The mountains of the UK can be hostile and hazardous places for novice hill walkers and mountain explorers. Taking responsibility for and leading others in these ever changing environments requires skills, knowledge and awareness's that are best developed through a structured training scheme. The Mountain Leader Training Board (MLTB) was set up in 1964, (later to become Mountain Training UK - MLTUK), it's aim being to provide training and assessment for those wishing to lead others in the mountainous regions of the UK. The schemes are recognised by many organisations including the Health and Safety Executive and the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA) as being an appropriate award for leading trekking in summer conditions.

The Mountain Leader Award

The Mountain Leader (ML) Award was established to promote the safe enjoyment of the hills and mountains. The scheme provides training and assessment in the technical and group management skills required by those who wish to lead groups in the mountains, hills and moorlands of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, other than in winter conditions. It integrates experience, training and assessment in a variety of testing conditions in mountainous country.

Course content

Both the training and assessment courses cover the following areas:

Group management and leader responsibilities:

• Operational responsibilities
• Personal and leadership skills
• Group management in mountainous terrain

Technical Competence:

• Navigation
• Emergency rope-work skills
• Improvised rope skills
• Hazard awareness
• Emergency procedures
• Expeditions & Campcraft
• Weather
• Equipment

The Mountain Environment:

• Access
• Conservation
• Structure of the activity
• Current legislation
• Environmental awareness

The training course in particular aims to provide the candidate with a basis of training from which they can then consolidate their experience This will be done by completing a log-book of personal hill walking and also assisting with the supervision of novice groups in the mountains. By training with others of a similar standard, but from a variety of backgrounds, the course provides a varied and stimulating environment in which to learn both from others on the course and through expert guidance.

Entry requirements

In order to attend a training course you must first be registered with MLTE  mountain leader training scheme (or one of the other UKMLT boards) and you must have personal experience amounting to at least 20 quality mountain days.

To register you will need to apply to the MLTE (Tel: 01690 720314 or e-mail via www.mlte.org/ ) and obtain a log book in which to record your experience. The `Pre-training Summary page`, contained in your log book will help you present your quality mountain day information to your training course provider.

The training course is for potential leaders and assumes basic competence as a hillwalker. At the end of the course the director of training will complete the training page in the logbook and will attach a numbered sticker to the title page. The training course does not include assessment. Assessment takes place after a period of consolidation, which will be guided by your performance on the training course. The end of course action plan will advise candidates appropriately as to their suitability for assessment and any advisory timescales.

Further information 

ML courses (training & assessment) are run over 5/6 day blocks. Both formats are residential based and will include overnights in the mountains. Details of course dates for 2008 can be found here . Note however that additional courses can be arranged for candidates wanting to arrange courses for groups. A group of 4 - 6 are needed for training courses and four (4) for assessment courses. If you would like further information or you would like to speak with a course director please contact us .