Mountain Training Courses – Guide
Exploring the countryside, hills, and mountains requires a diverse skill set. Some of these skills we pick up naturally as we explore nature, overcome challenges and learn to look after ourselves. Others are easier to acquire in focused learning environments.
In the mountains, the more technical the terrain, the more you need to know to stay safe and navigate confidently. It means developing specialised skills that enable you to be more independent and comfortable when hiking, trekking and climbing.
However, the most convincing argument for learning such skills is that they help you to enjoy your time in the mountains. Navigating the hillsides, summits and crags of the mountains can be hugely rewarding. And skills courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge required to make them so.
In this article, we look at four of our favourite mountain training courses and examine the benefits associated with outdoor education and skills development.
The benefits of outdoor education
There are many benefits to participating in a mountain training course. First and foremost, they help you acquire new skills and knowledge that enhance your abilities in the mountain environment. Depending on the course, this can include anything from improving your map-reading skills to learning the knots you need for safe rock climbing.
Developing these skills also makes you more confident, enables you to do and see things previously beyond your reach, and gives you a new perspective on the mountain environment.
Many say learning new skills gives you a deeper appreciation of the mountains. In some respects, that is true. But we’re also firm believers that you don’t have to scale the highest peaks or tackle a tricky 6b rock climbing route to appreciate the natural beauty around you. Some people get just as much from a gentle stroll across gently undulating foothills. So maybe it is not so much a deeper appreciation for the mountains, as a fresh perspective and a new way of looking at these remarkable landscapes.
While acquiring new skills and knowledge is the main reason most people sign up for an outdoor course, there are other benefits. There is the social aspect, for instance. Outdoor skills courses are a great opportunity to meet and make connections with people who share a similar passion. Likewise, mountain courses allow you to see new places, improve your fitness and give you a well-deserved and confidence-boosting sense of achievement.
The RAW Adventures approach
At RAW Adventures, it is our job to take people up into the mountains and help them experience this breathtaking landscape in a way that suits and benefits them. This means different things to different people.
For some of the people we work with, arriving at the summit of Yr Wyddfa is the first time they have ever been more than 1,000 metres above sea level. Others have already explored the Alps, hiked across the Scottish Highlands or trekked in Tibet.
We try to offer courses and training opportunities for every type of outdoor enthusiast – from those just starting to experienced adventurers looking to upskill and take their next steps. If you are not sure where you should begin and want to find a course that is well suited to your needs, give us a call. We will gladly talk you through your options.
Though some courses require previous experience, others do not. But we will always be honest and try to match you to a training course that matches your ability and experience level.
Hill & Mountain Skills
At RAW Adventures, we work with Mountain Training to run courses in Hill and Mountain Skills. While taught by the talented team at RAW, these courses are accredited by Mountain Training, a collection of awarding bodies for walking, climbing and mountaineering skills. The Hills and Mountain Skills scheme consists of two separate courses – the Hills Skills course and the Mountain Skills course.
Hill Skills
The Hills Skills course aims to improve your confidence and equip you with the skills you need to explore the country’s hills, moors and fens. The course covers everything from planning your trip to pacing, nutrition, equipment, reading the weather and navigating.
You will also learn about minimising your environmental impact while walking and what to do in an emergency. As such, these courses are the perfect introduction to exploring the UK and Ireland’s higher ground and engaging with mountain landscapes.
Who is it for?
The Hills Skills course is aimed at beginners who want to learn new skills that enable them to be more independent in upland environments. All hiking is conducted at a relatively gentle pace and the emphasis is on teaching, so there are plenty of educational breaks.
However, nothing is stopping more experienced hikers from completing the course. If you have spent a considerable amount of time walking in the countryside but would like to cement or refresh the basics in your mind, this is a great opportunity to do so.
Participants must be at least ten years old to sign up for the course.
Practical details
This is a two-day course, with each day starting at 9 am. As we are based in Eryri (Snowdonia), we will spend both days exploring the striking natural landscapes of this wonderful National Park. Each day will consist of around 4-5 hours of walking and will end with a group debrief, where we discuss what we have learned. You will also have the chance to ask further questions and socialise with the group.
Mountain Skills
The Mountain Skills course is the second half of the Hills and Mountains Skills scheme. However, there is no requirement for you to complete the Hills course before you sign up for the Mountains course.
This course is also aimed at relative beginners, though some basic hill walking experience is preferable. It takes a similar approach to the Hills course and aims to develop the skills you need to be more confident in mountain environments. As such, your guide will teach you about map and compass navigation skills, mountain weather forecasting, planning, preparation and how to best move through and across steep ground.
You will also learn about emergency procedures in the mountain environment and how to stay safe at all times.
Who is it for?
The Mountain Skills course requires a higher degree of fitness than the Hill Skills course, as the terrain is more challenging and you can expect slightly longer days. While no previous experience is required, we suggest that anyone who is completely new to outdoor pursuits starts on the Hills Skills course.
