Hill and Moorland Leader Assessment
The Hill and Moorland Leader is a nationally recognised qualification that is administered by Mountain Training. This qualification is ideal for walkers who want to learn the skills required for effective group leadership in the hill and moorland areas of the UK and Ireland.
Despite it being an assessment, we strive to make the three days fun and a positive learning experience.
Who is it for ?
The Hill and Moorland Leader Assessment course is for those who have already completed their Hill and Moorland Leader Training. The award is favoured by teachers, DofE leaders and voluntary groups who want to use terrain more demanding or remote than Lowland Leaders but have no need to venture into more demanding mountainous terrain that requires a Mountain Leader qualification.
Course Overview
Our Hill and Moorland Leader assessments cover all aspects of the award over the three days.
We are outside most of the day and every day. On the evening of the second day we undertake the night navigation assessment.
To help candidates prepare thoroughly we issue a home study paper and comprehensive joining instructions. These have lots of suggested reading, links to videos and other material to help individuals become thoroughly conversant with all aspects of the syllabus.
Course Format
The Hill and Moorland Leader assessment course is largely practical in nature although, in addition to the home research paper, we undertake several theoretical exercises. There is significant emphasis on navigation and party leadership to deliver a safe and enjoyable hill experience.
We don’t specify exactly what we do or where we go each day as a good mountain professional matches the objectives for the day with the weather, the group and other factors. Discussing what we do on a day allows us to explore the important skills of planning and decision making which you will use every day you are leading in the hills.
Day 1 – Introductions you, us and the course, followed by a hill day looking at navigation skills, access and the environment and emergency procedures.
Day 2 – Hill day concentrating on navigation, leadership and group management, followed by an evening of night navigation. We may stay on the hill throughout so plan appropriately.
Day 3 – A slightly shorter hill day concentrating on leading a flowing walk followed by results and individual debriefs.
During the course, whilst on the hill, you will be asked to deliver a short talk (not more than 5 minutes) on a topic of your choosing, but related to the local environment (ecology, geology, history etc) or covering a relevant skill.
Detailed guidance notes on the syllabus are available here.
More Information
-
Course Dates
-
Bespoke Dates and Locations
-
Meeting Point
-
Equipment Required
-
Recommended Reading
-
Fitness Level
-
Eligibility
-
Accommodation Options
FAQs
-
How do I book ?
-
Does the course include accommodation ?
-
Children, Dogs, Parking, COVID and everything else...
