In reply to Hex a metre:
> No experience of PyB but can I suggest that you may not need them?
Self instruction is a perfectly good way to learn, yes; it's how I learned.
Navigation is really about following a process, using a number of techniques, paying attention, and practice. And more practice. We already use all the basic navigation approaches in our daily lives; we just need to recognise what they are, and apply them to the outdoors.
I teach DofE groups, and recently started with a direct entry Gold group. I gave them a couple of hours 'classroom' instruction on the first evening, and the next day practising what I had taught, gradually reducing my involvement over the day. The next couple of days was mostly them navigating, and me reminding them of techniques, and bringing in some tips.
The process I teach (oddly, process is rarely covered in manuals; maybe it's too obvious) is:
1. break the route into legs between decision points
2. take the correct path at the decision point
3. stay on the correct path
4. find the next decision point
The various techniques are used to help in each of these four phases.
Like most people, I teach a variation of the 'Ds' for use on each leg, in my case, 6 Ds:
Destination - where are we heading for on this leg?
Direction - what direction do we need to take?
Distance - how far is the Destination?
Duration - how long will this take?
Description - what should we see as we follow the leg?
Decision - how will we decide we have reached the Destination (or gone wrong, or gone past it)?
I have created a set of navigation lesson instructions (intended for instructors, but usable as aide memoire for learners), with supporting materials. I've posted these on the Facebook DofE Leader's group, and have had good feedback. The OP, or anyone else, is welcome to a set; just drop me an email through my profile.
The OS also do some good little instruction booklets, and some nice YouTube videos, featuring Simon King.
Post edited at 14:43