Mountaineering and Rock climbing Leadership Awards

• The Walking Group Leader Award (WGL) serves the needs of leaders, teachers, instructors and those who lead others on hill walks on open moorland and terrain without steep broken ground. It is recognised throughout  the UK. It is an ideal stepping-stone for those who may wish to progress to the Mountain Leader Award at a later stage. The minimum experience required to gain entry to the scheme is 20 logged hill walks. The WGL consists of a three-day training course and three day assessment. MLTUK recognise this award as the lowest level of award suitable for those who operate independently while leading mountain walking.  The same scheme is administered by BOS in the Republic of Ireland and is recognised as equivalent to the WGL provided in the UK by the MLT.

• The Mountain Leader (ML) Award is intended for those who wish to lead others on hill walks in the British Isles. It is ideal for teachers and youth leaders, as well as those who operate in the club environment. The purpose of the Mountain Leader Award is to promote the safe enjoyment of the hills. The scheme provides training and assessment in the technical and group management skills required by those who wish to lead groups in the mountains of Britain and Ireland, other than in winter conditions. It integrates training, personal experience and assessment in a variety of conditions in mountainous country. Since its introduction in 1964 the scheme has become recognised by Education and Library Boards, the statutory youth services and the national and voluntary youth organisations as providing technical competence in this field. Valid throughout the UK and Ireland it is a national yardstick against which standards are measured. The minimum experience required to enter the scheme is 20 logged 'quality days' in the British or Irish mountains. Training consists of three two-day courses or one five-day course, followed by a five day assessment.. The award is a pre-requisite for many higher-level mountain training schemes. BOS also administers a Mountain Leader scheme, which is equivalent to the ML provided in the UK.

• Climbing Wall Supervisors Award (CWSA) This award is a basic award for those who supervise others on artificial climbing walls ands abseil towers. It provides a basic level of competence for those in a position of responsibility for the providing these activities. Minimum entry requirements are 15 previous visits to at least two different climbing walls, the ability to lead routes on a climbing wall and an interest in supervising others. The course consists of a two-day training course and one day assessment. At present there is no equivalent award in the Rep. of Ireland.

• Single Pitch Award (SPA) is a leadership award for those who lead others and run rock climbing sessions on single pitch crags. The numbers of organised groups enjoying rock climbing and abseiling on outcrops, crags, quarries and climbing walls has multiplied in recent years. Mountain Leader Training (UK) and its member organisations are concerned that high standards of supervision are maintained so that both enjoyment and safety are encouraged, without compromising either the sport of climbing or the participation of other crag or wall users. The SPA has been designed to provide a level of basic competence for those who are in a position of responsibility during single pitch rock climbing activities. It is primarily concerned with good practice, leading to safe quiet enjoyment of the activity. Minimum entry requirements are 15 logged named climbs as leader, with evidence of leading to 'Severe'. The two day training course is followed by a two day assessment. Successful trainees are awarded the Single Pitch Award. BOS also administers a Single Pitch Award scheme, which is equivalent to the SPA provided in the UK.

• Rockclimbing Leader Multi Pitch Award is a leadership award for those who wish to lead others on multi-pitch climbs. Candidates must successfully complete the SPA before progressing to the RCLA training course. The BOS multi pitch award is equivalent to the scheme administered by MLTNI.

• Mountaineering Instructor Award (MIA) is the minimum award required for those who wish to instruct mountaineering and climbing activities in the British Isles. Candidates must register with the UKMTB - requirements include 20 multi pitch climbs of VS or higher as leader, plus 20 quality days as leader in charge of a group. Trainees must complete a nine-day training course and five day assessment - successful candidates are awarded the MIA. This is a MLT award  and is currently provided by the three National Mountain Centres in the UK, Tollymore, Plas y Brenin and Glenmore Lodge.

• Winter Mountain Leader Award (WML). The Winter ML Award is for those with an interest in the leadership of others in winter conditions. It is administered by Mountain Leader Training Scotland (MLTS). The pre-requirements for entry to the scheme include the Mountain Leader Award and at least 20 quality mountain days in winter conditions, the majority of which must be in Scotland. It is available through and is currently provided by the three National Mountain Centres in the UK, Tollymore, Plas y Brenin and Glenmore Lodge and a few other private centres.

Course Provision.

In Northern Ireland, there is a single provider of the MLTNI Awards  – Tollymore Mountain Centre. The MLTNI is a sub committee of Sport Northern Ireland and funded and managed directly by them . There are minor variations in the delivery and administration of the schemes between BOS and  MLTNI, but the end result is the same.

Finding Out More
For further information, please contact

Trevor Fisher, Secretary
MLTNI
Tollymore Mountain Centre
Bryansford, Newcastle
County Down
BT33 0PT
Northern Ireland
Telephone: (+44 28) 4372 2158
email: trevor.fisher@tollymore.com

MLTUK (Mountain Leader Training United Kingdom)
Siabod Cottage
Capel Curig
LL24 0ET
Wales