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.
Hill Skills
My Hill Skills Course is designed to provide an inspirational, inclusive and supportive experience in the UK Hills. It will provide the skills and confidence to embark on your own adventures off the beaten track, exploring more remote areas of the UK countryside and nature. No previous hill walking experience is required because the content of the course is aimed at beginners.
My background experience is in voluntary outdoor leadership and I never want affordability to be a barrier to enjoying the wonderful and diverse UK environment and nature, and offer bursaries to support those who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity, will encourage others and wish to start a lifelong journey to outdoor leadership (please note this is not a leadership qualification). Please contact directly to discuss.
The course will run from 0900 - 1700 over 2 full days, and the vast majority will be spent out in the hills, with short breaks for briefing, instruction and planning. The venue will be around the Black Mountains, with specific areas chosen closer to the time based on conditions and individual needs. With 40+ years outdoor experience, and 12 leading a thriving DofE Open Award Centre heloping young people from all backgrounds to have their own independent adventures.
The course will cover the following topics:
- Planning: how to successfully plan a hill walk 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).
- Clothing and equipment: being suitable dressed and equipped can make the difference between a great day out and a complete disaster.
- Weather: how it affects the hills and your day out.
- Navigation in the hills: everything from selecting a compass to navigation strategies and an intro to GPS.
- Environmental knowledge: how to minimise your impact on the hill and information on good practice and useful organisations.
- Hazards and emergency procedures in the hills: how to respond to any hazards you encounter and what to do in an emergency.
Note that the course content will be adapted to match the participants abilities and needs, and I will be in touch beforehand to gauge this. Group size will be 2-6 to enable an individual approach.
Please contact David Matthews at dwmatt2@gmail.com for further details.