Danielle Watson - Mountain Leader

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Danielle, I’m a Radiotherapy Engineer, living in Buxton, Derbyshire. I’m also a Guide and Ranger leader. I started in Girlguiding as a Guide at 11, then continued into Rangers at 14, completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme through Girlguiding. I joined SSAGO (Student Scout and Guide Organisation) when I went to university but dropped out after a year. When I came back home, I returned to my old Guide unit as a leader, and I’ve not stopped since. I’m a leader at a Guide and a Ranger unit, as well as being my county’s walking advisor and DofE advisor. I was really pleased in 2023 to complete my Queen’s Guide Award, and have since completed Girlguiding’s walking qualification, my Hill and Moorland Leader and Mountain Leader qualifications, all through Girlguiding.

Have you always been into the outdoors?

I’ve always enjoyed spending time outdoors from a young age. Our family holidays would always include walks in the local area and visiting nature reserves. I’ve always felt comfortable in nature and enjoyed the peace that it brings. It was during my DofE expeditions that I really found my love for walking. I fondly remember the first time I walked over Kinder Scout on a bearing, finding routes between the peat hags. It was like nothing I had experienced before, and I fell in love with the moorland environment.

How did you find out about Mountain Training and its qualifications?

I first heard about the Mountain Leader qualification whilst I was doing my Gold DofE. A supervisor from one of the other groups had recently qualified, it was mentioned briefly by my supervisors, and it sounded like something that I could maybe get one day. Once I became a Guide leader, I wanted to share my love of walking with my units, and I was encouraged to start Girlguiding’s walking scheme. As I progressed through their qualifications, I learnt more about Mountain Training and its qualifications. I started with a Girlguiding Walking Level 2 training course and remember saying at my debrief that my aim was to pass my Mountain Leader. It felt like an amazing achievement to get there. Since then, I used my walking qualifications to lead walks for young and adult members, supervise DofE groups, and assist at training courses, all within Girlguiding.

When did you start doing Mountain Training qualifications and why?

In 2023, when I was being assessed for Girlguiding’s Level 3 walking qualification, I was given the opportunity to complete Hill and Moorland Leader assessment at the same time. It seemed like a logical step, to gain an NGB qualification, and test my skills against an external standard. It felt like a great introduction to the scheme before going on my Mountain Leader training. Becoming a qualified Mountain Leader would allow me to take my units to more remote places and offer them great adventures. I teach my Guides and Rangers to challenge themselves and completing my Mountain Leader allowed me to do the same.  It was an opportunity to push myself and learn new skills, but I learnt so much about myself in the process.

What was the best thing about going through the Mountain Leader qualification?

It has to be the people that I’ve met. I completed it through Girlguiding, alongside other leaders. They have become friends for life. Girlguiding has such a great community of volunteers, it was amazing to complete the qualification with the support and camaraderie of others who share the same values and ethos.

Was there a particular part of the syllabus that you enjoyed learning about?

I loved learning about flora and fauna. It opened up a completely new world for me and an extra appreciation of our mountain spaces. Lichen became a special interest, and I was so excited to find Fairy Puke Lichen on day two of my Mountain Leader assessment! I enjoy sharing facts with others and think sharing flora and fauna knowledge is a great way to foster an appreciation of the outdoors with our groups.

Did you have any challenges at any point in the process? How did you overcome them?

I am autistic, which means that my sensory experience and communication with others are different to a neurotypical person. I spoke to my trainers and assessors before my courses, and they were always really supportive in arranging reasonable adjustments for me. Normally, I take time out each day to decompress from masking, and we were able to make time for me to have a short break each day.

How has membership of our Association supported you through the qualifications?

During my consolidation phase, I attended a navigation day held by my local MTA branch. It was a great opportunity to meet others who were also working towards qualifications, outside of Girlguiding. It was really interesting to listen to everyone’s motivations for completing the qualifications. The navigation day really helped me to identify points in my navigation to improve and appreciate the standard expected at assessment.

What advice would you give to anyone else considering getting qualified?

First of all, do it! And secondly, make the most of your consolidation period. It can seem daunting but take your time and chip away at the syllabus. I came away from my training knowing that I needed to improve my movement on steep ground. I slowly increased my comfort zone, completing harder and harder scrambles, over a period of a few months, until I felt really confident. Everyone’s consolidation period will look different, take time after your training to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and work on them both.

What are your hiking and Girlguiding plans for the future?

In March 2026, I start my biggest adventure yet. I’m going to be walking Land’s End to John O’Groats via the most southerly, easterly, westerly and northerly points of mainland UK. This challenge has been a dream of mine for seven years and I can’t wait to complete it. The route is approximately 1700 miles and will take 4 months. Without Girlguiding and my journey through Mountain Training, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to take on such a route. I’m truly grateful for the impact that the organisations have had on my life. I’m looking forward to meeting some Girlguiding units along the way and hope to show girls and young women that they can also take on adventures, whatever their size.