LEARN TO WALK THE MOUNTAINS.
An 8-week mountain walking course designed to build your fitness, confidence, navigation skills and knowledge — so you can head into the mountains better prepared for whatever they throw at you.
BUILD YOUR HILL LEGS. BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
The aim isn't simply to get you walking further. It's to make you a more capable mountain walker.
Over eight weeks we'll progressively build your fitness on the mountains of the Afan Valley before taking on three bigger mountain weekends.
Along the way you'll learn how to plan a route, read a map, use a compass, take and walk on bearings, understand the weather, carry the right equipment and deal with situations when things don't go according to plan.
FITNESS IS ONLY PART OF THE EQUATION.
Being fit enough to climb a mountain is important. Knowing how to look after yourself when you're there is just as important.
HILL LEGS.
START IN AFAN.
Your first five weeks take place in the Afan Valley.
This gives you the perfect training ground to develop your ability gradually, rather than throwing you straight onto bigger mountains before you're ready.
We'll work on climbing, descending, uneven ground, pacing, movement and building the fitness needed to spend longer periods on your feet.
The goal is simple: build the hill legs you'll need for the next stage.
BUILD. LEARN. PROGRESS.
Start Building
Introduction to mountain walking, building your base fitness, climbing and descending and learning how to move efficiently over uneven ground.
Get Stronger
Longer and more challenging walks through the Afan Valley. We'll progressively increase the demands placed on you while developing your mountain skills.
Pen y Fan
Your first major mountain weekend. Put the fitness, skills and preparation you've developed into practice.
Cadair Idris
A bigger mountain challenge and another opportunity to put your navigation, preparation and mountain skills to work.
Eryri / Snowdonia
Finish the course in the mountains of Eryri and put everything you've learned together.
THE RESULT: BECOME MORE CAPABLE.
More fitness. More confidence. Better navigation. Better preparation. More knowledge. A better understanding of what it takes to look after yourself in the mountains.
PUT THE SKILLS INTO YOUR HANDS.
REAL NAVIGATION. REAL PRACTICE.
You'll work through the fundamentals step by step.
01. Read the map
02. Understand the terrain
03. Take a bearing
04. Walk on a bearing
05. Check and confirm your position
The aim is to give you practical skills you can use when you're actually out in the mountains.
WHAT3WORDS
We'll also introduce you to what3words and how it can be useful for communicating a precise location when you need help or need to tell someone exactly where you are.
KNOW IT. USE IT. DON'T RELY ON IT.
It's another useful tool to have in your mountain safety toolbox — but it doesn't replace proper navigation skills.
BEING PREPARED FOR ANY EVENTUALITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR.
Mountains don't always go according to plan.
The weather can change. A route can take longer than expected. Someone can become tired. You can lose the path. Visibility can disappear. An injury can happen.
The answer isn't to be scared of these situations. It's to be prepared for them.
Know Your Route
Understand where you're going, how far you're travelling, how much ascent there is and what the terrain is like.
Know Your Equipment
Understand what you need to carry and, more importantly, understand how and when to use it.
Know The Weather
Learn why mountain weather matters and why conditions at the bottom of a mountain can be very different higher up.
Know Your Limits
Learn to recognise when you're tired, when conditions are deteriorating and when turning around is the sensible option.
Have A Backup Plan
Don't rely on everything going perfectly. Think ahead about what you'll do if your route, weather or circumstances change.
Stay Calm
Good preparation gives you options. Knowing what to do when something goes wrong is a huge part of becoming capable.
BE READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED.
Essential Equipment
What should be in your backpack? Waterproofs, layers, food, water, navigation equipment, first aid, emergency equipment, torch and the other essentials that could make a difference.
Basic Survival
We'll cover the basic principles of looking after yourself if you're delayed, lost, injured or caught out by changing conditions.
Emergency Planning
Understand why leaving a route plan, carrying appropriate equipment and knowing how to communicate your location are important parts of mountain preparation.
Making Decisions
Sometimes the best decision isn't reaching the summit. We'll develop the knowledge and mindset to make sensible decisions based on the conditions around you.
THREE MOUNTAINS. THREE WEEKENDS.
Pen y Fan
Your first big mountain weekend. Put your fitness, navigation and preparation into practice.
Cadair Idris
Another step up in mountain experience and another opportunity to put your skills to work.
Eryri / Snowdonia
Finish the journey in the mountains of Eryri and put everything you've learned together.
THREE MOUNTAINS.
THREE OPPORTUNITIES
TO GET AWAY.
Travel to Pen y Fan, Cadair Idris and Eryri will be your responsibility.
But that's part of the adventure.
Make a weekend of it. Stay locally. Explore the area. Have a meal. Take your time and enjoy being somewhere different.
The course gives you three mountain weekends — what you do with the time around them is up to you.
MORE THAN JUST WALKING.
Mountain Walking
Develop your fitness and confidence on real mountain terrain.
Map Reading
Learn how to read a map and understand the landscape around you.
Compass & Bearings
Learn to take bearings and walk accurately on a bearing.
Route Planning
Learn how to prepare properly before setting off.
Mountain Safety
Understand weather, equipment, preparation and knowing your limits.
Basic Survival
Learn the fundamentals of dealing with unexpected situations.
What3Words
Understand how to use what3words as an additional location tool.
Mountain Mindset
Develop the confidence to make good decisions when conditions change.
BUILD YOUR HILL LEGS. LEARN TO NAVIGATE. BE READY.
Eight weeks to become a fitter, more confident and more capable mountain walker — with the skills and knowledge to help you deal with whatever the mountains throw at you.
START YOUR JOURNEY →