I was on a navigation / leadership course where I happened to be the last person in the line. The instructor tapped me on the shoulder and told me to hide behind a tree so he could see how long it took the person being assessed to notice. Since then I've always insisted on having a designated "sweeper" on every hike.
one of the lads on my ML was Para Engineer who didn't realise how fast he was walking, the Assessor was also Airborne asked me where I thought I was, smiled and said 'get brew on might be back before dusk'---5Km before the chap realised he had 'lost' two members of his 'team'!
Sensible, pragmatic tips there Tom I can see it's helped some and am sure it will continue to do so-Ben A'an the wee hill that's a right pain in the calves if you try and incorporate the easy scrambling side-spent many 'days off' there
Cracking good common sense advise Tom, always good to relearn / revise skill-set, keeps folk grounded, as does coursemanship. Many thanks for straight forward approach. Looking forward to my own in near future.
Totally agree, did my expedition leader in Norway and my ml in brecon all your points were very relevant, even though I did my courses back in the late 70's and late 80's.
Good points for future M.L ers , I completed mine many years back. Coursemanship good call definitely, definitely navigation that's no.1 , I remember that the ropes were almost like a first aid kit, only came out in an emergency. Almost incorporated security on steep ground and route planning. Thank you 👍
In mid-September I am going to spend a few days in the mountains, with a three-piece USA sleeping bag, the ones with a Gore-tex cover with UCP camouflage. I appreciate you sharing all your knowledge, it helps a lot. And please show the kit they used.👍👍
I learned the Coursemanship lesson the hard way when I got a designated leader failed (he ultimately passed) when I left an AT-4 at a patrol base during US Army Sapper School. I snapped-to then, I tell ya!
Something I've come across several times on assessment is the candidate not orientating their map to the ground when doing a quick map check, and then walking off in the wrong direction. Easily done when the assessment nerves are jangling. Another way to stand out, is overthinking your ropework or doing something different or beyond the course expectation.. If you stand out, you'll be asked to justify what you've done. Take the stress off yourself by sticking with what was taught in training or is in the course hand book. Come prepared and enjoy it.
Ha ha I can second this, I fluffed the rope work a little since I decided to try an adjustable knot with a stopper and messed it up (put the overhand further from the person) for the first time with someone on the end of the rope. Got a second shot on the final day and reverted to use of double overhand on a bight for everything!
Another good video Tom, thanks for posting. I think mindfulness is key and having the mind fixed on the job in hand and teamwork, it keeps folk alive. While I'm out tabbing fells I see folk of all description from those who might die exposure to the very well organised but very competitive who are self absorbed in the zone. Whilst beautiful our natural places can be deadly, some need a bit more respect.
Not done anything like the course but just good tips as always. It's the small tips and tricks that makes anything much better and easier. 60 second tarp as example 👍.
Tom a few quick questions if u don’t mind mate: Did you do a 10 day all in one course (training, and assessment) or did you do a training course, and then months later do the assessment? Which would you recommend? Also, in terms of navigation skill and experience how did you find you compared to your coursemates? Did you find your military experience put you ahead of most of the others? Cheers
I did the two courses separately, as far as l was aware, that’s how you had to do it. Some of the others were very good at nav, some not so much. I’d say l had more experience in bad weather and at night.
@@PreparedPathfinder Brill thanks for the info and replying so quickly dude. Looks like the tricky bit will be notching up enough (proper) QMDs. I live in the black mountains tho so can’t grumble it’s a lot easier for me than some folks!
@@PreparedPathfinder Hope you had fun on Alaska mate! Quick one - how did you find plas pencilli (would you recommend them?) and did you do your expeds on the Beacons or did you travel further afield? (Just trying to decide whether to book with Plas Pencilli or Plas y Brenin up in snowdonia).
I was on a navigation / leadership course where I happened to be the last person in the line. The instructor tapped me on the shoulder and told me to hide behind a tree so he could see how long it took the person being assessed to notice. Since then I've always insisted on having a designated "sweeper" on every hike.
Yeah defo need to have someone at the rear of a group.
one of the lads on my ML was Para Engineer who didn't realise how fast he was walking, the Assessor was also Airborne asked me where I thought I was, smiled and said 'get brew on might be back before dusk'---5Km before the chap realised he had 'lost' two members of his 'team'!
