Mountain Leader Assessment Course | North Wales

Course Info

Mountain Leader courses are delivered by Rob Johnson - Mountain Training Cymru, provider number 1554

This is the moment you've been working towards. All those hours spent navigating ridgelines, studying maps by headtorch, and honing your mountain craft – it all leads to this: your Mountain Leader Assessment.

 

calendar Dates Feb - November
Duration Duration 5 Days
Start Location Start Location Eryri - Snowdonia
Instructor Ratio Instructor Ratio 1:4
Skill Level Skill Level H4
Book Today Book Today £440 P/Person

This Mountain Leader assessment course is designed to help aspiring leaders develop and demonstrate their outdoor leadership skills in real UK mountain terrain. Set in the stunning landscape of Snowdonia, the course provides a professional yet relaxed environment where candidates can showcase their abilities, improve navigation and decision-making, and build confidence as qualified Mountain Leaders. While the assessment process is formal, the supportive approach helps minimise stress and maximise performance.

Participants will experience a skills-focused, immersive week with plenty of opportunities to learn and refine essential mountain leadership techniques. Upon booking, candidates receive detailed course notes and exclusive access to a dedicated Mountain Leader Resources page, aligned with the official syllabus and tailored to Snowdonia’s unique challenges. Leading up to the course, regular emails offer expert preparation tips, reminders, and guidance. Those wishing to refresh key skills beforehand can also access discounted Mountain Leader refresher courses, covering core areas such as navigation training, steep ground confidence, and wild camping skills.

 

Mountain Leader Courses

This course is run by Expedition Guide (Mountain Training Cymru, provider number 1554) and delivered by Rob Johnson and Matt Cooper. Rob and Matt have spent many years working in the mountains and absolutely love what they do. They're both passionate about helping instructors grow in confidence and develop the skills they need to become great leaders in the outdoors.

Extras with a Mountain Leader course:

  • Free online Q&A sessions – Ask questions and get advice before or after your course

  • Discounted refresher courses – Perfect for brushing up before assessment

  • Tent and stove hire – Don’t worry if you’re missing kit, we’ve got you covered

  • Resource hub – Access a collection of helpful PDFs, guides, and tips to support your learning journey

 

Mountain Leader assessment looking at navigation
Overnight Exped on Mountain Leader Course in North Wales

Experience Level

  • You must have attended a Mountain Leader training course (or have been granted exemption)
  • You must be familiar with the syllabus
  • You must have logged a minimum of 40 Quality Mountain Days in three different regions of the UK and Ireland
  • You must have logged at least 8 nights camping, including at least 4 nights wild camping
  • You must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least two full days or sixteen hours of instruction and included an element of assessment
H4 Skill Level
Walking and Scrambling Skills

Good level of fitness and the ability to walk for multiple days in the mountains.

SKILL LEVEL KEY - Click here

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is not included in the course price, but there are plenty of great places to stay in the area. Click the link below to download our North Wales accommodation guide.

[TMC Accommodation Guide Download]

 

Equipment Hire

If you need a tent or stove, why not hire one from us! For more details about equipment hire please get in touch.

Course Dates
PRIVATE BOOKINGS

Hiring one of our instructors privately is the perfect choice when you’ve got a specific aim in mind, whether it’s to improve your personal skills, have an unforgettable guided experience with a group of friends or tick off an objective you’ve had in your sights for a while.

Click on the link for more details

Click Here

WHY CHOOSE US?

All of our instructors are highly qualified Mountaineering Instructors or Mountain Leaders who take pride in offering engaging - fun courses that will give you the very best chance of achieving your goals. We are also members of Mountain Training, the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and the British Mountaineering Council. Why not check out our google reviews and see what our clients think about us. 

The Mountaineering Company was voted Travellers' Choice on TripAdvisor in 2025 for its consistently high service and 5-star Reviews. 

