Product Description

What is Mountain Skills?

The Mountain Skills (MS) Series is divided into three blocks, MS1, MS2 and MS Assessment. It plays a specific role in the BOS Scheme of mountain training and assessment. It provides all the basic skills required to walk safely and competently in Ireland, when accompanied with people of similar ability. The training does not include leadership skills/techniques and it isn’t a qualification to lead others in the hills. It is suitable for beginners to those with considerable experience.

Who is affiliated with the Mountain Skills series?

The Mountain Skills (MS) series is affiliated with Mountaineering Ireland (MI) and Bord Oiliúint Sléibhe (BOS) both of which have different roles. The MI is the National Governing Body for the sport of mountaineering, while BOS administers the mountain training, sets syllabi and standards.

At Mór Active we like to add more to your mountain knowledge so we also include other topic areas such as history & folklore, environmental awareness issues, flora & fauna, geology and much more.

Course Duration: 18 hours – over 2 days and includes night navigation training.

Previous Experience: To have either already completed MS1, or to have enough previous personal experience to understand basic navigational skills. In addition, a good level of fitness and happy to walk across steep/broken ground and also learn to navigate in darkness.

Course Size: The group size is a maximum of 1 instructor to 6 students (1:6 ratio)

Course Structure: This is a two day course which will begin on the Saturday and finishes on the Sunday. The majority of the time will be spent out on the hill practicing. There are a number of topical discussions that will be presented through a classroom environment. There will be a 2-3 hour night navigation exercise at the end of the first day.

Your Course Includes:

• Professional and experience instructors
• Training course material
• Personalized feedback
• Use of training equipment e.g. maps and compasses
• Transport from and to training base
• Tea/Coffee

Course Cost: €150 per person (Group booking rates available)

What To Bring On Your Course?
In terms of equipment/gear/provisions that you will need, we recommend that you bring the following:

• Basic weather proof clothing e.g. rain jacket/trousers
• Suitable walking clothing e.g. a warm fleece
• Hat and gloves
• A rucksack
• Good walking boots with ankle support
• A watch for timing
• OSI laminated map of training area
• A compass – preferably a Silva Type 4 Expedition
• Head Torch
• Water (1 litre approximately)
• Food/snacks

*If you are unable to acquire some or any of the above recommended list, please feel free to contact us and we will try to facilitate you the best we can.

** Use code:”mscombo” for a special discounted combo rate for Booking both Mountain Skills 1 & 2.**

Mountain Skills Consolidation:

The consolidation period gives candidates the chance to practice and consolidate the skills they have learnt during training. At least 14 walks in a number of different upland areas of Ireland should be recorded in an official logbook during this time. At least four of these walks should be within two months of MS assessment date.