Established in 1994 , the South African Mountaineering Training Standards Trust (SAMT) develops and maintains nationally recognised standards for the many clubs, organisations and individuals active in mountain related activities. The program, managed by the South African Mountaineering Development and Training Trust, a legally constituted body registered with the master of the Supreme Court, coordinates and administers the functioning of the National Training Program. Training and or assessment courses are run by Service Providers approved and accredited by the National Management Committee. Since its introduction, the program has gained the support of many professional, semi-professional and voluntary guides, leaders and instructors active in South Africa’s mountains as well as the World Mountaineering Federation (UIAA).
This website will give prospective climbers, hikers and abseilers the information they need on mountaineering standards in South Africa. The SAMT is the industry standard for mountain skills, training and assessments.
Courses aimed at the recreational abseiling, hiking and rock climbing enthusiast wanting formal training without the need for assessment.
This skills course requires no prior experience.
The Ice Climbing Skills Course is a recreational skills training course, providing training for those who wish to learn to climb single and multi-pitch water-ice routes or glacier travel.
This skills course requires no prior abseiling experience.
The Abseiling Skills course is a recreational skills training course that provides training for those who wish to learn to abseil safely without an independent belay.
This skills course requires no prior hiking experience.
The Basic Hiking Course is a personal recreational training course, that provides training for those who wish to learn to hike on trails or on very easy off-trail areas, safely.
This skills course does not require any prior experience.
Feeder course for Single Pitch Supervisor Award
The Beginner Rock Climbing Course is an introductory personal recreational training course, which provides training for those who wish to be introduced to the sport of rock climbing. The course covers both Traditional and Sport climbing skills.
4 days
The minimum course length is 5 days.Candidates may apply for exemption from a training course based on personal experience.
The consolidation period varies from person to person but at least 6 months is recommended between training and assessment.
Candidates may apply for RPL assessment but before assessment candidates must:
The Mountain Leader Award offers the technical competence to lead walkers and hikers into the highest and most remote mountain regions of southern Africa. It is the combination of technical skills, wide experience and personal leadership which forms the basis for group management in a mountainous environment, and the award assesses all of these aspects.Winter refers to the conditions of the mountain environment and not the season. Winter therefor refers to the presence of snow and ice, and the possibilities of cold weather injuries. Due to the rarity of winter conditions in southern Africa, experience of winter conditions in other countries is accepted and recommended. The Mountain Leader Award does cover the use of ropes for security on scrambles but does not cover any aspect of rock or ice climbing.
Minimum course length is 3 days.
A consolidation period of at least 3 months is recommended to practice skills.
The Walking Group Leader award provides the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the technical competence in leading groups in hilly and non-technical mountain areas. Such areas may be subject to hostile weather and require an element of self-sufficiency that is reflected in the syllabus.
The terrain imagined in this award meets the following criteria:
Courses (and associated assessment) aimed at the abseiling, hiking and rock climbing supervisor responsible for group activities.
The Abseil Supervisor Scheme (AS) provides training and assessment for those who are in a position of responsibility while supervising abseiling. It is suitable for individuals working in a professional, semi-professional, or voluntary capacity.
For all abseils (incl >60m)
The Abseil Supervisor Scheme (AS) provides training and assessment for those who are in a position of responsibility while supervising abseiling. It is suitable for individuals working in a professional, semi-professional, or voluntary capacity.
Only for abseils of less than 60 meters
The Top-Rope Supervisor Scheme (TRS) provides training and assessment for those who supervise top-roped rock climbing on artificial walls, or accessible crags. It is suitable for individuals working in a professional, semi-professional, or voluntary capacity.
3 days
If the pupil can show extensive prior experience and competence during the course, the instructor may proceed directly into a RPL assessment.
4 days
If the pupil can show extensive prior experience and competence during the course, the instructor may proceed directly into a RPL assessment.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old
4 days
If the pupil can show extensive prior experience and competence during the course, the instructor may proceed directly into a RPL assessment.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old
2 days
If the pupil can show extensive prior experience and competence during the course, the instructor may proceed directly into a RPL assessment.
Courses and assessments created to ensure standardisation of skills instruction across the SAMT syllabus.
Candidates must already hold the IML.
The Mountain Walking Instructor Scheme provides comprehensive training and assessment for individuals working as instructors in a professional, semi-professional or voluntary capacity, privately or at mountaineering centers. It integrates training and assessment in a variety of testing conditions in mountainous country
