The Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor registration requirements include quality mountain days as a leader after passing Mountain Leader/Winter Mountain Leader assessment.
These days include all the standard criteria of a quality mountain day plus the additional responsibilities and roles of the leader.
A Quality Mountain Day as a leader should take place in mountainous terrain in the UK or Ireland.
In terms of leading experience, the quality of a mountain day lies in such things as the conditions experienced both overhead and underfoot, the exploration of new areas, the terrain covered plus the safe and effective management of a group. Such days make a positive contribution towards a leader’s development.
All the following criteria should be fulfilled:
- The leader is responsible for the planning and decision-making.
- An unfamiliar locality is explored.
- A mountain is ascended.
- Navigation skills are required and/or taught.
- Knowledge is increased and relevant skills practised and/or taught.
- Judgement and decision-making is required.
- Five hours or more journey time.
Additional winter requirement:
- An ice axe and crampons are likely to be required and their safe use taught.
These criteria mean that days as an assistant leader, shadowing, undertaking remote supervision or days spent repeating familiar routes are unlikely to meet the requirements of a leader’s Quality Mountain Day.
