HKR 3220Brandon PettenJune 18th, 2015

Unit 2: Navigation Lesson’sLessons 7 & 8

Lesson 7: Route Planning

The ability to plan an outing in the outdoors is an essential skill. There are many different types of routes that can be viewed on a map. A walking route, vehicle route, plane route, or boat route. A well-planned trip takes into account a detailed plan that balances the ability of the group, the complexity of the terrain, and the purpose of the activity. Route planning is essential for risk management. There are so many objectives that should be taken into account when planning a route. When you think of a route, things should come to mind such as start and finish, safety of route, condition of route, wet or dry route, fastest and most efficient route, or could this route be taken on foot, vehicle or bus?

Learning Objectives of Routes

When learning about route planning, understanding the many options and variables are to be taken into account.

Recognizing safety as a top priority when planning a route is vital.

Learn how to determine a safety bearing and understand its significance.

An in depth research about the selected route is vital prior to beginning your route.

Types of Routes (AIRPLANE ROUTE)

Types of Routes (Boat/Vehicle)

Types of Routes (Vehicle)

Types of Routes (On Foot)

Routes Continued..

As you can see in previous pictures there are MANY different types of routes. Airplane routes are mainly all one straight direction. Boat routes are also mainly one straight direction. For vehicle routes you will have road routes such as, divided highway, single highway, paved single road, dirt road and so on. Walking on foot is really where you can decide your own route, either it be through trees, water, bog, field, mountain, trail, or road. Its totally up to you!!

How to Create a Route

When developing the skill to plan a route you will need the following equipment.

1 Map

1 Compass

1 Pencil

1 Ruler

Creating a Route

When developing the skill to plan a route requires the ability not only to read a map and plot points but also to interpret the terrain and judge the ability of the group to embark on the journey. A key point in route planning is being able to visualize the natural area and decide on the most appropriate direction of travel.

When first planning a route you will need to plot your start and finish line. Next you will examine the area and draw lines from your start point to show the route you will take to your finish. Remember to consider Contour lines, waterways, trails, and vegetation densities.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrIz8Pb_87U

Route Teaching Cues

When selecting a start and finish, be sure to allow for alternate routes. Communicate start and finish locations in UTM coordinates to review and reinforce the skill.

Before travelling a route, it is important to determine a safety bearing in case the group becomes disoriented or lost.

Study the area and look for features that run long distances.(roads, lakes, power lines)

Determine the bearing by placing the compass on the map, pointing the direction of travel arrow toward the feature, and lining up the orientating arrow with the grid lines on the map.

Safety Bearing

Every good plan needs a backup. This is true for all outdoor pursuits. Most often an outdoor leader will have determined a safety bearing for every leg of the route and will have built into the plan.

Safety bearings are very important. Check the area for features that run long distances. Determine the bearing on the map. Read the bearing on the compass dial at the “ Read bearing here” line and record it on the map margin or in the route plan.

Lesson 8: Route Selection and Finding

On an outdoors trip the ability of leaders to lead participants safely and ensure a positive experience depends on their experience. Deciding routes is a skill that requires firsthand knowledge of what to expect. A map can only tell us so much. That leaves the experience to help fill n the gaps for participants. Not everything that was planned for becomes the lived experience for the group. In route selection you will need to recognize the need to sometimes modify the planned route for a better route that will enable the group to avoid problem areas and get back on route as soon as possible.

Other Learning Objectives

Realizing that trying to stay in the intended route is better accomplished with plans for shorter routes.

Understanding how aiming off can save valuable time when trying to find specific locations such as a stream, trail, or lake.

Learning how to navigate around large obstacles such as ponds or cliffs, without going astray from the desired bearing.

Selection and Finding

Be sure to take care that the group does not get separated.

A particular area may be conductive to allowing participants some freedom, especially if surrounded by natural features such as stream and roads that can act as boundaries.

Shorter legs or travel are better for keeping on track.

Being able to identify several small legs within a long route allows for repeated success and security that the correct route is being followed.

Traveling long legs of a route can lead to uncertainty because the attention span can become challenged after being on a trail for so long.

Aiming off with a Compass

Aiming off means veering to the right or left of the intended destination.

Use the compass to find bearing and add 5 degrees to travel slightly to the right of the intended destination; subtract 5 degrees to travel to the left of the intended destination.

After adjusting 5 degrees, simply put red in the bed again and proceed toward the destination.

This technique is useful because it is often difficult to arrive exactly at the intended target, and once close it is often a gamble to travel to the left or right to reach the destination.

Resources

Redmond, K. Foran, A. Dwyer, S. (2010). Quality Lesson Plans for Outdoor Education. Unit 2: Navigational Lessons, Pages 98-102.