NEW Walking Awards Go Live

This week Mountain Training is launching a new ‘pathway’ of walking leadership awards. The increased range of nationally accredited awards combined with clear descriptive names will create greater opportunities for leaders of walking groups.

The Lowland Leader is a new entry level award, the Hill and Moorland Leader is a remodelled replacement for the Walking Group Leader and the new Expedition Skills Module can be ‘bolted on’ to either award for leaders involved in overnight expeditions.

The UK and Ireland have some stunning walking areas, from coastal paths to high rocky mountains, which are often utilised by groups such as the Scouts, Girl Guides, Cadets and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, not to mention The Ramblers, parents, teachers and a whole host of other diverse users.

Mountain Training’s new ‘pathway’ has given leaders of these groups an accessible range of relevant awards to choose from and an opportunity to shape their own development.

Lowland Leader

The Lowland Leader is ideal for those who are new to outdoor leadership or those with plenty of experience leading groups in lowland terrain who want or need formal recognition of their competence. The leadership opportunities for Lowland Leaders are varied and far reaching, from the South West Coast Path to the Great Glen Way; walking in lowland areas can be just as spectacular as walking high up in the mountains.

The first Lowland Leader assessment took place earlier this week. George McEwan, Executive Officer in Scotland, went along to moderate and some of his photos are on the right hand side of this page (not the top one!).

Hill and Moorland Leader

This award is a remodelled and renamed replacement for the Walking Group Leader award. It is designed for people who want to lead walking groups in upland areas where the hazards of steep rocky ground do not need to be managed. The Peak District and Dartmoor are two classic examples of this type of terrain.

Expedition Skills Module

This is an optional module for walking leaders who want to increase the scope of their award to include overnight expeditions, wild and valley camping, remote supervision and teaching navigation. It is ideal for any leaders involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Ten Tors challenge or similar walking expeditions.

Mountain Leader

This award is the oldest Mountain Training award and is designed for people who want to lead walking groups in the mountains or remote country. Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands are the traditional ‘stomping grounds’ of a Mountain Leader.