International Mountain Leader Training

Overview

You’ll have a mix of theory and practical sessions, covering a wide range of topics including; anatomy and physiology, legal liability, altitude, marketing, leadership, rope work, navigation, altimeters, and environmental considerations, as well as covering many other aspects of working with trekking groups in the mountains of the world.

You’ll also take an assessed, timed navigation test. You’ll be learning from some of the best in their field who will also support you to develop an individual action plan (a key part of this course) to help you progress through the next three stages of this Mountain Training accredited qualification.

On completion of the summer IML training course, you can progress to the Summer assessment or the Winter training course, both of which are based in the European Alps. This gives you some flexibility to complete the courses most appropriate to you.

The Objectives

You’ll have completed comprehensive training and assessment making the first step towards working as a leader in Europe and further afield. You’ll have gained the skills required for leading and educating groups worldwide in summer conditions.

What to Expect

Experience Required

You should be 18 years old to attend this course. The scheme consists of the following stages:

• Gain Mountain Leader qualification
• Log 20 quality international summer mountain days
• Log 20 quality UK or international winter mountain days
• Register for International Mountain Leader qualification and have your registration approved
• Attend IML Summer Training course which includes the IML Timed Navigation Test
• At this stage candidates can choose to either progress to IML Summer Assessment, or IML Winter Training.

Please note candidates must have passed the IML Timed Navigation Test before attending the IML Summer Assessment. Gain further experience as required before assessment Pass IML Summer Assessment Attend IML Winter Training course before the final Winter IML Assessment, all candidates must have passed the Summer IML Assessment and completed at least 30 quality winter mountain days in total, of which a minimum of ten should be overseas. Pass IML Winter Assessment course and gain IML qualification

How Should I Prepare?

You must have have fulfilled the pre-requisites as stated on the Mountain Training Website and be hill fit. It would also be beneficial to practise your navigation skills for the timed navigation test. We strongly recommend that you take out cancellation and medical insurance when you book the course. Mountain Training UK state that there is no exemption from training. The summer IML training course includes knowledge and skills not assessed on the final course. If, for any reason, you don’t attend any aspects of the summer training course, you’ll need to attend that aspect at some point in the future, at your own expense. Until you have attended all aspects of the course you will not be accredited with a Summer IML Training and will not be able to progress with the scheme.

Candidates should read the Mountain Training IML Candidate Handbook, which can be found on their website.  This not only details the syllabus, but contains some useful guidance notes.

To get the most from the course, it is recommended that you are familiar with the ropework you would have been assessed on as a Mountain Leader.  The Mountain Training Hillwalking book written by Steve Long is a useful reference for this.

On the mountain day we will be moving in steep terrain (similar to Grade 1), and therefore you should feel comfortable and able to move at ease in this environment.

The Timed Navigation Test FAQs