Participants must be at least ten years old to sign up for the course.
Practical details
The Mountain Skills course is a two-day course in Eryri (Snowdonia). Participants will head up to the higher ground around Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and typically walk for around 5-6 hours each day. There will be natural breaks as the guide introduces and expands on the core skills at the heart of the syllabus.
The course also includes evening sessions. Depending on the conditions, this may be a night walk or an additional indoor teaching session to further develop your skills.
Rock Skills
Our Rock Skills course is for anyone who wants to improve their rock climbing ability and ensure they enjoy this beautiful sport safely and securely. Like our Hills and Mountains Skills courses, this course is a Mountain Training-accredited course.
We run the course at both Introduction and Intermediate levels, ensuring there are opportunities for both absolute beginners and those looking to take the next step.
What will you learn?
It depends on whether you are tackling the Introduction or the Intermediate course. In the former, you can expect to begin with background and planning, including the ways you can find crags and routes, what makes good climbing terrain, and crag etiquette. You will then move onto fundamental climbing moves and styles, equipment, technical skills, what to do in an emergency and how you can climb responsibly.
As you would expect, the Intermediate course expands on the knowledge acquired in the first course. You will broaden your repertoire of climbing moves, dive deeper into how you choose the right equipment for better performance and improve your technical skills by focusing on building anchors, ropework, holding falls, seconding a route and selecting runners.
Who is it for?
The Rock Skills course is aimed at people who want to develop the skills they need early on in their rock climbing journey. For the Introduction course, no previous experience is required. Just a lot of enthusiasm! For the Intermediate course, you must pass the Introduction course or have logged ten hours of climbing on indoor walls or outdoor crags and ten hours belaying for other climbers.
For both courses, participants need to be at least 12 years old.
Practical details
Generally, the Rock Skills Introduction course is a one-day event, while the Intermediate course spans two days. The courses take place in Eryri (Snowdonia) and are run by an experienced and qualified RAW Adventures rock climbing instructor.
Winter Mountain Skills
The Winter Mountain Skills course enables you to take your summer skills to the next level and explore the mountain environment in more challenging conditions. Traversing summits, ridgelines and mountainsides in winter weather requires a whole new set of skills and this course is designed to teach you everything you need to know.
Held on our home mountain of Yr Wyddfa or in the awe-inspiring Cairngorms in spectacular Scotland, this course is a chance to learn new skills while enjoying some of the most mind-blowing landscapes in the UK.
What will you learn?
Our Winter Mountain Skills course covers a wide range of topics, all of which have been specifically chosen to help you become more capable and independent in winter mountain environments. On the course, you will get to grips with winter weather and avalanche forecasts, learn about route planning and prep, and increase your confidence with winter equipment, such as crampons and ice axes.
Your mountain leader will also teach you winter navigation techniques and how to move securely across snow-covered ground. The extent to which you explore each of these areas depends on the course duration.
Who is it for?
This course is for experienced summer walkers interested in heading out on winter excursions. Confidence in mountain environments and a good level of fitness are required. If you are unsure whether you are ready for the Winter Mountain Skills course, give the RAW Adventures team a call and talk it through. We will always give you an honest opinion and help find the right course for you.
Practical details
The Winter Mountain Skills course lasts anywhere from two to four days, depending on which course you opt for. While we offer shorter courses in Eryri (Snowdonia), we also run a four-day course in the Cairngorms alongside our trusted friends and partners, Hayley Webb Mountain Adventures. Participants in the Cairngorms course will also benefit from Hayley’s excellent cooking!
Trek Training
The final course on our list is the Trek Training course. A two-day event for anyone preparing for an overseas trek or mountain adventure, the course allows you to assess your current fitness, learn how overseas treks typically work and develop skills that will help you during your trek. It is ideal if you are heading away on a charity event or organised group excursion.
What will you learn?
The course is based on a carefully considered syllabus that combines skills development, fitness assessment, experience-based advice and tips on how to prepare.
For instance, participants will generally learn about kit and equipment choice, how to handle changes in altitude, efficiency of movement in higher ground and how to stay healthy while away. You will also take part in a fitness assessment and receive feedback on what you need to do to ensure you are ready for your trip.
Who is it for?
This course is for anyone planning an overseas trek or participating in a group, charity or organised mountain excursion. As the syllabus is oriented towards overseas trips, the course may not be as suited to those trekking in the UK.
Practical details
Trek Training is a two day course that we hold right here in Eryri. We require a minimum of four participants but can arrange the course for dates that best suit your group. If you have any questions regarding Trek Training, just get in touch.
What next?
If you are interested in any of the courses covered in this article, head to our Skills Courses page for additional details and booking information. At RAW Adventures, we are a warm, friendly and approachable bunch, so we would love to hear from you if you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspect of our Skills Courses. You can contact us via our contact form or by phoning 01286 870870. We look forward to seeing you out on the mountain!
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