I like maps: graphical representations that facilitate a spatial understanding of things, concepts, conditions, processes, or events in the human world.
For many, though, they’re just a utilitarian paper object whose quality is assessed primarily in terms of geometrical accuracy. The oldest known map - Imago Mundi - dates back to 6th century BC Babylonia. The functionality of maps has been greatly advanced by technology simplifying the superimposition of spatially located variables onto existing geographical maps.
Having local information such as rainfall level, distribution of wildlife, or demographic data integrated within the map allows more efficient analysis and better decision making. There’s no getting away from it - maps are so totally dope.
Maps are pretty much essential if you wanna lead a Ramblers walk. Not the only thing you need mind, but more of that later! I’ve been running Navigation and Leadership courses for the Metropolitan Walkers for over 5 years. The course comes in 2 parts and needs 2 people to run it.
Part 1 is a 2 hour classroom session where we go over the basics of an ordnance survey map. I cover the grid system with its northings, eastings and grid references, as well as what some of the main symbols mean (pay attention at the back there!). There is just so much information held on OS maps (I like maps). We also cover compass work - you know, following a bearing, that sort of thing. These are the hard skills.
We also spend time on the soft skills of leadership. After all, every leader is the shop window for both the group and the Ramblers in general. You have a duty of care for those you lead. I’m betting most of you remember the first Ramblers walk you went on, and the impression it made on you - whether the leader told you about the walk, lunch and loo stops, how long it was likely to take, and also whether they told you anything about the group and the Ramblers.
Part 2 is a trip to the countryside to put these principles into practice. For me (and I know it’s not all about me) the practical session is so much more fun. There’s a good 13 km (8-ish miles) circular walk I know (thanks Charmaine) from Leatherhead that let’s everybody have a decent shot at leading.
The group is divided in two and I take 4 people round the route clockwise while Nikki takes the other 4 round anti-clockwise. We all meet up again at Westhumble Chapel for lunch. That way everybody gets a couple of km in the front. There are plenty of junctions to consider, and lots of churches, railway lines, rivers and field edges to help you decide whether you and the group are in the right place. Sometimes people get the group lost but that’s where you usually learn the most! And because we’re all so traditional, we all meet up in the Running Horse for a drink at the end of an enjoyable day.
Ideally, all the participants today will go on to lead walks for the Met Walkers in the near future. We must be doing something right because the group is still growing and currently puts on at least 5 varied walks a week, with typically more than 30 people coming along to each walk. This means we need as many new leaders as we can get.
All leaders give up time for free and it’s fitting to remember this at a time when smug politicians bang on about the Big Society – a lot of us have been putting their money where their mouth is for a long time! It’s a really rewarding way to spend a few hours and with 2011 being the Year of the Volunteer (who gets to decide these things?) I can heartily recommend you give walk leading a shot.
Des Garrahan
Des is a member of the Metropolitan Walkers: www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk
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