Training to be a Mountain Leader!
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- This video is all about doing my Mountain Leader Training in Wales, which I did with Lou Tully of Freedom Outdoors. Let me know if you have any questions :)
Lou's website: www.freedom-ou...
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Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments, or let me know what kind of videos you would like to see! ❂
I hope you enjoy the video :D Let me know if you have any questions and if you would like me to make a video talking about what I packed/wore for the course. I mention in the video that the areas that count as 'mountainous' in the UK for QMDs are Brecon Beacons, Lakes, Snowdonia and Scotland but forgot to mention loads of areas in Ireland too! I would love to get over to Ireland for a hiking trip in the next few months. Have a great weekend!
P.S. Sorry also for the issues with my camera focus... The difficulties of filming alone without a flip-out screen!
It'd be good to know if there was anything you took but didn't need or needed but didn't think to take... :)
What did you pack?
I wonder if you learnt some first aid skills specifically for the outdoors. I guess you’ll have to know these things in case of an injured client?
Another pre-requisite is to do a first aid course... I forgot to mention that!
It will be in a video soon 😊
When I did my assessment I cut down my maps removing all the non essential areas and covered them in fablon (or if you’re old enough sticky back plastic) to waterproof them. Having a smaller map without the faff of a map case makes life easier. I used a red Lumocolor fine tip pen to mark my route with a small dot as I went along. Being tired, in bad weather you can easily lose yourself on the map and then panic when you get map blind so the tiny red dots made it easier to locate myself when the pressure was on. On each leg I wrote the time we set off and the bearing on the map (before any military start shouting about marking maps it’s unlikely you’ll fall into enemy hands on assessment) as we set off again it made life easier especially when you’re not leading as it’s easy to forget. You probably know about the 5 Ds: Distance, Direction, Duration, Description & Dangers - physical and navigational. I found it useful when briefing the assessor on the leg and helped keep the route in my mind especially if it didn’t match underfoot what I’d described I’d probably made a mistake and needed to check the map. Eg “on this leg I’ll be walking on a bearing of 265* for 450m, it’ll take 9 mins. It’s generally uphill moving diagonally across the contours. There ground is a little rocky so I’ll need to point that out to the group and may need to coach them on difficult areas.” I had a pace card on my compass lanyard with timings already listed, again trying to do the maths in my head when tired and in bad weather is not easy. As you get more experienced you need the card less but it’s useful as a back up. I used the one from shavenraspberry.com but there are others. The only way to improve your nav is to put the time in, practice your timings and pacing on different terrain, in rubbish weather, look what the ground is like compared to the contours on the map after a while you will see the shape of the land in 3D just by looking at the contours, oh and always trust your compass.
Great advice and thank you for sharing.
This is very interesting! Would love to see what you packed ! Have a good weekend :)
I will definitely make that video 😊
@@RambleFamily +1 here. :) I'm planning to do the ML training this year, depending on what QMLs I can get. Who assesses the QMLs before the training?
@@RambleFamily Inspired as ever by your videos! Have you had the chance to do the packing video yet? Just want to make sure I haven't missed it by accident :)
Hey where about did you park up
Start my ML training Monday in Snowdonia, really helpful to have an idea of what I'll be doing cheers 👍
Please do the gear video, it sounds very interesting! I also couldn’t hope for a better mountain guide if I was uneasy about something, you’re so easy going and calming, I think you’ll smash it😊!
Thank you for this. I did Mountain Leader training with Lou @FreedomOutdoorsLlanberis last month. It was fabulous; Lou and Geoff were so encouraging and got me up scrambles and down abseils I'd have been too scared to try not so long ago. Our whole group were amazing. Now trying to log lots of QMDs, which is a challenge with the change in the criteria.
Sounds like a great course, and Snowdonia is an ideal setting. Many prominent landmarks but the weather can turn from blue sky to 20 metres visibility in 30 minutes! The mountain leader courses require constant focus and concentration because you are training to be responsible for the safety of others, which can be exhausting. This aspect is something I would struggle with since I do tend to daydream in the mountains ;-)
Haha yes I agree with that! It was a great learning experience and made me realise how much you need to know the mountains inside and out 😊
I did my Mountain Leader Training [redacted] years ago. Even though I thought myself an experienced mountaineer and climber, I still learnt loads. Looking forwards to seeing your journey competing QMDs and your assessment course.
