- Nationally accredited by Mountain Training
- MTA Qualfied Instructor
- Learn outdoor skills
- Be confident to explore the mountains
- Stay safe outdoors
- Use of maps and compasses included
- Stunning mountain locations
- Certificate on passing course
Mountain Skills Courses are nationally accredited and developed by Mountain Training, the course is a great way to develop your personal skills and confidence in all elements of mountain walking and we are delighted to be an approved provider.
The Mountain Skills course is an ideal choice for walkers interested in transferring their walking skills to steep, remote or more mountainous terrain. Ideally, participants will have some basic hill walking experience and have a reasonable level of fitness. A Mountain Skills course is a great way to learn the essential skills you will need to enjoy the mountains in the UK safely. Whether you’d like to feel more confident using a map, you have ambitions to climb Everest or become a Mountain Leader, a Mountain Skills course is a great first step.
During a Mountain Skills course, you can expect to start each day at about 9am. The course will start with an opportunity to meet the other people on the course and take part in a short planning session with the course tutor. After that you will be out in the mountains, moving away from marked paths and into steeper, rockier terrain in order to learn about the differences in weather, navigation and managing risk in the mountain environment. The physical effort required on these days will be more demanding than the Hill Skills course and you can expect to be out in the mountains for between 5-6 hours.
We are recognised as one of the region’s leading providers and our courses are highly informative, fun and run by very experienced instructors.
What does the Mountain Skills Course Cover?
The Mountain Skills syllabus covers the following aspects:
- Planning – how to successfully plan a mountain 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, 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 to navigation strategies, managing poor visibility and an intro to GPS.
- Environmental knowledge – how to minimise your impact on the mountain and 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.
What is included?
All instruction and learning resources including Safety on Mountains book, certificate upon completion, all group safety equipment, use of maps and compasses.
What is not included?
Personal clothing and equipment, transport, accommodation and meals.
Registration for the Scheme
Each participant is registered with the Hill & Mountain Skills scheme with Mountain Training prior to attending the course. This is included in the course cost.
More information can be found in the Scheme Handbook or on the Mountain Training website.
Duration: Two full days (typically 09.00-17.00)
Location: Lake District
For Mountain Skills courses we work at a ratio of 1:8.
Your course is led by an extremely experienced and qualified outdoor instructor. They are a qualified to a minimum MTA Mountain Leader level and also have extensive experience leading and instructing in the area. All our instructors are also outdoor first aid qualified and DBS checked. Please organise your own accommodation for the course, if required as well as a packed lunch each day. Use of maps and compasses are included for the duration of the course.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further information or to discuss selecting the right course for you.
