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Backcountry Navigation Skills for Beginners

Categories Beginner Courses, Navigation
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What I will learn?

  • Reading topographic maps & understanding contour lines
  • Compass basics and orienting maps
  • Navigating without GPS or in low-visibility conditions
  • Route planning and safety considerations

Course Curriculum

1: Fundamentals of Wilderness Navigation
Meet your instructor and get started with and overview backcountry navigation and what you will learn during this course.

  • 1. What is “Backcountry Navigation?”
  • 2. Why Navigation Skills Matter
  • 3. Three Essential Navigation Tools
  • 4. Key Learning Objectives
  • 5. Meet Your Instructor
  • Trailhead Quiz: Navigation Basics

2. Reading a Topographic Map
Learn everything you need to know about topographic maps: what they are, where to find them, how to read them, and tips for navigating with them.

3. Compass Skills for Beginners
This chapter goes through the ins and outs of map and compass skills. From taking and following a bearing to triangulating your position, I will cover everything essential for outdoor enthusiasts.

4. GPS Navigation Tools
Over-relying on GPS can have serious negative consequences for your natural navigation abilities. This section covers the right way and wrong way to use GPS devices and apps as tools for backcountry navigation.

5. Situational Awareness & Mental Mapping

6. Advanced Map + Compass Skills

7. Route Planning & Risk Assessment

8. Navigation Challenges & Getting Lost

Appendix: Additional Resources
Access a complete list of additional websites, articles, videos, and other resources to continue learning about backcountry navigation.

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Alex Derr
Alex Derr
2 years ago
Excited to share this course with the community!
Free
Free access this course
  • Level
    Beginner
  • Total Enrolled
    7
  • Duration
    3 hours30 minutes
  • Last Updated
    November 23, 2025

A course by

Alex Derr
Alex Derr
Executive Director, The Next Summit

Tags

Backcountry Navigation Beginner GPS Map and Compass

Target Audience

  • Hikers and backpackers looking to explore off-trail routes safely
  • Outdoor enthusiasts who want to reduce reliance on GPS devices
  • Beginners eager to build essential map and compass skills
  • Adventure seekers planning remote or multi-day trips
  • Group leaders or trip planners seeking navigation confidence

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