BMC rock climbing

By Andrewbarrs

  • Worlds first mounteneering club

    The Alpine Club, the world’s first mountaineering club, was formed in 1857, and being the largest and most notable of these early organisations gradually began to assume the role of National Representative Body.
  • Period: to

    BMC

  • first mountaineering expeditions

    The first mountaineering expeditions set off to the Himalaya, the Caucasus and other areas, with the forays of pioneers such as Tilman, Shipton and Mallory. Before this event people has not though of such expeditions, but it was not seeming more possible and a new sport was forming.

  • In 1944, Winthrop-Young, created BMC

    Creating BMC gave recognition to british climbers that wanted a National Governing Body. This means that it was declared a sport and rock climbing and mountaineering clubs befame to form.

  • First book published in June 1947 called "Mountaineering".

    This book gave people an insight to the sport and possibly got people to try thr sport out for themselves.

  • The first handbook to British climbing "Climbing in Britain

    The first handbook to British climbing "Climbing in Britain", written by the first Hon Secretary (J Barford), was one of the first works of the Council and sold 120,000 copies. This gave publicity to the sport and therfore a rise in participents.

  • Sponsership was attained

    By 1972 the sport was growing exponentially and it was decided that the BMC apply for funding from the recently created Sports Council, in order to appoint the first professional "National Officer" for climbing and mountaineering. This sponsership was a big stepping stone for the BMC as it now has funding and can further promote the sport. promiotion is key for any sport to be able to develop.

  • Climbing accident for children and a teacher

    In the same year, a serious accident in the Cairngorms left five children and a student teacher dead, resulting in major confrontation between the BMC and existing Mountain Educational Authorities. From this point onwards, the BMC and Mountain Leader Training Board formed a close working relationship, which continues to this day.

  • Film on climbing was made

    1973 was also the year of the first foray into film - John Cleare shot a set of highly successful educational filmstrips on mountain walking in summer and winter.

  • The BMC joined with other bodies

    In 1980 the BMC joined with several other bodies

  • Membership had grown to 20,000 members

    Membership numbers had grown accordingly, and the Council then represented some 20,000 climbers. This growth of the sport continued to spread and more money was being invested into the BMC for chance to develop.

  • Tragic deaths of over 15 climbers shockled BMC

    1986 was a horrific year for world mountaineering with the tragic deaths of over 15 climbers on K2 including Alan Rouse and Julie Tullis.

  • The Walking Group Leader award was launched.

    This had given the oppotunity for individuals that enoyed rock climbing to be able to make a living on the sport by leading groups in the mountains.

  • 2007 saw the launch of a new BMC website

    The launch of the website meant that individuals around the country could research about BMC and what is involved. More people knowing about the sport would lead to increased popularity.

  • BMC tired to add climbing to the olympics but was unsuccessfull

    This was a knock to the BMC, but since 2013 further development has been made and they are reapplying to enter the olympics. hopefully this time around they will be successfull.