BASIC MOUNTAIN WALKING LEADER COURSE
PEAK HIGH
Mountaineering
A brief overview:
The Basic Mountain Walking Leader Course or BMWL is a qualification offered by The Mountain Development Trust (MDT). Peak High is an approved provider of all MDT courses and assessments. The award is primarily for people who supervise individuals or groups in easy mountain terrain situations.
The award consists of 4 distinct parts.
1) Prior hiking experience.
2) Attending the 4-day training course with an approved provider.
3) Gaining of further experience for at least 12 months. During this time candidates must log up at least 12 days of hiking and 6 nights being spent in tents, huts or caves. Three marked trails must have been completed which consist of at least 3 days walking. Experience must have been gained in at least 3 different mountain regions. eg. Southern Drakenberg and Golden Gate.
4) Attending a 2-day practical assessment.
The prior experience can be of any hiking at any venue and must have been for at least 12 months. The main thing here is to ensure that the candidate is reasonably fit and knows the basics before attending the course.
The course has to be attended by all candidates. Registration with the MDT usually takes place at the start of the course and is handled by Peak High Mountaineering. (R150 registration fee must be paid and this is charged within the course fee.) It is possible to attend the course and not register with the MDT, however attendance of the course alone, with no registration or assessment, is not a qualification in itself.
The course is mostly practical in nature and covers a broad spectrum. It includes:
· map and navigation
· equipment care
· group control
· conservation
· steep-ground
· river crossing
· emergencies
In all of these areas candidates are specifically shown methods of good and safe practice when dealing with beginners and groups, as this is in essence what BMWL award is about. Note that no rope work on steep ground or river crossing is shown on this course.
(There is an exemption clause that states that candidates who can show exceptional prior experience can be exempt from attending the course. However there is no exemption from the logbook and the practical assessment. The application for exemption has to be made in writing directly to the MDT. However, it must be stated that attending the course is highly recommended as candidates will be expected to perform tasks and show skills learned on the course, when they are assessed. )
Peak High Mountaineering runs these courses at almost any venue but when in Natal they are usually held at Highmoor in the Central Drakensberg or at Cobham in the southern Berg.
After the course, and if registration has taken place, candidates are given a logbook to record their experience before assessment takes place. This consolidation period takes place over a minimum of 12 months before assessment will be considered. (There is no maximum time limit.)
During this time candidates are expected to gain wide experience at hiking at different venues and with different groups. When the logbook has been completed according to the requirements, it is handed to the MDT and an assessment can take place with an approved provider.
About Peak High Mountaineering and Gavin:
Peak High Mountaineering is owned by Gavin Raubenheimer and has been operating since 1992. The business is registered with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal as a Tour Operator. Gavin Raubenheimer is a certified Mountaineering Instructor (M.I.A.) endorsed by the Mountain Development Trust of SA and the U.I.A.A. He is a NQF National Mountaineering, Cultural and Nature Guide (NQF level 4). Gavin is a past President of the KwaZulu-Natal Section of the Mountain Club of SA. He has been involved in mountain rescue since 1992 and since 2005 has been the Convener of Mountain Rescue in the province. He is sponsored by first Ascent outdoor clothing company and by RAM Mountaineering.
For more information and bookings contact:
Gavin on 082 990 5876 or +27 (0) 33 343 3168 or gavin@peakhigh.co.za
Also view the Peak High web site at http://www.peakhigh.co.za
A brief overview:
The Basic Mountain Walking Leader Course or BMWL is a qualification offered by The Mountain Development Trust (MDT). Peak High is an approved provider of all MDT courses and assessments. The award is primarily for people who supervise individuals or groups in easy mountain terrain situations.
Highmoor in the Southern Drakensberg
The award consists of 4 distinct parts.
1) Prior hiking experience.
2) Attending the 4-day training course with an approved provider.
3) Gaining of further experience for at least 12 months. During this time candidates must log up at least 12 days of hiking and 6 nights being spent in tents, huts or caves. Three marked trails must have been completed which consist of at least 3 days walking. Experience must have been gained in at least 3 different mountain regions. eg. Southern Drakenberg and Golden Gate.
4) Attending a 2-day practical assessment.
The prior experience can be of any hiking at any venue and must have been for at least 12 months. The main thing here is to ensure that the candidate is reasonably fit and knows the basics before attending the course.
The course has to be attended by all candidates. Registration with the MDT usually takes place at the start of the course and is handled by Peak High Mountaineering. (R150 registration fee must be paid and this is charged within the course fee.) It is possible to attend the course and not register with the MDT, however attendance of the course alone, with no registration or assessment, is not a qualification in itself.
The course is mostly practical in nature and covers a broad spectrum. It includes:
· map and navigation
· equipment care
· group control
· conservation
· steep-ground
· river crossing
· emergencies
In all of these areas candidates are specifically shown methods of good and safe practice when dealing with beginners and groups, as this is in essence what BMWL award is about. Note that no rope work on steep ground or river crossing is shown on this course.
(There is an exemption clause that states that candidates who can show exceptional prior experience can be exempt from attending the course. However there is no exemption from the logbook and the practical assessment. The application for exemption has to be made in writing directly to the MDT. However, it must be stated that attending the course is highly recommended as candidates will be expected to perform tasks and show skills learned on the course, when they are assessed. )
Peak High Mountaineering runs these courses at almost any venue but when in Natal they are usually held at Highmoor in the Central Drakensberg or at Cobham in the southern Berg.
After the course, and if registration has taken place, candidates are given a logbook to record their experience before assessment takes place. This consolidation period takes place over a minimum of 12 months before assessment will be considered. (There is no maximum time limit.)
During this time candidates are expected to gain wide experience at hiking at different venues and with different groups. When the logbook has been completed according to the requirements, it is handed to the MDT and an assessment can take place with an approved provider.
For more information and bookings contact:
Gavin: 082 990 5876
Office: +27 (0) 33 343 3168
Email: gavin@peakhigh.co.za
Also view the Peak High web site page on courses at http://www.peakhigh.co.za/courses2.php
