Registration for the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor qualification is an application process and you need to meet the following prerequisites:
- You must hold the Mountain Leader qualification
- You must have gained 20 quality mountain days as a leader since becoming a Mountain Leader, and logged them in DLOG
- Have substantial climbing experience and provide evidence of 30 named multi-pitch rock climbs in at least three main climbing areas of the UK and Ireland. These must be climbs which you have completed leading at least the crux pitch, which must be VS 4c standard or above. These routes should illustrate your breadth of climbing experience and must be logged in DLOG. See below for more information on what's expected.
- You must have led 10 sport climbs at or above French grade 6a and logged them in DLOG
- There should also be a reference in the Referee tab of your DLOG, in support of your registration application
As with all Mountain Training qualifications, these are the minimum requirements. As a general indication, the logged experience should be a representative sample rather than a candidate’s total experience. Candidates who have only the bare minimum of experience will find the training and assessment less worthwhile than candidates who have a broader and more extensive mountaineering background.
Rock climbing experience at registration
The Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor scheme is UK and Ireland orientated and the experience recorded should reflect this. While experience gained trekking or climbing in the High Atlas Mountains, for example, is undoubtedly valuable, it is not necessarily the most appropriate experience for the scheme. The Board is looking for both depth and breadth of experience since candidates who have only the minimum experience are unlikely to benefit fully from either the training or assessment course.
- In general terms, successful applicants will have climbed at least 100 multi-pitch routes.
- Candidates should bear in mind that the 30 routes must be multi-pitch (described as such in the guidebook and climbed as such) and must be at least VS 4c.
- As a general rule, at least two-thirds of the routes should fall into the mountain/major sea cliff category. Moss Ghyll Grooves, Dream of White Horses and The Clean Sweep are examples of the type of route expected rather than short, contrived climbs that may be more technically difficult, for example, Merlin Direct at Tremadog.
- There should be evidence of recent climbing experience.
If you can meet all of the above requirements, here's what to do next:
- Log in to our Candidate Management System
- Register for the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor scheme (this costs £95)
- Notify Mountain Training (via the 'Send to Mountain Training' button on the 'Share' tab in DLOG) that your DLOG is ready to be reviewed and there is a reference in your DLOG.
Please note
it can take up to 30 days for your registration to be reviewed.
You will be notified by email by Mountain Training with the result of your application. Applications with less than the minimum experience cannot be approved.
The registration fee is non-refundable. However, if your application is not successful, you will receive feedback on how best to fulfil the experience requirements and your registration application will be held open for six months, during which you can submit an updated record at no extra cost.
Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor candidate handbook
Do you have additional needs?
Do you have a physical or mental impairment or disability which may require a provider to make reasonable adjustments so that you can take part in a training or assessment course?
Find out more.
Not quite right?
If this doesn't sound like the right qualification for you, consider the following:
You could also read through our '
Which scheme is right for me?' page.