Mountain Leader Training & Assessment with Wet & High Adventures
Courses
Mountain Leader Training and Assessment Courses in Snowdonia with Wet & High Adventures
We direct the Mountain Leader courses on behalf of Wet & High Adventures, so while bookings will go through them, courses will be run by me, Stu McInnes, an experienced ML Course Director. You’ll receive the most up-to-date training aligned with the current syllabus, best practice, and professional standards, in beautiful Snowdonia/Eryri.
The Mountain Leader scheme is designed for people who want to lead groups in the mountains, hills and moorlands of the UK and Ireland. The Mountain Leader training course will cover a range of skills, preparing you to work towards assessment and ultimately, be a great Mountain Leader. Our assessment courses are run in a relaxed, student centred manner, aiming to get the best out of you and continue your professional development.
Stages on the scheme – Registration, Training and Assessment:
| To register | You must be at least 18 years oldYou should have at least a year’s worth of mountain walking experienceYou should have an interest in leading groups in the mountainsYou must be a member (club or individual) of a mountaineering council (BMC, Mountaineering Ireland, Mountaineering Scotland). You must create an account on our system and register for the Mountain Leader qualification (cost: £67) |
| To book a training course | You must be registered on the Mountain Leader scheme (see above). You must have recorded a minimum of 20 quality mountain days (ideally these will be recorded on DLOG) which can have taken place at any point pre- or post-registration |
| To book an assessment course | You must have completed a Mountain Leader training course. You must be familiar with the syllabus. You must have recorded a minimum of 40 quality mountain days in at least three regions of the UK or Ireland. You must have logged at least 8 nights camping, including at least 4 nights wild camping. You must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least two full days or sixteen hours of instruction and included an element of assessment |
Training
Mountain Leader training lasts for six days, including a two day expedition with an overnight camp, and will cover:
- The Mountain Leader syllabus
- What to expect at assessment
- Feedback and areas to focus on prior to assessment
Syllabus
- Leader responsibilities
- Leadership and decision making
- Planning and weather
- Hazards and emergency procedures
- Equipment
- Walking skills
- Navigation
- Expedition skills
- Teaching and learning skills
- Access, conservation and the environment
- Background knowledge
Consolidation
After completing a training course, use the feedback from your course director and the skills checklist to identify syllabus areas you need to practise. You’ll need to make sure you have all the minimum requirements listed above, on the d-log.
Assessment
The Mountain Leader assessment is five days long, including a three day expedition with two overnight camps. You will be assessed against the syllabus competencies in the candidate handbook. At the end of the assessment you will receive one of three results:
- Pass
- Defer (requires a partial reassessment)
- Fail (requires a full reassessment)
Why Choose Wet & High Adventures ML Course?
Our courses are led by an experienced, highly qualified instructor with a genuine passion for the mountains. With decades of experience in the UK, Alps, US, Andes, Africa, and the Himalayas – both for personal adventure and as a guide – Stu has truly “been there and done it.” He’s also a trainer and assessor for the Mountain Leader qualification, so you can rest assured you’re in expert hands.
On this course, you’ll spend time in the hills with an active, passionate mountaineer who takes pride in delivering high-quality training tailored to your experience and goals. With Stu, you’ll be learning from someone who is fully up-to-date, working at the highest standard, and committed to ensuring you get the most from your time in the mountains.
DATES, PRICES & BOOKING
Training Course – from £420pp
October 27 – November 1
Assessment Course – from £420pp
October 27-31
Can’t quite find what you’re looking for or perhaps you’d rather alternative dates? Let us know!
What experience do I need for the Mountain Leader courses?
You must be registered on the Mountain Leader scheme. You must have recorded a minimum of 20 quality mountain days (ideally these will be recorded on DLOG) which can have taken place at any point pre- or post-registration. A QMD is defined on the Mountain Training FAQ page the ML scheme.
What will we cover on the Mountain Leader course?
- Leader responsibilities
- Leadership and decision making
- Planning and weather
- Hazards and emergency procedures
- Equipment
- Walking skills
- Navigation
- Expedition skills
- Teaching and learning skills
- Access, conservation and the environment
- Background knowledge
How fit do I need to be for the Mountain Leader course?
You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness for the ML courses, with long days and during the expedition, heavier packs, all in rough, mountainous terrain.
How long does the Mountain Leader course last, and where is it based?
The training is 6 days long, assessment 5. Both based in Snowdonia.
Is transport and accommodation provided?
Transport is not provided, but once on the course we encourager car sharing where possible.
Room only accommodation can be arranged in advance at an extra cost. You are of course able to choose where you want to stay, to suit your needs. We will be wild camping for one night on the ML training, and two nights on an ML assessment.
What you need to bring
- Sturdy boots with good ankle support
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm clothing (layers for varying temperatures)
- Map, compass, and a watch for navigation
- A day rucksack (around 30L)
- Headtorch
- Food and drink (packed lunch, water, and any snacks)
- First aid kit and emergency kit
- Helmet and rope (these can be borrowed)
- Kit for camping out remotely, self sufficient with tent and stove etc. You may well need a larger bag to get all this in (50ish litres)
If you’re unsure about any equipment, we can help guide you on what to bring.
- Sturdy boots with good ankle support
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm clothing (layers for varying temperatures)
- Map, compass, and a watch for navigation
- A rucksack (around 30L)
- Headtorch
- Food and drink (packed lunch, water, and any snacks)
- First aid kit and emergency kit
- Helmet and rope (these can be borrowed)
If you’re unsure about any equipment, we can help guide you on what to bring.