Award Description
The Hill & Mountain Skills scheme is a great way to develop your personal skills and confidence in all elements of hill and mountain walking. From planning a coastal walk to navigating in complex terrain, these courses are an ideal opportunity to learn the basics and enjoy the countryside. THIS IS NOT THE HILL AND MOORLAND LEADER SCHEME.
Mountain Skills Courses are nationally accredited and developed by Mountain Training, they are aimed to equip you with the required knowledge, expertise and skills to enjoy the mountains safely.
What does the Mountain Skills Course Cover?
Planning – how to successfully plan a walk in the mountains in the UK or Ireland.
Walking skills – what things should you consider while out walking and what can make life easier (pace, nutrition, movement skills, steep ground etc.).
Clothing and equipment – being suitably dressed and equipped can make the difference between a great day out and a complete disaster.
Weather – how it affects the mountains and your day out.
Navigation in the mountains – everything from selecting a compass and using a map to navigation in poor visibility and an intro to GPS.
Environmental – how to minimise your impact on the hill, information on good practice and useful organisations.
Hazards and emergency procedures in the mountains – how to respond to any hazards you encounter and what to do in an emergency.
Prior Experience and Fitness
You would have experience of hill or mountain walking and be of a reasonable level of fitness. You can expect to be out walking each day for around 5-6 hours generally away from paths onto steeper rougher ground. Much of the journey during the course will involve learning opportunities and the pace of the day is modest with plenty of breaks. An optional evening session can be catered for either a walk into darkness or an additional teaching session on another element of the syllabus.
Any health issues should be talked through with your Tutor prior to the start of the course.
What is included?
All instruction and learning resources, certificate upon completion, all group safety equipment, use of maps and compasses.
What is not included?
Registration fee with Mountain Training, personal clothing and equipment, *accommodation, **transport and meals.
*A list of suitable accommodation can be provided on request, if required accommodation can be booked on your behalf, please contact us for further information.
**Collection/drop off from Abergavenny Train Station can be arranged if required.
Registration for the Scheme
Each participant must register with the Hill & Mountain Skills scheme with Mountain Training prior to attending the course, this is a one-off fee of £10 for 14 to 24-year olds and £20 for over 25-year olds which gives you a range of excellent benefits:
To register you need to create an account on the Mountain Training Candidate Management System and then register for Hill & Mountain Skills (HMS). This registration cost is in addition to the course fee. More information can be found in the Scheme Handbook or on the Mountain Training website.
Minimum Booking
This course requires two people booked to run (this is a stipulation by Mountain Training), in the event that minimum course numbers are not met a full refund or alternative dates will be offered, if you have any queries then please contact us.