Heading towards you ML assessment and needing some top tips?
I work on a lot of ML training and assessment courses for a range of different providers, and the same things are highlighted on every assessment as to weaker areas of the syllabus with many candidates. The role of the Mountain Leader is obvious, but so varied even within this, and the ML assessment syllabus is pretty vast to reflect it! The ML training courses cannot possibly cover every aspect of the syllabus, and this is always stated during the course and guidance given as to where to look for it (the candidate handbook) and the excellent skills checklist. All available on the MT website here!
Here’s a quick run down of some of the key areas to think about when it comes to your ML assessment!
Mountain Leader log book
Before the assessment even starts the log book needs to be sufficient. When a candidate comes in with the minimum amount, or some dubious days – it is always evident in their performance! Get the proper amount of QMD’s.. People often ask what a QMD is, it’s baffling that people don’t look at the hand book where it is clearly stated…
- Don’t use many repeat days as they wont count – we want to see variety, not the North Ridge of Tryfan 5 times.
- Is a quick trip up Pen Y Fan really the same as the Snowdon Horseshoe? Clearly not!
- Get lots of scrambling experience in – the security on steep ground days on assessment will be a struggle if you don’t!
- We want to see areas like Snowdonia, the Lakes and Scotland – less so the Brecon Beacons, the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales!
- Go wild camping lots!
Navigation
Its staggering how many people turn up for assessment having only ever done certain skills on their training, or practiced a little in the week before assessment – we WILL spot this! The key to a solid performance is to get out in different areas in all sorts of weather and practice all the skills you might ever use. Using them in anger and context will mean you start to truly understand what you’re doing. The same goes for night nav! Hopefully it’s obvious that if you turn up on a whim you might not do so well, whereas if you’ve gone and put the time in, it will show and we’ll be impressed!
- Practice with a range of different maps! Its amazing how often people say they just don’t use 1:50 for instance – you WILL be using different ones on assessment!
- Get accurate with everything! Measure in millimeters not with the Romer, double check your bearings, work out solid plans each time, be careful to time legs – and pay attention to what’s happening with the land around you!
- Use the skills that the terrain/weather/visibility dictate. We’ll get a little worried if you’re using bearings on a clear day when we can all see the feature you’re aiming for!
- Don’t forget skills like aspect of slope, land to map bearings on features, aiming off and doglegs etc..
- Get solid with your pacing and timing – maybe use a navigation app when you’re training to check yourself.
- Use your navigation equipment loads before assessment and get solid with how it all works and where it goes etc! Map, compass, watch, pacing beads etc..
- Take spares with you – I’ve seen a staggering amount of compasses and head torches fail on assessment! Not what you want!
Security on Steep Ground
This one should be relatively simple if you go out and practice. You can do set piece practice with the rope to get the systems dialed, but it’s so important to use it in context. We’re looking at your judgment and decision making, so if you get a chance to take novices (mates are fine!) out on rockier scrambly walks you’ll learn a lot!
- don’t get the rope out if its overkill – if you can safely spot it or justify its appropriate (and we agree!) for the group without then awesome!
- give clear, concise and understood instructions.
- before getting the rope out – STOP. Overview the setting. Where do you want your group at the start and end? Can you see them at all times? Where is the line you want them to ascend/descend? Now think what anchor is most suitable for the given situation and how you are going to use it. Can I keep them safe the whole time?
- select bomber anchors, ideally back from the edge, but you’ve gotta work with what you’ve got.
- use a robust rope system and justify everything you do.
- make sure you can see the client on the rope at all times.
- AGAIN – give clear, concise and understood instructions. Check for clarity.
- practice your abseils.
- go and confidence rope on a variety of terrains, up, down and sideways.
- get really slick at all of the above!
Fauna & Flora, Access and Conservation etc
Many people will go and take the time to develop the skills outlined above, but neglect the areas of the syllabus that really enhance your ability as a leader. Amazing you can nav and look after a group when things go wrong – but are they actually going to have a nice day in the hills with you and learn some cool stuff?! With a plethora of great (simple!) books there really is no excuse these days at enhancing your personal knowledge. “Nature in Snowdonia” by Mike Raine is the obvious choice, “Hostile Habitats” is amazing and a little more detailed, “Rock Trails” by Paul Gannon is great too. These days there are loads of apps for your phones as well! I’d well recommend some of the workshops put on by the Mountain Training Association..
Learn some stuff, it doesn’t need to be loads, but make it interesting and relevant. Think folk tales and interesting animals, useful plants and cool geology.. There may be a home paper in your assessment, possibly a subject to talk about on the hill, and we’ll definitely ask questions as we go along – I want to learn stuff from you too!
Campcraft etc
We want to see you can thrive in the environment, that you belong there and can cope with the weather, the tiredness, the lack of facilities and be self sufficient. We want to see you can make good decisions and still navigate at the end of the week too! Whatever tent/stove/sleeping systems you use it needs to work, try and keep your bag light/small (50l or less). I want you to know enough about it that you can advise groups of novices on the kit. How do you go to the toilet outside in an environmentally friendly way and how to make water safe to drink etc – stuff that we may take for granted but groups will have never had to think about!
Join the MTA
The Mountain Training Association is an organization that supports and develops trainee and qualified leaders alike. They offer events and CPD opportunities that will go through many of the stuff detailed above and much more. Being a member allows you to log all this development and shows your professional commitment post assessment. Join them! Oh and great discount deals with some retailers and manufacturers…
Mountain Leader refresher course
Pre ML assessment a refresher course may well be worth doing. It will fine tune your skills, iron out any errors and give you guidance as to the next steps, how ready you are for assessment or an action plan to move forward with. The only thing I would say, is make sure you do a refresher course with someone that actually works on Mountain Leader Training and Assessments! You see some people offering ML refreshers with little experience of delivering training and assessing in anything, and no knowledge of the ML process other than their own training and assessment. That being said, going out with mates and other trainees or people that are currently MLs may be beneficial and you’ll learn lots I’m sure!
The ML award is a brilliant qualification to get, and you’ll have worked hard to pass – it’s well regarded in the industry and the skills are transferrable to many other sports. Enjoy the process! If you’ve got any questions or would like to enquire about a refresher course get in touch!