The Mountain Leader is designed for people who want to lead groups in the mountainous areas of the UK and Ireland in summer conditions.
Course Director
All courses must be delivered by an approved course director. For course director responsibilities please see the Leadership Award Quality Manual.
Scope of the award
The Mountain Leader trains and assesses candidates in the skills required to lead others on walks in the lowlands, hills and mountains of the UK and Ireland. The scheme does not cover the skills required for the planned use of a rope.
Candidate Registration Requirements
- At least 18 years old.
- A year’s worth of experience of hill walking.
- An interest in leading groups in the hills.
TRAINING COURSE
Candidate Requirements
- Registered on the scheme.
- Candidates must have personally undertaken and logged a minimum of 20 quality mountain days. Please see the scheme handbook for a definition of a quality mountain day.
Minimum Course Duration
- 60 hours.
- Delivered in a 6 day programme.
- Programme can be split into 2 x 3 or 3 x 2 day events delivered within a three-month period.
Group Size
- 2 candidates minimum (temporary change)
- 12 candidates maximum.
Staffing Ratio
- 1 staff : 6 candidates.
- All candidates should work with more than 1 trainer on courses.
Additional Course Staff Award
Mountain Leader or higher. Please see course staff requirements in the Quality Manual area for further guidance.
ASSESSMENT COURSE
Candidate Requirements
- Attended a Mountain Leader training course (or have been granted exemption)
- Be familiar with the syllabus.
- Have completed and logged a minimum of 40 quality mountain days in at least three different upland areas.
- Eight nights camping, three of which must be wild camping. Please see the scheme handbook for a wild camping definition.
- Hold a current first aid certificate, minimum 16 hours and relevant to the work of a Mountain Leader.
- It is not essential for candidates to hold a reference to complete the assessment.
Minimum Course Duration
- 60 hours.
- Delivered in a 5 day programme.
- Programme can be split into 2 x 3 day events delivered within a one-month period.
Group Size
- 2 candidates minimum (temporary change)
- 12 candidates maximum.
Staffing Ratio
- 1 staff : 4 candidates.
- All candidates should work with more than 1 assessor on courses.
Additional Course Staff Award
Mountain Leader or higher. Please see course staff requirements in the Leadership Award Quality Manual for further guidance.
