Mountain training is hosting its first Women in Mountain Training conference on 15-16 October at Plas y Brenin, North Wales.

Conference aims

• To offer development to women engaging with Mountain Training qualifications at all levels.
• To provide an opportunity for women to develop knowledge networks.
• To share the experiences of women working on Mountain Training courses and in other positions of leadership in the sector.
• To share the findings from the conference with our providers, employers and managers to help them understand the challenges women face in the sector.

We’re inviting expressions of interest to join the delivery team. Anyone can apply, we’re particularly interested to receive expressions of interest from women, people with a disability, people from ethnically diverse communities, people from LGBTQIA+ backgrounds and men. If you are interested in delivering any of the content described please fill out an expression of interest form and return it with a copy of your CV/resume to: maddie@mountain-training.org by 24 April 2022.


This is a paid opportunity, daily rate £250/day plus reasonable travel expenses in line with our expenses policy. Part of the brief is to produce a report on the session/s you deliver after the conference.

Members of the delivery team are welcome to attend the other day of the conference as a guest (unpaid).

Saturday 15 October

Whole conference sessions:

Inspiring Women & Girls in Adventure Activities (80 minutes) Whole conference session
This session requires two presenters from different organisations/businesses presenting and giving examples of how your organisation and leaders have successfully and inclusively engaged with women and girls. Explanation of how you identified activities women were interested in taking part in and discussion of leadership strategies, tactics, language and marketing that appeals to women and girls. Some explanation of how you have initiated, grown and retained interest in activities. Advice for managing women's/girls' anxieties around ability level, social anxiety, stereotypes, bodies, going to the toilet outdoors etc. What were the most important things you did, biggest successes and top tips?

Working in adventurous activities throughout the female lifecycle (75 minutes)
This sessions aims to explain and discuss the various stages of the female lifecycle and how they can impact on work as an adventurous activity leader. Strategies for managing changes throughout the lifecycle, minimising any negative impacts and maximising opportunities. Possible areas to include could be: Understanding hormones and their changes, puberty, managing menstruation e.g. on expedition, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause, post menopause, medical considerations etc and how to manage these in various types of adventurous activity work. Possibly some myth busting (an opportunity for audience interaction here)

Optional sessions, one hour each, to be delivered twice during Saturday:

Knowing when you’re ready for assessment
Top tips for getting to a Mountain Training assessment and for passing first time. A look at strategies to overcome practical and emotional barriers. Themes could include goalsetting, practical considerations e.g. when to book a course, final preparations, support networks, overcoming doubts etc. This session should focus on challenges specifically affecting women at assessment as well as more general tips. See Will Hardy's PhD research for more info and ideas.

Pack hacks and top tips for woman friendly kit: Unpacking our mountaineering & rock climbing bags
An experienced instructor shows what they have in their kit or for a day walking, climbing and mountaineering. Advice and hacks which have solved problems on the hill and at the crag. Eg how to manage losing heat faster than your male counterparts – how many clothes and how to effectively layer, what season sleeping bag, which products are good for managing periods for different activities, which brands offer the good women’s kit/fit etc. Could include some practical activities like packing a bag for various scenarios.

Turning qualifications into a successful career/business (business development as a woman)
Discussion and tips for making a successful living as a leader using your Mountain Training qualifications. Ideas for picking up your first bits of paid work to moving full time or launching your own business. Benefits and disadvantages of fixed contracts vs freelancing. Women-focused work opportunities vs mixed work. Marketing yourself as a woman.

Body inclusivity in adventure activities - working with/ being different body sizes/shapes
A practical and societal look at being a leader in different sized and shaped bodies as well as running body inclusive sessions for your clients. A discussion regarding attitudes to body size in adventurous activities, myth busting regarding body size and ability/fitness and building confidence in different bodies for yourself and your clients. Examples of best practice and successful inclusive campaigns/products.

Also practical tips for dealing with issues such as belaying/short roping a heavier partner, racking up small harnesses, carrying smaller/lighter packs, recommended clothing brands for bigger people, leading those with bigger bodies etc.

Inspirational speaker, one hour

After a busy Saturday at the conference we’ll be looking for someone to entertain us with inspirational and aspirational tales, slides, videos and images of your recent achievements or projects.

Sunday 16th October:

Challenging sexism panel (Whole conference session - 75 minutes): Host

This session requires a host to chair a panel discussion on positive steps and strategies to challenge discrimination experienced when working as a woman in adventurous activities. How to challenge sexism and other forms of discrimination with an intersectional lens. Strategies in work environments and on Mountain Training and other courses. Could include a mention of Mountain Training policies regarding reasonable adjustments and complaints.
Mountain Training will work with you to identify the panel members and shape the discussion questions.

Optional sessions, 90 minutes each, to be delivered twice during Sunday:

Building resilience, confidence & imposter syndrome
Explanation and discussion of psychology, resilience, confidence and how they affect women in the adventure activity industry. What is imposter syndrome, its prevalence, the groups experiences and how to overcome. Strategies for building confidence, managing fear and doubts and overcoming inevitable challenges and difficulties. This session could be interactive with the delegates splitting off into groups to discuss their own experiences.

Training and nutrition for women & girls
Explanation and discussion of women-specific training and how to maintain a healthy body capable of the continued demands of working in adventurous activities. Themes could include some theory regarding training cycles, training around your menstrual cycle, common injuries and how to avoid/overcome them, adaptive exercises for yourself and clients, nutrition whilst on the hill/at work (and for vegetarian/vegan diets), resources re specific dietary needs, recovery etc.
Some mention could be made specific to changing training/nutritional needs throughout the lifecycle though please be aware of Saturday's workshop covering lifecycles in detail which everyone will attend. This session can be part classroom based and part based in the PYB climbing wall to include a practical element if required.

Understanding leadership styles and developing your own practice
Examining the positive effects of good leadership. Understanding different leadership styles and their relevance to your practice in the outdoors. What do effective leadership behaviours look like, and which style is right for you. Do you need to adopt one style and stick to it, or can you mix and match according to the needs of your clients?

Mountains and parenthood: Having a family and an adventurous career
This session aims to explore the challenges of having both a family and a career in adventurous activities. Delivered as a workshop with lots of small group discussions. Session could begin with a series of short clips from parents working in various capacities (e.g. mountains, walls, centres etc) about what they do and how they manage family life alongside their work.
Themes/topics to discuss could include pregnancy, maternity, working with children, travel, overcoming societal/familial pressures as a mother, attitudes to risk, involving children in your work, benefits of different types of work etc. The focus is not primarily on physical changes to your body (as this should be covered in the female lifecycles session) but more on effective strategies and sociological issues.
Mountain Training intend to source a handout regarding employment rights and maternity/paternity which can be given out during/after the session.