Google Review
Mountain Training
AMI
Matt Cooper
Matt Cooper
 Mountaineering Instructor, Winter Mountain Leader Find Out More

To attend the Mountain Leader Assessment, you must have logged at least 40 Quality Mountain Days across three different UK or Irish mountain regions. These days must demonstrate variety, experience, and personal involvement in route planning and navigation.

Yes. You must have completed a 16-hour (2-day) practical outdoor first aid course with an element of assessment. Online-only courses do not meet the requirement.

A Summer Mountain Leader qualification allows you to lead groups in non-technical, mountainous terrain in the UK and Ireland under summer conditions. It does not cover winter mountaineering or climbing, which require additional qualifications like the Winter ML or Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor.

Testimonials

I've now been on two courses with The Mountaineering company. Both courses were great, learnt loads and Matt/Sam were brilliant instructors. I would definitely recommend to anyone getting into mountaineering to book onto intro and development courses. I'm looking forward to doing more courses with them in the future. (Google Review)

Alex Heaps

My partner and I booked Matt for two days mountaineering instruction so we could learn how to use ropes on climbs that were out of our comfort zone. We had a fantastic two days and Matts structured approach allowed us to take it all in and practice all the techniques over and over again. We both now feel more confident to take on more adventurous scrambles. Thanks Matt

Andy and karren

Fantastic day on the Back to Basics Navigation course with Matt. Very well organised and learnt a lot. Matt was very professional and great at teaching the skills with lots of patience and encouragement. Really enjoyed it and will definitely be signing up to other courses in future. Highly recommended.

Chontelle Wright

A great day out learning how to use a map and compass with Matt. His teaching style gave us just the right amount of information without feeling overloaded. I would highly recommend Matt !

Chris

Just got back from a fantastic weekend with Matt on the Welsh 3k and couldn't have asked for a better time. We had blue skies and cool air so it wasn't too hot and the views were simply incredible. Matt set a great pace allowing us to push our limits but never going beyond what we were capable of and we finished in 18 hours 32 mins. Hes a top bloke and I would certainly recommend him and The Mountaineering Company to anybody. Thanks again Matt. You will certainly see us again next year no doubt!

Chris Mansell

We attended a navigation course today with Matt. He was fantastic, can’t rate him highly enough! We had no knowledge at all, but have come home feeling confident and ready to tackle our adventure! Thank you Matt for a fabulous, fun day

Claire Black

I thoroughly recommend Matt as a leader & guide. I experienced an exhilarating & fun day with a super group doing Matt's Ogwen Classics day. Matt managed our mixed levels of ability & confidence with a calm, encouraging, alert & purposeful manner. He inspired confidence through recognition of our efforts & shared his knowledge & experience to support our skill development. The day passed all too quickly!

Ferne Davies

Awesome day with Matt teaching my 11yr old son and I the basics of climbing. Very patient and approachable would highly recommend Matt to anyone with an interest in rock climbing. Really fun day enjoyed by all!

Ian Roberts

Wow ! Where do I start, the best walking/climbing day of my life. Matt you were fantastic with all the members of our group. (Google Review)

Johnny Jones

All I can say is amazing!! Never scrambled before Matt looked after us supported us though the scary bits and made the whole day brilliant.

Karen Williams

Had a fantastic weekend with Matt on the mountain skills course - he is really friendly + approachable, and tailored the two days to what we enjoyed + wanted to learn. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to build their confidence with mountain hiking + navigation!

Kirsty

Well. What can I say - one of the best adventure weekends my friend and I have ever had and absolutely 10/10 instruction from Matt training us for our first OMM (Google Review)

Luke Whipps

Recently attended an intermediate rock skills course in the Peak District. Really great weekend and excellent fun. Matt is a top bloke; very knowledgeable and just the right amount of laid back. Allows all the information to really sink in - effective teaching!

Matt Pomfrett

Excellent day out with Matt on my first ever Scramble. I found it pretty tough in places but Matt was always there to put me at ease, offer instruction and with his support I made it to the top. Would highly recommend to others.

Polly Hornby

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