mountain leader courses
for Women & under-represented folk
training & assessment
Lake District Mountaineering and Navigation with Harriet have partnered to offer Mountain Leader training and assessment courses specifically designed to create safe and inclusive spaces for women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other underrepresented folks in the outdoors.
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.
TRAINING: 6 DAY COURSE
PRICES: £440pp
50% deposit secures your booking
(non-residential)
ASSESSMENT: 5 DAY COURSE
PRICES: £450pp
50% deposit secures your booking
(non-residential)
Course Notes: Assessment
MOUNTAIN LEADER TRAINING
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.
MOUNTAIN LEADER ASSESSMENT
This Mountain Leader assessment course involves a minimum of 60 hours training over a 5 day period with mountain professionals. This course assesses candidates on all aspects of the Mountain Leader syllabus.
The results: Pass, Defer, Fail, Not yet completed, Withdrew, Did not show.
There is no exemption from any element of the assessment.
Practical reassessments cannot take place within three months of the initial assessment to allow sufficient time for practice and preparation.
All deferral reassessments must be completed within five years of the original assessment.
Candidates may undertake two short reassessments after a defer result. Subsequently a full assessment must be undertaken
Once qualified, candidates can lead groups in mountain, hill and moorland environments. They are able to manage walking groups safely in summer conditions.
The Mountain Leader assessment lasts for five days, including a three day expedition with two overnight camps. We like to undertake our expedition in and around Buttermere and Ennerdale (the wildest and most remote part of the Lake District) and your course fee may go towards classroom hire in a remote valley so we have a base for the expedition phase for the assessment.
You will be assessed in the skills below, in accordance with the Mountain Leader syllabus that is detailed in the handbook.
WHO ARE THESE COURSES FOR?
Our Mountain Leader training and assessment courses are specifically designed for women and underrepresented folks in the outdoors. Creating a space for women and underrepresented folks is about more than just representation—it’s about fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. These courses aim to:
Address unique challenges, such as menstrual health, physiology, and confidence-building strategies.
Encourage open conversations and create a safe space for learning.
Develop leadership skills that feel authentic to you.
Build lasting confidence through mindset coaching, progressive learning, and inclusive practices.
Highlight the importance of allyship and support networks.
Provide a supportive environment for those who may not have previously seen themselves as Mountain Leaders.
Foster connections with others in similar positions.
Inspire change and encourage more inclusion in outdoor spaces.
By creating a different space, we hope to inspire change, one Mountain Leader at a time, paving the way for more diverse role models in the outdoors.
If you’re unsure whether this is the right space for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a chat. We’re here to support you.
A FLEXIBLE, EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Our courses are for all ages and focus on meeting your needs. We understand that everyone learns differently, so our instructors adapt their teaching styles to suit you. This isn’t a race or a competition; it’s about all of us learning together in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Expect a course that’s rooted in empathy, emotional intelligence, and progressive teaching methods. We’re here to ensure you leave with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take on the mountains as a capable and inspiring leader.
INCLUSION IN THE OUTDOORS: THE BIGGER PICTURE
Did you know that only 34% of Mountain Leader (summer) award holders are women? By joining these courses, you’re not just taking a step for yourself—you’re contributing to a broader movement toward inclusivity in the outdoors. Together, we can create a ripple effect that inspires others and helps diversify the world of mountain leadership.
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 on training.
Undertake a 3 day, 2 night expedition on assessment.
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.
your trainers
Sam
Marsland
he/him
Sam is the owner of Lake District Mountaineering and serves as a Mountain Leader course director, delivering training and assessments for Mountain Training.
Sam's experience and qualifications ensure participants receive the highest quality training. As a Mountain Leader course director, he mentors aspiring leaders with an inclusive, empowering approach, making him relatable to individuals of all backgrounds. His passion for education and outdoor learning for all folks makes Sam an inspiring role model in the outdoor community.
"As a Mountain Training Course Director, I have the privilege of providing opportunities for under-represented individuals with the skills and confidence to lead in the outdoors; it's about creating opportunities for folk to step into a space where they can thrive, and share their unique perspectives"
Harriet Macmillan
she/her
Harriet - of Navigation with Harriet - is the main trainer on these courses and her focus is on creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for women, non-binary, and other underrepresented groups in the outdoors.
Harriet’s teaching focuses on empowering participants to feel confident and capable in outdoor environments, addressing any fears or barriers they may face.
Harriet’s unique combination of expertise, empathy, and advocacy for diversity sets her apart. She holds a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented groups, ensuring everyone leaves feeling seen & heard and ready to consolidate with confidence.
our partnership
How Our Roles Work Together:
1. Harriet’s Expertise in Training:
Harriet delivers the day-to-day instruction, sharing her extensive experience in navigation and mountain skills. Her role is essential in helping participants develop practical skills, confidence, and a connection to the outdoors, particularly for women and underrepresented folk.
Harriet's ethos revolves around inclusivity, empowerment, and building confidence
2. Sam’s Role as Course Director:
Sam oversees the accreditation, structure, and moderation of the courses. As the person recognised by Mountain Training, his role ensures that the courses are certified and meet the national guidelines required for Mountain Leader training and assessment.
Sam’s inclusive teaching style, combined with his passion for sharing knowledge, makes him approachable and encouraging
3. Why This Partnership is Crucial:
Mountain Leader courses can only be run by an accredited course director. Without Sam’s qualifications and approval as course director, the courses could not operate under the Mountain Training scheme.
Harriet’s skills as a trainer bring the course to life. Harriet’s teaching focuses on empowering participants to feel confident and capable in outdoor environments, addressing any fears or barriers they may face.
This collaboration allows Harriet to focus on delivering a high-quality, inclusive learning experience, while Sam ensures the courses are officially recognised and compliant, making their partnership both practical and inspiring. Together, they combine passion, expertise, and professionalism to deliver an exceptional training experience.
Course Ratios
Training: 1:6 Ratio
Assessment: 1:4 Ratio
Min. course size: 2
Max. course size: 12
All candidates will work with more than one trainer during the course.
Experienced ML course staff mean you get great training input from instructors that are current and passionate.
You will work closely with Sam and Harriet throughout the course.
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. Tent hire (£25 per night)
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.
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