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
Brian tells the story of climbing through the 1970’s and 80’s, looking particularly at his memories of eleven friends with whom he climbed: Alan Rouse, Paul Nunn, Joe Tasker, Pete Thexton, Georges Bettembourg, Mike Geddes, Alex MacIntyre, John Whittle, John Syrett, Sam Cochrane and Roger Baxter-Jones.
Starting with rock climbing at Leeds University and progressing to the hard game of mountaineering in Scotland and the Alps in winter, Patagonia and the Andes. He then went to Nepal on expeditions to Jannu, Nuptse, Everest in winter, Ogre 2 and K2.
Brian asks why they took such risks and remembers these friends with fondness, celebrating their achievements and looking back at a very different world than today. An epoch that marked the change from heavyweight expeditions to fast and light alpine style. They thought it was a safer way to climb but in the end the statistics show otherwise.
Brian’s book of the same name won the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature in 2022.
31 Main St
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5BN
