UKC

Any good books that cover all of this? All I can find is either the Steve Long book or similar which just skim it, or very detailed specialist book that have too much detail. Thanks

In reply to ian2u: Do not take this as gospel as I know very little about the ML course, but don't they use the Eric Langmure (sp) book.

In reply to ian2u:

The point of the environmental aspect to the ML syllabus is that the candidate has learned about the many facets involved through active participation and personal interest over a number of years.

I agree that it would be very convenient to simply be able to pick up a book and read the chapter titled "All you need to know for the ML Environment paper". However, this goes againt the ethos of what this award is about.

Assessors are looking for an understanding and awareness of many different issues. These include local history, folklore, geography, geology, environmental problems and more.

A candidate does not have to an expert in any of these, but show that they have taken an interest, learned about the area(s) they are leading groups in and can enthuse others in these aspects.

If you are concerned about not knowing enough I would suggest two things. First of all go for a walk on your own in the area you are being assesed, ie Snowdonia, Lakes, wherever. Stop every so often get out a notebook and write down all you know about where you are. You will probably be quite surprised!
Secondly, go to a library, local bookshop / giftshop and do some more background reading. It is the breadth of knowledge as opposed to the depth of knowledge on one or two subjects that is important.

Hope this helps,

Rich White.

In reply to Richard White:

The alternative is to open your eyes when walking to the crag and note what types of plants are around and what type grows on what rock.

eg, where will you find heather, thrift, moss, lichen,marram grass, ox-eye daisy, orchids.

In reply to sutty:

Learn a selection of different things, you are never going to be able to remember everything.

Start with 5 different types of moss
5 common mountain plants
5 common mountain birds.
The different types of clouds (this will also help you to make decisions on approaching weather conditions!)

Learn some of the local folklores etc.

Whats the point i hear you say? Its partly to show that you are interested in the mountains and it will also give you something to talk to you clients about.

In reply to sutty:

If someone doesn't know what the plants are then background reading is a very good way of finding out and then applying that knowledge in the hills. Also, as I have mentioned, assessors are not only looking at this aspect. It is an holistic view / understanding of the environment they are leading groups in.

Working on ML training courses and assessments hopefully I have some idea of what is required of candidates.

Rich White.

In reply to ian2u:

The paper is just another hurdle. Quite frankly the knowledge tested is pretty useless and seems to be just a bit of tokenism.

In reply to Richard White:

You are of course right, testers alaways are, along with politicians.;-P

What annoys us is the way people seem incapable of doing some research into a sport they wish to become a leader in. Not being curious about their surroundings seems a bad start to being an outdoors leader, well they may just want to get an SPA so they can go and annoy others by putting a TR on some delicate slab on a popular crag and don't give a toss about trashing it.

All they want is the tick off you.

In reply to ian2u: Thanks for all the advice.

I was looking for something that provides the starting point which I could build on whilst out in the mountains. The idea of picking on 5 different types of things is very good.

I appreciate that the idea is to have broad knowledge and not something you picked up the night before from MLA for Dummies but I guess like most I have a lot of knowledge about some limited areas and not much in quite a few others.

Plants, environment I am hopeless on. But I can do a star shot position line fix and calculate the lat & long and then do the transformation onto the OS TM Grid.

But knowing about the surroundings is going to be a lot more useful as a Mountain Leader than wiping out a theodolite and doing a quick set of star shots. So I was looking for the starting point.

If you saw my garden you would appreciate the task ahead of me in gaining knowledge about plants etc

In reply to ian2u:

Dear ian

I never went to the training or read books before my ML Assessment. I was willing to pass or fail on my ability, not what the books said. I passed as the questions on everything was less than basic. If you can't answer off the top of your head, give up, you need a clear head in an emergency.

Norrie

In reply to ian2u:

Dear ian

I did my ML at Glenmore Lodge, answereing questions of plants are easy there as the Cairngorms have only heather, moss and grass.

Norrie