National Guidelines

What are they?

A set of guidelines which is useful for anyone with a responsibility for climbing, walking and mountaineering related activities. The document offers advice and guidance on the full spectrum of considerations including operational guidelines, the ‘four ways to competence’ and the responsibilities of the provider, leader and participant.

If you want to know more about competence, risk assessments and the principles of safety management, the National Guidelines is the place to look.

Who wrote them and who uses them?

The National Guidelines have been written by Mountain Training staff with considerable input from volunteers. Advice and guidance is given with various user and provider groups in mind including the voluntary sector, outdoor centres, sole traders and schools.

So whether you’re running a Scout group, working as a freelancer or the head of an outdoor centre, you should be familiar with the National Guidelines.

Supported by…

The National Guidelines are supported by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), Mountaineering Scotland and Mountaineering Ireland (MI) who, along with Mountain Training, recognise that they are not necessarily intended to be applicable to recreational climbers, hill walkers or mountaineers enjoying their activity as equals.