Finding your bearings: building outdoor confidence for fieldwork

29 Oct 2026

Helping researchers build the practical skills and confidence to work safely in remote environments

A rainy day in Edale might not be everyone’s idea of the perfect day out, but for a group of Humanities researchers it provided just the conditions they needed to put their outdoor skills and knowledge to the test ahead of remote fieldwork.  

Run by qualified Mountain Leaders, Tom Bishop, Technical Operations Manager in the Faculty Operations team, and Jonny Huck, Professor of Computational Geography, the session offered a hands-on training day designed to build the knowledge, practical skills and judgement needed to work safely and confidently in remote upland environments - whether working independently or as part of a small team. 

With overcast skies, rain and periods of poor visibility, conditions were perfect for learning navigation. Working together, participants practiced their skills with physical maps and compasses. Over the course of the day they learned; how to take and walk on a compass bearing, use GPS devices and how to navigate using contours and other identifiable features on a map. 

But knowing where you are, and where you're going, is only part of staying safe in the outdoors. The group talked through how to plan for a day outdoors, from checking the weather and choosing the right clothing, equipment and supplies to recognising some of the hazards they may encounter. They also had a chance to talk about first aid supplies, try out using an emergency shelter and talked through scenarios on what to do when things don't go to plan. 

Throughout the day, the emphasis wasn't simply on mastering individual skills. It was about building the confidence and judgement to make good decisions when out in the field: recognising when conditions are changing, managing yourself and others safely, responding to an incident or injury and knowing when a plan needs to change. 

Dr Tom Bishop, Technical Operations Manager, said "Our Faculty has longstanding research interests in remote environments, from the Peak District National Park to the Himalayas. Building confidence with foundational, practical outdoor skills ensures we can continue to work safely and efficiently, even across challenging terrain." 

After the training, participants were given feedback and advice on how to continue building their skillset, allowing them to continue developoing their confidence and expertise.  

For more details on accessing outdoor training for remote fieldwork please contact Tom Bishop, Technical Operations Manager.