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!
Becoming a MemberSymposia
Below is a list of Alpine Club Symposia.
Organised by members of The Alpine Club, events focus on the mountains of a particular area, or on a specific aspect of mountaineering. Each symposium runs for a whole day and is typically held at a weekend in the Lake District, North Wales or the Peak District. During the day experts on the subject, including top mountaineers from around the world, give a series of illustrated presentations, creating an event that is both informative and inspiring. Take a look at the impressive list of speakers at recent and forthcoming symposia to see why these events are so popular. The symposia are usually open to members at a discount, as well as non-members.
Symposia are particularly useful for anyone planning an expedition or looking for new places to visit. Many expeditions have started in the bar after a symposium; but be warned: these events can be dangerously inspirational!
Events Calendar
The Great Mongolian Rescue - A rescue against the odds in the Mongol Altai
The story of a serious accident befalling our president, Lindsay Griffin, whilst on the Chinese side of Mongolia’s Altai range in 1992. In July 1993, H.R.H. The Princess Royal, whilst on the first Royal visit to Mongolia since its independence 3 years earlier, gave the Queen’s medal for ‘Valuable Service in the Air’ to a Mongolian pilot for the part he played in the rescue of a British climber during the previous summer.
During that rescue of Lindsay, the pilot illegally flew into Chinese territory and into the south side of the Altai Mountain Range, where no previous expedition had been. Julian’s team, comprising Ed Webster and Lindsay were the first western climbing team into the Tabun Bogdo range post breakup of the Soviet Union. The range, which lies in the far north west of the country, is the meeting point of the borders of Mongolia, China and Siberia.
This illustrated talk encompasses the life and ways of Mongol and Kazakh nomads and tells of the hiring of horses and camels to get the expedition’s equipment to base camp on the edge of the remote Potanina glacier. The talk further tells of the ascents of many unclimbed peaks including the first ascent of the south side (Chinese side) of the range's highest mountain, Mt Huithen. This was accomplished from the hitherto untrodden Przevalski glacier and culminated in the near disaster.
The story of the epic rescue (with very much a ‘Touching the Void’ aspect to it) is an important part in the story and was widely publicised in the press at the time.
55/56 Charlotte Road
London
EC2A 3QF
Uk
