Mountain Leader Training Association The Association provides opportunities for further education, experience and training, as well as access to an excellent insurance package.
You can join MLTA for £25. Visit the site on www.mlta.co.uk
Developments in coaching Reviews are now beginning for the MIA and MIC schemes to ensure that the qualifications remain at the cutting edge of instructional qualifications. MLTUK has been tasked to set up a parallel coaching qualifications structure.
You can click here to access the preliminary report on coaching, which led to the coaching project.
The
Mountain Leader Award
The mountains
of the UK are remote, technical and exposed to harsh and unpredictable
weather. This makes them a hazardous place for novice walkers
and the ML is designed to help responsible leaders who wish to
operate in mountainous terrain in summer conditions. ML courses
develop your group management skills, the ability to navigate
in all conditions, the ability to deal with mountain hazards (including
steep ground) and increase your awareness of environmental issues.
There is an expedition element to the scheme.
Minimum 18 years of age and 12 months mountain
walking experience
Membership of an affiliated mountaineering
club or a mountaineering council (you can join at a discounted
rate using the form that you can download below)
An interest in leading groups.
Training
In order to attend a training course you must have logged at least
20 quality mountain days. Training courses are a minimum of 60
hours contact time (normally 6 consecutive days or a series of
weekends). Providers run their courses in the mountain areas of
the UK and at most times of the year. If you have an exceptionally
high level of experience you may apply for exemption from the
training course (see page 13).
Consolidation
At the end of your course the training staff will develop with
you a personal action plan that will guide you through this phase
of the scheme (usually a period of at least twelve months).
Assessment
Assessments have at least 60 hours contact time (5-6 consecutive
days or split into two three-day elements). You must have completed
an absolute minimum of 40 quality mountain days. You must have
completed a ML training course or successfully gained exemption
from training and hold a valid First Aid qualification.
Quality Mountain Days In terms of experience, the quality of
a mountain day lies in a range of factors that make a positive
contribution towards a person’s development and maturity
as an all round mountaineer. Usually some or all of these
criteria would be fulfilled: The individual takes part in the
planning and leadership.
Adverse conditions may be encountered
and navigation skills are required away from marked paths.
Experience must be in terrain and
weather that is comparable to UK and Irish hills.
Attention is paid to safety, knowledge
is increased and skills are practised.
The journey time is five hours
or more.
It is more than likely that such
a day will involve the ascent of a significant mountain.
Candidates with substantial overseas experience should note the following:
Experience submitted as meeting the requirements of the Boards for attendance on Training and Assessment courses MUST include UK experience as well as overseas experience which should be gained in conditions directly comparable to the UK environment (e.g. single pitch climbs utilising leader placed protection; mountain areas with no waymarked paths and mapping comparable to OS)
At least 50% of the minimum requirements submitted must have taken place within the UK
