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 MemberBelow 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!
In February 1975 Rab Carrington and Alan Rouse brought hard Scottish style climbing to the Alps with their winter ascent of the Terray Rebuffat route on the Aiguille des Pélerins. 17 years later Andy Parkin and Mark Twight climbed the nearby ‘Beyond Good and Evil’ and in February this year Jon Bracey, Matt Helliker and Pete Whittaker added ‘Beyond Reason’. In their own way each of these ascents have set new standards for the sport.
Why has this corner of the Chamonix Aiguilles been a test bed for the best climbers of their generation? Find out on 26 May.