Mountain Leader Award (Summer)
There are a huge number of MLA courses throughout Britain, so why should you book with us? Our clients think we do a great job! Here’s some of their comments:
The week was one of incredible highs and lows and with an intensity that kept the adrenaline high all week. I can honestly say that the training and the assessment weeks were without doubt the most powerful two weeks of training and personal development that I have experienced in over 30 years of working with many of the top worldwide organisations in the global automotive industry. The level of knowledge, understanding, support and challenge from the trainers made me want to achieve the ML award even more than I did originally. You have all helped me become a more proficient mountain leader and have facilitated me in learning new skills, and then using them in the hills in a safe, dynamic way. Malcolm Wade, MLA training & assessment, 2011
Learned as much on assessment as on training, if not more. Russell Fralick, MLA assessment June 2011
A really enjoyable experience which has given me a clear sense of how to improve my hill skills to become excellent, not just how to pass an assessment. Dani Barrett, MLA training June 2011
Just the right balance of information and repetition. I learnt loads this week. Gail Brown, MLA training, April 2010
Really fun and informative course. Thanks! Far better than I thought it would be, and my expectations were quite high. Richard Jones, MLA training, April 2010
Brilliant - thanks. I now feel far more confident whilst knowing where I need to improve. I’ll be back for assessment. Patrick Clark, MLA training, February 2010
All of the instructors have been exceptional. It was a really enjoyable relaxed atmosphere. Just enough info was given along the way without info overload. Sammi House, MLA training, February 2010
Thoroughly enjoyed the training last year and couldn’t think of anyone I would rather do the assessment with. Chris Lodwig, MLA assessment, February 2010
While being assessed I was also offered a lot of first class coaching. Chris Scott, MLA assessment, February 2010
Definitely not by the book and about jumping through hoops. Very much a further training course as well as an assessment. Lots of great personal feedback and advice. A great recurring theme of setting your group up to win. Greg Bailey, MLA assessment, May 2009
Outstanding. Two vastly experienced but humble trainers. Great chat and banter. Lots of really helpful advice. Progression was spot on. Jonathan Chuter, MLA assessment, May 2009
Has been a pleasure & a privilege to spend a week in the company of two people with such passion and who are so willing to share it with others so generously. Inspiring… Verran Townsend, MLA assessment, May 2009
The Mountain Leader Award (MLA) scheme has been designed to provide training and assessment in the technical and group management skills required by those who wish to lead groups in the mountains, hills and moorland of the UK and Ireland, other than in winter conditions. It focuses on good practice which allows safe and quiet enjoyment of the activity. There are five stages to the scheme:
1. Pre-registration
Before registering for the award, you must have at least twelve months experience of hill-walking . You should also have an interest in leadership of groups in the hills, be at least eighteen years of age, and be a member of the British Mountaineering Council http://www.thebmc.co.uk
2. Registration
Register with the MLTE http://www.mlte.org - you will be issued with a logbook for recording your walking and supervising experience.
3. The Training Course
The Training Course is six days, and will include evening sessions. Before attending the training course you must have logged at least twenty quality mountain days. The course emphasises skills which candidates might have difficulty in learning without expert guidance. You will be given individual recommendations for the consolidation period. Experienced walkers with substantial personal and leadership experience in mountainous areas may apply for exemption from the training course.
4. The Consolidation Period
The Consolidation Period should be used to practise and evaluate new ideas and techniques seen on he training course. You will be expected to increase your personal experience in mountain areas, preferably including some practice in leading parties in easy hill country. Working under the guidance of a suitably experienced leader in more difficult terrain is also recommended. You will need to have logged a minimum of 40 quality mountain days, including at least eight nights camping, four of which must be wild camping. There is no time limit on the validity of the training course, and you can take as long as you need between training and assessment. We offer MLA Refreshers if you need to brush up on any aspect of the syllabus before you undertake your assessment - either as part of a scheduled training course, or on a private guiding basis.
5. The Assessment Course
The Assessment Course is again five days, and will include evening sessions. Your result will be either pass, deferred (complete proficiency has not been demonstrated in one aspect of the syllabus), or fail (performance generally weak or necessary experience and attributes not shown). You must hold a current first aid certificate when you undertake the assessment.
Outline Syllabus for Training and Assessment Courses
Training and assessment courses cover the following areas:
- group management and the responsibilities of the group leader
- navigation
- access and the environment
- hazards and emergency procedures
- equipment
- expedition skills
- weather
Venues
Unless stated otherwise, our courses are based at High Wray Base Camp, between Ambleside and Hawkshead in the Lake District. It has bunk-bed dormitories, toilet and showering facilities, a drying room, and a big kitchen/living area. Tasty home-cooked meals are provided whilst at the valley base, and you bring your own expedition food. Our choice of area for each day varies with each course, depending on the weather conditions and the participants. We can also provide courses in other parts of the country on request.
Dates
- Training Courses:
- Sunday 23rd - Saturday 29th October 2011 (half term week) - successful course with 6 candidates
- Monday 21st - Saturday 26th November 2011 - successful course with 4 candidates
- Sunday 20th - Saturday 26th May 2012 - places available
- Sunday 28th October - Saturday 3rd November 2012 (half term week) - places available
- Training courses are six full days - start Sunday evening and finish Saturday afternoon
- Assessment Courses:
- Sunday 23rd - Friday 28th October 2011 (half term week) - successful course with 6 candidates
- Sunday 20th - Friday 25th May 2012 - places available
- Sunday 28th October - Friday 2nd November 2012 (half term week) - places available
- Assessment courses are five full days - start Sunday evening and finish Friday afternoon.
- If you have a group of 4 or more for training or assessment, we may be able to arrange an additional course on a date to suit you.
Cost
Training courses 2012: £445
Assessment courses 2012: £455
5% off to any candidate who has previously done an MLA or SPA course with us.
The standard course fee includes accommodation and all food whilst at the valley base. You will need to bring your own expedition food.
Refreshers:
- as part of a scheduled training course: £85 per day for one or two days; £75 per day for three or more days. Low cost accommodation available with the other course members.
- private guiding (max ratio 1:6): see Guiding in the Lakes page.
Equipment
A detailed equipment list will be sent to you with other course details when you make your booking.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that all our clients take out personal insurance to cover against cancellation and curtailment, loss of personal belongings, etc. Try the British Mountaineering Council, tel 0161 445 6111.
Booking Conditions
Please send a non-refundable deposit of £150 with your booking form. The balance of the course fee will be due 14 days before the start of the course. If the booking is made within 14 days of the course start date, please send the full fee with the booking form. If you cancel for any reason and we cannot fill your place, we will expect you to pay the full fee as arranged and claim from the insurance company as appropriate. If we fill your place, we will refund your fee less the deposit. If we cancel, we will refund any money paid in full.