Home

ML Training

Navigating across the Cairngorm Plateau - ML Training at Glenmore Lodge
Date: 
21 May 2008 - 27 March 2008
Meet Organisers: 
Neil

  This year we are offering a few people the opportunity to train towards the Mountain Leader Award.

This is an official qualification which entitles you to professionally lead walking groups in summer (ice-free) conditions in the UK mountains, and is also the minimum qualification needed for leading groups of young people in the hills for example supervising Duke of Edinburgh's Award groups. The ML consists of a training course and a later assessment combined with a log of personal walking experience.

The training course gives you a very high standard of training in a diverse range of subjects including

  • both basic and very advanced navigation,
  • use of the rope to help in tricky situations,
  • managing groups on steep ground,
  • river crossings,
  • expedition planning and wild camping,
  • the operation of Mountain Rescue services,
  • legal access rights and
  • your liabilities as a walk leader.

I learnt a huge amount when I took the course this summer and had a great time too!!

The ML Award is administered by Mountain Leader Training Scotland, based at Glenmore Lodge. If you haven't already had a look at what the ML course covers, here is the description and full syllabus.

The basic process is this:

  1. Gain experience of walking in the British mountains (and other mountainous areas of similar character).
  2. Register for the ML award with MLTS (costs £27).
  3. Fill in your logbook with minimum 15-20 "Quality Mountain Days".
  4. Attend a Training course (6 days).
  5. Use your knowledge to organise walks for the club.

If you later wish to complete the qualification, the process is:

  1. Gain further experience of walking and leading groups.
  2. Attend a 16 hour first aid course as defined in the ML syllabus.
  3. Fill in your logbook so you have a total (including pre training) of 40 QMDs.
  4. Attend an Assessment course (~6 days).
  5. Hopefully pass the course and become a qualified Mountain Leader!

ML courses can be prohibitively expensive (£300 to £400 for each course) for students but the Club recognises the importance of having well-trained individuals involved and so we are making a real effort this year to bring down the cost for people who are going to be committed to the club. There are a number of pots of money we can tap into, as well any profits the club makes over the year which are there to be reinvested in the club.

This year's course will run at Firbush and will cost a maximum of £150 per head, which is exceptional value.