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Mountain Leader Written Paper
Dear ML Candidate,
Thanks for your interest in doing the Mountain Leader Assessment. Two important elements have to be completed before you come for assessment. These are:
(1) THEORY EXAM
Please complete the attached theory exam, at least three weeks before your assessment.
While you may use books, maps and other reference materials, as you consider necessary, you should not get help from any other person. BOS, The Mountain Training Board, allows you to complete the paper at home, in order to allow you to research the topics and to avoid the inconvenience of a supervised exam at a centralised location. In doing so the Board trusts you to refrain from getting help from another person. It is hoped that you will enjoy doing the research required and will also discover lots of interesting information not asked for in the paper. BOS reserves the right to reject theory papers where the evidence suggests that the paper was completed with the assistance of others.
(2) LOGBOOK - COMPLETION OF REQUIREMENTS
You are reminded that you must fulfil all the requirements of the Mountain Leader scheme and provide evidence of these in your logbook, before applying for the assessment. You should review the list of requirements and make out a training plan to complete anything outstanding. Good luck!
Bord Oiliuint Sleibhe
Irish Mountain Training Board
MOUNTAIN LEADERSHIP THEORY EXAM
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
1. PLEASE READ ALL QUESTIONS FULLY BEFORE ANSWERING THEM. No matter how much you know, unless you answer the question that has been asked and comply with the instructions given in that question, marks cannot be awarded for your answer. Despite warnings, people lose marks for this reason every year; please do not let it happen to you!
2. Attempt every question in every section.
3. You may consult books, maps etc. but not other people.
4. Write your name on the top of every page.
5. Securely staple the pages together.
6. When finished, check that you have answered every question and that the examiner will be able to find every answer.
7. The Board reserves the right to:
? reject any paper where there is a suspicion of cheating
? reject any paper returned late
? reject any paper that is otherwise ineligible
8. When you have completed the exam please fill in the details below and sign where indicated. Attach this page to your answer sheet.
Current contact details:
Name: _________________________ Address: _________________________
Phone: ______________________________ Email:
How many hours did you spend researching your answers? __________________
How many hours did you spend writing your answers? __________________
Total number of hours spent in the theory exam. __________________
I confirm that I completed this paper without help from any other person; that I did not and will not help any other candidate, and I accept that the Board’s decision in all matters relating to the exam is final.
Candidate’s signature: ___________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________________________________
RESULT SHEET
After the paper has been corrected a results slip will be completed by the examiner and returned to you either at the assessment or in advance of the assessment.
A grade is awarded for each section as follows:
G, VG or E (good, very good or excellent) denotes a pass; F (fair) means borderline; and P or NG, (poor or no grade), denotes a failure. You are normally required to pass each section. However a borderline grading in one section will not be a problem provided you do well in all other sections and in the practical assessment and logbook experience.
If you receive a fail grade in any section, or a borderline grade in more than one section, you must take part in a practical oral test in the subject(s) involved during your practical assessment.
SECTION A - BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
A – 1 Indicate which of the following list of rock and mineral types best fits each of the following descriptions:
Granite, Sandstone, Limestone, Gabbro, Feldspar, Pyroxene, Conglomerate, Quartzite, Marble, Quartz.
If appropriate you may match a rock or mineral type to none of the descriptions or to more than one of them.
(i) Formed under water from the carbonate shells and bodies of sea creatures.
(ii) Sedimentary rock largely composed of irregularly sized pebbles and fragments of other types of rock.
(iii) Common Mineral, often seen in streaky white veins across its ‘parent rock’.
(iv) This hard, light-coloured rock forms distinct scree-covered mountains.
(v) One of the sedimentary rocks from which the highest and most rugged Irish mountains are made.
(vi) Metamorphosed limestone forms a decorative rock, quarried notably near the Twelve Bens in Connemara.
(vii) Slieve Foye in the Cooley Mountains is composed of this dark rock renowned for friction.
