The 5 day Winter Mountain Leader Assessment is what all your hard work and preparation has been for. It is our job as experienced trainers and assessors to get the very best out of you during these 5 days. During the week you will be assessed in a holistic fashion of all the skills needed for be a Winter Mountain Leader.
Over the years we have worked hard to develop our assessing skills to make sure that it is as relaxed and as realistic as possible. Any assessment will have an element of nerves associated with it but we will do everything in our powers to reduce these so you can perform to the best of your abilities.
Winter Mountain Leader Assessment Programme
During the 5 days we will cover all the main elements of the Winter Mountain Leader syllabus.
Day 1 – A journey looking at personal movement, introduction of core winter skills to clients, steep ground movement and problems solving as well as security on steep ground
Day 2 – A journey looking at personal movement, introduction of core winter skills to clients, steep ground movement and problems solving as well as security on steep ground
Day 3 & 4 – 3 days 2 night snowhole expedition looking at all major aspect of the syllabus. The aim is to spend 2 full nights in a snowhole but this is not always possible. Night navigation may be carried out on one of the nights.
Day 5 – Journey off the hill from snowhole trip. Any areas of the syllabus that still need to be revisited will be done during this journey. We will be off the hill for lunchtime and all candidates will have time to sort kit, shower and have lunch before course closure and results.
NB. Leadership, Navigation and Avalanche Awareness will be part of every day
NB. Programme can change to suit weather,
Accommodation
Badaguish – Lodges and Wigwams, a wilde variate of accommodation options just outside Aviemore.
Aviemore Youth Hostel – Well located and with a range of dorm rooms and private rooms.
Old Bridge Inn Bunkhouse – Bunkhouse in Aviemore attached to a pub!
Newtonmore Hostel – A small hotel in Newtonmore close to the shops.
Oakwood Caravan and Camping Park – A campsite on the edge of Aviemore but with in walking distance of the the shops, restaurants and pub.
Glenmore Campsite – Campsite next to Loch Morlich
There are also many Hotels, B&B’s and AirBnB’s in and around Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore, in fact too many to list here!
Winter Mountain Leader Assessment Dates 2024
19th – 23rd February – Aviemore
12th – 16th March – Aviemore (please note this is a Tuesday to Saturday)
Price and Ratios
Cost – £385 per person non residential
Ratio 1:4
Winter ML Assessment - Pre Course Requirements
By now you know the score with this! The Winter Mountain Leader is not an endurance test but you do need to be fit enough to allow you to have 5 consecutive relatively big days in the mountains (3 of which you will be carrying an expedition rucksack) and still have the energy to navigation, manage the group and deal with any issues that arise.
You will also have in excess of 40 Winter Quality Mountain Days, the definition of which and reason for will have been discussed during your training course.
If you have any questions about this please just get in touch.
Kit List and Equipment
You will need to provide your own hill walking clothing and equipment, any specific group kit and technical equipment we will provide. Once you have booked on the course you will be able to access a detailed kit list from the client resource page on this website as well as the Winter Mountain Leader specific resource page.