mountain leader course
training
Join Lake District Mountaineering to undertake a six day Mountain Leader training course in the North-West Lake District. Hone your skills in the mountains of Buttermere, Ennerdale and Borrowdale with our expert trainers.
Accreditation
The Mountain Leader Training course is a Mountain Training qualification.
You must meet the pre-requisites and be registered on the scheme to book.
If you are looking for a pathway into the Mountain Leder scheme, check out the affiliated
6 DAY COURSE
PRICES: £440pp
50% deposit secures your booking
(non-residential)
Course notes and sample programme
OVERVIEW
This Mountain Leader training course involves a minimum of 60 hours training over a 6 day period with mountain professionals. This course trains candidates to undertake the assessment stage of the Mountain Leader scheme. Once qualified, candidates can lead groups in mountain, hill and moorland environments. They are able to manage walking groups safely in summer conditions.
On completion of the training, you will need to undertake assessment to gain qualification.
The Mountain Leader training lasts for six days, including a two day expedition with an overnight camp, and will cover:
The Mountain Leader syllabus,
What to expect at assessment,
Feedback and areas to focus on prior to assessment.
SKILLS COVERED:
Leader responsibilities
Responsibilities as a group leader with regards to the care and safety of the group.
Safety management, your own leadership behaviours and ethos as well as dealing with hazards and emergencies.
Leadership and decision making
Vision - Support - Challenge
INSPIRE leadership models
Planning and weather
Main air streams, the likely temperature and humidity of the air masses involved.
Sequence of clouds that might indicate an incoming front and see if you can identify those clouds when out on the hill.
Hazards and emergency procedures
Party management in steep ground
Emergency rope work
First aid, emergency carries and calling MRT
Water hazards on the hill
Equipment
Understand personal and group kit
Additional leader equipment
Group needs, water, food and overall nutrition
Walking skills
Pace, rhythm, foot placement, conservation of energy, balance, and coordination.
Individual movement, demonstration and coaching skills
Navigation
Navigation is a fundamental skill in mountain walking and leaders must be confident of their route no matter how limited the visibility. We will develop navigation skills towards the Mountain Leader standard and help you become efficient, accurate and confident.
Expedition
Undertake a two day, one night overnight camp.
Learn how to become an effective and responsible camper and supervise mountain camps.
Teaching and learning skills
Teach and promote learning to ensure safe and enjoyable hill walking.
Access, conservation and the environment
Learn about flora, fauna, geology, landform processes (geomorphology), local history, heritage and language, place names, folklore, the evolution of our landscape and future challenges.
Background knowledge
An awareness of the history, traditions and ethics of recreational mountain walking in the UK and Ireland.
REGISTRATION
You must be at least 18 years old
You should have at least a year’s worth of mountain walking experience
You should have an interest in leading groups in the mountains
You must be a member (club or individual) of a mountaineering council (BMC, Mountaineering Ireland, Mountaineering Scotland).
You must create an account on our system and register for the Mountain Leader qualification (cost: £65)
BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU CAN EXPECT TO
Have covered the Mountain Leader syllabus in an enjoyable outdoor environment,
Be in a position to consolidate your experience ahead of undertaking assessment,
Have some SMART goals and personalised feedback towards your assessment,
To know what is expected of you at assessment and where the standard is.
WHY CHOOSE US?
Certified Instructors:
Our experienced and certified instructors are dedicated to your safety and skill development. We are an approved provider for Mountain Training.
Real-World Application:
The course is designed to equip you with practical skills to undertake the consolidation period and subsequent assessment within the ML scheme.
Beautiful Locations:
Enjoy learning in some of the most scenic environments in the Lake District. The western fells and north western fells are quiet, have a remote feel and offer amazing opportunities for mountain learning.
Course Ratios
1:6 Ratio
Min. course size: 2
Max. course size: 12
All candidates will work with more than one trainer during the course.
Course directors hold the WMCI/MCI awards and WML award, plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
Experienced ML course staff mean you get great training input from instructors that are current and passionate.
Pre-Requisites
18 years +
One year walking experience
A genuine interest in mountain walking and leading groups in this terrain.
You must be a member of a mountaineering council
You must be registered on the qualification.
You must have an up to date logbook (preferably DLOG) with evidence of 20 varied Quality Mountain Days minimum
What is a quality mountain day?
Equipment
We will share a fully comprehensive kit list with you during the booking stage.
You will need to wear suitable outdoor clothing (warm and waterproof) and suitable mountain footwear (boots).
We have a small selection of tents for hire but likely you will need your own. Sometimes it is possible to share tents.
Your sleeping arrangements will need to be your own.
We are happy to discuss your requirements and kit for camping.
Venue
This course is delivered from the Buttermere YHA.
It is recommended that you use the accommodation here at the YHA but there is lots of other accommodation around in the area.
We may meet on location on some days of the course but course intros and evening sessions will be held at the YHA.
If you need transport during the course, we may able to get you to lift share with other candidates or an instructor.
this course is accredited to mountain training
Mountain Training is the collection of awarding bodies for skills courses and qualifications in walking, climbing and mountaineering that operates across the UK and The Republic Of Ireland.
Our qualifications train and assess people to look after other people in these environments, whether that's leading a walk in the mountains, coaching in a climbing wall or teaching multi pitch rock climbing. People who hold our qualifications have been assessed at a nationally agreed standard.
Our Vision
A diverse and active outdoor society, supported by inspirational leaders, instructors and coaches.
Our Mission
To inspire, enable and develop people in walking, climbing and mountaineering through the provision of nationally and internationally recognised skills training and leadership qualifications.
Support for people
Mountain Training is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to attend our courses. We work in close partnership with the mountaineering councils and a key strand of their work is to ensure that participation is open to all. The BMC Equity Steering Group and initiatives like Adventure for All have been central to this and are an excellent source of information.
WHAT customers SAY
Sam was friendly, knowledgeable, professional and had an extensive amount of experience and knowledge to pass on.
My aim for attending the course was to feel more prepared and comfortable with tackling those big mountain days - which this course delivered and beyond!
I have also met some great like minded people from doing the course which has been lovely.
Did a Mountain Leader training course with Sam. Throughout the week he was thorough and provided lots of feedback, while being very personable and a pleasure to be around! I would definitely come back to use LDM again. Thanks for a great time!
I would recommend Lake District Mountaineering to anyone wanting a safe and enjoyable day/week out on the fells.
I did my Mountain Leader course with Sam and was very nervous on arrival but was put at ease straight away with the calming presence Sam gives out.
I had a fantastic time on the fells and learned so much on all aspects of being in the mountains.
CONTACT
We look forward to hearing from you and working towards your mountaineering ambitions and helping to achieve your goals.
Phone or WhatsApp:
07458353048
If calls are missed we will respond when possible, please leave a voicemail or text message where possible.
Thank you