The prime reason for the trip was to attend and hopefully pass my International Mountain Leader (IML) summer assessment. This is still a developing award but the standard is getting higher, more people are now requiring it of their Mountain Leaders and in much of Europe it is, directly or indirectly, compulsory.
As a bit of background, the IML is one of only two internationally recognised mountain qualifications; the other being IFMGA Mountain Guide (these latter being the god like characters who take people on top of big mountains in the Alps etc.). IML qualifies holders to take people in the mountains where technical skills of climbing and via ferrata are not expected and where glaciers are not involved. However, short sections of fixed gear protection are within remit, as is snow and winter trips on 'nordic type terrain', mainly targeted at snowshoeing. The award is quite difficult (and expensive) to attain, requiring an entry qualification of Summer ML and requisite foreign experience, followed by a summer training course, navigation speed test, winter training course, summer assessment and finally winter assessment. The award is not modular (i.e. you cant be a summer IML) so there is nothing to show until after successful completion of the winter assessment. Summer and winter assessments both take place in Europe and are limited to 3 x 1 week slots per year, meaning a theoretical maximum of around 36 qualifications per year.
The IML includes a strong element of environmental knowledge of flora, fauna, the local way of life & mountain economy as well as hill competency in personal movement, fitness, navigation, ropework, managing groups and so on. To that end I spent a couple of weeks prior to assessment getting to know the area and its flora and fauna - learning flowers out of a book just doesn't work for me! I also got to spend two days with a qualified IML, Ian Spare, who lives out there (www.swissmountainleader.com) ,one of which was a real client day and both of which were really helpful - thanks Ian.
The actual assessment this year took place in the area around Villars-sur-Ollon (home of the famous Aiglon College) in the canton of Vaud - an area I didn't know previously but will certainly be returning for further trips; it is extremely pretty with some amazing geological formations and amazing views across to the higher Valais Alps. All of this can be properly taken in via a selection of multi day tours using 'cabanes' in the area, the highlight of which is the Tour des Muverans - more of this in a future blog.
Assessment itself starts with a day walk which in our case was carried out in very damp and misty conditions, followed by a 3 day expedition using mountain huts. The first two days both involved 10+ hour days and around 1500m of ascent. Throughout these days we are required to take sections leading, imparting our knowledge in a friendly way whilst navigating and dealing with any scenarios the assessors may throw in - we seemed to have a lot of nervous clients who also carelessly threw their rucksacks down ravines at every opportunity! The final shorter day day had a sting in the tail, involving an extended section on steep, loose ground with fixed protection, through which we had to safeguard our 'clients' before descending to a final snow section requiring careful footwork and some step cutting.
There then followed a rapid descent to meet a bus back to Villars, for the final debrief and moment of truth! I was in a strong, supportive group who had received good feedback on each day so I think we were quite hopeful- and so it proved, we all passed:-)
There were a couple of deferrals in the other group for specific points which need to proven at a later date, but overall the standard was high and no-one will have to repeat the whole assessment - well done to all my fellow aspirants, all of whom were very supportive, a pleasure to meet and spend a few intense days with.
More blogs of Switzerland, with photos, to come!
