This was the first navigation weekend of the autumn 2026 season. I honestly can’t remember a navigation weekend where the threat of rain was so constant, both from the weather forecast and from the dark clouds in the sky, but with little or no rain actually eventuating! Apart from one or two drops on Saturday, there was no rain at all until lunchtime on Sunday, and that was only a short shower or two. So it was certainly an excellent weekend, warm and humid and heavily overcast, with an enthusiastic group of 4 joining this scenic and educational 2 day hike. Although there were several other groups in the vicinity of where we camped, we found an extremely sheltered natural rock cavern to stay dry from the rain on Saturday night that never actually eventuated. By the end of the weekend, the maps which were in mint condition at the beginning of the weekend were crumpled and drawn all over with pencil, which meant that the navigators had been very attentive and enthusiastic, and now have the route indelibly etched not just on their maps but in their minds with happy memories of a great weekend!

Again the forecast was for shower and storms for this navigation weekend, but when the group met early on Saturday morning, the skies were clear. The group of 5 clients learned the basics in fine weather, before we headed off on the navigation hike at about 11am. We reached our lunch spot with panoramic views of the surrounding area, there was no wind, and the clients used their maps and compasses to identify the terrain around them. Then it started raining with some thunder and lightning, so we set off for lower ground. We crossed a river, and by the time we had climbed onto the next exposed ridge, the storms had cleared. We reached our beautifully sheltered campsite as storms brewed once more, and we met former MountainSphere clients there and had a nice evening together. There was an extended downpour of rain as a series of storms passed over, we got wet while collecting water but were otherwise dry and warm in our amazing natural cavern. Sunday was a much longer walking day where the clients consolidated their skills and learned new ones, and there was virtually no rain today at all. We were able to enjoy lunch in the warm sunshine with panoramic views and the clients again used their compasses and maps to work out their position. We concluded the trip by about 3:45pm and everyone had enjoyed an amazing weekend packed with the learning of new skills in a beautiful hiking area.

The first navigation weekend in ages with clear blue skies both days! And a great group of enthusiastic navigators! After some very efficient car pooling we gathered at Bell on a cold and windy Saturday morning. We moved to a sunnier and less windy spot for our morning navigation lesson then headed off. Our lunch spot had clear panoramic views of the surrounding area and the group identified the terrain they were seeing in the beautiful view. We moved on to our sheltered and beautiful campsite which miraculously we had to ourselves. Once we had collected water and firewood, a very relaxing evening was had. Sunday was still windy and cold, but was another clear and sunny day except for some morning cloud. It was a longer walk today, presenting great opportunities to practise navigation skills and learn new ones. Lunch was had at a prominent viewpoint, again with panoramic views, and the group practised triangulating their position using the terrain around them. Then some route finding practise on our way back to the cars. Many new friends were made on this weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone back on future adventures!