Technical Skills and Training

A day for anyone who would like to discover how to plan and lead a walk. Based at Aldbury village hall in the centre of an area with plenty of footpaths and open access land. In the morning you will cover everything you need to know or consider when planning a walk. In the afternoon you will be planning and leading a short walk.

All under the guidance of "CWW Experts". An email giving full details will be sent out early in 2010.

Basic Map Reading & Navigation - TBA - Where? Depends on who signs up.

Like walking but can’t read a map or navigate?

This is just what you need to get you started. An outdoor practical session where you will get to grips with the map, how to read it and use it to navigate. Group of 3 or 4 people only. You will be sent some homework prior to the event, but nothing too terrifying. An email giving full details will be sent out in early 2010.

Map & Compass - Spring/Summer 2010 - Aldbury

Already have some map reading and navigation skills? Want to improve, practice or test your skills and discover new things navigational? This is the day for you.

An outdoor practical day based at Aldbury, you will be navigating around the open access land of the Ashridge Estate. In the morning you will cover numerous map and compass skills and discover some down and dirty navigational tricks and tips. Putting them all into practice on a short walk. In the afternoon all your skills, old and new, will be put to the test on a Point to Point navigation exercise. An email giving full details will be sent out in the Spring of 2010.

Walking Leading Notes

On The Day

As Walk Leader, YOU control all aspects of the walk.

At the Start Point
Arrive in good time.
This will give you time to organise yourself and your kit.

Potentially there are other things to do:

Organise parking
Take calls/texts from people who are running late or lost
Welcome people who have not been walking with the CWW before
Count the walkers
Appoint a Backmarker and brief them on what you want them to do.

Backmarker

Before the walk explain exactly what you want them to do. This may include:

Warning you if the pace is too fast
Informing you of anyone who is having problems
On sections with vehicle traffic call out “car behind” to warn the group
Ensuring that anyone taking a loo break is not left behind

Intro to the Walk

Should in 1 minute or less cover:
Welcome, where the walk is going, length of walk, points of interest, any hazards, details of any lunch stop, likely finish time, end of walk drink/refreshments
Tell them who is Backmarking and to keep between you and the Backmarker

Start

Set off at the appointed time. If not, keep the group informed of what is happening.It’s Behind You, Not Just in Front of You

As Walk Leader you should always:

Lead from the front and stay at the front
Know exactly where you are on the route
Be aware of what is going on behind you
Maintain visual contact with the Backmarker

Pace

As Walk Leader:

YOU set the pace
DO NOT allow others to set the pace
Normal walking pace is 4 kph or 2.5 mph. Most people can maintain this pace comfortably.
During your recce you will have noted where the pace may vary, eg up hills.
Make sure that you are aware of what is going on behind you, if the group strings out, alter the pace or take a breather at an appropriate point.

Breathers

Take breathers where necessary.

You will have noted places for these during your recce, eg top of a hill.

Allow the whole group to catch up, take a breather and refresh themselves. Do not set off again as soon as the Backmarker arrives with the slowest people, they need a break too.
Walk around the group and talk to people, assess their readiness for the next part of the walk.
Check with the Backmarker about pace and any problems.

Natural Breaks

Natural Breaks, such as styles and gates, will also act as breathers. But, be aware of what is going on behind you after you pass a Natural Break.

Navigational Errors

Even the best Walk Leaders get lost sometimes. If you have done a proper recce, hopefully you won’t. If you do, take your time to:

Check the map to see where you are and where you should be.
Do not be afraid to ask for help from within the group if you need it .

Lunch

When the lunch stop is reached:

Make sure that everyone knows how long they have for lunch.
Give a "ready to go" warning a few minutes before the restart.
Ask the Backmarker to count the group again as they set off.

End of the Walk

Make sure everyone returned.
Thank people for coming.
Thank the Backmarker.
Give details of post walk refreshments.
Take details of new people who want to go on the mailing list.

Technical Notes & Tips

This section will contain all the notes for the Training Events. You can read them online or print them out if you choose.

There will also be articles on "exciting walking topics".

Walks Library

In this section we will be starting to build a library of walks.

If you have questions on this section please contact Bob Smith.