The Mountain Leader scheme enables experienced mountain walkers to lead groups in in the mountains, hills and moorlands of the United Kingdom and Ireland in summer conditions.
Scope of the scheme
A qualified Mountain Leader can lead others in the mountain, hill and moorland environments. Qualification holders are able to manage groups safely during this activity.
Terrain
Mountains, hills and moorlands in the UK and Ireland. For the purpose of the Mountain Leader scheme, ‘mountainous country’ may be defined as wild country which may contain unavoidable steep and rocky ground where walkers are dependent upon themselves for immediate help. In the United Kingdom and Ireland this includes;
- Snowdonia
- Brecon Beacons
- Lake District
- Mountains of Mourne
- Scottish Highlands
- Galloway Hills
- Cork & Kerry Mountains
- Galway & Mayo Mountains
- Donegal Mountains
- Dublin & Wicklow Mountains
The Mountain Leader scheme integrates experience, training and assessment in what could be challenging and testing conditions in mountainous country.
Exclusions
The scheme does not cover;
- Rock climbing, nor does it cover the skills required for the planned use of the rope.
- Walks undertaken in winter conditions. This scheme does not provide training or assessment of the skills required to cope with the hazards of winter conditions, particularly lying snow and ice. ‘Summer conditions’ are defined by the conditions prevailing and not by the calendar.
Registration
Candidate requirements
- Candidates must be 18.
- Candidates must have a year’s personal experience of mountain walking.
- Candidates must have a genuine interest in mountain walking and leading groups in this terrain.
- Candidates must be a member of a mountaineering council (British Mountaineering Council, Mountaineering Ireland, Mountaineering Scotland)
Training course
Candidate requirements
- Candidates must be registered on the scheme.
- Candidates must have an up to date logbook (preferably DLOG) with evidence of 20 varied Quality Mountain Days minimum.
Minimum course duration
- 60 hours.
- Delivered in a 6 day programme.
- Programme can be split into 2 x 3 day/3 x 2 day events delivered within a three-month period.
Group size
- 2 candidates minimum.
- 12 candidates maximum.
Course staffing
- 1 staff : 6 candidates max.
- Course director must hold the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor/International Mountain Leader plus Winter Mountain Leader (or higher) plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
- Additional staff must hold the Mountain Leader (or higher) plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
Assessment course
Candidate requirements
- Candidates must have attended a Mountain training course (or have been granted exemption)
- Candidates must be familiar with the syllabus
- Candidates must have an up to date logbook (preferably DLOG) with evidence of 40 varied Quality Mountain Days in three different regions of the UK and Ireland (see Appendix for definition). This is a minimum requirement. Other personal walking and leadership experience is useful but not essential.
- Candidates must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least two full days or sixteen hours of instruction and included an element of assessment.
Minimum course duration
- 60 hours.
- Delivered in a 5 day programme.
- Programme can be split into 2 x 3/3 x 2 days events delivered within a one month period.
Group size
- 2 candidates minimum.
- 12 candidates maximum.
Course staffing
- 1 staff : 4 candidates max.
- Course director must hold the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor/International Mountain Leader (or higher) plus Winter Mountain Leader plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
- Additional staff must hold the Mountain Leader (or higher) plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
