Authorisations for walking and climbing, especially for low level mountaineering and single pitch climbing are fairly accessible to all leaders with an interest, some basic skills and a weekend to spare for the assessment. In fact probably the hardest bit is finding the spare weekend!

All the relevant factsheets and application forms can be found on Scoutbase, click here or from the Scout information centre 0845 300 1818

For all authorisations it is important that you understand the level of authorisation that you are aiming for. If the assessor does not give you the level you are hoping for you should ask what you need to do to reach the required level. In holiday periods authorisations can take up to one month to process so please allow plenty of time.

Climbing

Consult the climbing factsheet on Scoutbase. For artificial climbing walls, training and assessment sessions are held at Phasels Wood 01442 252 851 and Tolmers 01707 872 900. For an opportunity to expand your skills and get assessed, why not join one of the County climbing days or weekends?

Contact details for County Assessors can be obtained from the County Office, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mountaineering

Consult the mountaineering factsheet on Scoutbase

Broadly speaking, the following authorisations are required

• Terrain Zero; under 500m. First Response training and permission of DC.
• Terrain One; between 500 - 800m. Training to Walking Group Leader Award Standard, permission of DC and first response training
• Terrain Two; above 800m. Training to Mountain Leader standard and 16hours first aid course, permission of DC

This is a very simple explanation of the rules, it is very important that you have read and understood the relevant rules and factsheets before you undertake adventurous activities with Scouts.

For guidance and advice contact;
•  Your District team
•  Andy Rice, County Mountaineering Adviser
•  Mick Gurney, ACC Land Activities

Mountaineering Training

Hertfordshire Scouts Mountaineering Courses are run at Lochernhead over Easter and Christmas details can be found in Headlines or elsewhere on the activity pages.

For WGL or ML training there are numerous centres running these courses and it is a good idea to ask the advice of someone who has recently completed the training.

Plas y Brenin http://www.pyb.co.uk/
Outwardbound http://www.outwardbound-uk.org/
Yr Hafod The Welsh Mountain Centre http://www.yrhafod.org.uk

There may be some funding from your Group or District, please find out before making any firm booking on courses.

Assessment
County Office administers all Land Activity Authorisations and Assessments, please send the completed forms with the signature of your GSL or DC to County Office. You should provide as much relevant information as possible, the minimum is;

• the completed application form and logbook

• a copy of your training certificate SPA, WGL, ML, is also required.

Authorisations can take a couple of months to process so please allow plenty of time.