BAIML - The British Association of International Mountain Leaders

The British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML) is the professional body which represents British International Mountain Leaders who are either fully qualified or who are working towards the full International Mountain Leader (IML) qualification. BAIML oversees the registration and professional standards of those operating as IMLs, provides an annual carnet issued by the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) , and has established an annual continuous professional development cycle to ensure that the IML is appropriately qualified for the work that they do. BAIML has the power to investigate any allegations of professional misconduct, and can take appropriate disciplinary action where necessary.

British IMLs have been assessed in the skills required for leading walking parties in mountains both in the UK and around the World. BAIML has over 400 members, of which over 360 hold the full IML Carnet. You can find a list of members available for work in the BAIML Online Directory (left) or by clicking here.

The IML qualification is recognised by the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA), an international governing body administratively based in France, representing the interests of IMLs in Andorra, Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. UIMLA has established a common platform standard for the skills and knowledge required of those choosing to lead individuals and groups in the mountains around the world. The IML qualification broadly covers leading groups on trekking and mountaineering activities where the skills of alpinism are not required, i.e. off-glacier and permanent snow, and where the planned use of a rope is not required. IMLs can be found leading groups on high altitude treks and the major walking paths of the World’s mountains, and (where the IML is appropriately experienced and qualified) on snow shoe treks.

The IML qualification requires the prospective IML to have experience of at least 100 mountain days, and during their assessment to demonstrate professionalism, personal ability and fitness, environmental knowledge, general leadership skills, navigation and group management over common hazards including snow, fixed equipment, and to have knowledge of a foreign language, and general knowledge and interest in the mountains in which they are operating.

In the United Kingdom, the body which oversees and validates the training and qualification of IMLs is Mountain Leader Training UK (MLTUK) . The IML training and assessment courses are delivered by the two National Mountaineering Centres at Glenmore Lodge and Plas y Brenin .

Training and assessment takes place in both the UK and in the European Alps under both summer and winter conditions. Further details of the training and assessment process can be found in the 'What is an IML' section of the main menu, or by following this link.

BAIML is also in regular contact with the major trekking companies operating in the UK, and seeks through its communications to maintain the IML qualification as appropriate to those operating in complex mountain terrain, both in the UK and throughout the world.

Current BAIML members can log-in to find lots of additional resources, update their membership details and check on the latest news from the Association. If you are having difficulty logging in, or need a reminder of your username or password, please look in the Help Desk section (left) before emailing us.

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