Winter Mountain Leader Award (MLW)
Winter Mountain Leader Award Overview
The successful Winter Mountain Leader is validated to lead parties on hill walks within the UK under winter conditions. The award excludes the use of ropes and technical equipment other than required for potential emergency situations. The area and terrain chosen for the activity should be such that no use of the rope is contemplated. It builds on the skills acquired in the Mountain Leader Award, which candidates must hold to access the ML(W) scheme.
Winter ML registration costs £50 and covers the cost of your registration being screened and processed i.e. the application form read through and checked, and a new logbook, endorsement page and logbook inserts.
Registration is conditional on your submitted experience application being successful. If unsuccessful the £50 registration fee is non-refundable.
If your application is not successful you will be given feedback on how best to fulfil the experience requirements and your registration application will be held open until your successful application.
Download the Winter Mountain Leader Award Handbook
Winter Mountain Leader Award Registration
Before applying for registration for the Winter Mountain Leader scheme candidates must:
- Already hold the Mountain Leader Award.
- Have an absolute minimum of 20 winter quality mountain days gained in at least three different mountain areas in the UK and over a period of at least two winter seasons.
- Be well practised in the use of ice axe and crampons.
Winter Mountain Leader Award Video
Winter Mountain Leader Award Related Course Materials
Learning Resources are available to buy hereWinter Mountain Leader Award Information
The purpose of the Winter Mountain Leader award scheme is to provide training and
assessment of the skills and techniques necessary to lead walking parties on the hills and mountains of the UK under winter conditions, excluding roped climbing on technical terrain. The demands made on the hill walking leader in winter are much greater than in summer, therefore the Mountain Leader award is a prerequisite for all candidates and the scheme builds on many of the skills already acquired. It is a natural progression. The scheme integrates personal experience, training and assessment.
Mountain Training recognises this award as the lowest level of qualification suitable for those who operate independently while leading walking groups in mountainous country in the UK in winter conditions.
The Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) has allocated the Winter Mountain Leader Award within the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF) at SCQF Level 9 and with a Credit Rating of 31 Points.
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