Welcome to Mountain Training
We are the awarding body network for walking, climbing and mountaineering skills courses and qualifications in the UK and Ireland.
We know that many studies have shown that doing physical activity can improve mental health and we believe in the power of walking, climbing and mountaineering to connect people to the mountains and to other people. Our mission is to support and develop people with the skills they need to be able to enjoy the hills, mountains and crags independently, safely and with confidence.
Our vision is to create a diverse and active outdoor society where everyone can benefit from, and be inspired by, the joy of being in the outdoors, where they can learn new skills to keep themselves and others safe and where they can feel supported by a like-minded community.
The White Fox - Charlie Leeds
Charlie is an ejection technician (bouncer) at a bar in Leeds and this film visits him in his natural habitats and learns a little about the inspiration he finds in the mountains and how they have shaped his life since suffering from PTSD and depression. Charlie has gained six of our climbing and walking leadership qualifications since 2012 including becoming an International Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor. He has also recently joined the delivery workforce, having been approved by Mountain Training as a Hill & Mountain Skills tutor in November 2019.
Here’s some information to help you get started…
Hill & Mountain Skills
Our Hill Skills and Mountain Skills courses are designed for new and improving walkers who want to feel confident about having their own adventures. Key skills such as planning, navigation and avoiding hazards are covered by experienced and enthusiastic tutors, approved by us, the length and breadth of the country.
Find out more ->
Rock Skills
There are four Rock Skills courses: Introduction, Intermediate, Learn to Lead Sport Climbs and Learn to Lead Trad Climbs. Key skills such as moving on rock, belaying, equipment and managing hazards are covered on all courses, appropriate to the level of the course and the participants. There are over 70 approved providers in the UK and Ireland.
Find out more ->
Leadership qualifications
Our qualifications train and assess people to look after others, as leaders, instructors and coaches in various different environments; the hills and mountains, in summer and winter, climbing indoors, on rock, snow and ice. A certain level of competence and experience is required at each stage of gaining a qualification (registration, training and assessment) and some are sequential. For example before registering to become a Winter Mountain Leader you must first qualify as a Mountain Leader.
Which scheme is right for me? ->
Get help
If you require professional mental health support, or are concerned about the mental health of somebody else, please visit our
resources page for info about how to get help.
If you are having thoughts of suicide then please contact either the Samaritans immediately by dialling the freephone number 116 123 or, for young people, contact the Papyrus Hopeline on 0800 068 4141.