Elemental

As the rain continues to pour down and the rivers swell I am glad, for once, to be indoors.  A walk earlier in the day confirmed that indoors is the best option today!  The rivers running through Comrie are all full to bursting with localised flooding, so on higher ground in the hills, the streams will all be in spate.

It reminds me of the first day of the recent mountain marathon that was held around Comrie. Wet - and higher up - very misty. A real challenge of navigation skills.

The start - incase you hadn't guessed - above St. Fillians.

The power of water is phenomenal.  In conditions like today it really is important to know how to read a map and be able to make choices about the route to suit the conditions.  Equally important is knowing that  the map will not show all the water courses, just the main ones so you can expect the unexpected.

The outdoors are a fabulous place to recharge the batteries however it pays to respect the elements too.  The hills and mountains will still be there tomorrow so I will enjoy them on a better day.  Meantime you can see from the pictures a little more of the conditions from the recent Mountain Marathon and be glad you are not out there just now. 

Map reading for women

Research seems to suggest that men are better at map reading 

than women initially...but that women make better judgement 

calls and remember more about routes so are less likely to get 

lost.....

My experience, having tutored over 100 women is that confidence 

is often an issue.  This is where learning in a small group with 

other who feel in the same boat can help.  

So, come and join me on the next 

'Women CAN Read Maps' course 

running in just over a week from 1st-2nd Oct 2011. 

This two day course will give you some of the skills to use maps to

navigate in the hills.

It is set in the beautiful village of Comrie in Perthshire.

It is aimed at beginners and those who lack confidence and want

 to improve their hill skills.

The course is run on a friendly, informal basis with plenty of 

chance to try things out.  After a short theoretical input each 

morning ( and coffee) we spend the rest of the days outdoors 

put every thing into practice. 

See what previous participants have to say.

The cost for the two days is £80.

Contact me by phone or email to book a place.  

Tel 01764 670541 

fran AT breathingspaceoutdoors DOT com 

-don't forget to substitute the AT and DOT for the relevant signs.