MOUNTAIN LEADER
REFRESHERS
mountain leader refresher days in snowdonia
These one day courses in North Wales, serve as an update for anyone who has completed a Mountain Leader Training course.
These days are Accredited by the Mountain Training Association and will count towards your CPD if you're a member.
THE
DETAILS
These days are an opportunity to consolidate on areas of personal performance prior to booking your assessment in the future.
I often get asked by people holding higher walking awards whether these days would be useful to them, you’re most welcome to join the day, however the majority of people who attend are Summer Mountain Leader trained and are preparing for assessment soon and so the days are generally focussed towards that level.
COST
£60 per person
(these are non-residential)
1 day
Ratio 1:6
HOW TO BOOK
It's simple!
Choose the day or days you want
Complete the online booking form and pay a deposit
Make sure you check out the terms and conditions on the Booking Page
Full payment details are on the booking form and you will receive confirmation of your booking, payment received in an auto reply and I will contact you shortly before the course with the final details
NAVIGATION
DAY
During the winter months this day will meet at 1pm and finish approximately 8pm and allow us to look at all aspects of navigation, whilst during the summer months the starting time will be 9am - see below.
WHAT WOULD POOR VISIBILITY NAVIGATION INVOLVE?
You may have done little navigating in poor weather conditions or have employed only a limited range of techniques. The day will look at the foundation skills of mountain navigation whilst the evening will be based around walking on a compass bearing accurately whilst negotiating obstacles. It will look at measuring distance travelled over difficult terrain, confirming your location, simple strategies for when you haven't reached your objective and your approach to the whole process and skill of navigating in poor weather.
Typically during the day we might cover...
-
Interpreting basic contours
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Relating the map to ground and vice versa
-
Measuring distance on the map and ground
-
Navigating using the map alone
-
Appropriate use of the compass
-
Methods of identifying features and position
-
Methods of relocation
COURSE DATES
2025
11 Jan
15 Feb
22 Feb
1 March
22 Nov
13 Dec
I can arrange bespoke dates if you are a group of min 3 wishing to do a refresher day.
CONTOUR
MASTERCLASS
mountain leader navigation day using contour only maps
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS A CONTOUR MASTERCLASS?
This is a day spent in complex terrain working off contour only maps - there are no other features on it that would normally assist us in our navigation! We’ll look at the pure skill of setting your map and interpreting the map and ground to a level of detail that you perhaps hadn't realised was possible. Some simple ways to understand contours will be demonstrated and we’ll consider how to apply them in your day to day navigation in the mountains.
Some skills that we could explore on the day
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Identify the basic contour shapes on the map and ground
-
Relate map and the land to each other using contours
-
Identify slope angles and aspects
-
Measure distance on the map and complex terrain including slopes
-
Methods of identifying features and position
-
Navigate using the map alone
-
Appropriate use of compass
-
Methods of relocation
-
Route strategy using contours
COURSE DATES
2025
12 Jan
16 Feb
2 March
12 July
15 Aug
11 Oct
14 Dec
I can arrange bespoke dates if you are a group of min 3 wishing to do a refresher day
HAZARDS OF STEEP
GROUND
mountain leader security on steep ground
WHAT COULD WE COVER?
The core skill of leading people across awkward ground without using a rope is what a Mountain Leader will do frequently and this day will be an opportunity to practise methods and discuss different strategies to manage these scenarios.
We can also spend time looking at the roped options available to us, which include
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Suitability of different types, sizes and lengths of rope
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Rope Management
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Appropriate knots
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Appropriate methods of belaying, including choice of safe anchors
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Use of the rope protecting descents and ascents for the whole party and to safeguard a single party member
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Safe travel through steep and broken ground considering route choice and group management.
COURSE DATES
2025
15 June
5 July
I can arrange bespoke dates if you are a group of min 3 wishing to do a refresher day
1:40 / 1:50
SCALE
NAVIGATION
This is an opportunity to spend the day on a 1:50 / 1:40 scale map exploring a full range of navigation techniques on these scales on a mountain journey.
This is ideal for people preparing for their ML assessment who would normally use a 1:25 scale map and are looking to revise / refresh / adapt their skills.
COURSE DATES
2025
23 Feb
6 July
14 Aug
I can arrange bespoke dates if you are a group of min 3 wishing to do a refresher day
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...
DO I NEED PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?
Ideally you will have completed your Mountain Leader Award Training
WHO WILL RUN MY COURSE?
All courses are run by myself, occasionally if I have to use another Instructor then I will inform you of that. I don’t use instructors unknown to me or who aren’t close friends. The small team that I use are equally as qualified, experienced and keen to share their enthusiasm of the mountains in a relaxed and safe manner.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?
As a potential Mountain Leader you should ensure you are appropriately equipped to spend a day in the mountains. I will send you a detailed kit list when you confirm your place.
WHERE DO WE MEET?
We will normally meet you in Capel Curig at 0900, we will confirm the time and place when you reserve your place.
WHERE DO WE MEET?
We will normally meet you in Capel Curig at 0900, I will confirm the time and place when you reserve your place.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Assessment by an approved Mountain Training provider.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Accommodation
Food
Personal Insurance
Personal equipment
BOOKING
You will need to complete a booking form and pay the full balance of £60.
OTHER QUESTIONS
If you have other questions that you haven’t been able to find the answer to on my website, then just drop me a line at ppmountaineering@me.com
WHERE CAN I STAY?
There is a full range of accommodation options in Snowdonia to suit every budget and taste. The ones suggested in FAQ operate independently from Paul Poole Mountaineering.
WHERE NEXT?
ROCK CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
Rock Climbing Instructor Training courses in Snowdonia
MOUNTAIN LEADER ASSESSMENT
Mountain Leader Assessment courses based in North Wales
REASSESSMENTS
Mountain Leader reassessments in Snowdonia