Mountain Training Association

Refresher Workshops

Navigation for a successful assessment - a masterclass for HML and ML trainees. £60pp.

This workshop is for anyone working towards the Hill and Moorland Leader or Mountain Leader assessment. We'll the spend the day focusing on building sound navigation strategies, reading the landscape and using contours, simplifying navigation legs, and relocation techniques. The day will be held in the Haweswater area, and candidates will need to bring their own Explorer OL5, plus walking gear.

7th May 2024

24th June 2024

9th August 2024

23rd November 2024

Night Navigation Refresher for HML and ML trainees. £40.

An opportunity to refresh your night navigation strategies in readiness for your Hill and Moorland Leader or Mountain Leader assessment. These workshops run throughout the winter months in the Bampton area of the Lake District. We meet at 6.30pm and are usually finished by around 10.00pm. You'll need your own personal walking kit and clothing, including a head torch and spares, a snack and drink, and a map (OS Explorer OL5) and a compass.

23rd November 2024

ML Ropework Masterclass. Nothing More - Nothing Less. £65pp.

For many people going for their Mountain Leader assessment, this is one of the most daunting aspects of the syllabus. On this workshop we'll aim to simplify ropework for the Mountain Leader, and will delve into decision-making scenarios for those working on steep mountain-walking terrain. Many people find this workshop the ideal preparation for their assessment, and we also often get qualified Mountain Leaders coming along too so that they can refresh these skills.



24th May 2024

22nd July 2024

6th September 2024

Leadership and the Environment at Wild Haweswater - £65pp.

For many who either hold a Mountain Training award, or are working towards one, the one aspect of the syllabus that they struggled with during the assessment, and beyond once that they have qualified, is the environment. Just what is expected of the leader in terms of environmental knowledge, and how do you deliver an engaging and educational walk whilst also making sure you are leading the group safely, and not getting lost? Painting a picture of the serene swan on the surface, whilst paddling like crazy just to stay afloat is an art in itself, and this workshop delves into these thorny issues. We look at people engagement on a landscape scale, and also discuss when it is appropriate to move in closer to focus on individual species. And we do this whilst consider where we are, what safety concerns there may be, and how we can become an expert juggler of everything!

For this workshop we enjoy the breath-taking scenery, and environmentally important landscape of Wild Haweswater in the Lake District. This RSPB-managed landscape encompasses oak woodland, juniper forests, open moorland, craggy mountains, fast-flowing streams, flower-filled meadows, and of course the man-made reservoir of Haweswater.



8th May 2024

5th July 2024

Working Helvellyn Edges as a Mountain Leader. £90pp, with 6 places available on each workshop date.

Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, the classic round on Helvellyn, is a much debated day out for Mountain Leaders. Is it possible for a Mountain Leader to work on these edges and remain within the scope of the award they hold? Are these scrambles only for MCI and above? What are the legal implications of working on scrambles? This workshop aims to answer all of these questions and more. The workshop is only suitable for qualified Mountain Leaders - it isn't a ropework refresher, and it certainly isn't a mini-MCI course! I've been running these workshops for the last few years, and it's fair to say that as many attendees decide that Helvellyn's Edges really aren't for them as those who think they are!

Graham Uney worked as the winter Fell Top Assessor for 5 years, and has climbed Helvellyn over 600 times. He knows these ridges better than most, in all weathers and all seasons. Join him on Helvellyn and take part in a unique day for Mountain Leaders.

20th May 2024

Mountain Leader 2-day Refresher. £190pp.

This is a two-day refresher which includes a wild camp and night navigation. During the two days we will cover as much of the ML syllabus as we can, and as candidates require, depending on areas of the syllabus they feel they would most benefit from revisiting. This often includes day navigation, contour only navigation, night navigation, ropework, leadership, group management, environmental awareness, campcraft, weather, and emergency procedures. We'll cover as much of this as time allows!

3rd-4th June 2024 - Borrowdale area in the Lake District

2nd-3rd September 2024 - Borrowdale area in the Lake District