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Home / Chapters & Working Groups / Mountaineering
Working group
Chapter formation in progress
Mountain environments
Building the shared foundations for professional mountain practice.
A developing practitioner community working on standards for mountain walking, climbing, abseiling and other technical terrain-based activities.
About this world
A place for knowledge, standards and shared practice.
The Mountaineering Working Group brings together practitioners from adventure tourism, outdoor education, training, land management and mountain-safety contexts.
Its immediate work is to develop technical guidance, curricula and delivery requirements. As participation and governance mature, that work can support the formation of a formal SA AIA chapter.
Chapter formation in progress
This community is developing its technical and governance foundations before formal chapter status.
What it covers
One community, several connected areas.
01
Mountain walking and hiking leadership
02
Abseiling and technical rope activities
03
Single- and multi-pitch rock climbing
04
Canyoning and kloofing
05
Caving and spelunking
06
Environmental responsibility in mountain and wilderness contexts
Technical competencies
Standards connected to this field.
Each approved activity profile brings skills guidance, a curriculum and accreditation requirements together in one place.
Mountain Walking
Curriculum published; supporting framework documents are being completed
Profile developing
Mountaineering activities
Abseiling, climbing, canyoning and caving profiles
In development
General training & assessment guidance
Shared requirements supporting activity-specific technical documents
Approved guide
Knowledge & resources
Start with reliable, practical guidance.
Technical Competency Framework
Track approved and in-development mountain activity profiles in one place.
Read more →Adventure guide pathway
Understand qualifications, provincial registration and professional recognition.
Read more →Risk management resources
Find planning, safety and operational guidance in the SA AIA knowledge base.
Read more →
Articles
Browse all articles →
Ideas and practical insight.
Article
Lessons in Leadership from Mountaineering
What mountain environments can teach us about judgement and leadership.
Article
Member Spotlight: Mandla Sibanda of Hyqe Club
Meet an adventure hiking guide helping people find connection on the trail.
News & official updates
Browse all news →
Follow the work as it develops.
Mountain Walking Guide Curriculum — Revision 3
A milestone for technical standardisation across guiding and outdoor learning.
Read more →Safety on Steep Ground Training Series
A national CPD programme strengthening hiking-guide skills and safety practice.
Read more →CPD Workshop Programme Launch
Continuing professional development opportunities for the adventure industry.
Read more →
Get involved
Bring your experience into the conversation.
Mountain guides, outdoor educators, climbers, trainers, operators, venues, land managers and experienced practitioners are invited to help develop the field and its technical standards.