depend upon conditions and weather and will be determined by the end of the class on the first day.

Participants are responsible for their own meals and accommodation.

You must have a valid Park Vehicle Group Pass or Personal Pass to attend this course, as we are traveling in National Park areas. Be sure to purchase one when you first enter the Park if you do not already have one.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT WAIVERS: Our insurer requires that we have a two part process for using and administering waivers. If you sign up by mail or email you must included a signed and witnessed waiver as part of your application for all courses. You will also be required to sign a second full colour paper copy of the waiver in the presence of one of our staff members. There are no exceptions.

In case of emergency, you can contact me by cell phone on the morning of the course at (780) 916-7951. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.

Sincerely

Cyril Shokoples IFMGA
Mountain Guide

General Course Overview

Notice: Course content subject to revision or modification without notice
© Copyright 1999 Cyril Shokoples

Mountain & Wilderness Navigation

• Basic components of maps used in wilderness navigation
  • types of maps- map scales
  • grid lines- grid references
  • North (Magnetic, True, Grid)- contours lines, intervals
  • colors- symbols
  • publication date- accuracy (including age of information)

• Use of a topographic map in determining present location.
  • interpreting contours- orienting a map
  • triangulation- plotting bearings
  • bearing - feature intersections- known elevations (altimeter)
  • taking bearing perpendicular to slope

• Basic compass use
  • parts of a compass- adjusting for declination
  • taking bearings- determining back bearings
  • following bearings

• use of an altimeter in wilderness navigation
  • barometric pressure- map & altimeter
  • effect of weather changes- resetting altimeter
  • altimeter as a weather tool

• techniques used in land travel / wilderness navigation
  • reading terrain- painting a mental picture
  • map & terrain interpretation- locating objective hazards
  • map & altimeter- compass & altimeter on ridge, river etc.
  • map and compass- estimating times & distances
  • handrails and funnels- aiming off
  • backstops- attack points

• techniques for high alpine navigation in winter or on glaciers
  • whiteout navigation- use of wands in winter
  • compass & wands in line- the "V" target
  • camping at a backstop- keeping track of distances
  • obstacles during whiteout travel

• use of the GPS system as an aid to navigation
  • advantages- shortcomings

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Rescue Dynamics
Edmonton, AB, Canada T6L 1K5
Last updated Monday, June 5, 2023