Mountain leader (ML) enhancer
...it isn't where you've come from, it's where you're going that counts...
These ML enhancement courses correlate directly to the ML Award syllabus and offer opportunity for aspirants to consolidate their learning prior to assessment, or gain valuable input before attending a re-assessment. Fully qualified individuals are also more than welcome to attend if they wish to refresh their skills and stay current with best practices. These courses, primarily based in Snowdonia, are staffed with Mountain Leaders, International Mountain Leaders, Mountaineering and Climbing Instructors, or British Mountain Guides, and will run from 8:45am til 5pm, unless stated otherwise.
Open courses will run with 3 or more candidates and private courses can are bespoke and can run on a date that suits you. Recommendations and advice for accommodation can be found at the bottom of this page. Meeting places will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically the ratio of instructors to participants is 1:6 or less. If you are a larger group than 6, and/or an individual or group who wish to have a course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
Open courses will run with 3 or more candidates and private courses can are bespoke and can run on a date that suits you. Recommendations and advice for accommodation can be found at the bottom of this page. Meeting places will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically the ratio of instructors to participants is 1:6 or less. If you are a larger group than 6, and/or an individual or group who wish to have a course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
contour masterclass
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Navigation is a fundamental part of the Mountain Leader Award. Many people struggle with interpreting what are in fact our most reliable features of the map: contours. This course will enable you to see contours in a new light, and put you on top of your game, recognising and utilising contours alone to navigate by, as well as refreshing all other aspects of your navigation.
✓ Refresh all aspects of your navigation in simple to complex terrain ✓ Navigate effectively using contours alone ✓ Micro & macro navigation ✓ Variety of map scales, navigational aids and contour-only maps |
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Title:
Contour Masterclass 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 1 6 |
Price:
£50 £300 £40 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
poor visibility navigation
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A day-into-night course, specifically targeted skills required to navigate effectively in poor visibility. We will practice and perfect techniques during the daylight hours, reinforcing confidence in their application and proving that they work reliably, before taking them into darkness and putting them to the test. This course starts at 12:00 noon and ends at 8pm.
✓ Poor visibility navigational strategies ✓ Planning a safe route, relocation techniques and problem solving ✓ Using your compass effectively in poor visibility ✓ Contour interpretation when visibility is limited |
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Title:
Poor Visibility Navigation 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 1 6 |
Price:
£50 £300 £40 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
ropework and steep ground
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A chance to practice and discuss strategies for effectively safeguarding people in progressively steeper terrain, from route choice to party management, to spotting and emergency ropework. We will also discuss remits of an ML, emergency procedures and suitable equipment to carry.
✓ Planning and safeguarding strategies in a variety of terrain ✓ Spotting and our limitations as an ML ✓ Confidence-giving vs confidence-roping ✓ Anchor selection, emergency ropework and personal safety ✓ Emergency procedures |
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Title:
Ropework and Steep Ground 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
4 1 4 |
Price:
£75 £300 £60 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
environmental workshop
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In the simplest sense, our job as mountain leaders is to 'walk and talk'. We are educators as much as leaders. Every day we will have opportunities to teach, far more than chances to get the rope out (hopefully!). One aspect that is regularly overlooked within the ML is environmental knowledge. During this day you will get the chance to further your knowledge whilst exploring a variety of terrain. Find out what the expected level of environmental knowledge is as an ML.
✓ Flora, fauna, birds and human impact within the upland environment ✓ A deeper understanding of the 'where's' and 'why's' of habitats ✓ Further your environmental knowledge and how to teach it |
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Title:
Environmental Workshop 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 1 6 |
Price:
£50 £300 £40 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
- What is included in the price?
Instruction at the above ratios, tea/coffee at the start of the course, all emergency first aid equipment, and additional maps and teaching resources, where appropriate. - What is not included in the price?
Accommodation, food and drink for the day, personal insurance and personal equipment (unless stated otherwise). - What is the minimum number of participants required to ensure my course runs?
2 for all of the above courses at a 1:4 ratio. 3 for all of the above courses at a 1:6 ratio. And, with fear of being obvious, 1 for 1:1 private bookings! - Who will staff my course?
Your course will be staffed by me or another fully qualified and experienced mountain leader (ML), international mountain leader (IML), mountaineering and climbing instructor (MCI), or a British mountain guide (BMG). - Can I hire walking boots from you?
No, sorry. Because of vastly different shoe sizes from person to person, I do not stock a large range of walking boots. However, there are numerous shops and hire services available in the local area to your course, or you can Get In Contact if you need any more help acquiring a pair. - Can I hire a rucksack from you?
Yes, please arrange this at the time of booking. Rucksacks cost £20 per person, per day. A deposit of £75 to cover any damage or soiling of the materials is required. - Can I bring along my own helmet or rope to use or ask questions about?
Yes of course, however this equipment will be thoroughly checked by me or another member of staff before it is deemed suitable for use. - Where can I stay?
There are a variety of options in Snowdonia, to suit everybody's tastes and budgets. There are many more options than the ones suggested below, and of the options suggested below, all operate independently from me:
Hostels - Plas Curig; YHA Pen-Y-Pass; Snowdonia Mountain Hostel.
Campsites - Bryn Llys; Gwynant campsite; Llanberis campsite; Gwern Gof Isaf; Gwern Gof Uchaf.
B&Bs - Glyn Peris; Snowdon View; The Ferns Guesthouse; 'Air BnB' options are also available. - What kit do I need to bring?
For all of the above courses, you may be out in the mountains all day, and therefore will require the following:
1. Warm clothing, including suitable hats, gloves and sunglasses where appropriate
2. Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
3. Walking boots
4. Food, drink and personal medication
5. Small personal first aid kit, if required (to include things like blister plasters, suncream)
6. Mobile phone and whistle
7. Personal walking poles
8. Personal helmet and 30m rope (only required for 'Ropework and Steep Ground')
9. Compass (Silva Type 4 recommended)
10. Waterproof map of the area (OL17 - OS Explorer Active Map Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa recommended), or a non-waterproof map of the area (OL17 - OS Explorer Map Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa) and a waterproof map case
11. Head torch and spare batteries
12. Rucksack (30L minimum recommended) and waterproof liner
Have a question about something else? Try the Frequently Asked Questions page.
"Alex was such an excellent instructor. A perfect mix of inspirational, professional, knowledgeable, fun. An all-round good egg!"
H. Willow (Summer Mountain Leader Training Course 2018)
H. Willow (Summer Mountain Leader Training Course 2018)
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