Blue Peris Mountain Centre | What We Do

Blue Peris is an approved centre for running ML Training and Assessment Courses, a number of our staff are also approved by the UKMTB as SPA Providers (ML = Mountain Walking Leader Award, SPA = Single Pitch Award (for climbers leading and supervising groups) formerly SPSA, pre January '98).

Paperwork this information sheet applies to those on training and those on assessment (except where it is clearly stated). Specific information for those on refresher courses is at the end of this document. Although the courses are practical in nature you should have a number of documents either from Blue Peris or elsewhere which you need to read thoroughly, and in many cases act upon! If you don't you will not be well placed to make the most of your course. You need the following:

Syllabus and Prospectus for your qualification
(from the UKMTB, MLTB, WMLTB etc)
Information for Candidates (this is it!)
Booking/Personal Details Form
Home Paper (assessment candidates only)
Kit List
Course Programme
Dates, Prices & Booking Conditions

Pre Requirements For Courses

Register with one of the home nation boards and obtain a log book. Candidates from England usually register with the MLTE (Mountain Leader Training England, Siabod Cottage, Capel Curig, Conwy, LL24 0ET), other training boards (Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), details available from MLTUK (01690 720 272). The qualification is the same through different boards, which you register with is a matter of personal preference. You need 12 months experience of the activity before registration.

ML Training you should already have some experience of mountain walking or rock climbing (whichever is appropriate). ML Training course candidates need to bring with them to Blue Peris the sections of their log book which records a minimum of 20 'Quality Mountain Days', and the pages which make a record of your training course (details in your log book or contact your training board if you registered before September 1999).

SPA Training please fill in your log book before arriving. If your log book is still in the post a brief summary would be useful, containing the following: Approximate number of routes climbed, led or seconded, single or multi-pitch, main cliffs/rock types/areas visited, work with groups/young people, experience setting up belays.

Assessment Courses you must make sure that you satisfy the pre-assessment requirements set out in the 'Syllabus and Prospectus' (ML) or 'Handbook' (SPA). Note, ML candidates need an absolute minimum of 40 quality days. You will be sent a Home Paper (an open book exam) and this should be sent to arrive at the centre at least five days before you do along with the relevant pages of your log book (or photocopies). Remember to bring your First Aid certificate.

The Location/Transport

Blue Peris is located just outside the Snowdonia National Park, 290 metres above sea level on the south westerly flank of Elidir Fawr, close to the village of Dinorwic and above Llyn Padarn and the woods of Allt Wen. Grid reference SH 588 608 OS map 1:50,000 Sheet 115. Public transport is by train to Bangor or coach to Bangor or Caernarfon and then taxi to Blue Peris (approx �15). Local service buses to near Blue Peris (Dinorwic) run from Caernarfon (Service 83 - Arriva Cymru - enquiries 01248 750444). On Sundays, or if you get a bus from Bangor (Services 76, 77 - Williams Buses 01286 870484) you will have to walk 3km from Deiniolen!.

If you are arriving in Bangor on a Coach or Train we can pick up from Bangor railway station. Please contact the centre for the time the minibus will be there and to book a place on it.

The Centre/Accommodation

Residential courses are fully catered (except for camp food on ML Assessment). The accommodation is in dormitories and all bedding is provided. There are shower and washing facilities, drying rooms and equipment stores. There is a small climbing wall, a students' common room with a stereo and a games room with pool table and table football. Group meetings and lecture rooms are used for indoor/evening sessions. There is a television in the dining room, although it is usually only used for weather forecasts on ML courses! A 'tuck shop' selling a limited variety of sweets, postcards and souvenirs opens once a day or by negotiation. The Tuck shop does usually stock Hill ropes which are soometimes difficult to source from elsewhere. Blue Peris is a No Smoking site. There are reasonable pubs in Llanberis which is ten minutes drive or a 30 to 40 minute walk. There is a students payphone which can take incoming calls (01286 870 874).

Self Catering courses are accommodated in White Peris which adjoins Blue Peris. White Peris is a small, comfortable, well appointed bunk house which sleeps ten in bunks in three rooms. You will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow case and food (there is a 'Spar' two miles away and numerous large supermarkets in Bangor and Caernarfon, 15 to 20 minutes drive). White Peris is often available for use by outside groups or inviduals (with use of basic equipment). Instruction and equipment for a wide range of activities can also be arranged for White Peris users and outside groups. Please contact Blue Peris for rates.

Course Director

Each course will have a Course Director who is responsible for ensuring your course is carried out to the specifications of the national governing body for the qualification. Any queries about your course, or indeed any complaints, should be addressed to the Course Director.

Course Programmes

You will normally receive a provisional programme before you arrive, and you should note that there is not much free time! Evening sessions can finish quite late, though often by 9pm. Programmes are sometimes changed, for example because of bad weather.

Fitness & Health

You will be asked to fill in a personal details form which amongst other things asks you about illness and disability. Courses are quite intensive and can be tiring, so although a high level of fitness is not required a reasonable ability in the activities is necessary in order to participate in the sessions.

Safety & Insurance

Whilst every effort is made to condict activities safely, you do of course have some responsibility for the safety of yourself and others. You must question any practice or instruction which might seem unsafe. Although insurance is not normally an issue Bedfordshire County Council is only covered if you can prove professional negligence, and we have to advise you to consider arranging your own insurance to cover illness, injury, damage to and loss of personal effects or cancellation.

Equipment

You are encouraged to bring as much of your own equipment as you can, on training courses a range of candidates' own equipment often provides useful discussion. Please feel free to contact Blue Peris for advice if you are buying specially. A kit list will be sent to you, note Blue Peris can supply some items.

Refresher Courses

Please note that information above in the paragraph 'Course Programmes' does not apply.

These are courses for those who want some revision of specific syllabus areas before going for assessment. Topics covered will be negotiated on your arrival, but will normally include some navigation and some security on steep ground. There is scope (depending on the programme negotiated) for some diagnostic/appraisal work if desired. Note down any other syllabus areas you want help with on the booking form under 'any other important information'.