Mountain Leader Award

ML Training Dates 9 – 15 July 2012 15 – 21 October 2012 5 – 7 October/20 -23 October (Split Weekend) Assessment 27 Nov -2 December 2012

The Mountain Leader Award offers the opportunity to gain a degree of competence in leading groups of hill walkers in the UK under summer conditions. The scheme is intended for those leading groups in the mountains or remote country where walkers are dependent upon themselves. It is the combination of technical skills, wide experience and personal qualities which forms the basis for effective group management.

Before undertaking the ML training course you need to have a minimum of 12 months mountain walking experience and have logged at least 20 quality mountain day walks. In addition to this personal experience, you should have an interest in leading groups in the mountains of the UK in summer conditions. You may register with the ML scheme before you have completed 20 mountain days, but you must fulfil this requirement before attending a training course. Candidates must have completed a minimum of 40 quality mountain days and have logged some leadership experience when they attend an assessment

Registration

You must register before booking onto a training course. To register you must meet the pre-requirements of 12 months mountain walking experience and be a minimum of 18 years old and a member of a Mountaineering Council.

Training

Before attending a training course you should have logged a minimum of 20 mountain walks. The Training courses run over 6 days, either consecutive days or over two or more weekends and evenings. Our training course starts off in the Peak District and culminates with a 3 day expedition in either North Wales or the Lakes, running at most times of the year.

Consolidation

After you have attended a training course you will need to complete a consolidation period. The exact period of time, personal skill development and group supervision practice will be different for each candidate. At the end of your training course you will agree a personal action plan with the Course Director who can guide you through the consolidation phase.

Assessment

Assessments courses are normally 5 or 6 day long and you will need to have a current valid first aid certificate before presenting yourself for assessment. Please see the Assessment page for more details.

Quality Mountain Days

In terms of experience, the quality of a mountain day lies in such things as the conditions experienced both overhead and underfoot, the exploration of new areas, the terrain covered and the physical and mental challenge. Such days make a positive contribution towards a person’s development and maturity as an all round mountaineer.

Usually some or all of these criteria would be fulfilled:

  • the individual takes part in the planning and leadership
  • navigation skills are required away from marked paths
  • experience must be in terrain and weather comparable to that found in UK and Irish hills
  • knowledge is increased and skills practised
  • attention is paid to safety
  • five hours or more journey time
  • adverse conditions may be encountered

The scheme consists of six stages:

  1. Gain personal hill-walking experience
  2. Registration and issue of log book
  3. Training course
  4. Consolidation period
  5. Assessment course
  6. Continuing logbook experience and any relevant additional training

Course syllabus

  • Group management and responsibilities of the group leader
  • Hazards and emergency procedures
  • Equipment
  • Expedition skills
  • Navigation
  • Access and the environment
  • Weather

To register, please contact:

Mountain Leader Training England, Siabod Cottage, Capel Curig, Conwy, LL24 0ET

Tel: +44 (0)1690 720314

Fax: +44 (0)1690 720248

e-mail: info@mlte.org

Website: www.mlte.org

A brief outline of the Training Course

  • Day 1 Introductions/clothing and equipment talk
  • Day 2 Low level walk in Peak District, navigation and leadership; mountain weather talk
  • Day 3 High level walk/security on steep ground; access and conservation lecture; mountain hazards and emergency procedures
  • Day 4 Using a rope, river crossing; expedition planning
  • Day 5 Prepare for expedition; depart on expedition
  • Day 6 Expedition continues
  • Day 7 Return from expedition; Individual reviews; course conclusion outline

A brief outline of the Assessment Course

  • Day 1 Arrival by 17:30pm, Introduction, programme discussion, Scenario Paper
  • Day 2 Mountain walk over difficult terrain, group supervision, party leadership
  • Day 3 Technical Day, Emergency procedures and mountain hazards
  • Day 4 Depart on Expedition, Navigation in limited visability
  • Day 5 Expedition continues
  • Day 6 Expedition completed, Assessors debrief, Directors overview, Results, Depart by late afternoon

ML Assessment course details

£375 or £275 non-residential

ML Training Course cost £385 Residential (at the Cheshire Cheese Inn, Edale Road, Hope)