Mountain Skills 1 (MS1)
Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) Course
SUITS: Beginners
This Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course is ideal for you if you've started hillwalking as a hobby and you are looking to be proficient with the skills to safely navigate in the hills in Ireland/UK under all weather conditions and especially in the mist. All our courses are approved by Mountaineering Ireland and the Irish Mountain Training Board. The minimum age to do the Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course is 10, but a parental consent form is needed for U18's.
If you don't have time to do the two-day Mountain Skills 1 (MS1), or if you find the syllabus too demanding, then consider doing a one-day Introduction to Navigation course instead. For more info on this click here.
If you have done a Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course and wish to progress on to the next stage of training, then click here for information on the Mountain Skills 2 (MS2).
Key notes on the Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course:
- Your instructor is fully insured, Garda Vetted, REC3 First Aid Holder with 30+ years mountaineering / 14 years teaching experience.
- Student:Instructor ratio maximum of 6:1
- The 2-day course is normally held over a weekend in the Wicklow Mountains (unless otherwise stated) from 8.45am to around 4.45pm. This course is non-residential and does NOT include accommodation, transportation, food & drink.
- A Zoom call to cover indoor talks will be held before the weekend course. Unless otherwise stated, this is normally on a Thursday evening from 7.30pm to around 9.30pm. If this is an issue, do let us know.
- Maps and compasses will be provided during the course.
- Includes a 15% discount code with Cotswold Outdoors, a 10% discount code with the Great Outdoors and a 50% discount for a year's subscription to HiiKER PRO.
- Post-course notes will be given.
On the Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course, you will learn:
What Clients Say
"Thanks a lot for an excellent couple of days in the Wicklow hills. I thoroughly enjoyed the MS1 training, but more importantly came away from the training with a new set of skills which will prove invaluable for hill walking. I liked the way you covered the syllabus with a mixture of clear concise talks, explanations and practical exercises, all delivered with a great sense of humour and with infinite patience. I think you put a huge effort into ensuring that each member of the group ‘got’ the concepts and understood how to put them into practise. I’ll be back for MS2." - Neil O'Mullane
"I recently completed MS1 with Adrian and really enjoyed it. Adrian is a great trainer with a depth of mountaineering knowledge. He broke the course content down into manageable chunks and delivered it in a warm and engaging way. The end result was a weekend of learning and laughter in the hills - what more could you ask for? Highly recommended!" - Marina Branigan
"Had a great time completing the MS1 course with Adrian. It was a great couple of days, helped by gorgeous weather and a lovely group of fellow participants. My 13-year old daughter also took the course and we both learned so much from Adrian''s clear guidance and enjoyable tasks. A great communicator, his practical experience and knowledge of the syllabus meant everything was covered in detail, with lots of time for questions and further explanations if needed. Would highly recommend for any mountain training.” - Michael Seaver
For more client feedback click here
For client feedback on Facebook click here.
Here are videos on what you can expect to learn on our Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course:
Mountain Skills 1 for Hikers in Ireland - My Full Experience, a vlog by erikalives:
How To Book on a Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) Course
Note for Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course
Students will also have to register for the MS scheme with Mountaineering Ireland (MI). Registration is free for U18's but it will cost €28 for adults - this is done only once and will cover you for the MS1, MS2 and MS Assessment. Details on how to register will be emailed to you upon booking and once a course is guaranteed to run.
Your €28 MS registration includes:
1. A digital MS training record account.
2. The official Mountain Skills Logbook.
3. Certificate on completion of your MS1.
4. MTA Timing card.
5. BMC Safety on Mountains book.
Cancellation Policy
In the event that a client should cancel a booking(s) more than 10 days prior to the start of the course, 50% of the Activity fee will be refunded. In the event that a client should cancel a booking(s) within 10 days prior to the start of the Activity, no refunds will be made. There will be no refunds or transfers for no shows on the day. The only exceptions are if you are ill (we will require you to email a doctor’s letter) or if there is a family bereavement (again we will need you to email proof of this) – in this case you may transfer to another weekend, but no refunds will be made.
To book a Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course, click on the 'BUY NOW' button below. Please do not book when you see ''0 in Stock''. You may also purchase a MS1 Course voucher for someone.
All prices below includes VAT at the Standard Rate.
To be notified of next course or to be put on a waiting list in case of any cancellations on one of our FULL courses email info@adrianhendroff.com
For other available dates in 2025 click on the 'BUY NOW' button below.
SUITS: Beginners
This Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course is ideal for you if you've started hillwalking as a hobby and you are looking to be proficient with the skills to safely navigate in the hills in Ireland/UK under all weather conditions and especially in the mist. All our courses are approved by Mountaineering Ireland and the Irish Mountain Training Board. The minimum age to do the Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course is 10, but a parental consent form is needed for U18's.
If you don't have time to do the two-day Mountain Skills 1 (MS1), or if you find the syllabus too demanding, then consider doing a one-day Introduction to Navigation course instead. For more info on this click here.
If you have done a Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course and wish to progress on to the next stage of training, then click here for information on the Mountain Skills 2 (MS2).
