Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Training
  • Plas y Brenin
  • 9 Days
  • 5 People to 1 instructor

Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Training

  • Climb
  • Mountain Training Award
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Overview

You're an aspiring Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and you're aiming to excel when you take your assessment. So you'll need to learn from the best in their field, who set the standard for outdoor instruction and will share their specialist knowledge with you, putting you to work, and pushing you to achieve your goal. This nine day training course covers all the essential aspects of the syllabus for the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Award. You'll hone your skills in; the technical aspects of rock climbing and mountaineering , improvised rescue, teaching, the mountain environment, navigation and group adventurous activities. You'll work hard out in Snowdonia's spectacular mountains by day, and attend evening lectures and activities to supplement the practical with the theory that supports it. The duration, intensity and activity on this course make it unique among Mountain Training qualifications. It's a learning experience that stays long in the memory.

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The Objectives

You'll leave inspired and motivated to progress on to the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructors Award Assessment, enabling you to instruct mountaineering and climbing skills in the UK and Ireland in Summer conditions. You'll gain many new technical climbing and mountaineering skills, develop your judgement, and gain an understanding of the standard of the qualification. Through feedback and reflection you'll have a clear understanding of your current abilities and an action plan towards assessment.

Itinerary

* Please note: Itinerary is subject to weather and availability.

What to Expect

We'll work with the Mountain Training syllabus, concentrating on areas that are difficult for you to learn on your own. The nine days are generally split into the following

Teaching climbing at a single pitch crag

Introduction to problem solving

Taking people climbing - Multi-pitch

Teaching climbing – Multi pitch

Problem solving in a multi pitch setting, using nuts and bolts from Day 1 in context at the crag

2 Mountain Days including; Risk assessment, coaching movement, route finding with and without a rope, safe-guarding climbers on steep terrain, appropriate use of anchors, varying technique to reflect ability and terrain, navigation techniques.

In addition, there'll be evening classroom or centre based sessions, covering the more theoretical aspects of the syllabus

Individual Action Plans will be considered at the end of the course.

Experience Required

Training course bookings must not be made until your Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor registration application has been approved by Mountain Training.

To gain the most from this course, you should arrive feeling fit, and confidently leading VS 4c. The focus of the course is managing and teaching others so you should have the personal fundamental skills of climbing. To help you operate safely and effectively, and to maximise your learning Plas y Brenin and Mountain Training recommend you have;

  • Updated your logbook to accurately reflect experience post successful Mountain Leader assessment
  • Confidently climbed VS and sport F6a (or above) within the month leading up to the training course
  • Climbed a variety of graded scrambles, (ideally roped for some or all)
  • Completed further Quality Mountain Days, including poor visibility navigation and in unfamiliar areas within the month leading up to the course
  • Recent leadership experience as a Mountain Leader
  • Recent experience of teaching climbing on a single pitch crag, and running sessions in the climbing wall
  • Read the Mountaineering Instructor Handbook
  • Read Rock Climbing by Libby Peter.

Your practical preparation should include;

  • Being tidy and efficient with your rope work - try to eliminate any twists or tangle
  • Practise fundamental rescue skills in a safe environment e.g. tying off the plate, simple hoisting, escaping the system, prussiking
  • Practise taking coils
  • Refresh your summer Mountain Leader skills including ropework, navigation and environmental knowledge.
  • If your registration has been approved but you're not sure that you're ready for training, please contact Mountain Training or Plas y Brenin to discuss your next best step.

Useful Books:

  • Hillwalking by Steve Long (MLTUK official publication)
  • Rock Climbing by Libby Peter (MLTUK official publication)
  • Navigation by Carlo Forte (MLTUK official publication)
  • Complete Guide to Rope Techniques by Nigel Shepherd
  • Handbook of Climbing by Fyffe & Peter
  • Rock Climbing for Instructors by A. Richardson
  • Nature of Snowdonia by M. Raine
  • Hostile Habitats by Mark Wrightham and Nick Kempe

We want to help you to achieve your goals so comfortable accommodation (with WIFI included) and home-cooked food are part of the deal if you've booked accommodation with us - you don't need to think about sorting this out for yourself.

What do I need to bring?
Equipment List
How should I prepare?
Preparation guide
What do I need to bring?

Personal mountain clothing

  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm hat, gloves, neck gaiter/buff, sunhat
  • Mountain boots

Other Equipment

  • Day rucksack Rucksack liner (e.g. rubble bag or dry bag)
  • Drink bottle, flask lunch bag/box
  • Personal first aid kit Gaiters (optional)
  • Headtorch High factor sunscreen
  • Midge repellent Notebook and pen OS Explorer 17 1:25,000 Snowdon & Conwy Valley (ideally laminated if not bring a map case) (Can be purchased from our shop) OS Landranger 115 1:50,000 Snowdon (ideally laminated if not bring a map case) (Can be purchased from our shop)
  • Compass (Silva Expedition 4 recommended)
  • Fine permanent pen (for writing on laminated maps)
  • Rock shoes
  • Harness
  • Helmet
  • Climbing rack
  • Footwear for sea level traversing day - could get wet, old trainers or approach shoes would work well Plas y Brenin will provide all ropes for use during the course. If you plan to climbing in your free time you will need your own ropes.
How should I prepare?
You must be registered on the Mountaineering Instructor Award scheme with Mountain Training prior to attending this course and have the required experience. The greater the level of experience a candidate has beyond the minimum requirements the more they are likely to benefit from the training course.

Available Course Dates

Start the booking process by selecting a course date, then adjust your details to suit your requirements.

Course Start Date
Duration
Cost*
Course Start Date
29th June, 2024
Duration
9 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£982.00
Course Start Date
14th September, 2024
Duration
9 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£982.00
Residential:
£1,486.00
Course Start Date
19th April, 2025
Duration
9 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£982.00
Residential:
£1,486.00
Course Start Date
31st May, 2025
Duration
9 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£982.00
Residential:
£1,486.00
Course Start Date
5th July, 2025
Duration
9 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£982.00
Residential:
£1,486.00
Course Start Date
13th September, 2025
Duration
9 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£982.00
Residential:
£1,486.00

*If your course is based at Plas Y Brenin, Capel Curig, residential prices include catering from the morning of your course start date and cover the duration of your course, accommodation starts on the night before your course commences to the morning of the last day of your booking.

Your Booking

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Cost
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This course will help you become

A mountaineering Instructor

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