MOUNTAIN LEADER
RESOURCES
BITS AND BOBS YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL
This is a page full of helpful information to support you to gain your Mountain Leader Award. Do pop back regularly as I will add new information and interesting links that I find.
NAVIGATION - THE FIVE D'S
DANGER
After interpreting the map correctly and identifying and hazards, you can then choose an appropriate strategy
DIRECTION
Set your map and / or take a compass bearing (guess the angle first) - these two should point you in the same direction
description
Interpret the map to identify what you will pass and tick off on route
distance
Measure the distance between the two points
DURATION
Use time or pacings
Try to avoid navigation without building in a back up;
for example guess the bearing between two points prior to using compass
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Use of the 5 D's is very relevant in bad visibility, but obviously in good vis, you may not need to use them all,
pick and choose appropriate techniques when you require them.
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Have a hierarchy of what you’re using to navigate by in the mountains, for example: contours, water features, man made features. Do not include crags / rocks in this hierarchy if you’re using an OS map!
CORE KIT FOR YOUR LEADER PACK
MOBILE PHONE
GROUP SHELTER
GPS
HEAD TORCH
FIRST AID KIT
HAZARDS OF STEEP GROUND
IDENTIFY THE HAZARD
complete a dynamic risk assessment - whats the risk and consequence?
either
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Verbally mention it / coach them through it
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Physically position yourself in a place to protect the group
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Offer psychical assistance (non-rope)
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and then
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Collect your group in a safe place
USING THE ROPE
When choosing an anchor consider the 3 S's
SIZE - Big is best
SOLID - It doesn't move / vibrate (visually check it, tap it and then kick it)
SHAPE - The rope doesn't "ride up it
If required select an appropriate rope system
DIRECT
(walkers weight goes directly to the anchor)
anchor must be big, bombproof and the rope moves around it easily. This is quick and efficient
INDIRECT
(walkers weight goes through you prior to the anchor)
WITH CONFIDENCE ROPING
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always be above them
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keep the rope tight
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feet across the slope is more effective than toes pointing down hill
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prepare to stop a slip with every step
ADVICE
​I've written a number articles about the assessment process along with a few folk who have competed the Mountain Leader with me. Follow this link to read them .....listed under 'Get Qualified' and under 'New Skills' are some top tips how to approach navigating in poor visibility..
SUGGESTED READING
NAVIGATION
The Official Handbook of the Mountain Training Walking Schemes
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This is a major reference book for every walker as well as for those who wish to lead groups in the UK and Ireland.
AN INTRODUCTION TO GPS
Stephen Hayes is one of the best providers of GPS teaching in the UK
The Definitive Guide for Hill Walkers, Mountaineers & Leaders - the Official Navigation Book for All Mountain Leader Training Schemes. This is the definitive and comprehensive 'how to navigate' textbook.
WEATHER
This is by far the easiest weather book to understand and its a great place to start...
THE CLOUD BOOK
The Met Office have produced the Cloud Book which follows a logical progression from low clouds to the high stratus clouds, and on to special clouds.
A KEY TO CLOUDS
Featuring large colour photographs of the major forms of cumulus, cirrus and stratus clouds, it's an ideal alternative to a book
Alan Watts has enabled the reader to read the sky, pick up the clues, and predict what
the weather will do with this simple book.
OTHER BOOKS
Mike Raine has produced the first complete field guide for the mountains of Snowdonia through the seasons, its plants, animals and rocks. Everything you’re likely to see in the hills at that time of year is here in one volume.
FIELD STUIDES COUNCIL LEAFLETS
These are a fantastic resource with a huge variety to tips covered
This book explains to the hillwalker, in easy to understand but accurate terms, how geology has shaped the landscape of Snowdonia. A selection of thirteen guided walks are used to illustrate this in terms of what can be seen on the ground.
This is an exciting full colour pocket guide, "Understanding Welsh Place Names: What They Mean and How to Say Them",
BRITISH MOUNTAINEERING COUNCIL PUBLICATIONS
Minimal impact advice for walking groups of any size
WALKING FOR ALL
Disability awareness in walking
This booklet contains essential information on the mountain environment and how BMC members can do their best to care for the fragile upland landscape.
This visually attractive and clearly written guide is for parents and others who have little knowledge of climbing, hill walking or mountaineering.
GUIDANCE NOTES FOR TRAINERS & ASSESSORS
Download Mountain Training's guidance notes for trainers and assessors!
REMOTE SUPERVISION
Guidance A level of indirect supervision which allows a group to undertake an independent journey upland landscape.
MOUNTAIN TRAINING
PUBLICATIONS
MOUNTAIN LEADER SKILLS
Mountain Leader skills checklist
A set of guidelines which is useful for anyone with a responsibility for climbing, walking and mountaineering related activities
USEFUL APPS
MET OFFICE
VIEWRANGER
OS LOCATE
MOUNTAIN FLORA AND FAUNA
iGEOLOGY
iNATURALIST
RECOMMENDED WEBSITES
NATIONAL
ORGANISATIONS
MOUNTAINEERING IRELAND
