Backcountry Navigation and Orienteering
When:
Online Session: Thursday, April 9, 2026 Time: 7-8pm
Field Session: Saturday, April 18, 2026 Time: 9-4pm
Where: Thacker Mountain Trail, Hope, BC
Cost: $225/person
(Children and youth under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian)
For more information or questions, please contact Tunde
at tmurphy@hopemountain.org or 604-869-1274
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
2. FIELD SESSION - Saturday, April 18, 2026
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9:00 am Gather in Hope at the Rec Centre (1005 6 Ave, Hope) check-in, sign waivers,
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9:30 am Convoy to Thacker Mountain see MAP
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9:40 am Arrive at Trail Head
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9:50 am - 12pm Course Content
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12:00 pm - 12:30pm Lunch break
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12:30 pm - 2:30pm Course Content
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2:30pm - 3:00pm Return to trailhead for post-field session
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4:00 pm Course ends
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:
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Expert Instructor
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Program Host certified in Remote First Aid
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Course and materials
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Use of compass
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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:
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Backpack to carry items
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A Compass (recommended to bring your own to practice with but if you don’t have one, you can borrow one of HMCOL’s)
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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)
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Battery pack and charging cables for cell phone and/or GPS device
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Lunch and high-energy snack food
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Water (2 litres per person)
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Hiking boots or sturdy trail runners with good grip, ideally waterproof
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Warm clothes and rain gear in case of inclement weather
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
Meg Turner
Program Director
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.
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.
Cancellation:
Sorry no refunds! You can pass on your spot to someone else who meets the physical demand of the program, just please let us know, as we need registration information from everyone.
A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled by HMCOL, participants will receive a full refund of program fees. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless HMCOL determines that it will affect the safety of participants.
Additional information:
Everyone ages 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions.
Everyone, age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.