Mountain Walking qualifications

Mountain Leader Training England (MLTE) qualifications courses are nationally recognised and hold a very good reputation. They are a necessary prerequisite for those wishing to lead groups of young people in the hills.

Course participants will be required to register with the MLTE separately. Registration is not included in the course costs. Courses are residential with transport provided from and to Winchester (please note there is no cost reduction for using private transport).

Course content

The content is determined by the level of training or assessment being undertaken. However there are key elements common to all:

• group management and the responsibilities of the leader

• navigation, using appropriate techniques for the conditions

• access and conservation issues, awareness and appreciation

• walking skills in different conditions and on different terrain

• personal equipment required for varying conditions and roles

• campcraft, in all its aspects

• security on steep ground, the elementary techniques required to safeguard members of the group

• mountain hazards and emergency procedures: medical, environmental, crossing rivers, etc

• weather, an elementary knowledge, using forecasts and making short-term predictions.

Course objectives

• to satisfactorily complete all aspects of the syllabus

• to raise the awareness, confidence and competence of candidates

• to prepare candidates to gain further experience on their own

• to assess skills, knowledge and understanding in realistic contexts

• to raise expectations of the quality of leadership required and the importance of displaying current good practice.

To gain experience BEFORE WGL / ML

Mountain walking is for experienced walkers who are becoming competent in walking and navigating in mixed terrain. Many of our other courses  would provide suitable ‘introductory activities’. For example:

• the Outdoor Leader (Open Country) Course provides a foundation in group management outdoors
• the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition leaders course has a comprehensive walking and leading component
• the new combined Camping course provides a very good campcraft foundation for the expedition work
• associated activity such as mountain biking provides open country and navigation experience.

Walking group leader or Mountain Leader?

ML involves wild camping, movement on steep or rocky terrain, and some rope work, whereas WGL does not involve steep or rocky terrain, and focuses on the skills required for valley camps.

WGL navigation is of a similar standard to ML. However the terrain is well defined by obvious boundaries, such as roads and coastlines; hazards within it are identifiable and avoidable.

Typical terrain – where do you walk?

Where do you want to take groups?

• New Forest/South Downs
• Dartmoor
• South Wales
• Peak District
• Yorkshire Moors

- appropriate award is Walking Group Leader.

• Snowdonia
• Lake District
• Cairngorms
• Western Highlands

- appropriate award is Mountain Leader.

If you are already operating in ‘ML’ country and want to be able to lead groups in this area then you can embark on ML training straight away. If the limit of your experience is moorland and ‘WGL’ terrain then you will be better off on the WGL course. Please note, not only is this an excellent award in its own right, but an ideal stepping stone towards ML for the less experienced.

In addition to progressing up through the scheme, it is possible to move from ML training direct to WGL assessment (you do need to register under the WGL scheme). This may suit some candidates who did their ML training prior to the WGL being available, and who thought it may have been too big a commitment for them.

Holding WGL Assessment does not currently remove the need for ML training.

Walking group leader award (WGL)

For leaders of walking groups in summer conditions in non-mountainous hilly terrain, know variously as upland, moor, bog, hill, fell or down. Such areas are often subject to harsh weather conditions, requiring an element of self-sufficiency, and this scheme will help you to develop the necessary skills and experience.

Cost includes four nights’ full-board accommodation plus transport from Winchester.

Date:    Sat 27 Oct 2012 - -Tues 30 Oct 2012

Cost:
£200 - HCC employees
£250 - non-HCC

Walking group leader assessment (WGLA)

Candidates spend four days in small groups with an experienced assessor, looking at all aspects of leading in hill and moorland environments.

For experienced walkers who have completed their log book experience following the WGL training course, or the ML training course. The course includes one night of lightweight valley based camping.

Cost includes four nights’ full-board accommodation plus transport from Winchester.

Date:  Easter 2013

Mountain leader (summer) award (ML)

The mountains of the UK are remote, technical and exposed to harsh and unpredictable weather. This makes them hazardous places for novice walkers, and the ML is designed to help responsible leaders who wish to operate in mountainous terrain in summer conditions.

ML courses develop your group management skills, your ability to navigate in all conditions and to deal with mountain hazards (including steep ground).

Training course for experienced hill walkers. The course includes one night of lightweight high level camping. The course cost does not include MLTE registration costs. These will be met by the candidate. (Seehttp://www.mlte.org/index.php)

Cost includes six nights’ full-board accommodation plus transport from Winchester.

Date:   Sat 27 Oct 2012 - -Fri 2 Nov 2012

Cost:
£375 - HCC employees
£450 - non-HCC

Mountain leader assessment (MLA)

Candidates spend the week in small groups with an experienced leader or assessor looking at all aspects of the syllabus. Successful candidates will be able to work with young people in the hills, including steep and rocky terrain.

For experienced hill walkers who have either been exempted from doing their training course by the MLTE or have completed their log book experience after completing their training course. The course includes two nights of lightweight high level camping. The course is under the auspices of the MLTE.

Date:   Sat 27 Oct 2012 - -Fri 2 Nov 2012

Cost:
£375 - HCC employees
£450 - non-HCC