(viii) Many Irish mountains and crags are formed of a tough crystalline rock called granite. The presence of quartz can make rock a granite, but what is the other most common mineral in granites?
A- 2 These three species of birds are commonly found in the Irish hills: meadow pipit, raven and grouse. Describe the key features that would enable you to identify these birds.
A-3 Briefly describe the process involved in the formation of blanket bogs.
A-4 What types of insectivorous plants might you find on Irish bogs?
A-5 List three glacial features found in the Irish mountains and name a location for god examples of each feature.
A-6 Describe the origin of the three species of deer found in the Irish hills and countryside
A-7 Write a BRIEF note on each of the following:
(i) Irish munroes
(ii) Sikorsky Helicopter
(iii) The origin and functions of the M.C.I.
(iv) Lazy beds
(v) Triangulation pillars
(vi) Robert Lloyd Praeger
A-4 Identify each of the following Irish mountain ranges, mountains or mountain areas.
(i) Western hill range whose name roughly translated means “Mountain Pass of the Wild Pig”.
(ii) A mountain with the highest sea cliffs in Europe and the One Mans Pass
(iii) Well known classical quartzite peak, on the southern shores of a bay full of drowned drumlins
(iv) Granite mountain area that has a “mountain of the snow” and that encloses a ‘poisoned’ valley.
(v) A plaque to the east of this mountain commemorates those who died in the Great Famine and the area hosts an annual Famine Walk.
(vi) Mountain range made famous by the song by Percy French
WEATHER SECTION
B-1 What would you consider to be the best source for a weather forecast for the Irish hillwalker? Explain why you selected this source.
B-2 Explain the type of weather one associates with:
(a) A warm front. (b) A cold front (c) An anticyclone (d) An easterly wind in winter
B-3 The synoptic chart is for weather conditions at midday. Based on the chart, write a short account (150 words max.) of the weather you would expected over the Maamturks Mountains from 9am to 6pm on this particular day.
B-4 At 11am in December you park your car at the start of the track that leads up into the Hags Glen, Magillicuddy’s Reeks. You intend to walk south along the track, passing between Lough Callee and its neighbour. Then you plan leaving the track to ascend to the Eagles Nest, (also known as Coumeenoughter), and onto Beenkeeragh, to cross the ridge onto Carrauntoohill. You intend to return to the track via the popular descent route of the Devil’s Ladder.
Last night there was a brief interlude in the bad weather and the moon and stars looked magnificent. However, the forecast is for the heavy rain and mainly south-westerly winds of the past few days to continue over most of Munster. Maximum afternoon temperatures are forecast to be about 5 degrees C.
Discuss briefly, in order of importance, each of the weather or weather related hazards you are likely to meet in the course of your walk. What are their implications, and if relevant, where they are most likely to occur. Are there any other aspects of your plan that may have a bearing on your safety?
Group Management Section
C- 1 Where would you find advice on the best codes of practice to adopt when working with groups aged under eighteen?
C-2 You have been asked to lead a group of 12 young people from a local youth club on a hillwalk. It is early springtime. You arrange to meet them a few days beforehand to discuss plans. They have never walked before and you anticipate they will have problems in obtaining walking clothing and gear. Outline what you would consider to be the most important advice to give them.
C-3 Describe the factors you would consider when deciding on the number of people to allow on a hillwalk you are leading.
Access and Conservation Section-
D-1 List the six National Parks in Ireland and explain how the ownership of National Parks in England and Wales differs from Irish National Parks.
D-2 You are planning an overnight camp in the mountains with a group. How would you minimise your impact? What briefing would you give the group?
D-3 Briefly describe how access legislation and arrangements for walkers in the uplands varies in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
D-4 List any three of the principles of ‘Leave no trace’.
D-5 Briefly explain the following terms
(i) SAC
(ii) Commonage
(iii) Recreational user (in the 1995 Occupiers Liability Act)
D-6 Name two organisations that use volunteers to carry out upland conservation projects.
More info: http://mountaintraining.ie/index.php?lnk=courses&type=walkinglship
