Mountain Leaders Training

Taking the Duke of Edinburgh Award to new heights! During May half term, two members of staff, Harriet Ascroft and Chris Wallis took part in a Mountain Leader training course at Plas Y Brenin, Capel Curig. It looked at the practical skills and techniques required when leading groups hill walking and camping in the mountains including aspects of navigation, group management, supervision on steep ground, risk assessment and emergency use of the rope. Consideration of the weather, mountain rescue, the environment and other related topics were also covered. The weather started off typically, for Wales, with heavy rain but made a miraculous recovery and temperatures as high as 28 degrees followed for the remainder of the week. As the majority of the course is practically based, we could not have asked for better circumstances until it came to looking for fresh running water to drink before wild camping for the night. Both participants are looking forward to gaining a minimum of 40 quality mountain days in preparation for the 5 day Mountain Leader Assessment. The high level skills gained will be passed on to the Duke of Edinburgh Award students to enthuse education in the outdoors. We look forward to the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver practice and qualifying expeditions in the forthcoming weeks.