Mountain Skills Training

Mountain Skills training is divided into three blocks, MS1, MS2 and MS assessment.
• MS1 and MS2 are the basic training blocks covering all aspects of hillwalking that the candidate will require to become a self-sufficient hill user.
• The Mountain Skills scheme also provides foundation training for those who wish to progress to further leadership qualifications, such as the Mountain Leader (ML).
Note: The MS scheme is not a certified qualification and Mountaineering Ireland does not produce certificates upon successful completion of the assessment. 

Course Providers

• The MS course follows the syllabus laid down by BOS and is delivered and assessed by individuals approved by BOS.
• Providers of the course are all experienced, qualified Mountain Leaders, Instructors, or Guides who have completed training in the specific required skills to teach and assess others in the mountains.
• The ratio for MS1 and MS2 is one instructor to six candidates. The ratio for MS assessment is one instructor to four candidates.
• Click here to download a list of Mountain Training Providers sorted by county 

Mountain Skills 1 (MS1)
Pre-requisites:
• No previous experience necessary however highly recommended that prospective candidates should have some previous hillwalking experience prior to undertaking MS training.
Duration:
• Generally run over two-day periods and comprise a mixture of indoor informal lectures/discussions and outdoor practical sessions
Skills:
• Map-reading
• Simple navigation techniques
• Recognition of natural features
• Distance measurement and timing of walks
• Mountain hazards
• Personal equipment such as correct clothing and emergency equipment

Mountain Skills 2 (MS2)
Pre-requisites:
• This course builds on MS1
Duration:
• Generally run over two-day periods and comprise a mixture of indoor informal lectures/discussions and outdoor practical sessions
Skills:
• Use of a compass
• Route-planning
• The preparation of route cards
• Night navigation
• Scrambling
• Mountain rescue
• Emergency procedures.

Mountain Skills Assessment (MS Assessment)
Pre-requisites:
• Candidates wishing to undertake MS assessment are required to maintain an official BOS logbook of their mountaineering activities, and to have logged at least 14 walks in a number of different upland areas of Ireland. At least four of these walks should be within two months of MS assessment.
• Prior to attendance on a MS Assessment course candidates must hold a valid first aid qualification. An example of a suitable First Aid qualification for the Mountain Skills Assessment would be the Level 2 from Mountain Training Ireland, Rescue Emergency Care or Remote Emergency Care
Duration:
• MS assessment is held over two days, and comprises both written and practical evaluation, including a night navigation exercise.
Skills:
• The third block is a consolidation of skills learnt in MS1 and MS2, and is an opportunity for candidates to test their mountaineering proficiency to a prescribed standard.

Mountain Leader Scheme

The Mountain Leader (ML) scheme provides training and assessment for those who take responsibility for others in the mountains, hills, and moorlands of Ireland and the UK, in summer conditions.

• The ML scheme follows the syllabus laid down by BOS and is delivered and assessed by individuals approved by BOS.
• Providers of the course are all experienced Mountain Instructors or Guides who have completed training in the specific required skills to teach and assess others in the mountains.
• The ratio for ML training and assessment is one instructor to four candidates.
• Click here to download a list of Mountain Training Providers sorted by county

Pre-requisites:
In order to register  for the Mountain Leader scheme candidates must:
• be at least 20 years old
• be an individual/ club member of Mountaineering Ireland
• have passed the MS Assessment
• hold a valid first aid qualification, the course provider will recommend a suitable course.
Duration:
• A Mountain Leader training course consists of five days, typically divided into two blocks, Mountain Leader 1 (two days) and Mountain Leader 2 (three days). Training comprises both indoor lectures/discussions and a multi-day expedition, including some night navigation exercises.
Skills:
• Party leadership and group management
• Navigation
• Walking skills
• Personal equipment
• Campcraft
• Security on steep ground
• Emergency rope work
• Mountain hazards and emergency procedures
• Weather, access and conservation. 

Personal & Leadership Experience
• On registration each candidate will be given a log book and in the period between registration and assessment, candidates are required to log broad personal hillwalking experience in a variety of Irish mountain areas, practising a variety of navigational techniques.
• The following criteria must be fulfilled as a minimum:
1. Record at least 20 quality mountain days
2. Organise a two-day hillwalking trip for a group in consultation with an ML holder
3. Gain experience progressively of leading parties over varied routes in Ireland, which must include at least six days leadership experience
4. Spend at least six days assisting one or more MLs (or higher award holders), two days of which must be on BOS-recognised courses such as Mountain Skills
5. Camp in two different non-roadside locations in the hills in winter

Assessment
• ML Assessment takes places over three days, with a minimum of one night camping. Candidates will be tested in practical aspects of the syllabus by BOS-approved assessors.
• A written test will also be given in advance of the assessment course (Topics related to subjects such as access and conservation, mountain weather and equipment, and background knowledge). They will not determine the final result but will aid the assessors when considering the choice of tasks to be set in the course.

Walking Leader Group

The Walking Group Leader (WGL) scheme provides training and assessment in the skills required to lead groups on hill walks in areas of Ireland and the UK.

Course Providers

• The WGL scheme follows the syllabus laid down by BOS and is delivered and assessed by individuals approved by BOS.
• Providers of the course are all experienced, qualified International Mountain Leaders, Instructors, or Guides who have completed training in the specific required skills to teach and assess others in the mountains.
• The ratio for WGL training is one instructor to six candidates, and one instructor to four candidates for WGL assessment.
• Click here to download a list of Mountain Training Providers sorted by county

Pre-requisites:
In order to register  for the Walking Group Leader scheme candidates must:
• be at least 18 years old
• be an individual/ club member of Mountaineering Ireland
• have at least one years walking experience
• For any leader, first aid is an essential skill. Prior to undertaking WGL assessment, therefore, candidates must also hold a current first aid qualification, appropriate with their work in wild and remote country. The course provider will recommend a suitable course.
Duration:
• Walking Group Leader training courses are held over three days and comprise a mixture of indoor lectures/discussions and outdoor practical sessions.
Skills:
• Party leadership and group management
• Walking and route finding
• Navigation
• Hazards and emergency procedures
• Equipment
• Campcraft
• Weather
• Access and conservation, and the upland environment. 

Consolidation
• On registration each candidate will be given a log book and in the period between registration and assessment candidates are required to complete and log an absolute minimum of 40 hillwalking days in areas defined by the scope of the scheme. 

Assessment
• WGL assessment takes places over three days. Candidates will be tested in practical aspects of the syllabus by BOS-approved assessors.
• Written tests of some form may also be given in advance of, or during, the assessment course. These tests will often be related to subjects such as access and conservation, mountain weather and equipment, and background knowledge. They will not determine the final result but will aid the assessors when considering the choice of tasks to be set in the course.