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Based from the Buttermere YHA, this week-long training course will guide and instruct you through the following syllabus:

• Leader responsibilities

Responsibilities as a group leader with regards to the care and safety of the group. 

Safety management, your own leadership behaviours and ethos as well as dealing with hazards and emergencies.

• Leadership and decision making

Vision - Support - Challenge 

INSPIRE leadership models 

• Planning and weather

Main air streams, the likely temperature and humidity of the air masses involved.

Sequence of clouds that might indicate an incoming front and see if you can identify those clouds when out on the hill.

• Hazards and emergency procedures

Party management in steep ground 

Emergency rope work 

First aid, emergency carries and calling MRT 

Water hazards on the hill

• Equipment

Understand personal and group kit 

Additional leader equipment 

Group needs, water, food and overall nutrition

• Walking skills

Pace, rhythm, foot placement, conservation of energy, balance, and coordination.

Individual movement, demonstration and coaching skills

• Navigation

Navigation is a fundamental skill in mountain walking and leaders must be confident of their route no matter how limited the visibility.  We will develop navigation skills towards the Mountain Leader standard and help you become efficient, accurate and confident. 

• Expedition

Undertake a two day, one night overnight camp. 

Learn how to become an effective and responsible camper and supervise mountain camps.

• Teaching and learning skills

Teach and promote learning to ensure safe and enjoyable hill walking.

• Access, conservation and the environment

Learn about flora, fauna, geology, landform processes (geomorphology), local history, heritage and language, place names, folklore, the evolution of our landscape and future challenges.

• Background knowledge

An awareness of the history, traditions and ethics of recreational mountain walking in the UK and Ireland.​