Really interesting to hear about the course. Would like to hear about what you took with you. Absolutely agree about the 1:50,000 scale maps. I can’t use them. Love the 1:25,000 though - a walkers map.
Agree!
@@RambleFamily It has always been easier to get paper 1:50k maps than paper 1:25k hence the concentration on 1:50k. Now that you can use your phone as well and print at home this could change. Over the last year I have been printing 1:50k maps at 1:25k scale which was a tip I got from a ML instructor and has worked well for me. Print on waterproof paper and use an A5 case. Good luck with the QMD's-just starting to record mine!
So great to see you are getting more into whole outdoor adventure lifestyle. It was fun watching you folks venture out in a quite different landscape to the one I have just returned from. We had a fantastic four days at the famous Rocklands bouldering area in South Africa. The wild flowers are all in full bloom painting the landscape in vibrant colours and filling the air with exotic fragrances. A friend and others have developed a new sport crag there on which I had a blast sampling the new lines - happy times!
PS You and Harvey HAVE to come here and experience the Rocklands magic sometime - This time of year recommended!
Some years ago I hired a young man to guide me across Scotland. I had no idea this kind of certification existed. I had a great time. At 50 years I was pretty fit, much more than i am at 73. The guide did a great job, made sure I had a list of essentials and did much of the cooking which I don’t generally bother with.
Navigating using compass and contour lines I learned in the Marines and you have to keep up with it. If you leave off for several years and strike out again it will puzzle you until you have a good bit of time again. Most of my hiking after the service was in Arkansas where the hills are small and there wasn’t muxh call for rope work. I wish I knew more about moving down a steep slope with a rope.
Snowdonia is such a glorious place to walk. I’m sure you enjoyed your time there
If you enjoyed the scramble and fancied something a bit more thrilling then I couldn’t recommend Crib Goch enough! Not super technical but the heights definitely get the adrenaline flowing!
Ah yes I’ve never done Crib Goch but definitely keen 😊
I just came back to Wales from Skye, Scotland. Loved the wild camping trip, first time up such steep hills. The needle is a good sight to see, though I wouldn't recommend wearing sneakers/trainers. Thanks for the videos.
Wow what a full on and thorough course that was! Thanks for the blow by blow description very interesting. I love how you said you felt nervous sleeping in your van alone for the first time, but that you did it anyway and for several days. I guess most people wouldn't do it in the first place if it made them feel nervous. I like how you just do it anyway, constantly breaking out of your comfort zone.
Now that was very interesting Athena, you really have some ambitions ahead for your future lifestyle, good onya, greetings from Perth Australia.
H'mm, I think Our Great Leader, Boris, could do with some lessons on navigating in the great outdoors.. Gave me a buzz anyway.
Thanks Iain! Would definitely agree...
Thank you for sharing this, Athena. I have an interest in going for my Hill and Moorland award in the future. We can all read about these things but to hear and see from your experiences, that's something I appreciate.
Yep, I'd probably be interested in seeing what you packed as well! All the best.
Thanks Olly!
So fascinating to watch this video - my French husband is an international mountain leader and has worked over ten years here in the Pyrenees where we live and also two summer seasons in Crete. It’s fascinating for me to hear about how the training works “back home” in the UK compared to here in France. I hope you’ll be able to pickup your training again at some point in the future when family life allows, if it’s something you’d like to return to. My husband hasn’t guided for about five years whilst our babies are small and he’s choosing to be more present at home - long summers apart are not something we want for our family life in this season! But we’re hoping in the coming two years he’ll be able to return to this job that he loves so much! Wishing you well! Fran
Loved the video, brilliant at explaining what you got up too and being so enthusiastic about it all! would love to see your gear video! :)
Thanks Matthew!
An excellent video Athena. I myself did my Mlt training back in 1996 as I've Bern involved in outdoor education since I was 15. I'm now 60 and have travelled throuout Europe in a variety of job roles in both summer and winter positions in the outdoors. Due to other work commitments I had to work in another industry however always missed the natural landscapes. Due to covid I9 I lost my job but through this period I have reinvested in my outdoor gear and hope very much to put all my experience back into this area of enjoyment and work. For now I intend to put it all back into practice and get back to enjoying the outdoors once again. I found your video very inspiring with great knowledge which I can use to shake off the cobwebs once I start back myself very soon. I look forward to your next videos in the outdoors so keep them coming and enjoy them. Best of luck.
