Mountain Leader Assessment

The Mountain Leader assessment course follows the Mountain Leader Training course as part of the Mountain Leader scheme.  We have teamed up with Mountain Training providers Adventure Expertise to offer this course.

£415.00

  • Duration: 5 days
  • Ratio: 1:4
  • Type: Non-residential
  • Location: Lake District or Snowdonia
SKU: N/A Category:
  • Discount for first aid courses booked alongside NGB courses
  • Discount for NGB preparation days booked alongside NGB awards
  • Nationally recognised award scheme
  • 15% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor

Description

The Mountain Leader Assessment is part of the Mountain Leader scheme.  This assessment is delivered by Adventure Expertise.  Adventure Expertise are Mountain Training providers of the Mountain Leader and Lowland Leader scheme courses.  The Mountain Leader scheme is designed for people who want to lead groups in the mountains, hills and moorlands of the UK and Ireland.  Mountain Leaders operate the length and breadth of the country working with varied groups.

This five day assessment course, taking in a three day expedition with wild camping, will test your leadership skills in the hills.  Before attending the course candidates must either have completed the summer Mountain Leader training course or been granted exemption from training by Mountain Training.

All of our courses are delivered by a small core team of Mountaineering Instructors.  They have extensive experience in delivering Mountain Leader courses as well as working delivering a range of activities to a variety of different clients.  For us assessment courses are all about setting an atmosphere in which everyone feels welcome and able to perform at their best with the minimum of stress.  We know assessments are a challenge – we’ve been there!  So, we work hard to ensure you get the best out of yourself when it matters, making the assessment experience as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.

First Aid

Mountain Leader Assessment candidates need an appropriate 16 hour Outdoor First Aid course.  As providers of ITC first aid courses we can provide a suitable course.  Full details on these are available here.  We offer a substantial discount on first aid courses to anyone booking a Mountain Leader Assessment with us.  Full details on our discount scheme are available via the Discount Packages tab above.

NGB Preparation

Sometimes candidates wish for assistance on their journey to assessment.  We offer NGB preparation days to aid the journey.  Full details on our preparation days are available here.  We offer a substantial discount on first aid courses to anyone booking a NGB preparation day with us.  Full details on our discount scheme are available via the Discount Packages tab above.

Discount Packages

We want to be there with you on your National Governing Body (NGB) award journey.  With that in mind,  we are happy to offer substantial discounts to anyone booking a package of courses with us.

For anyone who books any NGB award training or assessment course with us, we offer the following discounts on first aid courses and preparation courses:

  • 30% off one of our ITC Outdoor First Aid courses for anyone booking a Mountain Leader training or assessment course or 20% for anyone booking a Lowland Leader training or assessment course.  Details on suitable first aid courses is here.
  • 20% discount on any single NGB preparation days for anyone booking any NGB course with us.  Details on or hillwalking NGB preparation days can be found here.
  • 25% discount on any multiple NGB preparation days for anyone booking any NGB course with us.  Details on or hillwalking NGB preparation days can be found here.

Attendance Pre-requisites

In order to attend an assessment course you must have:

  • Attended a Mountain Leader training course (or have been granted exemption)
  • Be familiar with the syllabus
  • Logged a minimum of 40 Quality Mountain Days in three different regions of the UK and Ireland
  • Hold a current first aid certificate, minimum 16 hours and relevant to your work as a Mountain Leader (we offer a range of suitable courses and you can find full details on these here.  We also offer substantial discounts to anyone booking both a training and/or assessment course and first aid course with us.  Please have a read about these via our Discount Packages tab)
  • You must have logged at least 8 nights camping, including at least 4 nights wild camping

For further information about the requirements of QMD’s please visit the Mountain Training FAQ’s  page here.

Course Syllabus

As an accredited Mountain Training course provider for the ML award we always ensure we are up to date with the latest syllabus developments and training methods. Below is a list of the main key topic areas of the Mountain Leader Assessment Syllabus:

  • Group management
  • Navigation
  • Access and the environment
  • Hazards (including steep ground and rivers) and emergency procedures
  • Equipment
  • Expedition skills
  • Weather
  • Background knowledge

For more detailed information please take a look at the Mountain Leader Handbook here.

Course Format

On this course we will choose the content of each day to make the best use of the prevailing weather and mountain conditions. As such it isn’t possible to provide a definitive programme, however please view our sample itinerary below and use it as a rough guide:

Day 1

Introductions & Mountain Journey

On the first day of your course you’ll meet your course director and assessor/s and they’ll go through the format of the week with you and explain how the assessment process will work, as well as answering any questions you may have. Afterwards you’ll head out onto the hill and go on a mountain journey where you’ll be given various navigation legs to lead as well as plenty of opportunity to share your mountain knowledge.

Day 2

Steep Ground 

On this day you’ll go on a journey through a variety of steep ground and you’ll be given several opportunities to display your leadership and group management skills.

Day 3-5

Mountain Expedition

For the final three days of your assessment you’ll take part in a mountain expedition, with two nights spent wild camping. During this you’ll get plenty of opportunity to display your leadership and navigation skills, as well as your mountain knowledge. If poor visibility isn’t experienced during the day, then you will also take part in a night navigation session or two.

At the end of your course you’ll sit down with the course director and be given feedback on your performance and your assessment result.

Accommodation

We don’t provide accommodation on our courses as some of our clients would like to stay in luxury accommodation, some in B&B’s, some in Bunkhouses and some like to camp. Therefore we feel our clients benefit from being able choose the accommodation they personally prefer in relation to their budget.

We are more than happy to recommend places to stay. As such after completion of your booking you will receive a course information pack which will contain further information about your course and a selection of local accommodation options.