IML Winter Training Course - Grand Bornand - near La Clusaz in France

In September 2008 I passed the International Mountain Leader or IML (summer) Assessment in Switzerland. Over the next five days, I will be away on a training course for the winter part of the qualification, which looks closely at the skills required to lead groups in alpine winter conditions using snow shoes as a means of getting around. The training course is being held in the French Alps.

The course from the national mountain centre will concentrate on the following areas:

• Winter leadership and group care in winter conditions.
  
• Personal movement skills on snow (with and without snowshoes).
  
• Route choice, terrain evaluation, and safe travel.
  
• Avalanche awareness and snow pack evaluation.
  
• Transceiver use and search techniques.
  
• Snowcraft, and use of ice axe for safeguarding the party.
  
• Emergency winter ropework, including simple snow belays.
  
• Dealing with accidents - emergency shelters and cold injuries.
  
• Use of maps, guides, and weather information for planning.

Over the next few days, I'll find some time in the schedule to upload some photos and give you a flavour of what's been happening....

PJ