What is “Mountain Craft Training”?
Even though Hong Kong covers such a small area, its land is coated by hills of all sizes; if one looks carefully, one can always find a quiet spot that is hidden away from the crowd, to enjoy the beauty of the Nature. However, while reveling in the excitement of exploring the wilderness, what should you do to ensure that you can get home safely afterwards?
In response to Hong Kong people’s increasing passion for outdoor activities, and to address the unneglectable knowledge gab in wilderness safety in our city, the China Hong Kong Mountaineering and Climbing Union (HKMU) has formulated a “Mountain Craft” training program, which consists of three levels (from Level I to Level III). The purpose of the program is to, through systematic training, encourage the participation in the sport of mountain-climbing, improve climbers’ mountaineering techniques, and raise people’s awareness of wilderness safety. The program’s content is compiled by making references to relevant local and overseas training programs, and is adjusted to suit the unique wilderness environment in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Wilderness Training Centre is one of HKMU’s affiliated training centres. We provide the following courses in accordance with HKMU’s syllabus and regulations:
Level I ，II，III Mountain Craft Training Courses.
Level I Mountain Craft Training Courses
What gears should you bring with you on a day trip? If a trail is 15 km long, how much time would you expect to complete it? If you are lost in the mountains, how would you find your way out using a map and a compass?
During our Level I training courses, we expect our students to practice in the wilderness what they have learned during an indoor lecture. Students completing the course should be capable of planning, for oneself and one’s friends, a day-hike event, and should be sufficiently knowledgeable in risk management for outdoor activities. In addition, through a Leave No Trace , students will also experience for themselves the many ways in which a person can mitigate the environmental impacts of his or her outdoor activities, and become a more responsible outdoorsman from then on.
Participant Requirements
– must be 12 years or older
– participants under 18 need to obtain a signed consent from parents or guardians
– even though no hiking experience is required, certain level of physical fitness would be needed to complete the training course
Certificates issued by
–China Hong Kong Mountaineering & Climbing Union
Levels II Mountain Craft Courses
How do you plan a hiking trip for a group of friends? If you want to have a nice meal when you go camping, what kind of food should you choose? When there isn’t even a footpath in the mountains, how to pin-point your location on the map with the help of a compass? If a member of your team has an accident in the mountain, what can you do?
For our Levels II Courses, we expect our students to acquire specific knowledge and techniques useful to wilderness activities, which should enable them to deal with all kinds of mountain environments. After completing the course, students should be capable of planning and executing a multi-day camping trip with friends, and and should be sufficiently knowledgeable in risk management for outdoor activities. In addition, through a Leave No Trace , students will also experience for themselves the many ways in which a person can mitigate the environmental impacts of his or her outdoor activities, and become a more responsible outdoorsman from then on. Key teaching content includes: Selection of camping gears, advanced navigation techniques, useful knots, the handling of accidents in the wilderness, and so on.
Participant Requirements
– must be 14 years or older
– participants under 18 need to obtain a signed consent from parents or guardians
– even though no hiking experience is required, certain level of physical fitness would be needed to complete the training course
Level III Mountain Craft Training Courses
The goal of the Level III Mountain Craft Training Courses is to provide our students with comprehensive training of mountaineering knowledge and techniques, to allow them them to handle all kinds of wilderness environments, and to compose themselves during a crisis in the outdoor.
Key course content:
– In-depth look at hiking and camping techniques,
– Selection of advanced professional equipment,
– Advanced navigation with map and compass,
– Knots and 4 belay systems,
– Trip planning and risk evaluation,
– Management of accidents in the wild,
– Wilderness first aid,
– Leadership skills
– River-trekking techniques
An individual with a valid Level III Mountain Craft Certificate, and a First Aid Certificate, is certified to lead a party (with a staff-to-participant ratio of 1:8 or above) on a hiking and/or camping trip, and can issue the HKMU “Achievement Certificates” to the participants. A person with a Level III Certificate and a valid First Aid license, with the endorsement of any one of HKMU’s associates, can apply for a Mountain Craft Assistant Instructor position.
Participant Requirements
– must be 18 years or older
– must have a valid Level II Mountain Craft Certificate
We only accept the application for the package, please apply at least one month before the start of the class.
Training Hours
Level 1：3 hours lectures ，16 hours Outing(2 times hiking)
Level 2 ：9 hours lectures ，48 hours Outing(2 times camping)
Level 1-2 ：12 hours lectures ，64 hours Outing(2 times hiking & 2 times camping)
Level 3 ：12 hours lectures ，96 hours Outing(4 times camping)
Price
Level 1 ：
$7,840/Group (8 People)
$15,680/Group（16 People）
$23,520/Group（24 People）
Level 2 ：
$12,640/Group (8 People)
$25,280/Group（16 People）
$37,920/Group（24 People）
Level 1-2 ：
$19,040/Group (8 People)
$38,080/Group（16 People）
$57,120/Group（24 People）
Level 3 ：
$23,040/Group (8 People)
$46,080/Group（16People）
$69,120/Group（24People）
We only accept the application for the package, please apply at least one month before the start of the class.
Certificates:
– China Hong Kong Mountaineering & Climbing Union
(Price include)