The ability to navigate accurately and efficiently in all conditions - particularly low visibility - and on all types of terrain is the single most important skill a hillwalker or mountaineer can possess. There is no mystique about good navigation (although it does take a little practice), and there are currently many recognised high quality Mountain Skills courses which teach navigation in an easy to understand way using qualified and experienced instructors. Despite this, many hillwalkers still take to the hills with inadequate map and compass skills, and navigational error remains the single greatest contributory factor to incidents resulting in Mountain Rescue callouts.

We do not encourage people to construct or add to cairns (piles of rocks which serve as rudimentary route markers). Not only do they look unsightly but they can encourage the ill-prepared and inexperienced to venture further into the mountains than may be wise, with a false sense of security. Instead, inexperienced walkers are encouraged to either learn to navigate on one of the recognised Mountain Skills courses mentioned above, or join one of the many excellent clubs in Ireland, which organise regular walks led by experienced walkers and mountaineers. Most clubs organise walks to suit all ability levels, and many also organise their own navigation training sessions.

For information on hillwalking clubs in Ireland, and approved training courses, visit the MCI website at www.mountaineering.ie.

All parties should carry a map and compass and should include at least one competent navigator (ie. capable of consistent accurate navigation in darkness or white-out conditions) as part of the group.