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 Member
 

Symposia

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

John Porter - The Beauty of Risk
Thursday 11 January 2024, 07:30pm
Thursday 11 January 2024

What is risk? Is it a daily reality to avoid, or can we manage it by embracing it?
 
With particular relevance to climbers and mountaineers, John's talk explores the nature of adventure, challenging man’s perception of what is real and what is delusional. The talk is illustrated with stunning photos drawn from sixty years of climbing and exploring the world, revisiting the nature of beauty and truth through startling juxtapositions of ideas and images. John discusses whether success and failure are equally important to gain understanding of our roles in a universe with no interest in us. He goes into and far beyond George Mallory’s famous justification for climbing Everest; ‘Because it’s there’.
 
 

Venue: The Greta Suite of the Skiddaw Hotel, Main Street, Keswick, CA12 5BL.

Lectures are free to members.  Non-members are welcome to attend for a suggested £3 donation to the Montane Alpine Club Climbing Fund.

Doors Open: 7pm.
Lectures start: 7.30pm.

Food is available before the lecture from the hotel bar.

Location Keswick
31 Main St
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5BN