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
 

The Club is saddened to learn of the death on 4 February of Honorary member Bill Ruthven. Bill was elected a member of the club in 1981 and became Honorary Secretary of the Mount Everest Foundation in 1985. In 2004 he was awarded Honorary membership of the Alpine Club.

You can read Bill's reflections on his work as MEF Honorary Secretary in this 2017 article from the Alpine Journal.

 

 

 

Tributes  

#2 Dave Wynne-Jones 2025-02-25 20:16
Sorry to hear this news. Bill was always cheerful and helpful to applicants for MEF support and on top of his work.
#1 Paul Liam Pritchard 2025-02-17 08:17
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was always a friendly face at the Alpine Club when I first joined in the 90s.
My condolences to his family.
Paul Pritchard.

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