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Qualification Courses

Walking Group Leader Assessment

The assessment takes place over three days and follows the Walking Group Leader syllabus. This is mainly a practical assessment with some theory sessions in the evening. Our aim is to create an environment of assessment in which candidates can show their best. Candidates are advised to prepare fully and refer to the “Walking Group leader Handbook, 1st edition”. It is important that candidates are aware of the award requirements. A formal review and individual results are given on the final afternoon.

Pre-requisites for assessment

The log book should clearly detail your past Walking experience. It is an integral part of the assessment and should be fully completed including the following:

Be registered for the Walking Group Leader scheme with one of the Mountain Training Boards (registration for ML is not appropriate)

Log book
Record of Walking Group Leader or ML training course or evidence of exemption.
Logbook pages showing experience since training, with at least 40 days walking in the appropriate terrain (see syllabus).
Personal profile page completed by a referee.

First aid
Check that your first aid certificate is current and acceptable to the MLTUK.
Peak Outdoor Training offer a number of First Aid Courses suitable for the Walking Group Leader award.
Bring your certificate with you on the course.

Home theory paper
Complete this and bring it with you to the start of the course.

Syllabus
Make sure that you are familiar with, and prepared for all aspects of the current Walking Group Leader syllabus.

Equipment
Assessment candidates are expected to provide all their own equipment including maps.

Assessment content
The programme may be revised at short notice to take account of weather and other considerations, in such a way as to satisfy the spirit and detail of the Walking Group Leader syllabus.

The three days are generally split as follows:

A practical hill day
• Navigation skills using map and compass as appropriate
• Movement skills
• Route finding
• Ability to relocate

Second practical hill day
• Group preparation, briefings, equipment
• Group management appropriate to prevailing conditions and terrain
• Navigation decisions and judgement of terrain and route
• The leaders’ equipment
• Possible navigation in poor visibility

A shorter hill day, then centre based
• Further practical assessment of leadership and group skills
• Dealing with common hazards
• Further scenarios
• Group discussions – rescue, hypothermia
• Practical improvised carries
• Return to centre in early afternoon for results and review

Evening sessions
• Route planning and risk assessment exercise
• Review of exercise
• Techniques for poor visibility or night navigation
• Skills for the overnight experience

At a suitable point in the assessment, you will be asked to deliver a 5 minute talk on a subject chosen from the list attached to the home question paper.

The day begins following a 9am meeting on the first morning of the course.

The Venue
Edale lies in the heart of Peak District National Park.