Mountain Training

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The Mountain Skills course plays a specific role in the BOS scheme of mountain training. Its function is to provide a general introduction to hillwalking in Ireland – to impart the necessary skills in navigation and knowledge of hazards, equipment etc., so that a person finishing the course may be in a position to pursue hillwalking as a hobby, safely.

Programme Outline

Duration

To be run over 4 days minimum with at least two nights to allow for talks. A longer period may be desirable and necessary depending on the quality of the students. For those students attending the Mountain Skills Test, an overall period of 8 weeks (minimum) must elapse between commencement of training and the Mountain Skills Test.

Syllabus

Mountain Hazards - Climatic

• Temperature, Precipitation, Wind, Lightning, Humidity and snow.
• Reference to causes of Mountain Hypothermia.

Mountain Hazards - Topographic

• Steepness, Ruggedness, special emphasis on remoteness.
• Reference to falls and drownings in hillwalking situations.
• Ability with reference to terrain and conditions.

Maps

• Map Scales/Symbols/Conventional signs.
• Ordnance Survey maps/history, reliability, suitability, comparison of different scales.
• Terminology /features e.g. corries, spurs, ridges, aretes etc.
• Relief depiction including contours, crags.
• Orienteering maps.
• Grid references.

Learn essential map reading skills.

Navigation

• Methods of calculating distance travelled and height climbed (Naismith’s Rule).
• Methods of measuring distances on ground (timing, pacing).
• Simple navigational techniques (aiming off, handrails, attack points etc.)
• Feature recognition (distant and near), self location.
• Navigating across country using map alone.
• Theory of Silva–type compass (grid and magnetic bearing).
• Map setting by compass – following bearing, backbearing and simple resection.
• Navigating across country using both map and compass.

Scrambling skills will give you greater confidence on the mountain.

Route Planning

• Route planning (choice of route, route card, bad weather alternatives, escape routes).
• Guidebooks and sources of information.

Personal Equipment

• Equipment for hillwalking with reference to weight, bulk and cost.
• Comparison and contrasting of: Footwear, Outer clothing, Headgear, Gloves, Middle layer garments, Inner garments.
• Bivouac bags and Bivouac tents.
• Rucksacks, Torches, Care of maps, Whistle and other emergency signalling devices.
• Additional equipment for winter, first aid kits.

Emergency Procedures

• Procedure in event of an accident.
• Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Mountain hypothermia, sprains, blisters, fatigue and other typical ailments.
• Mountain Rescue organisation in Ireland including location of posts and teams.
• Call–out Procedures