Everything Awesome

Learning to navigate at night is one of the most empowering skills an outdoorsperson can master. It transforms a terrifying wall of darkness into a manageable puzzle. Without visual landmarks to guide you, you must rely entirely on trust in your tools and disciplined technique.

Here is a guide to building this skill safely and effectively.

1. The Golden Rule: Micro-Navigation

In daylight, you might walk 2km aiming for a large hill. At night, that hill is invisible. You must break your route down into tiny, manageable “legs” (e.g., 100m–500m).

• Shorten your legs: Never aim for a distant destination. Aim for the next immediate feature you can find (a stream junction, a wall corner).
• Attack Points: If your target is small (like a campsite), find a large, obvious feature nearby (like a lake edge) to navigate to first. This is your “attack point.” Once there, use a precise bearing for the short final distance.

2. Trust Your Compass

At night, your senses will lie to you. You may feel like you are walking straight while actually circling. You must trust the compass needle over your instinct.

• Walk on a Bearing: Take a bearing from your map. Hold the compass flat against your chest and turn your body until the needle lines up. Pick a distinct object in your torch beam (a specific rock or tree), walk to it, then stop and repeat. This “leapfrog” method ensures you walk in a straight line.

3. Count Your Steps (Pacing)

Since you cannot see how far you have travelled, you must measure it.

• Know your count: In daylight, measure how many double paces (every time your right foot hits the ground) it takes you to walk 100 meters. For most people, it is between 60 and 65.
• Beads: Use “pace beads” (or toggles on a lanyard) to count off every 100m. If you need to walk 450m, count 4.5 sets of your 100m pace.

4. Use “Handrails” and “Catching Features”

Make the terrain work for you so you don’t have to be perfect.

• Handrailing: Instead of walking a straight line through a void, follow a linear feature (a “handrail”) like a fence, a stream, or a forest edge. It acts as a guide in the dark.
• Catching Features: Before you start walking, identify a feature beyond your target that will “catch” you if you overshoot. For example, “If I cross the paved road, I have gone too far.”

5. Night Vision and Equipment

• Red Light: Use a headlamp with a red light mode. White light destroys your night vision, blinding you to the subtle shapes of the land. Red light allows you to read the map while still seeing the silhouette of the horizon.
• Luminous Gear: A compass with luminescent markings is essential. Charge it with your torch for a few seconds before checking a bearing.

How to Practice Safely

Start on a familiar path at twilight. As it gets darker, try to locate exactly where you are on the map every 5 minutes. As you gain confidence, try moving offpath in a safe, enclosed area (like a park with clear boundaries) before heading into the wilderness.

We run some awesome introduction to Night navigation evenings

We run some awesome courses teaching how to do this

We have had the above logo for a long time, and felt due for any update, this is the version i am leaning towards.

I have just spent 3 days in the company of James and Hati from Beyond the Edge. Taking Hill and Moorland Leader (HML) assessment was a three-day practical exam designed to test our abilities (there where 7 of us in total) to lead groups safely in “upland” terrain—areas like the Peak District, Dartmoor, or the Pentland Hills, which are open and remote but not steep or rocky enough to be classified as “mountainous.”

The assessment was not just about navigation; there was a large focus on leadership and decision-making. The assessors where looking for a “safe pair of hands”—someone who can manage a group’s welfare while navigating efficiently.

This details what we had to do.

1. The Assessment Structure

While i am sure every provider differs slightly, this was how it went for us.

• Day 1: A “typical hill day.” You will take turns leading the group along a journey. Assessors where looking at our general navigation, environmental knowledge, and ability to manage the group’s pace, we used OS 25k maps for this day.
  I finished day 1 with mixed feelings, there had been little feedback during the day and i did now know if was doing well or not. The rest of the group said the same.
  
