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
This year the Alpine Club is celebrating the 150th anniversary of four major first ascents in the Alps. In 1871, Lucy Walker and Meta Brevoort made the first female ascents of the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Bietschhorn and the Dent Blanche. Over 200 women recently applied to join a meet hosted by the Alpine Club this summer, which aims to bring together a diverse group of women to commemorate this extraordinary year in female mountaineering. The aim is to broaden access to mountaineering through inspiration, in the same way that Walker and Brevoort did for women a century and a half ago. Whereas only 30 places were available for this meet, the Alpine Club sees Women Rise Up as an important new initiative for future years.
Tonight Catherine Destivelle, the first female recipient of the Piolet d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award, joins us to talk about her journey. Historian Clare Roche will outline the events of 1871 and Women Rise Up Climbing Coordinator Becky Coles will talk about Women Rise Up activities. The ClubCastwill be guest-hosted by Melanie Windridge.
As usual the evening will finish with a Q&A
