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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Conduct a guided mountain walking experience in a limited geographical area 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9284  Conduct a guided mountain walking experience in a limited geographical area 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Tourism Guiding 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  20 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2012-07-01  2015-06-30  SAQA 0695/12 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2016-06-30   2019-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard in combination with a generic standard will be able to create and conduct a local mountain walking tourist experience, within a local geographical site, that entertains and informs visitors.

This unit standard in combination with other context expertise standard(s) will enable the qualifying learner to be a competent mountain walking guide operating within a local geographical area. In addition they will be well positioned to extend their learning and practice into other areas of tourism, or to strive towards guiding standards and practice at higher levels.

Competent qualifying learners in mountain walking guiding will provide safe and quality experiences and thus strengthen the profession and tourism in general. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The ability to communicate effectively in spoken English will be an advantage as this is, in most cases, the medium of communication.
The learners must be in the possession of a Level 2 First Aid certificate. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Guides to the scope and complexity of the specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are provided in ranges/points beneath each. These are prefaced by "for example" since they are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are intended only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Navigate a group through a limited geographical area. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
  • In all weather conditions
  • Choose the most appropriate and safest route between entry and exit points
  • Accurately communicate their position to others
  • Estimate walking time between two defined points
  • In restricted visibility conditions. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Estimate the walking time between given points accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Communicate positions to others accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Estimate walking time between two defined points. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Choose the most appropriate and safest route between entry and exit points. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Lead a group to given points in the area in all weather conditions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Complete all relevant administrative procedures. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Obtain the relevant permits
  • Update the rescue register
  • Pay entry fees and other levies
  • Log their mountain walking experience
  • Report on the mountain walking experience. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Obtain the relevant permits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Update the rescue register. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Pay entry fees and other levies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Log their mountain walking experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Report on the mountain walking experience. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and respond to local hazards. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Local weather
  • Flooding
  • Lightning
  • Fire
  • Rock falls and landslides
  • Potentially dangerous animals and plants such as snakes
  • Altitude related illness specific to the geographical area. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Identify local weather conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Identify signs of a swollen river. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Manage a group correctly during an electrical storm. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Lead, organise and manage a group. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Safety
  • Setting up camp
  • Environmental preservation considerations
  • Equipment
  • Bivouac procedures
  • Group and personal hygiene
  • Group control
  • Food and nutrition
  • Walking pace and route selection. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Assess and guard personal and Group Safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Set up camp. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Implement actions to minimise negative environmental impact. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Check Food Preparation equipment regularly for cleanliness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Purify water. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Maintain a good walking rhythm. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Prepare and plan the menu with due consideration for nutrition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Check the packs of the group to be appropriate to body weight. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Efficiently move a group over difficult terrain. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Scree slopes
  • Steep ground. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Demonstrate appropriate descending techniques on slopes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Demonstrate appropriate ascending techniques on slopes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Display appropriate movement techniques over obstacles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Deal with common emergencies. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Medical emergencies
  • Panicking group members
  • Lost group members and equipment. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Deal with medical emergencies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Address panicking group members appropriately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Conduct a sweep search to find lost group members and equipment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Select, use and care correctly for equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Appropriate to activity, weather and terrain. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Check equipment for suitability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Check group equipment before departure and on return. 


    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of:

    1. A range of walking techniques
    2. Altitude & Environmental related illnesses
    3. Clothing & equipment related to the envisaged activity
    4. Control infrastructure and access restrictions
    5. Effective distances from riparian zones
    6. Group management & leadership skills
    7. His/her moral and legal obligation and responsibilities towards the group members
    8. Hygiene and the disposal of waste materials
    9. Intimate knowledge of the area and terrain
    10. Local Climate
    11. Local fauna and flora
    12. Local rescue procedures
    13. Local Weather patterns
    14. Movement on steep terrain
    15. Navigation techniques
    16. Understand dangers of flooded rivers and methods of avoiding them. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Navigate a group through a limited geographical area.
  • Complete all relevant administrative procedures.
  • Lead, organise and manage a group.
  • Efficiently move a group over difficult terrain. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Team work relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Navigate a group through a limited geographical area.
  • Complete all relevant administrative procedures.
  • Lead, organise and manage a group.
  • Efficiently move a group over difficult terrain. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Navigate a group through a limited geographical area.
  • Complete all relevant administrative procedures.
  • Identify and respond to local hazards.
  • Lead, organise and manage a group.
  • Efficiently move a group over difficult terrain.
  • Deal with common emergencies. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Navigate a group through a limited geographical area.
  • Complete all relevant administrative procedures.
  • Identify and respond to local hazards.
  • Lead, organise and manage a group.
  • Efficiently move a group over difficult terrain.
  • Deal with common emergencies. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Navigate a group through a limited geographical area.
  • Complete all relevant administrative procedures.
  • Identify and respond to local hazards. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Navigate a group through a limited geographical area.
  • Complete all relevant administrative procedures.
  • Lead, organise and manage a group.
  • Efficiently move a group over difficult terrain.
  • Deal with common emergencies. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Navigate a group through a limited geographical area.
  • Complete all relevant administrative procedures. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Values

    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:

    1. Respecting the natural and cultural environment.
    2. Accepting and maintaining a non-discriminatory attitude towards diversity including, for example: differences in gender, race, religion, physical ability and culture.
    3. Demonstrate a high level of personal, moral and professional integrity.

    Assessment
  • Good leadership and social skills should include good judgement and decision-making ability.
  • Must show the ability to work under pressure and possess high levels of mental and physical fitness.
  • Navigation assessment must be rigorous and encompassing the full range of skills and techniques.

    Supplementary information

    As a general indication, the knowledge and insight expected at this level is unlikely to be obtained without at least 21 quality mountain days of active experience in the field.

    Assessment should include a logbook as part of a portfolio of evidence gained in all weather conditions and all seasons. This could be partially accumulated during the practical training of Specific Outcome: 'Navigate a group through a limited geographical area'.

    A quality mountain day should include elements of planning, exploration and navigation. They should be reasonably demanding. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.