• Day 2 (Long Day + Night Nav): This was the core navigation day. We did this with 40k Harveys maps, this was the day most of the group struggled, they had not used those maps, at that scale before so a lot was new to them. We headed into more featureless terrain. During this day we also had to give a teaching segment, and a 5 minute talk on something related, i gave mine on Peak District Guide Stoops. The day extended into the evening for the Night Navigation exercise, where we where given OS 25k maps again. The night nav was fantastic, in went into that confident, i had done a lot of consolidation in the dark.
  I finished day 2 on a high,
• Day 3: A shorter day which focused on emergency scenarios, and for much of the group an opportunity demonstrate competence in any aspects of the course they where weak on,there where also individual debriefs. I found this day quite puzzling, i was asked to do what felt like far less than the rest of the group, and wondered, was it because i was at standard, or was it because i was beyond hope!
  
  The day did end with 2 handshakes and a hug, and a new certificate on its way to me soon. I PASSED.

2. Key Assessment Areas

A. Navigation (The Core Skill)

Demonstrate you can navigate without a GPS, using only a map (1:25k and 1:40k) and compass.

• Micro-Navigation: Finding a specific, small feature (e.g., a sheepfold, a ring contour, or a stream junction) in featureless terrain.
• Relocation: The assessor will “magically” transport you (take your map away, walk you in circles/chat to distract you, then give the map back) and ask: “Where are we?” You need strategies to work this out (slope aspect, back bearings, timing).
• Night Navigation: You will be asked to navigate legs in the dark. This tests your trust in your compass and your ability to pace-count accurately over rough ground.
• Strategies: You need to show you can choose the right technique. Do you need to “attack” a point precisely, or can you just “handrail” a linear feature?

B. Leadership & Group Management

This is assessed continuously. When it is your turn to lead a “leg” of the journey:

• Pace: Are you walking too fast for the slowest member? Are you checking on them?
• Observation: Did you notice someone’s shoelace is undone or that they are overheating?
• Decision Making: If the weather turns, do you press on or change the route? The assessor might give you a hypothetical: “It’s now 4 PM and this group member is exhausted. What do you do?”

C. Hazards & Emergency Procedures

You will likely face practical scenarios or role-plays.

• The “Scripted” Incident: The assessor might whisper to another candidate to feign a twisted ankle or hypothermia. You are assessed on how you manage the group (shelter, reassurance) and the casualty (first aid, calling for help).
• Steep Ground: HML terrain is defined as not requiring a rope, but you may encounter short steep steps (e.g., a bank near a stream). You need to show you can spot (“guard”) a group member down it safely.
• Water Hazards: Managing river crossings (usually by avoiding them or choosing a safe bridging point).

D. Environmental Knowledge

You are expected to be an ambassador for the outdoors.

• The “5-Minute Talk”: Most assessors ask you to prepare a short talk on a topic of your choice (e.g., the geology of the area, local history, or a specific plant like Sphagnum moss).
• General Awareness: As you walk, the assessor might ask, “What bird is that?” or “Why is the heather shorter here?” (Land management/burning). You don’t need to be an expert, but you must show curiosity and basic knowledge.

3. The “Home Paper”

Before the course, you will complete a written paper to test theoretical knowledge. Expect questions like:

• Weather: “Interpret this synoptic chart. What weather would you expect in the Peak District at midday?”
• Equipment: “List the pros and cons of down vs. synthetic sleeping bags.”
• Access: “Explain the difference between a Public Footpath and a Bridleway,” or questions about the “Right to Roam” (CRoW Act) in England/Wales vs. Scottish Access Code.

Another “thing” i can offer.

The perfect day and a perfect professional weekend is not about relaxing; it’s about deep, purposeful immersion in the pursuit of excellence. My ideal two days began with the high-stakes, high-reward environment of coaching five fantastic candidates through their Mountain Instructor Award Scheme (MIAS) assessment. From the crisp Saturday morning until the fading light of Sunday evening, the focus was absolute, dedicated to transforming five keen enthusiasts into competent, confident, and, above all, safe mountain bike leaders

On Sunday the focus entirely to leadership, risk management, and decision-making under stress. We started early with an unforgiving micro-navigation exercise across featureless, fog-shrouded moorland. The challenge was not just finding the points, but leading the group with clarity and confidence, even when visibility dropped to mere meters. The afternoon was devoted to the high-pressure emergency simulations. This involved managing a mock casualty requiring swift first aid, establishing effective communications, and planning a safe, efficient evacuation.

