The Alpine Club, the world’s first mountaineering club, was founded in 1857.  For over 150 years, members have been at the leading edge of worldwide mountaineering development and exploration. 

With membership, experienced and aspiring alpinists benefit from a varied meets programme, regional lectures with notable guest speakers, reduced rates at many alpine huts, opportunity to apply for grants to support expeditions, significant discounts at many UK retailers, extensive networking contacts, access to the AC Library and maps - and more! 

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The meet took place in the George Starky Hut, in Patterdale, on the last weekend in September.  The meet was extremely well attended, with a total of 33 attending for, at least part of the weekend.

On both days, the weather was very pleasant, allowing a good number of climbs and walks to be completed.  These included a large group ascending Pinnacle Ridge, on St Sunday Crag followed by Dollywagon Pike, Helvellyn and Striding Edge.  Attached picture shows Kate Ross and Margaret Graham on Pinnacle Ridge.  A small group climbed Westmorland’s Route on Dove Crag, who note that he classic route could benefit from more traffic.  Another group went to Black Crag at Wrynose , with Adele long leading an impressively tenacious ascent of a dripping wet Ann's Agony (HVS 5b); the others did the unprotected Glass Slipper (E2 5b), but only on a top rope!  Walks included Place Fell & Hallin Fell, where a herd of red deer was spotted, Sheffield Pike, Hart Crag and Fairfield. Paul McWhinney and a group did some abandoned mine exploration above Glenridding, whilst others cycled or even found it warm enough to swim in mountain streams. 31 sat down to  a three course dinner, on Saturday evening, followed by much conviviality and some brief, or not quite so brief, presentations about some of the club meets or expeditions.  It was a very successful meet and the same venue and weekend 23rd to 25th September, have been booked, for next year.

By John Kentish