Sensible, pragmatic tips there Tom I can see it's helped some and am sure it will continue to do so-Ben A'an the wee hill that's a right pain in the calves if you try and incorporate the easy scrambling side-spent many 'days off' there
Cracking good common sense advise Tom, always good to relearn / revise skill-set, keeps folk grounded, as does coursemanship. Many thanks for straight forward approach. Looking forward to my own in near future.
Thanks David. Damn right in regards to relearning and revising skills, no one is ever too old to learn.
Totally agree, did my expedition leader in Norway and my ml in brecon all your points were very relevant, even though I did my courses back in the late 70's and late 80's.
Cheers mate 👍
Great advice, I wish more people would pay attention to Coursemanship.
Great information, gorgeous view.
Good points for future M.L ers , I completed mine many years back.
Coursemanship good call definitely, definitely navigation that's no.1 , I remember that the ropes were almost like a first aid kit, only came out in an emergency.
Almost incorporated security on steep ground and route planning.
Thank you 👍
Cheers mate 👍
@@PreparedPathfinder no worries thank you 👍
In mid-September I am going to spend a few days in the mountains, with a three-piece USA sleeping bag, the ones with a Gore-tex cover with UCP camouflage. I appreciate you sharing all your knowledge, it helps a lot. And please show the kit they used.👍👍
Cheers Jorge 👍
I learned the Coursemanship lesson the hard way when I got a designated leader failed (he ultimately passed) when I left an AT-4 at a patrol base during US Army Sapper School. I snapped-to then, I tell ya!
Something I've come across several times on assessment is the candidate not orientating their map to the ground when doing a quick map check, and then walking off in the wrong direction. Easily done when the assessment nerves are jangling. Another way to stand out, is overthinking your ropework or doing something different or beyond the course expectation.. If you stand out, you'll be asked to justify what you've done. Take the stress off yourself by sticking with what was taught in training or is in the course hand book. Come prepared and enjoy it.
Ha ha I can second this, I fluffed the rope work a little since I decided to try an adjustable knot with a stopper and messed it up (put the overhand further from the person) for the first time with someone on the end of the rope. Got a second shot on the final day and reverted to use of double overhand on a bight for everything!
Great tips Tom and I would be interested in the kit/gear you carried for this course.
Nate
Love this; currently bagging QMD’s ahead of assessment; would love to get the full low down on ML assessment 👍🏻
Roger that mate, cheers
Another good video Tom, thanks for posting. I think mindfulness is key and having the mind fixed on the job in hand and teamwork, it keeps folk alive. While I'm out tabbing fells I see folk of all description from those who might die exposure to the very well organised but very competitive who are self absorbed in the zone. Whilst beautiful our natural places can be deadly, some need a bit more respect.
Not done anything like the course but just good tips as always. It's the small tips and tricks that makes anything much better and easier. 60 second tarp as example 👍.
Hi sir ..I'm Madushan.. from sri Lanka... I enjoyed your video so much.... and it's very useful to me.... good luck sir....👍👍👍
Cheers Madushan, appreciate it! 👍
Oi. Billy Big Nuts. Another solid video. Top channel. 👍
Cheers 😂
Tom a few quick questions if u don’t mind mate: Did you do a 10 day all in one course (training, and assessment) or did you do a training course, and then months later do the assessment? Which would you recommend? Also, in terms of navigation skill and experience how did you find you compared to your coursemates? Did you find your military experience put you ahead of most of the others? Cheers
I did the two courses separately, as far as l was aware, that’s how you had to do it.
Some of the others were very good at nav, some not so much. I’d say l had more experience in bad weather and at night.
@@PreparedPathfinder Brill thanks for the info and replying so quickly dude. Looks like the tricky bit will be notching up enough (proper) QMDs. I live in the black mountains tho so can’t grumble it’s a lot easier for me than some folks!
@@johnfletcher9907 you’re sorted then mate! I’d love to live down that way. I did mine through your nearest centre, Plas Pencilli.
@@PreparedPathfinder Hope you had fun on Alaska mate! Quick one - how did you find plas pencilli (would you recommend them?) and did you do your expeds on the Beacons or did you travel further afield? (Just trying to decide whether to book with Plas Pencilli or Plas y Brenin up in snowdonia).
@@johnfletcher9907 yeah I'd say they were decent. We did our expeds in Snowdonia.
U.S. Army Ranger School has similar aspects (Ranger Class 11/77)
They led you eat and sleep on ML assessment :)
Congratulations on achieving that Marra 👍
Cheers mate 👍
Treating yourself to some midges...
Scotland 🏔⛰🗻💗