Mountain Leader Assessment
Pathway: Leadership
A professional, fair assessment of the full Mountain Leader standard.
ML Expedition Skills, Leadership & Wild Camp
Leadership
A two-day Mountain Leader development workshop combining expedition skills, leadership, navigation and campcraft through a practical overnight mountain journey.
- Format
- Workshop
- Duration
- 2 days
- Pathway
- Leadership
- Group
- Small-group workshop
- MTA CPD
- 2 MTA CPD points
£250 per person
Workshop Overview
Develop the skills and judgement needed to lead effectively over a sustained mountain journey and overnight expedition.
Across two days and a wild camp, we will bring together navigation, leadership, group management, expedition planning and campcraft rather than treating them as separate skills. The focus is on remaining organised, making sound decisions and maintaining awareness of the group as the demands of the journey, camp and changing conditions build.
This workshop is particularly useful during the consolidation period, whether you are strengthening expedition experience following training or preparing to bring these skills together ahead of assessment.
Key Information
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Based in the Lake District. We choose the exact venue around conditions and the skills being practised.
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Small-group workshop (Max 4)
Who It's For
- Mountain Leader trainees who have completed formal training.
- Candidates wanting an evidence-based readiness check before assessment.
- People who need integrated practice across expedition, navigation and leadership skills.
Skills Covered
- Expedition planning and route choice
- Leadership across consecutive mountain days
- Navigation while managing a group and overnight equipment
- Camp selection and campcraft
- Group organisation at camp
- Food, water, equipment and overnight routines
- Environmental considerations and responsible camping
- Decision-making as conditions, energy levels and group needs change
- Linking expedition experience back to individual development priorities
Pre-requisites
You must have completed Mountain Leader training and be actively consolidating. Bring an up-to-date DLOG and the equipment required for the overnight camp.
What to Bring
Weatherproof clothing, warm layers, food, drinks and personal medication. Walking boots, map, compass and headtorch with spare power; a comfortable pack; tent, sleeping bag, mat, stove and suitable overnight food. Keep sleeping equipment dry. Check the joining kit list before buying equipment and ask us about any items you lack.
Maps and compasses can be provided, but we recommend bringing your own. We will tell you which map you need and recommend a Silva Expedition 4 compass.
Itinerary
The exact plan may adapt to weather, venue conditions and the group's experience. The stages below describe the intended focus.
Dates & Prices
£250 per person. Choose a confirmed date below, or register your interest while dates are being finalised.
| Dates | Location | Price per person | Places | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat-Sun 20-21 Mar 2027 | North Lakes · Borrowdale | £250 per person | 4 places left | Book now, Sat-Sun 20-21 Mar 2027 |
Tailored development built around you
Need a different date?
Ask about arranging ML Expedition Skills, Leadership & Wild Camp privately. Tell us your experience, priorities, group size and preferred dates so we can confirm a suitable format and quote.
Where this workshop fits
Your Mountain Leader Pathway
The Mountain Leader qualification is built through experience, training, consolidation and assessment. Use this pathway to understand where you are and what your next step could be.
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01
Build experience
Gain varied quality mountain days in UK and Irish terrain, developing your navigation, judgement and independence.
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02
Register with Mountain Training
Register for the Mountain Leader qualification and begin recording your experience in DLOG.
Register (Register with Mountain Training) -
03
Mountain Leader Training
Attend formal training to understand the syllabus, develop core leadership skills and identify areas for consolidation.
View Training Dates (Mountain Leader Training) -
04
Consolidation & ML Development
Practise navigation, leadership, expedition skills, steep ground movement and decision-making before assessment.
Explore ML Development (Consolidation & ML Development) -
05
You are here
Assessment preparation
Book a focused preparation course or private coaching day to check readiness, refresh key skills and identify any final development areas before assessment.
View Courses (Assessment preparation) -
06
Mountain Leader Assessment
Demonstrate the skills, experience and judgement required to lead groups in the UK and Irish mountain terrain.
View Assessment Details (Mountain Leader Assessment)
MTA Continuing Professional Development
This workshop is suitable for Mountain Training Association members undertaking CPD. Attendance carries 2 MTA CPD points and can be recorded through Tahdah.
Frequently Asked Questions
ML Expedition Skills, Leadership & Wild Camp FAQs
Is this a mock assessment?
It uses relevant tasks to provide feedback, but it is a preparation workshop, not a formal assessment or a prediction of your result.
Will we cover ropework?