The true reward arrived as the sun dipped below the distant peaks. Seeing their five faces light up as they collectively realized they had successfully navigated two days of intense scrutiny and pressure was profound. The satisfaction was not just in handing over the final sign-off sheets, but in the certainty that these five fantastic people had earned the right to lead others safely into the wild. The weekend concluded with the deep, intrinsic professional satisfaction of having anchored the future of mountain safety. This was not a physically exhausting undertaking, but one of complete mental and professional fulfillment.

Finishing up the weekend with a smile i headed to a shaded spot i know of, a few hours of quiet reflection, after a weekend of my focus being on others, it was relaxing to clear my head bouldering.

Ringing Roger. Edale

Ringing Roger is a distinctive gritstone rock formation on the southern edge of Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. It is a popular destination for walkers and hikers, with several circular routes starting from the village of Edale in Derbyshire. 

Key features of the Ringing Roger walk

• Location: The hike begins in the village of Edale, a well-known hub for walkers and the start of the Pennine Way.
• Steep ascent: The initial climb out of Edale towards Ringing Roger is steep and can be challenging, but it is rewarded with superb views of the surrounding area, including the Great Ridge.
• Scenic path: The path up to the rocks is often paved and stepped to help with the ascent.
• Rock formations: The walk includes a scramble over the gritstone outcrops of Ringing Roger itself, which are believed to be a variation of “ringing roches,” referring to the sound the wind makes whistling through the rocks.
• Kinder Scout edge: From Ringing Roger, many routes continue along the southern edge of the Kinder Scout plateau, passing other rock formations like Upper Tor and Nether Tor.
• Descent options: Popular descents typically lead down via Grindsbrook Clough or Grindslow Knoll, returning hikers to Edale.
• Trail length and duration: Routes vary in length and difficulty. For example, a shorter 4-mile loop can take 2–3 hours, while longer 7–10 mile routes can take over 4 hours. 

Things to consider

• Footwear: The terrain can be rocky and uneven, so sturdy walking boots are highly recommended.
• Navigation: In poor visibility or foggy conditions, it is possible to become disoriented, so a map and compass are essential.
• Weather: The exposed nature of the Kinder Scout plateau means the weather can be colder and windier than in the village, so it’s wise to carry extra layers. 

Everything Awesome can organise some unforgettable hikes in that area. The views are astounding.

Contact us for more details.

Such a truly awesome week! It’s fantastic that we got to experience so many different outdoor activities, from the rugged terrain of the Peak District to the bracing North Sea coast. Each of those moments on their own would be memorable, but together, they paint a picture of an incredible seven days.

Guiding mountain bikers down Cavedale was an adrenaline-fueled experience. That descent is notoriously steep and challenging, and to be the one leading the way takes some serious skill and confidence. The views from there are breathtaking, and sharing that with a group of people, seeing them conquer the trail, was a very rewarding feeling.

Then, to switch gears completely and get out on the water, paddleboarding at Skinningrove offers a totally different kind of thrill. The North East coast can be powerful and dramatic, and being on a board gives you a unique perspective of the cliffs and the waves. It’s a great way to find a sense of calm and freedom, contrasting with the high-octane excitement of the mountain biking.

My week also included a hike around Ladybower Reservoir up to Lady Cross, a classic Peak District walk. It’s an area known for its beautiful reservoirs and iconic dam walls. A hike there is a wonderful way to connect with nature, whether you were taking in the scenery or reflecting on your week’s adventures.

Finally, we ended the week by coaching rock climbing brought everything full circle. It’s was a perfect way to share your passion and expertise with others, helping them build confidence and skills. There’s a real satisfaction in seeing someone make progress and push past their own perceived limits.

If this sounds like a week was a perfect blend of high-energy activities, moments of coastal tranquility, and the joy of helping others learn and grow. That’s a week well spent, and one to remember.