Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor: the all-rounder
Mountain Training's Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor award builds on the Mountain Leader award, for instructing on multi-pitch climbs and in the mountains.
In this guide
- What it is: Mountain Training's senior summer award for instructing climbing and mountaineering.
- What you need first: The Mountain Leader award, plus logged mountain days and multi-pitch and sport climbs (see below).
- What you'll learn: Instructing on big mountain crags, multi-pitch routes and in the mountains.
- How long it takes: Two 5-day training courses, then a 5-day assessment. Mountain Training says the average time from training to passing is 4.6 years.
- Cost: Registration is £103. Training and assessment prices are set by providers.
- What's next: Kit, costs and safety. This is where the walking and climbing tracks meet.
Multi-pitch routes, mountain crags and sea cliffs: this is serious terrain, and the award asks for serious experience.
To register
- Hold the Mountain Leader award.
- 20 quality mountain days as a Mountain Leader, in a variety of mountain areas with a variety of groups.
- 30 named multi-pitch rock climbs in at least three main climbing areas of the UK and Ireland, leading at least the crux pitch at VS 4c or above.
- 10 led sport climbs at French 6a or above.
- A reference on DLOG.
Registration is an application: Mountain Training reviews your logbook (this can take up to 30 days) and must approve it before you can book training. Courses are run by Glenmore Lodge and Plas y Brenin.
Before assessment
After the second training course:
- 20 multi-pitch climbs at VS 4c or above, many of them on mountain crags and major sea cliffs.
- 20 quality mountain days in sole charge of a group.
- 20 rock climbing teaching days with a variety of climbers and venues.
- A current first aid certificate from an in-person course of at least two full days (16 hours) with an assessment.
These are the current rules. Mountain Training has agreed changes to the prerequisites, coming in between June 2026 and January 2028, so check its page before you register. Above this sits the Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor award.
Source: Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, Mountain Training, checked October 2026.
Governing body: British Mountaineering Council (BMC) for England and Wales. Leader and instructor awards come from Mountain Training, and coasteering standards come from the National Coasteering Charter, so these are the official places to find out more.
Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.
The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.
