Lowland Leader Training
The Lowland Leader training course in the Peak District covers all aspects of the award in a fun and engaging two days.
From first steps in navigation, advising your clients on what gear to take, to the complexities of managing different and sometimes challenging groups. We share our experience of leading groups from nature rambles to heading up 8000m mountains so you don’t make the same mistakes we made when we started out!
Who is it for ?
The Lowland Leader scheme is favoured by teachers, DofE leaders and voluntary groups who have no need to venture into more demanding hill terrain that requires a Hill and Moorland or Mountain Leader qualification. Increasingly it’s used by health walk leaders and yoga tutors who want to venture outside.
Lowland Leader Training Course Overview
The Lowland Leader is a nationally recognised leadership qualification. It is administered by Mountain Training and allows holders of the award to lead groups on day walks on paths in Lowland terrain.
Over two days we look at the wide variety of skills needed to lead fun days out in Lowland terrain. We do cover navigation in limited visibility, but don’t do any night navigation, well we don’t plan to but…!
Our Lowland Leader training courses are not only highly informative but also fun and run in a friendly manner. We take great pride in the very high percentage of people returning for assessment and other courses.
At the end of the course you will have the opportunity to receive detailed individual feedback on your strengths and any areas that you may need to improve on. This is done together with generating an action plan and identifying a realistic timetable to assessment.
Lowland Leader Training Course Format
The Lowland Leader training course is largely practical in nature although we undertake several theoretical exercises. There is significant emphasis on navigation and group management to deliver a safe and enjoyable walk. Navigation in particular is an area looked at on the assessment and often where candidates struggle.
In outline:
Day 1 – We start at 9am and after an introduction to the Lowland Leader scheme, we look at individual and group equipment and cover some navigation techniques before heading out around the local area to put these skills into practice. During the journey we look at how to dynamically risk assess a variety of commonly encountered hazards and will discuss different approaches required for different types of groups.
We normally finish day one by around 5:30pm.
Day 2 – Equipped with knowledge of how to interpret the weather forecast we look at how it will affect our journey before planning a short walk for the day. We will continue to look at navigation to build skills at an appropriate pace but also build our group management skills.
We finish the day with individual feedback. During this we discuss your personal action plan so that you fully understand when you should attend Lowland Leader assessment and how best to prepare for it. You will be able to depart not later than 5pm.
During the course, whilst out walking, you will be encouraged to deliver a short talk (not more than 5 minutes) on a topic of your choosing. The talk should be related to the local environment (ecology, geology, history etc) or covering a relevant skill. A short presentation of this type is expected by most providers whilst on Lowland Leader assessment (and on all higher awards).
Course Details
- Location: Peak District
- Cost: £165 per person
- Duration: 2 days
- Ratio: 1:6
- Level: Instructor
More Information
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Course Dates
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Bespoke Dates and Locations
If there are two or more of you that want training, or you would like some different dates or a specific location, please contact the office and we will arrange something to suit your diary.
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Meeting Point
The course will meet at 0900 in The Sir William hotel, Grindleford in the Hope valley. Grindleford has ample free parking, good bus and train links to Sheffield and a good train link to Manchester.
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Equipment Required
You will need to bring all the clothing and equipment you need to lead a group on a days lowland walk including a waterproofed map of the area and a compass.
Robust footwear and high quality waterproofs are absolutely essential.
A suggested kit list together with some tips and links to gear reviews are contained in the joining instructions.
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Recommended Reading
We give some suggestions below, but more detailed suggestions together with a host of helpful links and videos are contained in our Lowland Leader training Joining Instructions.
The Lowland Leader Candidate Handbook contains all the details of the syllabus, the remit of the award and a skills check list. The official handbook Mountain Training’s walking schemes is:
Mountain Training handbook – Volume 1. Hillwalking. Steve Long. Mountain TrainingThe BMC have a range of useful articles and a dedicated video site BMC TV covering a range of walking issues.
Mountain Training also have a YouTube channel, which can be found here.
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Fitness Level
You require sufficient fitness to be able to spend 2 days walking in gentle terrain and have some spare energy to cope with any emergencies within the group.
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Eligibility
In order to attend a Lowland Leader training course you must meet the following requirements:
- Be registered specifically for the Lowland Leader scheme with Mountain Training. This can be done here.
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Have recorded a minimum of 10 varied walks in Lowland Terrain (preferably on DLOG) where the use of the map is required or have attended a Hill Skills or Mountain Skills course.
Some answers to frequently asked DLOG questions can be found on the Mountain Training website here.
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Accommodation Options
This Beyond the Edge course is non-residential to allow you to select between a thermarest or 5 star hotel as you require.
There is lots of accommodation in the Hope Valley and we recommend The Sir William which offers BtE clients a discount and this course runs from here.
Further details and other options are listed on our Accommodation page.
FAQs
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How do I book ?
The best way is via this webpage. Choose the date from the options on the above and then submit your booking and request an invoice or pay. If your course is under six weeks away you must pay the full amount.
For bespoke events get in touch first so we can check diaries and if required give you a quote. Get in touch by either calling the office on 01142 631 155 or emailing us.
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Does the course include accommodation ?
Not usually! We prefer to let you choose where you will be most comfortable. This may be in a tent or in a luxury hotel.
In the Peak District we work out of the The Sir William hotel. This is a comfortable Inn with stunning views over the Hope valley and it also serves great food. We recommend that you stay here as they are well versed in looking after walkers and climbers, offer a discount to BtE clients and it’s a 30 second commute from the breakfast table to our meeting room! Further details are on our accommodation page.
If this doesn’t suit you for whatever reason, further accommodation options can be found on our accommodation page.
For bespoke courses and events we can arrange whatever you desire from a bivouac under the stars to a spa hotel.
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Children, Dogs, Parking, COVID and everything else...
You will find all of the most frequently asked questions and their answers on our FAQ webpage
