The direction “Turn left three mountains to the right” is not much help for Lillooet residents trying to enjoy the great outdoors.

They now have an opportunity to learn about navigation in a series of courses offered this fall by the Lillooet REC Centre.

The courses include Navigation Basics (Maps and Google Earth), Compass use, GPS and Geocaching.

Guided hikes with practical wilderness navigation instruction will also be offered, including a Youth Hike in late September and a Family Hike in mid-October. The goal of the Youth Hike is to summit a peak. The goal of the Family Navigation Hike is to reach the alpine, practise navigation and address mountain safety.

Wayne Robinson, who is a ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) hiking guide, will teach all the courses. Robinson’s ACMG certification means he is trained to guide day hikes and multi-day backpacking trips in all types of hiking terrain without supervision.

A donation from the Lillooet RCMP enabled the REC Centre to add the courses to its fall program.