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
 

Exhibitions

The Club is pleased to be able to use its premises and resources, along with its renowned archive of mountaineering reports, books, art and artefacts to host and curate exhibitions that celebrate mountain history and culture. As well as spotlighting the work of contemporary artists and academics, the Club has also worked to mark key mountaineering anniversaries; bringing together records of the past to keep our history alive and engaging for climbers and the wider community alike.

Individual exhibitions may vary, but most take place at our Charlotte Road Club House.

A full list of past and upcoming exhibitions is shown below.

'Kangchenjunga - The Five Treasures of the Snows' Exhibition Displays

In Spring 2025, the Alpine Club marked the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Kangchenjunga with a special exhibition at Charlotte Road. Curated by former AC president John Porter, the exhibition told the story of this 'reconnaissance expedition' from inception to (just shy of) the summit, profiling the team members and recounting their journey to the top of the world's third highest peak.

Illustrated with incredible photography from the expedition team, the exhibition displays are now available for all to view below. So take a minute and retrace the steps of the 1955 team using the scans below. (To zoom in, click on an image and then select the 'expand' icon in the top left corner of the image).