Register
Key info

Must already hold: Mountain Leader
Registration is an application process and requires approval from Mountain Training UK & Ireland
Training: Summer training is 5 days, winter training is 5 days (both required)
Assessment: Timed navigation test (typically part of summer training), summer assessment is 4 days, winter assessment is 5 days (a pass at all assessments required)

Average time from training to passing assessment: 2.6 years

Ideal for: Experienced Mountain Leaders with international trekking experience who want to learn how to lead groups outside the UK and Ireland.

Entry requirements

Register -> Record experience -> Book a training course [GIF]

To register
  • You must have passed Mountain Leader assessment
  • You must have recorded a minimum of 20 quality international summer mountain days* in DLOG
  • You must have recorded 20 quality winter days** in the UK or overseas in DLOG
  • You must have a referee endorsing your experience in DLOG
  • Register for the International Mountain Leader qualification (cost: £95)
  • Click the ‘Send to MT’ button to let us know your DLOG is ready to be reviewed
  • Your logbook will be reviewed by a Mountain Training UK & Ireland technical officer – this can take up to 30 days
To book a summer training course
  • Your International Mountain Leader registration must have been approved
To book a winter training course
  • You must have completed International Mountain Leader summer training

To book a summer assessment course
  • You must have completed International Mountain Leader summer training (there is no exemption from training)
  • You must be familiar with the syllabus
  • You must have passed the timed navigation test
  • You must have gained further experience since completing the summer training

To book a winter assessment
  • You must have passed the International Mountain Leader summer assessment
  • You must have completed International Mountain Leader winter training
  • You must be familiar with the syllabus
  • You must have logged a minimum of 60 days experience: 30 quality international summer days and 30 quality winter days (of which at least 10 should be overseas)
  • 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
Courses

Training and assessment courses are delivered by our approved providers: Glenmore Lodge and Plas y Brenin. Depending on the course and location, there may be residential and non-residential options. Summer training courses (and the timed navigation test) take place in the UK, all other courses take place in mainland Europe.

 

Training

There are two elements to the International Mountain Leader training; summer and winter. Each element has its own training and assessment course. You must do the summer training before the winter training, but you can do the winter training before you've done the summer assessment.

International Mountain Leader summer training lasts for five days and will cover:

  • The summer elements of the International Mountain Leader syllabus
  • What to expect at assessment
  • Timed navigation test
  • Feedback and areas to focus on prior to assessment


International Mountain Leader winter training lasts for five days and will cover:

  • The winter elements of the International Mountain Leader syllabus
  • What to expect at winter assessment
  • Feedback and areas to focus on prior to assessment

 

Syllabus

  • The mountain environment
  • An overview of the legal and economic situation in countries in which IML award holders work
  • Group management and the responsibilities of the group leader
  • Teaching
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Physical ability
  • Navigation
  • Weather
  • Security in mountainous terrain
  • Emergency procedures
  • Bivouac and survival skills
  • Expeditions
  • Snow-covered terrain

 

Consolidation

After completing each training course, use the feedback from your course director and the candidate handbook (download below) to identify syllabus areas you need to practise.

 

BAIML supports aspirant and qualified International Mountain Leaders in the UK and represents them at the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations. BAIML offers a range of workshops for trainee and qualified leaders as well as a quarterly magazine, gear deals/discounts, a monthly newsletter and an insurance deal. After you have completed International Mountain Leader summer training you will be invited to join BAIML as an Aspirant Member for free until the end of the membership year (31st December).

 

Assessment

The International Mountain Leader Summer assessment is four days long and is based outside the UK.

The International Mountain Leader Winter assessment is five days long and is based outside the UK.

You will be assessed against the syllabus competencies in the candidate handbook. At the end of each assessment you will receive one of three results:

  • Pass
  • Defer (requires a partial reassessment)
  • Fail (requires a full reassessment
Resources

Candidate handbook last updated: May 2024

International Mountain Leader candidate handbook
Meet a leader

Other qualifications

Doesn't sound like the right qualification for you? Consider the following:

Mountain Leader

Winter Mountain Leader

Working as an International Mountain Leader