International Mountain Leaders in Spain's Sierra Nevada

International Mountain Leaders in Spain's Sierra Nevada

It’s great being able to work as an International Mountain Leader, meeting like minded people and using our local knowledge of the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra to ensure that they enjoy the very best walks in the safest possible way.

Martin enjoying being the patient on a Wilderness 1st aid course

However there’s more to being an International Mountain Leader than holding a qualification. Once qualified we can only practice if we are in possession of a valid “wilderness” 1^st aid certificate, have appropriate insurance cover and undertake a minimum of 2 days additional training each year known as Continuous Professional Development (CPD). And that’s in addition to getting the qualification in the first place!

In the last year we have attended 4 days of CPD at both Plas y Brenin the National Mountaineering Centre and whilst attending the BAIML annual conference in Fort William. Subjects have included: Geology, Glaciation, The Mountain Environment, Ecology and Assessing People in the Mountains.

(BAIML = The British Association of International Mountain Leaders).

"Refresher" ropework training organised by BAIML

The purpose of CPD is both to demonstrate that we are keeping our skills current and also to expand our knowledge to share with clients in the mountains. It’s these “soft skills” that give an added extra to the experience of hiring a qualified guide.

Sierra Nevada guides have also been involved in organising and delivering CPD training for both BAIML members and the Mountain Leader Training Association (MTA).

Night Navigation Training for BAIML organised by Sierra Nevada Guides

To become an IML through the British scheme, you first need to hold a British Mountain Leader qualification. Then with substantial experience in the larger mountains of the alps and further afield you can apply to join the IML scheme. This involves: a summer training course in Wales with a speed navigation test; a summer assessment in the alps that includes a fitness test; a winter training course in the alps; and finally a winter assessment in either the alps or Pyrenees.

It’s quite a long and expensive route to become a qualified IML, which is a qualification recognised throughout Europe (including Spain). 

To our knowledge, Sierra Nevada Guides are the only qualified British IML’s based in the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra.

Wilderness First Aid

Wilderness First Aid Course

Martin as a casualty

This week, Martin, Jane and Mike from Sierra Nevada Guides attended their refresher 1^st Aid course. Because of the nature of our work where rescue is problematic and ambulances can’t just be summoned, a “wilderness” first aid course was decided on. The course not only concentrated on first aid but also how to support casualties for several days. The course run by Nicola Pickering of High Peak First Aid in the Peak District lasted for two days and was assessed throughout. There were many practical scenarios held outside using realistic casualties made up with all sorts of fake blood and injuries.

A "realistic" injury to treat

At this point we should highlight that Sierra Nevada Guides have never had any clients who have either needed rescue or medical treatment.  However the possession of up to date first aid knowledge is something we take very seriously. Over the past few years there have been changes in good first aid practice and a range of better wound dressings and other equipment available on the market.

As International Mountain Leaders, we are not allowed to operate without a current first aid qualification. Additionally we have to keep our skills up to date by attending further certified (CPD) training which is monitored by our Association, The British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML) every 3 years. We also need to demonstrate valid insurance on an annual basis.

Sierra Nevada Guides are “current” regarding their training and are the only company of qualified British guides operating in Spain’s Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra.

Mountain Skills Training Course

Mountain Skills Courses
Sierra Nevada Guides are keen to promote mountain safety and enable people to enjoy the mountains safely. Our mountain skills training course is available both for those new to mountaineering and as a "refresher" for the more experienced.
The courses includes:
Mountain Safety, Weather and Equipment; Navigation, using a map and compass, route choice and using a GPS;  Scrambling and using a rope.
This 7 day course is both valley based and hut based (1 or 2 nights) and includes ascents of Mulhacen and Alcazaba. Cost from £550 depending on your choice of accommodation and includes your pick up from malaga Airport and final drop off.  Further details can be found on our website

Sierra Nevada Guides are qualified International Mountain Leaders.  We also run 4 day "Hill skills" training courses in The Peak District. with Peak Navigation Courses.

If you are planning a trip to Spain's Sierra Nevada or Alpujarra check out our website for information and walking itineraries.  Sierra Nevada Guides are always happy for you to contact us and to answer your questions.

Wildlife in Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains

Spring Birds and Wildlife in Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains

We have just returned from a three week break at our mountain smallholding high on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Although we had several forays out mountaineering, rock climbing and walking, much of the time was spent working on the land. Which inevitably brings you close to nature.  Spring in this part of Spain sees the return or just passing of many birds returning to Europe from Africa where they spent the winter and this trip was to reward us with sightings of several birds including the Wheatear visiting our garden daily and an Egyptian Vulture circling overhead on several occasions.

The other daily sight is the local goatherd passing beside our land as they forage and browse their way around the mountainside.  It’s always been obvious to us that when we are not around the farmer is not so careful about keeping them off our land because of the nibbled trees and plants. Whilst we are there the farmer tends to keep the goats in order by shouting at them and throwing rocks towards them (his dogs being useless at rounding them up). 

The one in the picture here has snuck around the back of our house where there are new almonds growing. Proof if it were needed that goats will do there own thing and without fencing we will always loose a proportion of our plants.

Mind you, it’s not just the goats causing damage.  On our land we have rabbits, wild boar and “Cabra de Monte” (Iberian Ibex).  Because we have plenty of water running through a barranco that borders our land and we have let a fair portion of this land go over to briar and willow, we have a great habitat not just for birds but somewhere safe for the cabra and boar to hold up during the day.  

On this last trip we were visited each evening by a young fox. The water channels that we have dug across the land distributing our excess water attract frogs and toads and we saw the fox stalking them on several occasions.

International Mountain Leaders are trained not only to lead and keep you safe in the mountains, but also in environmental interpretation. The guides at Sierra Nevada Guides are all qualified International Mountain Leaders.  Never book with a guide who claims to be "experienced" make sure they are fully qualified, your life may depend on it!

Want to become a Mountain Leader?

Want to become a Mountain Leader?

Sierra Nevada Mountain Guides are the only company of qualified British Guides (International Mountain Leaders) operating in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Not only are we committed to maintaining high standards by continually updating our own skills, we also provide mountain skills training.

Last summer we hosted a placement for two mountain leader trainees, Rik and Dominic who assisted us whilst gaining valuable experience and training in the high mountains.  If you are contemplating getting qualified to lead in the mountains, you might like to read this article.

Assessing People in the Mountains

Jane and Mike from Sierra Nevada Mountain guides attended a two day "Assessing People in the Mountains" course at Plas y Brenin (The National Mountain Centre) last week.  The course is aimed to help qualified mountain professionals who need to assess skills and competence of clients.

Sierra Nevada Mountain Guides run mountain skills courses in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains and Alpujarra.  Mountain Walking, Trekking, Navigation, Scrambling and RocK Climbing.

Sierra Nevada Mountain Guides are the only qualified company of British guides working in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Jane has successfully passed her IML winter assessment in The French Alps.  Sierra Nevada Guides now have 3 fully qualified International Mountain Leaders based in Lanjaron and working in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains.  The IML is a recognised qualification in Europe (including Spain) and allows you to take parties into the mountains world wide. To become an International Mountain Leader (IML) you must first be a British ML.  With enough overseas experience you can apply to register onto the IML training scheme. There are both summer and winter training courses followed by summer and winter assessments. Once qualified you have to keep up to date if you want to maintain your "carnet" to operate. Additionally an IML must have appropriate insurance and be qualified in remote or wilderness 1st aid.

Congratulations Jane!