During these unprecedented times as we all do our bit to try to suppress the spread of the Coronavirus epidemic, we all face many challenges. As a network of Mountain Training organisations we have advised our providers to cancel upcoming training and assessment courses and this will be reviewed towards the end of April. This is because travel to and from courses, accommodation arrangements and a close quarter learning environment are now difficult to justify in light of recent government advice.

As we all adapt to the rapidly changing landscape and new ways of working, we wanted to offer up some ideas for continuing to develop yourself as an individual and as a leader, which may help you stay connected to our community.

Advice on walking and rock climbing from the mountaineering councils

Is it ok to go for a walk or go rock climbing? Here’s the latest advice from the mountaineering councils on 18/03/2020:
BMC (British Mountaineering Council)
Mountaineering Ireland
Mountaineering Scotland

Please read this guidance and be a responsible walker/climber.

E-learning

We have two e-learning modules that are available to all candidates through their CMS (Candidate Management System) account:

Planning a walk looks at how to prepare for a trip in the hills and is useful for those new to hill walking as well as those thinking about teaching others.
Mountain Weather was designed and built by the Met Office specifically for our candidates. It’s very thorough and some people may prefer to complete it in several sittings rather than in one session. Once you’ve completed the module, there’s a test that should help you review your learning and give you half a CPD point if you are an association member. You can then use what you’ve learned to interpret mountain weather forecasts and plan some days out. These could be journeys you’re able to undertake soon or ones for the future.



There are a further three e-learning modules about geology available to members of the Mountain Training Association (MTA), Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML):

Mountain building covers a basic understanding of how mountains are created and plate tectonics.
Mountain landscapes and rock types covers a basic understanding of various rock types and how they appear in the landscape.
Mountain destruction explores the ways in which weathering and erosion slowly dismantle mountain ranges and should help you spot signs of the on-going processes of mountain destruction. Each of the modules has a short test at the end, which if passed will earn you a quarter of a CPD point.



More about our e-learning modules

Website resources

Our website contains lots of useful sources of information such as:

• Scheme handbooks (on each scheme page)
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Skills checklists (on each qualification page)
• Articles

We recognise that these resources are written, which isn’t the most effective way for some people to absorb information so we will be adding some audio and video options in the coming months.

DLOG

If you now find yourself with some spare time, it could be a good opportunity to reminisce about the adventures you’ve had and the routes you’ve done and put them into DLOG! While none of us know when the current situation will improve, no one can take away the experience you’ve already gained, so it’s a good time to create a record of it in DLOG.

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you make the most of using DLOG: CMS and DLOG

The Mountain Training Association

This is an optional membership association for candidates working through our qualifications. Members are part of a community which, during ordinary times, meets regularly to learn and develop. Workshops and events are all currently postponed but the community is still there and able to support you. Members are also able to access a members’ area full of additional learning resources and links. Find out more about MTA.

If you are already a member and are booked on a workshop in the coming weeks, you will be contacted by the workshop provider.

Contact us

All staff are now working from home, with some tasks still being completed in the office such as certificate printing and fulfilment of shop orders. We’re able to answer email queries as normal and have a system in place to manage incoming calls, although this has not been fully tested so please bear with us and email if you can.

We’re still keen to answer your queries about our schemes, the Candidate Management System and DLOG.