Backcountry Navigation and Orienteering

Read more: Backcountry Navigation and Orienteering | Hope Mountain Centre

Is the red in the shed? What does that mean? Did I just find True North, or Magnetic North? What’s the declination again? Is this thing on?

Is the backcountry calling your name, but your navigation skills having you feel a little weary? Look no further as this introduction to backcountry navigation and orienteering course will teach you the basics of map reading and route planning, as well as how to use a compass, take a bearing, and find your way should you find yourself off the trail and disoriented.

The course includes two parts: one online Zoom session and a full day in the field for hands-on learning and practice.

Itinerary:

1. ONLINE SESSION - Thursday,  April 9, 2026 at 7-8 pm

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2. FIELD SESSION - Saturday, April 18, 2026

• 09:00 am  - Gather in Hope at the Rec Centre (1005 6 Ave, Hope) check-in, sign waivers,

• 09:30 am - Convoy to Thacker Mountain see MAP

• 09:40 am - Arrive at Trail Head

• 09:50 am - 12pm Course Content 

• 12:00 pm - 12:30pm  Lunch break

• 12:30 pm -  2:30pm  Course Content 

• 02:30 pm -  3:00pm  Return to trailhead for post-field session

• 04:00 pm  Course ends

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Be aware that times are approximate! Start and end times may vary slightly depending on speed of the group, weather and road conditions, etc.

Price includes:

• Expert Instructor

• Program Host certified in Remote First Aid

• Course and materials

• Use of compass

• Hot chocolate and a light snack

Physical Demand:

Thacker Mountain is a 5km loop with approximately 150 m of elevation gain. Most of the day will be spent on the trail. While the pace will be slow with lots of breaks for activities, participants must be in good health with adequate physical fitness to hike this moderate trail and be outside all day. Waterproof footwear with good grip is highly recommended.

What to bring:

Whenever you are hiking, you should always carry The Essentials

At a minimum, participants will need the following for this outing:

• Backpack to carry items

• A Compass (recommended to bring your own to practice with but if you don’t have one, you can borrow one of HMCOL’s)

• Cell phone with navigation app downloaded and/or GPS device like an InReach– make sure you download your GPS app of choice with access to offline use before the program (ie Gaia, AllTrails, Earthmate, etc)

• Battery pack and charging cables for cell phone and/or GPS device

• Lunch and high-energy snack food

• Water (2 litres per person)

• Hiking boots or sturdy trail runners with good grip, ideally waterproof

• Warm clothes and rain gear in case of inclement weather

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Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless HMCOL determines that it will affect the safety of participants.

Meet Your Guides:

Anders Hopperstead, Instructor:

Anders feels very fortunate to have parlayed his childhood passion for maps and exploration into a 27-year career as a digital cartographer and geographic information systems (GIS) specialist. He has hiked and mapped hundreds of miles of trails across North America. Anders has shared his love of topographic maps, compasses and GPS units through Hope Mountain Centre backcountry navigation courses since 2010.He lives with his wife, daughter (age 8) and son (age 5) in Mission B.C. 

Meg Turner, Program Director:

Program Director, Meg Turner, considers our wild spaces her second home. Raised in the Girl Guiding community and an active outdoor family, she feels comfortable leading others and sharing her passion for the outdoors. With multiple first-aiding certifications, including Remote First Aid, participants can feel safe exploring the trails with her. Having completed her BC Adventure Smart training, Meg will surely prepare everyone well for safe outdoor programs. She is stoked to head out into the wilderness with you hiking, snowshoeing, paddling, camping - whatever fun activity we have planned, she’s in her element and excited to create a memorable place-based learning experience with you.