Course Comments
ML Courses 2011
Richard Hurrell
I feel like I have been thoroughly assessed for my ML qualification.
The assessors were very professional and I appreciated the feedback sessions at the end of each day.
I have learnt a lot on my 6 days of training and 6 days of assessment with HSMT.
The HSMT team are very friendly and I can recommend them to anyone thinking of doing their WGL, ML or scout hillwalking qualifications.
John Hayes
Earlier provision of course details.
Provide a prior explanation how ML is not only for Scouting and how it fits into T1/T2 permits. This may save some time during the course. I know you have links to this on your website but a situation where a Scouting provider trains (mainly) Scouting leaders does lead to some wrong assumptions
The overnight expedition desipte the challenging weather and security on steep ground. I intially wanted to do a WGL course which could not run due to insufficient numbers. Rather than do nothing I chose to do ML training and I'm pleased that it worked out that way.
Barry Moses
Every member of the training team have their own area of expertise on top of their general skills. It would be good if the trainees got a greater mix of instructors so that they can pick as many different brains as possible.
Good bunch of people.
Alex Goodey
Correct directions to correct venue would have been good on first weekend, and also greater flexibility in arrival times for those of us who arrived early (i.e. suggested meeting / waiting places, pubs, etc)
Quality of instruction was very good and food was outstanding. Considering that none of the team were paid, I was really impressed by the professionalism and the hours put in by tutors (particularly Pete, tutor/cook, whose individual efforts ensured everyone was fully fed and happy most of the time).
Reply from HSMT: Comments regarding arrival times have been taken on board by HSMT
Adventurous Activities Permit Assessment 2010
Name witheld at senders request
Do not include overnight expeditions unless required by assesment, as i do not feel that i gained any relevant experience from the camping, and would have enjoyed my time better in the warm.
Also other elements of group leadership need to be more thoroughly covered, as i feel the course was over fixated upon navigation.
I enjoyed the course, Good food, good people, good atmosphere, good hillwalking and instruction.
Reply from HSMT: Thank you for your most welcome feedback and for taking the time to complete our form.
Regarding the overnight experience - the following extract is to be found under the technical requirements for both the T1 & T2 assessment checklist for hillwalking -
“Ability to run lightweight camping in remote areas”
As you will no doubt appreciate the opportunity to camp up to three hours from the road is available to those that hold the terrain 1 authorisation and as such we must ensure that their remote camping technical ability is to the standard required.
Regarding group leadership - our team of assessors have been operating at this level for a minimum of at least five years and in some cases fifteen and as such they have continued to develop their assessor skills through workshops, mentoring and training.
We adopt numerous methods of assessing candidates depending on current conditions and type of candidates to get the best out of them. You will have been assessed for leadership all the time you were out on the hill, during discussions and when travelling to and from the hills.
Our team will have spoken with you and questioned you with particular care in their delivery to allow you to provide us with all the information we needed to make the appropriate judgement of your abilities. If we felt we had not seen enough of your group leadership we would have used other techniques, such as "role play" for example, before making our decisions.
Regarding navigation - I agree that there is huge emphasis on navigation. The standard of the navigation required at T1 is the same as that at Walking Group Leader. To be able to navigate at this standard cannot be measured quickly and simply as there are many competencies to be checked. It takes years of practise to become a good navigator and the level at which you need to be for this authorisation is very high and needs to be shown consistently throughout the weekend.
I hope the above clarifies any concerns and thank you again for your time with our feedback form. I hope you will be able to join us again on a course in the future?
Name witheld at senders request
The course was very focussed on micro-nav in bog, would maybe be good to have more variety on micro-nav. Joining details should have expectations of overnighting more clearly - most folks didn't realise they were doing an exped till they got there.
I enjoyed pretty much everything except the bog :o) Everyone on the team was great. It was fun but at the same time rigourous. If I was a parent in Hampshire I would be very confident that anyone passing the assessment was safe to be out with young people, and that is the main thing.
Reply from HSMT: Your comments are most welcome and thank you again for taking the time to complete our feedback form.
Regarding the navigation in boggy areas - agreed, it was rather boggy however, it is important in the short time we spend with our candidates that they are offered the opportunity to show us that they can deliver the technical competencies required in both normal conditions and in more challenging ones.
As per your latter comments, you were assessed to a standard that has tested your skills and you have proven to the assessors that you are competent even when the conditions are difficult.
Regarding the camping out problem - we have changed the website to help everyone understand the requirements more clearly and we have also upgraded the documentation that is sent out prior to the course again outlining that the overnight experience is camping and what is required.
Once again, thank you for your time and we all enjoyed your company and hope you will join us again in the future?
Response from sender: Definitely would like to come again. Would like to get my WGL signed off sometime and it would be good to work towards ML .... but T2 with restrictions should be possible:o))
It's all really good experience though and I really appreciate you guys sharing with us so we in turn can share with the youth. I'll look out for your 2011 program.
Re: bog Yeah, I realise why you did it that way :o))
ML Course 2010
Brett Dale-Heaps
The course was a professionally delivered and the advice given throughout the course by the ML trainers was to a very high standard. This was supported by a relaxed atmosphere and sound knowledge base from their own experiences.
Richard Hurrell
The website needs updating.The information about the Brecon Beacon MLT course did not match the actual activities. An email to the course participants a month before the course reminding them what is needed, such as tents and other kit would be helpful.
I enjoyed the professionalism of the volunteer instructors. Learning new skills, navigation from nearby features, and the wild camp in Brecon, night navigation around Lynn Idwal, Scrambling up the north face of Tryfan and Carnedd Dafydd, rope work and practising river crossings on river Ogwen.
Also meeting a group of people that I had never met before and enjoying working together as a team.
Reply from HSMT:The HSMT website has now been updated to reflect the comments received from Richard and others attending our courses regarding the course information on the website.
Simon Hasler
On the Saturday night of your programme it said pub at 9pm and we did not go. I was very disapointed with that and this was one of the very first times I can remember, that I went away walking and not enjoyed a pint afterwards. Although the night nav was not that bad and Ted makes me chuckle. Only joking guys I had a great weekend no complaints.
All the trainers are very freindly and have great experience. I have passion for walking in the hills and mountains and it was nice to share that with like minded people such as yourselves.
I will be back for my assesment hopefully this year.
Many thanks for both weekends and the knowledge you have shared with me.
Winter Course 2010
David Shepherd
Would have liked to try ice climbing if conditions had allowed.
Good set of people with very good instructors. Very good base. The weather for the first 3 days!! Opportunity to be part of discussion on where we were going.
Peter Burke
The instructors,david,owen and steve, very helpful and informative good course content expanded my limited winter skills, come home with good memories and a greater confidence to go out further into the hills in winter.
The group of people who were there all very helpful and friendly. All in all I would recommend this winter course to anyone who is a keen hillwalker, also a special thanks to david for his avalanche talk and excellently executed retreat off the hills on friday afternoon.
John Leeks
The first four days were brilliant - clear, still and cloudless such that the activities utilised the time fully. Consequently, the discussion about the course content and the introductory CD were held later in the week. Strongly recommend that these are held on the first evening or the following morning.
Friendly and knowledgeable trainers and participants. Completing another four Munros in Winter Conditions.