Ropework is not the main focus. ML Steep Ground & Emergency Ropework provides dedicated practice if that is the area you need to develop.
Should I bring my DLOG?
Please have it up to date and available to discuss. Your experience and training feedback help make the preparation more relevant.
Will ropework be a main part of the workshop?
The focus is navigation, leadership and expedition skills through a journey and wild camp. Choose ML Steep Ground & Emergency Ropework if you need concentrated technical practice.
Is this useful early in consolidation?
It can help identify priorities after training. You should already be able to manage the basic navigation and overnight requirements; share your stage so we can check suitability.
Kit & Equipment FAQs
What if I do not have all the equipment?
Contact us before booking or buying kit. We will confirm what you need, what can be arranged and any hire charges for this workshop.
What happens if the weather changes?
We may change the route, venue or order of exercises to suit conditions and the group. The advertised learning aims remain the focus, and joining information explains the practical arrangements.
Booking & Cancellation FAQs
Can I book one place?
Yes. Public courses and workshops are priced per person, so you can book an individual place and join others. Check the page prerequisites before booking; you do not need to provide a whole group yourself.
How do I book?
Choose the course or workshop, check the date and location, and follow Book now. Complete the requested participant information and payment steps. If you are unsure about suitability or need equipment advice, contact us before completing the booking.
How do I pay?
Bookings below £300, or made fewer than 42 days before the start, are payable in full. For bookings of £300 or more made at least 42 days before the start, a deposit option is available, with the balance due 30 days before the start. The booking page confirms the amount due when you book.
Are prices per person or for the whole group?
Public course and workshop prices are per person. Private delivery is quoted separately for the agreed format and group. Mountain Leader reassessment is priced according to the scope agreed after reviewing your report.
Can I cancel or move my booking?
Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy before booking. It explains the applicable notice periods, charges and options for moving a place. Contact us promptly if your circumstances change, giving your booking name and date.
What if I am ill or injured before the course?
Contact us as soon as you know you may be unable to attend. Changes, transfers and refunds are handled under the Booking & Cancellation Policy. Let us know before the day rather than arriving unsure whether you can take part.
What happens if LDM changes or cancels the event?
We will contact you to explain the change and the options available under our booking terms. Read the policy before booking, particularly before making separate travel or accommodation arrangements.
What happens if minimum numbers are not reached?
Public dates depend on sufficient bookings. If numbers affect your date, we will explain the situation and the options under our booking terms. The places shown online are availability, not a promise that minimum numbers have already been met.
The date is full. Can I join a waiting list?
Use Join the waiting list where it is shown, or contact us with the course and date. A waiting-list request is not a confirmed booking; we will contact you if a suitable place becomes available.
There are no dates listed. Can I register interest?
Yes. Use Register interest or contact us with the offering and your preferred dates. We can let you know about forthcoming public dates or discuss private delivery, subject to availability.
Can I use an existing voucher?
Yes. We will honour valid existing vouchers as the booking system changes. Contact us with the voucher details before paying so we can explain how to apply it.
Can I give my place to someone else?
Contact us before arranging a replacement. We need to check the booking terms, the other participant's suitability and their details before confirming whether a transfer is possible.
I have not received booking confirmation. What should I do?
Check your spam or junk folder, then contact us with the booking name, course and date. Please check with us before making a second payment so we can establish what happened.
Structured progression
Your next step
You will receive a clear view of current strengths, remaining gaps and the most useful practice to complete before assessment.
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ML Steep Ground & Emergency Ropework
Pathway: Leadership
A practical Mountain Leader workshop developing simple, appropriate ropework and emergency responses for managing people in steep mountain terrain.
Reading to support your learning
Knowledge Hub
-
Mountain Leader Assessment Preparation: What to Work On and When
If you're aiming to become a qualified Mountain Leader (ML), take a look at the Mountain Leader Preparation course!
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Preparing for Mountain Leader Assessment: Practical Advice for Candidates
Here are some key tips to help you pass your Mountain Leader (ML) assessment with confidence.
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Wild camping in the Lake District: access and responsibility
We'll cover essential kit and recommendations, packing tips, wild camping courses to help you, and the guidelines you need to follow to wild camp responsibly in the Lake District.
Why choose Lake District Mountaineering?
- Highly qualified instructors. MCI and WMCI qualified professionals.
- Small groups, real attention. More time for coaching and feedback from your instructor.
- Structured progression. Every course builds towards real independence in the mountains.
- Real mountain environments. Trained on the fells of the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands.