I recently joined a summer Mountain leader course with Scottish company, Scotch on the Rocks Guiding. A summer ML is a qualification that allows people to lead walking groups in the mountains of the UK during summer conditions.
The SML training and assessment process focuses on developing the necessary skills, judgment and knowledge to ensure the safe enjoyment of the mountains. This includes skills such as navigation, group management, hazard awareness and emergency procedures.
The training course is six days, including a two-day expedition, while the assessment is five days, including a three-day expedition.
Here’s some of the things I learned as part of a summer ML training course
11 things I discovered on a summer ML training course
1) It was not only me who had imposter’s syndrome. Over the course of the six days, others in our group of six confessed they had felt anxious about how they would cope and perform in the training.
I was worried about my map and compass skills, especially at night, and after many years of using a digital map app.
I was also concerned about how I would get on with the group; mastering other skills, such as rope work; how I would learn all the many details required when my brain is old and menopausal; if I would be able to carry the relatively heavy pack for the expedition; and how I would cope when cold and wet on a two-day expedition that required focus for night navigation.
It turned out that none of my fears were confirmed and, like all of our group, I was capable of navigating by map and compass alone and I was able to learn or grasp what was expected of me as a mountain leader.
2) The dynamic of the group matters. We were a group of six, with an age range of 20 to 58. I was one of only two females, although I am told the number of women doing ML courses is fast rising.
We worked collaboratively and companionably to support each other throughout the course and I was very grateful for this. I had feared the “Alpha Male”, but this didn’t materialise thankfully.
Our group dynamic was excellent and we all benefited form each other’s support, as well as the input and support of our instructors Sandy, Jonty and Ben.
It was great to meet other enthusiastic outdoors people and to become friends with Gav, Don, Feargus, Callum and Sophie.
3) There is more to summer ML than “just” navigating. Navigation is obviously a key skill of a mountain leader and it requires a high level of ability. We were shown how to operate on a micro navigation level and tested on this. We also navigated at night.
But as well as good navigation, an ML should be able to manage a group with care and kindness and keep everyone safe, for example on steep ground and if someone becomes ill or injured. (A separate two-day first aid course is required as part of the qualification.)
In addition, MLs should be able to offer clients an all-round experience during a walk. This includes passing on knowledge of flora and fauna, geology, geography, culture and history.
4) I found a new love of learning. It is a long time since I have learned anything much new. Well, I have learned how to insulate our home and how to tape and plaster walls (as part of our house renovations) but the learning on the ML course was much more inspiring.
I became fascinated with the names of plants and flowers on the mountains. For example, I had no idea I’d learn the names of three different heathers or the fun name for the soft moss that covers many slopes.
We were given an overview of rock formations, the geology of the Cairngorms, some pointers on geography and also encouraged to learn more about Scotland’s outdoors environment.
5) There is more kit to be bought. I have been walking and camping in Scotland for many years and I thought I had all the equipment I would need. But we were advised to have a few extra items, such as a back-up compass and head torch; a simple stopwatch (for counting steps!); counting toggles, a decent first aid kit etc.
I own a lightweight one-person tent and while this is usually a good choice for the style of past-packing trips that I enjoy, it is probably better to have a larger tent with a bigger porch area. Wild camping in poor weather for multiple nights will be much more comfortable if the tent is a bit roomier.
Staying warm and dry for three days on assessment exped needs to be carefully considered. I am revising my ultra-lightweight kit for clothing that is more robust and waterproof.
6) The new lesson on toileting. Pack it – and take it back out. It used to be that we were old to dig a deep hole to bury our poo but now the advice is to bag it and take it out with you. There is simply too much poo starting to litter the mountains in the UK, so we are better to remove it.
While the topic might leave some feeling squeamish, it is vital we talk about it.
7) Bad weather is good for training. The location of the exped during summer ML training was chosen for poor weather. While other mountain areas enjoyed sunshine, our destination was windy and rainy.
Instructor Jonty was delighted, too, when the forecast low cloud and rain happened at night. We needed to learn how to navigate in poor conditions and we need the conditions to be suitably bad.
I am not going to tell you I enjoyed getting up and out of my tent at 10.15pm for a night nav session, especially after I’d finally warmed up having earlier put up my tent in the cold, wet and wind. I could hear the weather raging around the tent and it sounded like it would be very inhospitible.
But I did get up. I pulled on warm and waterproof kit (including my saviour winter mitts) and joined the others for the nav practice.
8) I actually enjoyed the night nav – in the end. My first night nav stint came early in the session when I was asked by Jonty to lead the group around 1km to a point on the map. The cloud was low and it was getting dark. I set my bearing and walked forwards.
But shortly afterwards, Jonty asked me why I was veering so wildly to the right. I was taken aback as I was sure I was holding the bearing. It turned out I wasn’t and I needed to adjust my technique for walking on a bearing in very low vis.
Nervously, I carried on and I am proud to say I did take the group to exactly the right spot. I learned a lot in just that one kilometre, although I was very relieved to pass on the leading to the next person.
The night navigation session was hugely valuable for our ML training and i will need to practise further.
9) Concentration is required. As well as navigating as a leader, it’s important to be aware of where the group is when someone else is leading. We were frequently asked ot “relocate”, showing the instructor where we were on the map.
We have all become very used to using our GPS phones to locate in the hills and mountains and while this is a good technology, it’s also very important to know how to locate yourself on a map.
I learned that staying aware of direction, distance, time and landscape really helps you to know where you are at any point, rather than thoughtlessly walking along and then relocating by GPs map app.
10) I still have plenty to learn. We were all deemed competent enough to move on to the assessment,
whether that is this year or next. The ML qualification also requires a log book of 40 “quality mountain days” and some people will need to build these up. I have already completed many QMDs so this means I am in a good position to go for the assessment.
But, I know the ML assessment will be stringent and so I will need to further hone my navigation skills and also boost my knowledge on flora, fauna, the environment etc.
11) I am looking forward to the challenge. I am very keen to become an ML. I would like to be able to pass on my experience and knowledge to other people, especially women. I am pleased that summer ML assessment requires training, learning and experience and I hope I am good enough to pass.