Michael's Outdoor Events 2024
*Information Site*
This site gives members up to date information of 2024 events organised by Michael
All photos are taken by members, the images on this site will be the views you will experience on your event.
Map reading and Navigation Event
This map reading and navigation weekend event on 13-14 May will be held in Dorset. Both days will be along the lovely Jurassic coast for 50% of the time. It will be more relaxed compared to the 1 day introduction at Box Hill as I would not have to cover the basics/theories and focus on the more advance areas of navigation. On both days we will walk 10 miles each day on undulating terrain (on the Box Hill day it was just 5 miles)
Please note I only organise this event once a year and only offering this to members that have completed my Box Hill map reading event.
We will cover the following:
Planning day walks: near a town, coastal, mountainous, oversea
contours - working out height, concave and convex hills what are valleys and spurs
how to allow for magnetic variation
taking a back bearing
working out where we are if you are lost and take action
how we took the incorrect path.
I will also have more time to discuss if you are planning a walk oversea
I will supply maps and expect you to have your own compass.
The cost of this event will be the same as my regular 2 days weekend events of £210, there's no charge for the map reading guiding. This includes transportation via mini bus from Coulsdon (zone 6), Premier hotel - 2 sharing - excludes meals. If you have a car I can reduce you cost if you can take 3 passengers.
Saturday 13th May 2023
08:00 Meeting at Coulsdon South Station
08:00-11:30 Drive to Dorset
11:30-17:30 10 miles circular navigation session (this would including visiting Durdle Door)
18:15-20:00 Dinner at Lulworth Cove
20:00-20:45 Drive to Premier Inn hotel
Sunday 14th May
07:00-08:00 Breakfast at Premier Inn
08:30-09:30 Travel to Osmington or Weymouth
09:30-15:30 Circular walk from Osmington or Weymouth (10 miles and 4 hills)
15:30-16:30 Long break after walk
16:30-19:30 Drive back at Coulsdon South Station
Transportation: Transportation is provided if departing from London. I will sort out all of the transportation logistics for the whole group. Organise the departure point, exchange drivers and members contact details in advance and ensure the drivers get to every location during the event on time. All my volunteer drivers are experienced, regular and confident drivers. I will co-ordinate the whole group to meet at a convenient location for early Saturday morning.
Accommodation: We will be staying at a Premium Inn hotel for Saturday night with 2 sharing a en-suit room. Room allocation will be based on gender or your own room if you attend with a friend.
Meals: I will reserve good restaurants at Lulworth cove, many will have a good seafood, vegetarian and vegan choice. Sunday breakfast will be at the Premier Inn hotel
Proposed Schedule
Saturday 4th September 2021
08:00 Meeting at Coulsdon South Station (London, Zone 6)
08:00-10:00 Drive from Coulsdon South to New Forest
10:15-13:15 Walk in the New Forest
13:20-14:20 Lunch break at lovely New Forest village Burley
14:25-15:00 Drive a further 30 miles to Studland
15:00-18:00 Walking Studland past Old Harry Rock and finish at Swanage
18:30-21:00 Dinner and drinks at Swanage
21:00-21:40 Travel to Premier Inn in Yeovil
Sunday 5th September 2021
07:30-08:30 Breakfast at Premier Inn
08:30-09:30 Travel to Weymouth
09:30-15:30 Walk from Weymouth to Durdle Door
15:30-16:30 Long break at Durdle Door
16:30-17:30 Final walk from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove
17:30-19:30 Drive back at Coulsdon South Station
Fitness: This Dorset event is suitable for members of an average fitness level. With most coastal walks there will be hills to walk up, this gives this coastal the fantastic scenery. Each hill would only take an average member 8-10 minutes of strenuous walking, each will reward you a fantastic viewpoint. You should be able to walk a minimum 2 miles per hour on a varied terrain and able to walk 1.5 hours continuously with a 10 minute break. There will be many breaks to enjoy the scenery, take photos and to rest.
No circular coastal routes: The beaches, sea, high cliffs and undulating coastal paths are the main sights of Dorset so the whole walking distance will be along the South West Coastal Path. Other walking groups will walk a circular route and finish back at the starting point. For this event to maximise the coastal experience we will have cars strategically parked at the finishing point of each walk which maybe up to 10 miles away from the starting point, ready to pick up the group after a long day’s walk. No other groups will do this as the logistics are complicated and time consuming for the drivers.
Flexibility: My approach and itinerary is flexible. If bad weather is forecasted, I am happy to change the itinerary. Weather can we localised in Devon so willing to drive to a different region for a dry walk.
Securing a place: My events are normally over subscribed. You can reserve your place on any event, months in advance with a £50 deposit. I understand that member’s work, family & personal situation can change, so your deposit or balance is 100% refundable 7 days prior to the start of this event, no quibble. All I need is 7 days notice and I refund you fully within 24 hours. I only require the final balance 7 days before the start of the event, again being flexible to members needs.
KIT LIST
Essentials:
Good waterproof jacket. Even with no rain forecasted a waterproof jacket can be used to keep your warm during our early morning starts.
Hiking boots (with good grip and ankle support) - don’t forget to bring good quality hiking socks
1 change of clothing. A few warm items for our early morning starts: base layer, warm fleece, gloves, beanie
Items for hot conditions: broad beam hat, a cap, sun block, sun glasses
Other items:
Wash kit. towels will be provided at the hotel. A daypack to hold your day kit (water, snacks, jacket)
Trainers to wear in the cars/minibus