mountain skills: comprehensive
A 4-day Mountain Skills & Summits course building confidence, navigation, and movement skills over longer mountain journeys. Gain practical experience on varied terrain, tackle summits, and develop decision-making for independent adventures. Suitable for walkers looking to advance beyond basic hill skills.
Accreditation
Our Hill & Mountain skills courses are affiliated to Mountain Training.
You will receive accreditation for this course, we will register you on the scheme with Mountain Training and create an account for you and you will recieve a certificate for course completion.
4 DAY COURSE
PRICES:£450pp
COURSE OVERVIEW
The Mountain Skills & Summits course is designed to build your confidence and competence for independent adventures in UK mountain walking — with time to develop skills and apply them on longer mountain journeys.
The course begins with a planning session covering weather forecasts, route-planning tools, and essential safety considerations. From there we head out each day — on a mix of terrain including steep ground, rocky paths, and routes off the beaten track. Over the course, you’ll deepen your navigation skills (map & compass) learn to interpret mountain weather, and gain experience making real-time decisions.
As well as these core skills, this course will aim to incorporate one or two longer, summit-oriented journeys — giving you a chance to put your training into practice and enjoy full mountain days.
COURSE OUTLINE:
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Planning & Preparation
How to plan a mountain walk: route-selection, map & compass, estimating distance/time, contingency plans.
Weather forecasting: reading synoptic charts, understanding fronts and mountain-specific weather risks.
Equipment & packing: layering clothing for changing conditions; packing your rucksack for comfort and practicality on longer walks.
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Movement & Walking Skills
Techniques for efficient movement over mixed terrain: managing pace, nutrition, energy, and reducing risk on steep or rough ground.
Introduction to scrambling or easy scrambling (where terrain allows).
Efficient movement on steep slopes, rocky paths, and off-trail terrain.
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Navigation in the Mountains
Map-reading and contour interpretation.
Compass work: taking bearings, navigating to and from waypoints.
Estimating distance, direction, altitude and timing.
Navigating in poor visibility or changing weather conditions.
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Weather, Hazards & Emergency Preparedness
Understanding how mountain weather develops and how it affects walking plans.
Identifying terrain hazards and making safe decisions in real time.
What to pack for emergencies, how to call for help (e.g. Mountain Rescue), giving accurate location, and essential safety procedures.
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Environmental Awareness & Low-Impact Practices
Upland environment, flora/fauna, geology, land use.
“Leave No Trace” principles: minimising impact, proper disposal of waste, responsible behaviour in remote areas. mountain-training.org+2The British Mountaineering Council+2
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Summit Journeys
One or two full-day mountain journeys aiming for a summits or remote high terrain, putting together planning, navigation, and movement skills.
Applying all learned skills in a real context: weather assessment, decision making, route-finding, pacing, and safety awareness.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
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Experienced, friendly instructors offering guidance, feedback, and support tailored to your skill level.
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Small group sizes - allowing for personal coaching and attention to detail.
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Extended time on the hills working through practical challenges: weather, terrain, navigation, decision-making.
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Real-world practice: longer walks or full-day journeys that give you a feel for what independent mountain days are like.
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Emphasis on building independence - giving you confidence to plan and undertake your own mountain adventures.
SKILLS COVERED
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Route planning & trip preparation
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Weather awareness & forecast interpretation
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Clothing and equipment selection; efficient rucksack packing
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Map reading, contour interpretation, compass use
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Movement techniques over mixed and steep terrain
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Navigation in varying visibility and conditions
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Environmental awareness
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Hazard recognition, emergency procedures and safety
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Summit planning and mountain judgment
COURSE AFFILIATION
We will register you on the Mountain Training website, once registered you will have:
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Access to the Mountain Training Digital Logbook (DLOG)
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A copy of the ‘Safety on Mountains’ book
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Timing card
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Certificate of attendance upon completion
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Access to technical advice from Mountain Training
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15% off with Cotswold Outdoor
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
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Walkers with some hill/mountain experience who want to take it further - especially those interested in gaining some summits under supervision, and independent mountain days.
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People who are confident or curious, and want practical experience over several days.
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Those interested in consolidating skills before progressing further, perhaps towards leadership or winter mountain training.
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Anyone wanting to build judgement and decision-making skills, not just technical competence.
Suitable for ages 16+ (under 18s with a parent or guardian)
No previous experience needed – just a reasonable level of fitness to walk in mountainous terrain with a rucksack
dates
COURSE RATIOS
Open course with a 1:6 instructor-to-participant ratio (minimum 2 to run)
Meet like-minded people and learn in a small group
Bespoke private courses available year-round – get in touch to arrange
Dogs not allowed on open courses, but welcome on private days
PRE-REQUISITES
Ages 16+ (under 18s with a parent or guardian)
Some hill walking experience is beneficial but we are here to build confidence
A reasonable level of fitness for full mountain days.
No technical experience needed - just enthusiasm for learning and time outdoors.
EQUIPMENT
Kit list provided at booking
Sturdy hiking boots, suitable outdoor clothing, waterproofs, warm layers, hat & gloves, food and water, rucksack (25–35L), and any personal items
OL4 & OL6 maps will cover all areas we use
Get 15% off gear at Cotswold Outdoor & Snow+Rock with course booking
VENUE
Day 1: Meet at Honister Slate Mine café, 9:00am
Day 2-4: Will make use of national park, typically in Borrowdale, Buttermere and Langdale
Public transport from Keswick available; car shares can be arranged
A chance to get high into the fells and build essential mountain skills
this course is accredited to mountain training
Mountain Training is the collection of awarding bodies for skills courses and qualifications in walking, climbing and mountaineering that operates across the UK and The Republic Of Ireland.
Our qualifications train and assess people to look after other people in these environments, whether that's leading a walk in the mountains, coaching in a climbing wall or teaching multi pitch rock climbing. People who hold our qualifications have been assessed at a nationally agreed standard.
Our Vision
A diverse and active outdoor society, supported by inspirational leaders, instructors and coaches.
Our Mission
To inspire, enable and develop people in walking, climbing and mountaineering through the provision of nationally and internationally recognised skills training and leadership qualifications.
Support for people
Mountain Training is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to attend our courses. We work in close partnership with the mountaineering councils and a key strand of their work is to ensure that participation is open to all. The BMC Equity Steering Group and initiatives like Adventure for All have been central to this and are an excellent source of information.
Hire our Lake District Mountaineering instructors for private and tailored programmes.
Experiences suited to your goals & ambitions to make the most of YOUR time in the mountains.
Summer & Winter guiding available - tackle the mountains all year round.
Day rates:
1:1 £200
1:2 £250
CONTACT
We look forward to hearing from you and working towards your mountaineering ambitions and helping to achieve your goals.
Phone or WhatsApp:
07458353048
If calls are missed we will respond when possible, please leave a WhatsApp or text message so we can respond to your enquiry.
Thank you