Climbing club

Climbers on "Valkyrie" at the Roaches, UK

Climbing, or alpine, clubs form to promote and preserve the climbing way of life, including rock climbing, ice climbing, alpinism & ski mountaineering.

Clubs frequently act as advocates to protect climbing areas, advocate for climbers around the world, preserve climbing’s history and chronicle climbing achievement.

Climbing clubs usually schedule climbing meets & events allowing members an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, learn new skills and partake in lead climbing which by definition requires two or more individuals.

Organization

Climbing clubs are often affiliated to a national governing or representative body for purposes of public liability insurance.

In the UK this is most often the British Mountaineering Council. In Ireland this is most often Mountaineering Ireland, [1]

Club facilities

Clubs may typically provide:

• Scheduled meets & training
• Mountain huts & reciprocal arrangements with other hut owners
• Books, newsletters & other publications
• Social events
• Limited public/civil liability insurance
• Rescue insurance
• Discount schemes with climbing shops
• Libraries & photo collections
• Climbing grants
• Conservation, stewardship & advocacy

Notable climbing clubs

• Climbers' Club
• California Mountaineering Group
• American Alpine Club
• British Alpine Club
• Swiss Alpine Club (Club Alpin Suisse)
• French Climbing Club (Club Alpin Francais)
• German Alpine Club
• ( Netherlands climbing and mountaineering society)