Expeditions
The Alpine Club, the world's first mountaineering club, has members from around the world. Since it was founded in 1857, members have been at the leading edge of worldwide mountaineering development and exploration. We aim to be the club of choice for all mountaineers, providing a forum for sharing experiences and information.
Alpine Club members are constantly researching, organising and participating in expeditions to mountains around the world, so it will come as no surprise to find that amongst our members there is a massive wealth of knowledge about remote areas and expedition organisation. The Alpine Club provides a number of resources that will be useful for those planning or researching expeditions. This page provides links to these resources, and to other sites that are invaluable to expedition planners.
Alpine Club Expeditions
The Alpine Club organises annual expeditions, which are often to remote and little-known mountain areas. These expeditions are open to all members, subject to qualifying criteria and numbers. They can be subsidised by the Montane Alpine Club Climbing Fund. This fund also supports expeditions privately organised by club members. .
Read more about Expedition Reports
Many expeditions will have been awarded Mount Everest Foundation grants and provided reports. There are some details on the MEF website but the MEF does not hold actual copies. These are distributed to the AC and the organisations listed below (but not the Kew archives).
Royal Geographical Society
The RGS holds copies of all MEF reports as well as many others. Searching is very straightforward and summaries are provided. Reports cover the period 1965 onwards and are very comprehensive. They can be consulted by visiting the RGS library, or copies can be e-mailed.
National Archives at Kew
Not the easiest source of information. The National Archives holds many older documents deposited there from multiple sources.
British Mountaineering Council
This is still in beta form but has some impressive features. It is easy to search although not comprehensive. It includes summaries, and you can download many complete reports as PDFs. The BMC is currently the only readily available source of this information. The AC is working towards publishng a comprehenve expeditions database which will be be available on-line in due course.
Alan Rouse Sheffield Library
Sheffield library holds a comprehensive archive of mountaineering material, including copies of MEF and other expedition reports. There is a PDF catalogue which can be searched; one of the best ways of quickly identifying peaks and leaders. At present it is up to date only to 2010.
Events Calendar
For the second year, the Club will be running a Continuing Mountaineering Development workshop at the start of the Summer Meet to help members keep up to date on changes to best practice in terms of alpine safety and to provide them with useful local knowledge on routes, wet weather options, approaches...etc
Members refreshing practical skills at one of the 2024 CMD Sessions
Introduction
Members need to be kept up to date with developments in mountain safety and techniques. To assist with this, the Club have contracted two mountain guides - Kevin Avery and Guy Steven - to provide services on the first full day of the Summer Alpine Meet on 22 June 2025. This will be available to all present, and will include relevant local information and advice on / demonstrations of skills and equipment relevant to summer alpine mountaineering. It will be based on the campsite to allow easy access, rather than a mountain environment. There will be an emphasis on safe travel and advice about technical developments. The day is open to members, aspirants and experienced guests (i.e. potential new members).
Costs
Guides’ fees for the day will be covered by the AC.
Members will pay no fee.
When?
22 June 2025. Two formal sessions, between noon and 7pm. Timings TBC
Where?
Camping Mulina, Vicosoprano. At the Alpine Club ‘basecamp’.
Syllabus
Local update.
Nearby areas.
Bad weather options.
General comments on rescue/emergency contact
Discussion about keeping kit up to date
Glacier travel update.
Crevasse rescue discussion and refresher if needed.
Admin
Sign-up will be sought in advance with the booking form for the Summer meet.
Details of final paperwork will be finalised with the guides, Kevin Avery and Guy Steven, who are also running the Rick Allen Skills Award.
Contact
Paul McWhinney - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Further Reading
See the UIAA Summer Alpine Skills Handbook
