Walking Techniques.

Walking Techniques. The group should keep together at all times. If the group is strung out over a distance the last person could stumble and injure himself or herself without the rest of the group hearing. They could walk on unaware until it was too late. Apart from the danger, it is bad for a person's morale to be struggling and see the rest of the group stomping off ahead. Partly for this reason personal headphones/mobile phones are not allowed on expeditions. You must be prepared to slow down and if necessary remove some weight from the pack of a group member if they are struggling through not feeling well, or a sprain or blister etc.

Walking Techniques. When walking uphill steeply, it is best to zig-zag or go up side-stepping as it is less tiring. Do not go up on your toes as it strains your calves. Flat footed is best. When walking downhill steeply, especially on slippery grass, again it is best to zig- zag. Spread out slightly so that you are not directly behind the person in front. If you slip, you will knock them over too. Don't make excessive noise. The countryside is for other people to enjoy as well.

Walking Techniques. Be respectful when your path takes you through other peoples' property. If you are told to turn back from a private path, don't argue. Re-join your route as soon as possible and report the incident to your instructor later in the day. When walking on a main road, always walk in single file on the right with approaching traffic coming towards you. REMEMEBER – KEEP TOGETHER AS A GROUP.

Getting Lost. You may well get lost! Why will you think you are lost? This path is taking me in the wrong direction. I haven't come across the landmark I expected! I have come across a landmark I shouldn't! I should be on a path not a bridleway, etc.

Getting Lost. As soon as you THINK you are lost, stop, make a note of the time. Set the map and compare your surroundings to the map. If you cannot see any significant features or landmarks, move to a point where you can. Just walk forward or back along the path for 100 m or so. Try to match any landmarks you can see with those on the map, or use your compass to try to match your path direction with paths on the map. If this doesn't work you have to ask yourself more questions. (TEAMWORK!) This could be a testing time for your team. Who was in charge of navigation? If your team was working properly the navigation would have been shared.

Getting Lost. How far have you travelled? How long is it since you left your last checkpoint? How far would you have walked in that time? Working this out will then give you an area of probability in which you are most likely to be located. There should now be a number of areas of probability, one for each path that you could be on. Try again to identify any landmarks or features which you should be able to see in these areas of probability. GETTING LOST IS NOT AN EMERGENCY AND YOU SHOULD NOT CONSIDER USING YOUR EMERGENCY MOBILE PHONE TO CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR!!!

Getting Lost. How did I get lost? The most likely reason is that you took the wrong path, either by making a deliberate decision, or by missing the correct turning. If you made a deliberate decision to take the 'wrong' path, you now know how you got lost and where you got lost. Actions to take… Do I now know where I am? Yes - Then re-plot. Get back onto your route as soon as possible. Or, if you are far from your route, plot a new route to the next checkpoint; do not miss any checkpoints out!! Retrace your route to the last checkpoint and try to correct the error. Carry on with great care until you are able to identify your location.

Getting Lost. From your area of probability, walk in a direction (using a bearing) in which you will reach a boundary or collecting feature such as a road, stream, field boundary etc.. From there you will then be able to identify your position and then continue to your destination. If you do become lost, KNOW AS A TEAM WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. If the assessors find you off your intended route, they will expect you to know why you are lost, how you became lost and what you are doing about it. DO NOT WANDER AIMLESSLY AROUND HOPING TO GET BACK ON YOUR ROUTE. Remember - you have a shelter, food and stove. There is no need to panic and worry. If in doubt or the visibility is horrendous. Put up camp and use the emergency mobile to let us know that you are safe.

Remember, remember... THE MAP AND COMPASS ARE NOT TO BE PACKED IN THE RUCKSACK! CARRY AND USE THEM AT ALL TIMES! USE THEM PROPERLY AND YOU WON'T GET LOST!

Timing and Distance. Typical D of E groups walk at a pace of 3 kilometres per hour. Q. How much time would it take to walk 1 kilometre? A. 20 minutes Q. How much time would it take to walk 250 metres? A. 5 minutes Q. How much time would it take to walk 500 metres? A. 10 minutes Q. How much time would it take to walk 1.5 kilometres? A. 30 minutes.