Advanced Mountain Walking Leader Course
The course for the serious enthusiast or prospective mountain guide alike. Covers equipment, advanced navigation, walking skills, camp craft, mountain hazards, first aid, nutrition, weather, safety on steep ground, group management and trip planning. You can read a web article written by a previous AML student here: http://www.go2africa.com/africa-travel-articles/enlightenment-at-4-c.
Who should do this course?
This professional development training course is aimed at the person who is serious about qualifying for a career as a mountaineering adventure guide or anyone who runs mountain walking (hiking) adventures as part of their work or recreation such as school teachers, camp councillors and social workers.
This is the ideal course for those wanting to guide groups of mountain walkers on off-trail, rugged, remote and difficult mountain terrain all over South Africa and teaches all the skills required to become a competent mountain walking guide.
The course is based on the MDT Advanced Mountain Walking Leader syllabus and is ideal preparation for later assessment as a MDT Advanced Mountain Walking Leader or for THETA Mountaineering Guide Unit Standard TG19 and/or TG25 towards a National Qualification in Mountaineering Guiding. After the course you will automatically be registered with the MDT as a learner.
Topics covered include:
Equipment; trip and route planning; group management; advanced hiking skills and campcraft; client care and communication; map reading and advanced navigation; advanced wilderness first-aid and dealing with emergencies.
Participant requirements:
The course is open to any reasonably healthy and physically capable person over the age of 18. Courses for younger participants can be arranged on request although MDT registrations will be limited to students over 18 years. Previous trail hiking experience is recommended.
Course duration & times:
- 8 days
- Usually run as 5 consecutive days of theory lectures and a separate 3 day practical off-trail walking trip
- Usually from 09:00 until 17:00 daily except the last 3 days that includes an overnight outing
Group size & ratios:
- Minimum of four students required for course to run
- Maximum of 12 students per course
- Maximum of 1 Instructor : 12 Students for theory
- Maximum of 1 Instructor : 6 Students for the practical
Equipment:
Venture Forth can provide all group equipment for this course but students are required to have their own personal hiking equipment and correct clothing and footwear as set out in the course equipment list.
Recommended follow-up programs:
- Rock climbing training courses depending on personal skill level
- Guided Expeditions to gain further experience
Downloads: