Summer Mountain Leader Training
This three weekend course is intended for experienced hill walkers who wish to become leaders in the British mountains. Its aim is to address the technical skills, judgement and areas of knowledge which will make you a safe leader, and which you will need to practice before returning for assessment.
Please do not send your Log Book in the post to us before the course.
Pre-requisites
The UK Mountain Training Board strictly requires that all students are registered prior to commencing the course. The Board will not recognise completion of the course by non-registered participants. Copies of the guidance notes are available from the UKMTB. Bring your logbook to the course fully completed with your experience. You will benefit most from the course if you are fit and have experience of using a map and compass in the mountain environment.
The MLTB may be contacted at the following address for registration and syllabus enquiries:
Mountain Leader Training Board,
177 -179 Burton Road,
Manchester.
M20 2BB
Tel No: 0161 445 4747
www.mltb.org
Course content
The UKMTB syllabus for the course is closely followed. In particular we will look at the practical skills and techniques required when leading groups walking and camping in the British Mountains. The programme may be revised at short notice to take account of weather and other considerations, in such a way as to satisfy the spirit and detail of the Mountain Leader syllabus. The three weekends are generally split into the following areas:
South Wales - Weekend 1
- An introductory day looking at key skills of mountain navigation
- Equipment - the leader's rucksack
- Interpretation of the environment
- Introduction to; Emergency use of rope on the hills
- Mountain rescue and incident management
- River crossing
North Wales- Weekend 2
- More mountain navigation
- Different types of terrain
- Risk assessment
- Mountain hazards
- Confidence roping
- Anchor selection and use
- Short pitches in ascent and descent
- Lowering and classic abseil
South Wales-Weekend 3
- A two day, tent based mountain expedition
- More time spent on topics already covered
- Night navigation
- Campcraft
In addition, there will be evening classroom or centre based sessions, covering some of the more theoretical aspects of the syllabus. We intend to look at the following areas:
- Weather forecasting
- Legal responsibilities of Mountain Leaders
- Planning a mountain journey
- Access and conservation
All of our members are dedicated mountaineers and hillwalkers with a great depth of knowledge of the area, and will be keen to pass on their knowledge to you.
The day begins with breakfast and collection of packed lunches at 7:30am. After an 8:30am briefing we commence the day about 9:00am returning from a full day of activity for tea and cakes by 5pm. Some evenings there will be a further session, usually classroom based, at 5.30pm. Dinner is normally at about 7pm, and on some nights there will be a further talks at pm.
The Venue
The venues used in South Wales are normally either one of the Scout Association Centres or one of the Hampshire County Council Centres . These centres are all within or on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The venues used in North Wales are normally Scout Association Centres.
The mountainous areas of Wales provide ideal ground for this award.
The Accommodation
Accommodation varies between the centres but all the centres provide, multiple toilets and shower rooms, a large kitchen that conforms to food safety standards and a dining room. In addition some centres have a further lounge, ideal for lectures or socialising.
Catering
Breakfast and dinner are served each day in the centre, except for the expedition. Each night there is a main course and dessert (including vegetarian option-if pre booked). Each morning bread, fruit, cake and biscuits etc. will be laid out, for you to make up a packed lunch. Food will not be provided for the expedition. This will be discussed on the 2nd weekend.
Equipment
At this level we expect students to have most of their own equipment. However, it is possible to borrow technical gear, outer clothing and rucksacks from our stores if necessary. As me may visit any of a number of different venues, we do not expect you to buy maps, and will provide them. The following list is a suggestion of what you should bring:
- Personal mountain clothing
- Small amount of cash
- Waterproof top and bottoms
- Head torch and batteries
- Hat and Gloves
- Compass
- Day rucksack with liner
- 1:25000 maps of Snowdon and the Glyders
- Small first aid kit
- Old trainers and clothes for river crossing
- Water bottle
- ML Logbook, up to date
- Vacuum flask
- The ML Award Handbook
- Walking boots
- Tent
- Gaiters
- Karrimat or thermarest
- Personal toiletries and medication
- Sleeping bag
- Informal clothing for leisure wear
- Stove, fuel and matches
- Notebook and pens
- Pans, KFS
Useful Books
It is highly recommended that you should read through the relevant chapters in " Hillwalking" by Steve Long in preparation for the more theoretical aspects of the course.
- Hillwalking
- by Steve Long (UKMTB official pub.)
- Looking at Weather
- by Ingrid Holfard
- Mountain Navigation
- by Peter Cliff
- Mountain Weather
- by Pedgley
- Weather for Hillwalkers & Climbers
- by M Thomas
- Website of the MLTB
- www.mltb.org
Reading relevant magazines is also a good way to keep abreast of current issues.
