Thank you for your interest in earning equivalency for Wilderness Navigation from the Seattle Navigation Committee. This application describes and starts the process of determining your course equivalency.
Equivalency applicants are expected to have learned and demonstrated their navigational skills in unfamiliar off-trail field conditions, using the basic tools consisting of maps, compass, altimeter and GPS. They should be familiar with emergency beacon rescue systems.
Equivalency candidates will be required to demonstrate knowledge and skills including, but not limited to, the following:
- Understanding declination
- Use of a compass
- Understanding map features such as UTM grid, contour lines, and scale
- Determining location on a map using combinations of compass, altimeter, and terrain features
- Understanding how to use a GPS-based device to find locations and routes, with the Gaia GPS app, which is our current standard for instructional purposes
Steps in the Equivalency process:
- Fill out and submit this equivalency application.
- A Seattle Navigation Committee representative will get in touch with you to discuss your application.
- Join The Mountaineers, if not already a member.
- Instruct during the Seattle Branch Wilderness Navigation course, under the supervision of a Seattle Navigation Committee member or designee of such a member.This includes both an evening workshop and an all-day field trip.
- Review the course materials in order to be able to instruct students at the events described above, to become familiar with content and student expectations, and attend an instructor training session if requested to do so.
- Once you have completed all the above steps to the satisfaction of the Seattle Navigation Committee, you will be awarded the Basic Navigation Course and Basic GPS Course badges on the Mountaineers website.
Note: The above requires a considerable commitment on your part in both understanding the curriculum and teaching students at the events. Simply taking the course may be less of a commitment depending on your experience and background.
The equivalency route adheres to the course schedule, since it requires workshop and field trip instruction.Note: While you do not have to currently be affiliated with the Seattle Branch of The Mountaineers in order to earn Wilderness Navigation equivalency through the Seattle Navigation Committee, you will be required to instruct for the Seattle Branch's Wilderness Navigation Course so that the committee's equivalency coordinators are able to appropriately evaluate your skills and knowledge.