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 MemberThe 2024 Alpine Club Annual Dinner and AGM will be held at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal on 23 November 2024.
Further details on the event schedule and booking will follow.
This year's event coincides with the Kendal Mountain Festival, providing members with the opportunity to catch mountaineering and outdoor events over the weekend.
Among the recipients of the 2024 Royal Geographical Society's Medals and Awards are two RGS members. Former AC president Stephen Venables has been honoured with the Patron's Medal in recognition of "his lifetime’s contribution to geographical discovery in the high mountains of the world" and Professor Chris Clark has received the Busk Medal "For profound influence on the understanding of glacial systems through the ‘British-Irish Ice Sheet’ reconstruction."
Venables on the summit of Ngabong Terong
In typical fashion, Stephen responded to news of the award by downplaying his own achievements, commenting "What a wonderful honour and surprise, to be rewarded for what is essentially having fun – exploring remote corners of the world’s most spectacular mountains, in the company of some of the world’s finest mountaineers.
Congratulations to both Stephen and Chris for these well-deserved marks of recognition.
Alpine Club member Steve Swenson has been announced as the recipient of the 2024 American Alpine Club President's Medal in recognition of 'extraordinary accomplishments in the climbing world'.
Swenson with his teammates on the successful 2019 expedition to Link Sar
Swenson is quoted by Gripped Magazine as finding the award "very humbling", taking the opportunity to thank friends and family for their many years of support.
Originally from Seattle, Swenson has been climbing for more than fifty years and has climbed routes that have twice been recognised by the committee of the Piolets d'Or, as well as making ascents of Everest and K2 without supplementary oxygen.
Following a three year project to relocate, restore and rededicate the Mathews Monument in Chamonix it has finally landed in its new permanent home at the entrance to the Couttet Park. Originally, it was dedicated to the memory of CE Mathews (founding member and former president of the Club) but has now been rededicated to also represent the shared history and comradeship between Chamonix and the Alpine Club.