If you want a guinea pig to practice with, I'd 100% trust you. I'm new to hiking & wild camping & feel id learn loads being with someone so experienced & lovely x
Such a great and informative video! Would love to see a packing list/ guide video!! :) Love from Australia!
I'm glad you mentioned hot weather. Rope work becomes more painful, water consumption goes up and concentration levels go down. Its deceptive. I've only watched 4-5 vids from your channel but I'm glad I found it 😊
Thanks so much! I find hiking in the heat much more difficult that hiking in the cold!
Great to see your progression Athena. Be assured your polite, modest and enthusiastic manner is both inspiring and a great example to others.
Thanks and best wishes. (looking forward to the next video)
Yes please to a video on what you packed! This was such an informative video. Thank you x
Great video Athena. Stunning scenery and part of the UK, spectacular weather. I love your honesty and openness regarding your learning points. Humbling and refreshing. We never stop learning. Really like the look of this type of course. Great work Athena.
Thanks Simon 😊
I get awesome vibes whilst watching your vids. 😄 You seem like a sweet gentle person
The most interesting video I've seen all week. Having lived in North Wales for 7 years and walked Snowdonia thoroughly in the seventies, it all looks soooo familiar and lovely. Freezing down here in Tasmania but in these tiresome times, a visit is impossible. Looking forward to seeing more of your journey. Thankyou.
Thank you!
The night navigation is without doubt the toughest part of the assessment. Can still remember trying to find a stream junction in a flatish area on a night of heavy rain and strong winds which turned the whole area into a myriad of streams. After numerous bearings an pacing eventually found it. Sooo tricky!!
Ahhh definitely need lots of practise!! 😬
Thank you for sharing your experience....you will be an amazing mountain leader. 💕
Really enjoyed your video yes please do a kit layout
Really interesting video Athena and liked your detailed commentary on this one, hearing how you found each part, what was easier and harder etc. Be great to see some of those QMDs in future videos and your reflection on what you learnt from them.
Have you thought about how you’re going to balance this training with more leisurely trips?
From a navigation viewpoint Kinder, Bleaklow and Black Hill in the Peak District are as great a challenge as anything in the UK and all close to your doorstep. Great video.
Great Video,only wish it was longer.
An interesting & informative insight in ML training. Be great to hear more on the navigation & route planning.
Thanks Graham!
Good luck with your consolidation. You will smash the assessment! Keeps your solutions simple and be prepared to justify your plan. Most assessors are trying to get the best out of you. Take your time; the pressure will come from within rather than the assessors.
Thanks Jeremy! That’s great advice 😊
Hi Athena! Firstly well Done! Map and terrain reading isn’t easy but I just love you’re enthusiasm! I was 18 when I was thrown the map in the Lake District way back in 1975 and it certainly opened my eye’s. Love you’re filming and it bought back loads of memories. For 63 year olds like me it reminds one of some great times in the past. If you ever take old timers courses on guided walks some day let me know ;0)
Thanks so much! I will definitely let you know 😊
Great video. I've been thinking about doing my ML training for a while and have been working through the Mountain Training Hillwalking and Navigation books that are in the syllabus while trying to incorporate it into hikes.
Was considering Plas Y Brenin but might look into Lou and Jeff, so thanks for the tip.
Mon 10th i was in Snowdonia too. Had to sit out the lightning just below the summit of Moel Hebog for half an hour before a sodden walk to wildcamping spot. Both terrifying and amazing, though don't plan on doing that again!
Look forward to your kit video.
A great and informative video for people thinking of doing ML, Athena. Good luck going forward and going for your assessment in the future.
Thanks Athena for sharing so much information/reflection on your training.
I would love to see the gear you packed and more footage from your Mountain Leader training! :)
Lovely video, Thank you !
Another fantastic video Athena! I think you would make a brilliant leader, you are so comfortable and relaxed in the outdoors and you have a calmness about you that would help assure new or less experienced hikers. Definitely interested to hear what you packed for the course
Thank you Jacqui! That’s so lovely to hear. I look forward to being able to take people out walking with me 😊
Super interesting to hear everything it entails! I think you’d make a great mountain leader ☺️
Thank you!
