Hillwise Freelance Mountain Leader

As Hillwise don’t operate a mailing list we have decided to open a Facebook Group called HILLWISE EVENTS. It is an open group and will be used to invite members to any open events being run, such as guided walks or navigation workshops. The beauty of this method is that you can remove yourself from the group at any time and we don’t hold your personal information. It is also a place where you can post pictures of Hillwise Events you have attended.

There is also a seperate site, simply entitled Hillwise Group where you can follow what we have been up to lately. So join us on Facebook today and keep up with whats on offer.

Hillwise are running a Navigation Workshop from Haytor lower Car Park on Thursday the 6th of January 2011. The workshop is intended for people who have done a little navigating and want to improve their skills, and gain confidence. We will meet at the car park at 10am and finish at 3pm and there will be a maximum of 6 in the group. Participants will need waterproofs, stout footwear and a packed lunch. The cost of the workshop is £15 per personwhich we think you’ll agree is excellent value for money. Booking is essential, so contact us now by Email (enquiries@hillwise.co.uk ) or by telephone ( 01803 812280 ).

Examining a vermin trap on the upper reaches of the Avon

….with lots of educational walks for Dartmoor National Park, on behalf of local schools, lots of walk leading to tie in with DNPA’s Bronze Age exhibition, and a good deal of work for Canoe Adventures. Now things are starting to settle down, so there’s no better time to get a good deal on some navigation training or tuition in wild camping before the spring rush begins!

No doubt Christmas will soon creep up on us all in the disconcerting way it always does, so a timely reminder about our gift voucher scheme seems appropriate. If you know someone who loves walking on Dartmoor and wants to learn to navigate better, why not give them a gift voucher for a bespoke navigation course.

Just E-mail us for details.

I’m now back from a 3 week World Challenge expedition to India, and just have the paperwork to complete, so I’m now available for work again. The last three weeks have, as usual been great for “Continuing Personal Development” and a real chance to get to know local people and customs. I had at least 60 curries and ate many of them with my hand (only the right one!).

We are offering an NNAS Gold Award training course on Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th of October 2010. These will be 2×8 hour days at a cost of £80 (total) per person. The assessment will be offered on Monday the 11th of October at a cost of £40 per person and will again be an 8 hour day. You must be reasonably fit, and able to evidence that you already hold the NNAS Silver Award.

Contact us for more details and to make a booking. There are only 4 places on this course.

We will be offering a number of 4 hour workshops intended for people who have started to navigate but are aware of areas they wish to improve on. Each session will cost £20 per person, with a maximum of 4 persons per course. Contact us for more details or to book.

Monday 20th September 2010: “Using the compass”.

Monday the 27th of September 2010: “Contemplating contours”

Monday the 18th of October: “Choosing strategies”

Monday the 8th of November 2010: “Handrailing”

These sessions could also be run on other dates by arrangement for a minimum of two clients.

In addition to our bespoke guiding service, you can now select a walk from our well researched “Off the peg” selection. See the seperate page for details.

For 2 years now I have been working as an assistant boatman for “Canoe Adventures” steering their 12 man Voyageur canoes up and down the River Dart as part of a fleet. They are great for social groups, family trips, team building and wildlife appreciation. Up until now I have always been part of a  flottila of these canoes. However today I passed my assessment with the Harbour Pilot and am now qualified to take the canoes out unaccompanied. So if walking isn’t the only thing that “floats your boat” get on to Canoe Adventures and make a booking. Theres a link on the links page. Oh and tell them I suggested it!

I have had an enquiry from someone who is about to do his NNAS Silver and may be hoping to complete the Gold in Sept/Oct time. A course for one is prohibitively pricey for him (and would suffer from an absence of peer learning too), so he has asked that I try and bring together a few other like minded persons to make up a course. So, if there’s anyone with NNAS Silver who wishes to continue to Gold get in touch with me soonest.