Mountain Skills 2 / MS2

Syllabus for Mountain Skills

Mountain skills 1  MS1

Mountain skills 2  MS2

Mountains Skills Assessment   MSA

Navigation:

• Map scales, symbols, grid references, relief depiction; 
• Ordnance Survey maps: reliability, suitability, comparison of different scales;
• Simple measurement of distance on a map and on the ground; 
• Methods of calculated distance travelled and height climbed; 
• Feature recognition (distant and near), map setting and self location; 
• Use of a compass for following bearings, taking bearings and simple resections; 
• Navigation across country using map alone and using map and compass; • Simple navigation techniques (aiming off, hand rails, attack points etc.);
• Route planning (choice, route recording, bad weather alternatives, escape routes); 
• Night Navigation. 

Personal Equipment 

• Discussion (with reference to weight, bulk and cost) of outdoor clothing and equipment (including emergency equipment). 

Mountain Hazards

• Climatic hazards: temperature, precipitation, wind lightning, humidity, rain and snow. 
• Topographic hazards: dangerous types of terrain with a special emphasis on remoteness. 

Personal Security on Steep Ground 

• Safe movement in ascent and descent of broken ground. 
• Route finding difficulties in ascent and descent. 
• Hazard avoidance. 

Emergency Procedures 

• Procedure in event of an accident or incident; 
• Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Mountain Hypothermia (Exposure); • Mountain Rescue Organisations: posts, teams and call-out procedures.

Format of Mountain Skills Course

BOS lays down the syllabus for the Mountain Skills Course. However, the Director of the course is delegated by the Board and is responsible for making all the arrangements for the course. Courses may be run over two weekends or as part of a five day course. It may also be run as part of a further education course. At the end of the training period candidates may sit a two day Mountain Skills test. Participants on the course will spend most of the day sessions in the hills under practical instruction and as such a reasonable standard of fitness is necessary. Most specialist equipment can be provided by the relevant centre.

The Mountain Skills Diary/Logbook

Upon completion of a Mountain Skills course a Diary will be given to you by the centre or the organisation. It provides you with a place to write down the skills learnt. Between the instruction sessions participants are expected to obtain suitable hillwalking experience and to keep a record of their activities. These activities along with some other requirements to gain personal experience outside the course with friends or other hill walking companions are detailed in the Diary. Once you get going you will be amazed at how quickly it fills up

The Mountain Skills Test/Assessment

The test is designed to consolidate the skills learnt during the running of the course and give the applicant the confidence to plan and follow a route in the Irish hills, to deal with unplanned situations that may occur, to navigate and get home safely even after dark! The test includes a written test followed by a practical test covering navigation by day and night, route choice, competence on steep ground and incident and accident procedure. The written test draws on a panel of similar multiple choice type questions. Copies of the full list of questions may be purchased form the MCI Office, Sport HQ, 13 Joyce Way, Park West Business Park, Dublin 12.
Prerequisites for Mountain Skills Test

Candidates should either:
a. Have attended a BOS recognised Mountain Skills Course 
b. Present evidence of 14 separate hill walks of not less than 4 hours duration, in the year prior to assessment 
c. Possess a valid First Aid Certificate (preferably Rescue and Emergency care - Emergency or Standard). 
OR 
a. Have attended some other course or Mountain Skills Training of be fully familiar with the BOS Mountain Skills syllabus and written paper. 
b. Provide evidence if at least 30 days hillwalking experience over at least two years. 
c. Possess a valid First Aid Certificate (preferably Rescue and Emergency care - Emergency or Standard).
 

How to apply to take the Mountain Skills Test

Applicants to take the test should be made directly to the course provider. The course may be based at an outdoor centre or NCVA Centre. Either way the course director must be approved to run the Mountain Skills Scheme and the Test as laid down by BOS. Note some providers are approved to run training only and some are approved to run both training and assessment. A full list is available from the MCI.

The Mountain Leadership Scheme

Upon successful completion of the Mountain Skills Test you will be eligible to enter the Mountain Leadership Scheme. This Scheme trains the individual to lead groups in both the Irish and British hills b building on the skills learnt in the Mountain Skills Scheme and combining it with modules on leadership while developing more advanced skills.

Further Reading

Mountaincraft and Leadership, Eric Langmuir 
Mountain Navigation, Peter Cliff Mountain 
Navigation Techniques, Kevin Walker Land Navigation, Wally Keay Mountain Safety, Kevin Walker 
Irish Mountain Log

Mountain Skills 1 / MS1

Mountain Skills courses

Irish Adventures is a approved provider of Mountain Skills training courses by BOS (Irish mountain training Board), we run mountain skills courses in Kerry (Dingle, Killorglin and Killarney), Cork, Galway, Mayo and Wicklow (Glendalough) or any part of mountainous region in Ireland on request. Mountain Skills courses are set in the most mountainous region of Ireland and this is very practical and realistic when you are involved in the course in an area where you will need all the skills the mountain skills scheme has to offer.

Scheme of the Mountain Skills course

The Mountain Skills Scheme aims to teach hill-walkers the skills required to look after themselves in the Irish Mountains. The course provides training in the basic skills required to carry out hill-walking competently, safely and enjoyably. Aspects of navigation, equipment, safety and mountain hazards are covered. The training course is particularly suitable for:Members of mountaineering clubs who wish to obtain formal instruction in basic skills to supplement experience gained in club activity

Members of educational, voluntary and youth organisations being introduced to Hill Walking as part of a broader training in Adventure Sports.

Prospective Mountain Leadership Candidates.

Anyone who wants to learn basic mountaineering skills for personal interest.
Mountain skills training is usually done over two weekends and is called Mountain skills 1 & Mountain skills 2 with two days training each weekend, this is however possible to do over 4 continuous days such as long weekend. At the end of the training period candidates may sit a two day Mountain Skills test/assessment.

The Mountain Skills Course

Mountain Skills training is divided into three blocks, MS1, MS2 and MS assessment. MS1 and MS2 are the basic training blocks covering all aspects of hillwalking that the candidate will require to become a self-sufficient hill user.MS1: This course includes map-reading and simple navigation techniques, recognition of natural features, distance measurement and timing of walks.

Mountain hazards are also covered, as is personal equipment such as correct clothing and emergency equipment. MS2: This course builds on MS1. It covers the use of a compass, route-planning and the preparation of route cards, night navigation, scrambling/ steep ground, mountain rescue and emergency procedures. MS Assessment: The third block is a consolidation of skills learnt in MS1 and MS2, and is an opportunity for candidates to test their mountaineering proficiency to a prescribed standard. MS assessment is held over two days, and comprises both written and practical evaluation, including a night navigation exercise. Candidates wishing to undertake MS assessment are required to maintain an official BOS logbook of their mountaineering activities, and to have logged at least 14 walks in a number of different upland areas of Ireland. At least four of these walks should be within two months of MS assessment.