Very well done Athena keep up the great work 100% respect for you.......stewart
Excellent video of your experience on the course......varying conditions too, just shows how things can change quickly 👍
Definitely! Crazy weather but always good to be prepared. 😊
Thankyou for this information
Great informative video, would recommend for anyone doing their ML. I think this was the same week I did my assessment with Phil George. think we stopped and talk to your group on the Monday round Moel Eilio. First video I've seen of yours, just popped up. interested to see what other video you have. Nice work 👌
Really interesting Athena. Looks like a lovely area despite the storms! Did I spot some prayer flags in your van? You appear to be well travelled indeed. A most enjoyable watch, thanks for posting.
Good job on your training 👍🏻 and all the best on your QMDs as well as your assessment. I look forward to seeing some of your filmed QMDs.
A nice interesting video, gives me an idea of what is involved in going for Mountain Leader certification 🙂
Good luck in your journey Athena 💖 btw,loovvee the watch on your wrist. Maybe an insta story or blog post about it? I have been wanting one since foreeeverrrr!!
Hi Athena, a video about what you used/packed/wore during your time in Wales would be really good. Thank you :)
Well done Athena👍 It must have been an amazing experience. Beautiful scenery too!
Thanks Sarah! Snowdonia is so beautiful
I did my assessment other year.
Loved it but intense.
Good luck with your ML. I passed mine last month 😁....its a great journey
Awesome video! Would love to see what you packed! I’m doing a 3-month hiking and climbing course in New Zealand next year (hopefully!) so would love to know what you brought on your course
excellent
Hi Athena, very informative and yes I would love to know what you packed. Looks like an amazing course. One of great learning and self assessment. I'm just looking into doing a similar course myself and this video has just encouraged me to go ahead, challenge myself and step forward with my future aspirations. Great work Athena, you'll be an inspirational Mountain Leader.
Thanks Sue! Good luck with your own course 😊
Very cool!! Great job!! Thanks for sharing!!
I'm excited for you. Good luck!
Great video, very informative. I have been working towards my ML with the scouts and hope to achieve now I am a Leader. Miro nav is always fun and a challenge (especially when your nav point is a contour ring 😂).
Would love to see a packing video.
So tricky but lots of fun! I will definitely make that video 😊
Inspirational stuff. Would definitely like to see a kit list video 🙂 especially which walking poles you use??
For sure! Mine are Black Diamond women’s ones but I can’t remember the model... will feature them in a video 😊
Quality.
Hi Athena. That was a great video. Thank you. I’d be very interested in a kit video if you could as I’m doing my ML training at the end of September
I always enjoy your videos, Athena. 👍🙂 I do love that T-shirt. 🐝
Thank you!
Well done athena I knew nothing about mountain course, and what it involves, I am wiser for it now, stay postive, such a lot to take in but I can see you will be very suitable and the can do attitude you have will stand to you, best of luck sincerely🍀😎
Thank you Alan 😊
Wonderful video thank you, learnt a lot from it , very interesting.
Really interesting! If i ever will be able to visit the UK again, i would love to book a trip with you as a leader :) thank you for sharing your experience ⛰ greetings, Tiziana
That would be lovely 😊
Really informative amazing scenery look forward to your next video stay safe Cheers
Congrats Athena!
Thank you! I’m hoping to do my training in Spring 😊
Well done so far. I'll certainly be interested in your progress as you go along, I'm sure you'll do really well. Lovely scenery there in Wales. Having some QMD's myself this Summer ! xx
Thank you Michael!
Congrats on doing your ML!
Great video Athena would love to see what gear you used. Do you ever use a sat nav. ?.
Looking forward to the gear video😀
great informative video, just a question about the criteria of QMD, the "navigation skills required away from a marked paths" does this mean, a section that doesn't have a path on the map, like a ridge line or a point to point across open land, or a section that has a path marked on the map like on the top of a mountain that isn't clear because of walking across rocks where you are required to navigate.
Awesome video Athena....for sure would be interested in seeing the gear you packed during the training course. That other video you made too about the 10 wild camping essentials was really helpful too. I am going to be buying a new pack in the next month or so. After a good amount of research, I am pretty sure I am going with the osprey Atmos AG50 or the 65. Hope your assessment goes well when you end up taking it!
