Welcome to the Lancashire Mountaineering Club Website

The LMC was founded originally as the Lancashire Teachers Mountaineering Club in 1966, since when the ranks have been swelled with new members from all walks of life, so it changed its name in 1986. Current membership stands at almost 200, predominantly from the Lancashire area, but with a number from further afield.

The LMC is a great way to get out into the mountains with fellow walkers and climbers! Rock climbing, walking, mountaineering, skiing, mountain-biking and ice-climbing are activities enjoyed by members throughout Britain, Europe and the World.

There is a meets programme throughout the year, comprising week-day evening, Sunday and weekend camping or hut or bivvy meets. There are often more adventurous meets during the summer months, in the Alps or greater ranges.

The club also have two huts, a caravan in Scotland at Tyndrum and one in The Lake District at Blea Tarn - also known as The Loft. We have some land in North Wales near Bedgellert and plan to build a hut here too. All members get BMC membership, low price to use the clubs huts and discount at selected outdoor shops.

New and prospective members are always welcome. We are a friendly club with a large number of meets, social events and active members. The Club caters for young and old, expert and novice and we boast a broad range of interests and experience. If you would like to come along on one of our meets just contact our New Member Contacts, Will Wheale on 07765 400985, or e-mail us at membershiplancsmc.org. We look forward to meeting you in the near future!!

LMC News

Wasdale Meet - 12th - 14th June

The biggest meet of the year (apart from the annual dinner) is the Wasdale meet, this year from 12th to 14th June. As always we will be using the Church Stile campsite in Nether Wasdale. In order to secure your pitch you are best advised to book as soon as possible by going to this link, and either filling in the on-line form or by telephoning.

http://www.churchstile.com/homepage.htm

The last couple of years have seen a number of barbecues on the Saturday evening prior to the usual pint or two in one of the two village pubs.

Contact Jason Whiteley for info on lift shares - 07765 004222

LMC 200 Club

The 200 Club has proved very popular in other clubs and groups and is now being offered to LMC members and their families and friends. It offers the chance to enter a monthly draw, with a guaranteed winner every month.

The member (or family/friend member) chooses to pay £5 per month by regular standing order payment and is allocated a number. They keep this number and their number is entered into each monthly draw, as long as the standing order remains valid.

Of course, more than one monthly 'chance' can be purchased, with a different number allocated for each £5 payment. So it's a great opportunity to buy 'chances' for each member of your family or buy several 'chances' for yourself... SOMEONE WINS EACH MONTH AND IT COULD BE YOU!

The draw also helps the Club with fundraising, with proceeds each month split between LMC Club fundraising, currently focused on the Beddgelert hut, and the winner. The winner receives a cheque for 30% of the month's proceeds and 70% is retained in Club funds.

Each monthly draw will take place with at least 1 LMC Committee member and 2 other LMC members present, at the monthly social meet or regular climbing meet, and the winner’s name and winning number will be displayed on the LMC website each month.

The first draw is to take place in March so be sure to return your forms ASAP.

Download the application form here

Important Information about The Loft

The LMC has received a number of complaints from the residents of Blea Tarn House (next to the Loft) about the behaviour of people using the Loft and the Solitary. This is very unfortunate as they have been perfect neighbours and we wish to maintain a good relationship with them both now and in the future.

The Committee asks all groups and individuals using the Loft to ensure these simple basics are adhered to:

• Switch off music systems prior to your arrival.
• Close the gates immediately after using them.
• Do not park anywhere in the yard other than in our parking area, next to the Loft.
• Do not venture into any of the garden areas.
• Do not disturb the people at Blea Tarn house and be aware that they have young children who go to bed early.
• Be quiet by the house and within our car park, especially after 9.00 pm.
• Do not take vehicles into the yard after 11.00 pm. Late arrivals must be unloaded from the road and then parked overnight on the National Trust car park at Blea Tarn, which is about ten minutes' walk away.
• Only 6 cars can be parked on our car park, additional vehicles should use the National Trust car park at Blea Tarn.

Dave Sudell - LMC Hut Bookings Secretary

New Article - Maurienne Ski Tour - Bernard Smith

Maurienne Ski Tour - April 6-16th 2009 - Bernard Smith

New Article - Dave Sudell - Snow Ticks

Snow Ticks – Dave Sudell

Summer Tuesday evening meet list

Download the latest LMC evening meets.

Club Related News

No.3 North West Newsletter

Latest BMC Newsletter is available here.

Wilton 1 Pledge Form

I am pleased to be able to report that the contract for the purchase of Wilton One was finally signed yesterday. We also have a legal agreement in place with the gun club to safeguard our current climbing days in Wilton 2, 3 and 4. Furthermore, if the gun club sells the land, these protections remain. Therefore, I have now formally launched the Wilton One Appeal and would be happy for any of you to spread the word through your clubs, or however you feel fit.

Thanks very much to all of you who originally pledged donations to a Wilton One Appeal. This certainly strengthened our case for the BMC purchasing the qy and I believe that it is not too far fetched to suggest that it probably saved climbing at Wilton. I now propose to re-instate those pledges. For those of you who did not pledge support, or if you wish to change your original pledge, I am attaching a leaflet, and would like to ask for your support by pledging a donation, which I hope to be collecting some time in the New Year.

Because of the confusion due to the BMC change of mind about starting the appeal officially, if I find that anyone sends me a new form that confrlicts with the information that I have, I will get back to them to confirm things.

Finally, thanks again for your support. I believe that the future of climbing at Wilton was certainly vulnerable, and there were at least two potential bidders for Wilton One whose proposed usage would have prevented, or at least severly restricted, climbing.

All the best for Christmas and the New Year

Les Ainsworth

Download Wilton 1 Pledge Form

Up and Coming Meets

JULY

3rd - 5th - Cloggy / Llanberis (Weather dependant)

Will Wheale - 07765 400985

Sun 11th - Thirlmere

David Toon – 07764 857221

July/August - LMC Alpine Meet – Italian Dolomites

Richard Toon – 07771 946641

AUGUST

14th – 16th - Mid Wales Climbing / Walking

Nigel Lyle - 01606 851185

21st -23rd - Roaches, New Members meet - Willans Hut

Dave Rundall - 01257 272053

29th – 5th Sept - Lundy

Michelle Beech – 07920 518582

SEPTEMBER

4th - 6th - Scotland – The Caravan – Tyndrum

Roger Gott – 01204 495620

Sun 13th - Chee Dale - Climbing / Biking

Julie Harold - 01942 258158

18th – 20th - Howgill Fells

Clare Stafford - 01539 623520

Tues 22nd - Rock Jocks’ Dinner

Barbara Lyon – 01942 676830

25th - 27th - Gogarth – Anglesey – Day/Weekend

Steve Lyon – 01942 676830

Participation Statement

The LMC and BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death.

Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.