Key notes on the Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course:
- Your instructor is fully insured, Garda Vetted, REC3 First Aid Holder with 30+ years mountaineering / 14 years teaching experience.
- Student:Instructor ratio maximum of 6:1
- The 2-day course is normally held over a weekend in the Wicklow Mountains (unless otherwise stated) from 8.45am to around 4.45pm. This course is non-residential and does NOT include accommodation, transportation, food & drink.
- A Zoom call to cover indoor talks will be held before the weekend course. Unless otherwise stated, this is normally on a Thursday evening from 7.30pm to around 9.30pm. If this is an issue, do let us know.
- Maps and compasses will be provided during the course.
- Includes a 15% discount code with Cotswold Outdoors, a 10% discount code with the Great Outdoors and a 50% discount for a year's subscription to HiiKER PRO.
- Post-course notes will be given.
On the Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course, you will learn:
- Maps - history, types, scale, legend, content, age.
- Map setting/orientation.
- 4D navigation technique and self-location procedure.
- Distance estimation technique on map and ground.
- Feature recognition from map->ground and ground->map.
- Depiction of relief / contour interpretation.
- Handrailing, attack-points and aiming-off.
- Mountain hazards and MRT call-out procedure in brief.
- Personal hillwalking equipment from gear to rucsack contents/packing.
- Mountain environment: Access, flora, fauna, geology, placenames, Leave No Trace.
- Timing and pacing techniques and application.
- Naismith's Rule.
- Compass Introduction.
- How to take a grid reference.
- How to take a basic bearing and a taste of walking on a bearing before your MS2.
- Route planning - route card & guidebooks.
- Weather forecasting techniques & what to watch out for when planning a hike.
What Clients Say
"Thanks a lot for an excellent couple of days in the Wicklow hills. I thoroughly enjoyed the MS1 training, but more importantly came away from the training with a new set of skills which will prove invaluable for hill walking. I liked the way you covered the syllabus with a mixture of clear concise talks, explanations and practical exercises, all delivered with a great sense of humour and with infinite patience. I think you put a huge effort into ensuring that each member of the group ‘got’ the concepts and understood how to put them into practise. I’ll be back for MS2." - Neil O'Mullane
"I recently completed MS1 with Adrian and really enjoyed it. Adrian is a great trainer with a depth of mountaineering knowledge. He broke the course content down into manageable chunks and delivered it in a warm and engaging way. The end result was a weekend of learning and laughter in the hills - what more could you ask for? Highly recommended!" - Marina Branigan
"Had a great time completing the MS1 course with Adrian. It was a great couple of days, helped by gorgeous weather and a lovely group of fellow participants. My 13-year old daughter also took the course and we both learned so much from Adrian''s clear guidance and enjoyable tasks. A great communicator, his practical experience and knowledge of the syllabus meant everything was covered in detail, with lots of time for questions and further explanations if needed. Would highly recommend for any mountain training.” - Michael Seaver
For more client feedback click here
For client feedback on Facebook click here.
Here are videos on what you can expect to learn on our Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course:
Mountain Skills 1 for Hikers in Ireland - My Full Experience, a vlog by erikalives:
How To Book on a Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) Course
- Select a course date by clicking on the 'BUY NOW' button below then pay with a credit card. Please do not book when you see ''0 in Stock''.
- Group discounts apply for bookings of 5-6 people - email info@adrianhendroff.com to enquire.
- It is also possible to make a private booking if you have a group of 4 or more people any day of the week given two weeks notice. However, if you'd like the course to be run outside of Wicklow there will be a travel fee - email for details.
- We need a minimum of 2 students for a course to run. If there is less than 2 people, we can offer you an alternative date or give you a full refund if a course does not run.
Note for Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course
Students will also have to register for the MS scheme with Mountaineering Ireland (MI). Registration is free for U18's but it will cost €28 for adults - this is done only once and will cover you for the MS1, MS2 and MS Assessment. Details on how to register will be emailed to you upon booking and once a course is guaranteed to run.
Your €28 MS registration includes:
1. A digital MS training record account.
2. The official Mountain Skills Logbook.
3. Certificate on completion of your MS1.
4. MTA Timing card.
5. BMC Safety on Mountains book.
Cancellation Policy
In the event that a client should cancel a booking(s) more than 10 days prior to the start of the course, 50% of the Activity fee will be refunded. In the event that a client should cancel a booking(s) within 10 days prior to the start of the Activity, no refunds will be made. There will be no refunds or transfers for no shows on the day. The only exceptions are if you are ill (we will require you to email a doctor’s letter) or if there is a family bereavement (again we will need you to email proof of this) – in this case you may transfer to another weekend, but no refunds will be made.
To book a Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) course, click on the 'BUY NOW' button below. Please do not book when you see ''0 in Stock''. You may also purchase a MS1 Course voucher for someone.
All prices below includes VAT at the Standard Rate.
To be notified of next course or to be put on a waiting list in case of any cancellations on one of our FULL courses email info@adrianhendroff.com
For other available dates in 2025 click on the 'BUY NOW' button below.
|
Previous (3 of 3)
|
|
Also in: Mountain Skills
 |  |