Glad that video helped you!!
When planning a walk the first thing I look at are contours - close to gether means very steep. The British Army spends a huge amount of time teaching map reading, for obvious reasons.
There were a couple of army guys in our group and they were so good at nav!
Hey loved the video. Would you be able to disclose the location of the place you parked up and took a dip ? Thanks
Gear review sounds great.
I didn't know there were such wonderful job as mountain leader. We don't have that in the States.
I’m sure you guys have something similar out there... maybe a guide?
Enjoyed that! Thanks!
yes to a gear video
Great video as always 😊 really interesting, yes would like to see what you packed
Thanks Ravenna! I will make a video on my gear soon 😊
Loved this, very useful 👍
Hey Athena, catching up with some older videos on an overcast bank holiday and loving them :) is that the garmin instinct you use? how do you find it for hillwalking and mountaineering etc?
I’d love to see the gear video too!
A wonderful documented video for everyone interested in MLT, Well done Athena. I have emailed you as i can help with you with some advanced navigation practice.
Hi Brian, ah yes thanks so much and apologies for not responding yet! I will do this week 😊
Interesting so see what a course is like that isn’t a degree. I’m going to do an outdoor leadership degree in Cumbria and I’m going to be living in the Lake District
Hey Athena! Your are living the dream, I love your videos and your narrations are beautiful too.
I was wondering what watch you are using and if you feel that it helps you in the outdoor life at all? I am thinking of getting a smart sport watch.
Best,
Mountain Leader Mellor: I like the sound of that! Now, rather than questions, a bit of advice: I recall in few of your productions now, you have tendency to don a swimsuit amd jump into freezing cold water. One that comes to mind is your day out at the East Coast near Bridlington. Geogrphy taught me that the seas, in particular, the North Sea, is coldest during the summer and warmest, believe it or not, during the winter. I would therefore seriously recommend that you invest in a neoprene wet suit, much akin to a swim suit, known as a "pool shortie". This will keep you warmer than a tradional swim suit and limit the risk of inflicting hypothermia on yourself! 😀 The same goes for mountain rivers and tarns of which the temperature can be deceptively cold. A small wet suit or a pool shortie should be small enough to fit into your pack and could also be used to insulate yourself against extreme cold weather too (in an emergency), when you could wear it underneath your waterproofs. PS - learned to scuba dive in a flooded quarry in Snowdonia, in water 9 degrees Celcius. Brrrrr!
Hi, great video thanks for uploading! I am about to do my mountain leader training also, in a future video would you be up for showing an example of how you wrote up your QMDs?
Yes definitely!
I would be interested to hear the recording process of a QMD, do you just write the experience down, such as: Scafell Pike, Eskdale Route, 3 people, clear conditions, some steep terrain on scree slopes, navigation on unmarked paths, 7 hours, 11 miles etc or do you have to record it in another way?
Yes please would love to know what u took! If not still available possible alternatives 😀 Thanks!
Hi Athena have you completed your assessment yet? Enjoyed the Video, Ive just signed up for my MT , like you its going to be certain aspects of map work that's going to be weakness, thanks, Gabby
Thank you for the video! I couldn't take my eyes off the words on your T-shirt. "Let it" is embroidered as one word, I mean, without gaps, and in Russian it means "it's flying" (летит). Interesting))) Sorry for the distraction...
Great video, love it! Can I ask whereabouts (roughly) you guys were wild camping? We wild camp in Snowdonia but never found such a perfect spot! Thanks - keep it up x
Great video! Would love to see what you took with you :)
So interesting and inspiring, but I was really fascinated by the t-shirt! 😊 where is it from?
Congratulations 👏atb Taff
Hello! I am very inspired by your videos! Because you love nature and know how to value it mentally (usually such understanding people are very good)!
I also dream of living surrounded by nature, being a free soul!
Sorry to ask about this, but I want to ask you: where do you work so that you have time to travel and not go to work every day! After all, this is a dream not to work, but to live, and you cannot live without work, because work is money.
Hey Athena, any plans on doing a video about using your garmin in such outdoor activities. If not a video, what feature of it do you use the most.
Yes definitely! It’s actually new so I’m just getting to grips with it before I make a video about it 😊
@@RambleFamily Looking forward to it!! cheers :)