EVENTS, COURSES AND CPD

The Hill & Mountain Skills scheme is a great way to develop your personal skills and confidence in all elements of hill and mountain walking. From planning a coastal walk to navigating in complex terrain, these courses are an ideal opportunity to learn the basics and enjoy the countryside. Please note, this is a personal skills course, not a leadership course.

The Mountain Skills syllabus covers the following aspects:

• Planning – how to successfully plan a walk in the mountains in the UK or Ireland.
• Walking skills – what things should you consider while out walking and what can make life easier (pace, nutrition, movement skills, steep ground etc.).
• Clothing and equipment – being suitably dressed and equipped can make the difference between a great day out and a complete disaster.
• Weather – how it affects the mountains and your day out.
• Navigation in the mountains – everything from selecting a compass and using a map to navigation in poor visibility and an intro to GPS.
• Environmental knowledge – how to minimise your impact on the hill, information on good practice and useful organisations.
• Hazards and emergency procedures in the mountains – how to respond to any hazards you encounter and what to do in an emergency.

The course starts with an indoor Friday evening session followed by two practical days in the mountain environment. 

The course is offered to City of Edinburgh staff as an all inclusive:  Cost includes tuition, Mountain Training course fee, food, accommodation, and transport to and from Edinburgh (depart Bangholm at 2pm Friday, return approx. 7pm Sunday.  Participants will receive a free copy of the BMC book 'Safety on Mountains'.