Mountain Leader Award Training
On this course, we covered the full range of skills needed for mountain leadership. On the first day, this predominantly involved micro-navigation, with some learning about the mountain environment. This was followed on the second day by group management, supervision and supporting group members over difficult terrain walking from the Ogwen valley. The third day was based at the centre, covering the emergency ropework, access & environmental issues, river crossing and emergency actions, including carrying a casualty (not advised – it's hard work!). The fourth day involved further work on providing security on steep ground and emergency techniques – belays, abseils and confidence roping on the 'craglets' above Pen-y-Pass and finished in time for us to return and get organised for the expedition part of the course.
The expedition took the final 2 days of the course, starting at Bethesda and walking over the Carneddau to our campsite near a llyn. After taking it in turns to navigate and 'lead' the group, we arrived at our campsite, pitched our tents and cooked our supper. We climbed up to a nearby peak just in time to see the sun set and after a short stop at the top (made better by the instructor making tea – I'm now after a JetBoil!), we set off on our night navigation exercise. Working in pairs, we found our patch of flat ground on the mountainside then kept track while the other pairs went looking for their puddles/tarns. We arrived back at camp and crashed into our tents for a gusty night! The final day involved further turns at leading and managing the group, on our way back to the Ogwen valley and our waiting minibus! We returned to Plas-y-Brenin to get sorted for the journey home and to debrief.
The days out were reinforced with evening lectures on weather, environment, route planning and some use of the climbing wall (not part of the course, but nice to get to know the other people on the course and always fun!). Overall, a very valuable week and I hope to return soon for assessment. I hope it will be as much fun!