A summary of key BMC publications including links to free-to-download digital versions where available.

Annual and quarterly publications

Annual Report
Published every spring ahead of our AGM, the annual report provides a record of the previous year’s work and achievements of our specialist committees and regional volunteers. The report also includes financial and membership information.

Download the 2017 BMC Annual Report

Summit magazine
Summit is our quarterly 76-page A4 members’ magazine – it’s packed full of news, reviews, special offers, inspirational destination guides, essential outdoor advice and thought-provoking articles.

A digital version is available for tablet and phone

For advertising enquiries, contact Warners Group Publications on 01778 391117

Members’ Handbook
Every year every member receives a copy of our 68-page handbook, which provides a complete reference to the work and services of the BMC, and helps members get the most out of their membership.

The Members’ Handbook is a benefit of the annual membership subscription. For information about the full range of membership benefits visit the Membership section of the website.

Access & conservation guides

Green Guide to the Uplands
Essential information on the mountain environment and how best to care for the fragile upland landscape.
Download the Green Guide to the Uplands

Green Guide for Groups of Walkers
Useful and practical advice on how all types of group, including informal ones, can minimise their impact whilst out in the hills. This booklet includes tips for led groups, information on important access legislation, good practice advice on dealing with litter and managing sanitation, and important guidelines on wild camping.
Download the Green Guide for Groups of Walkers

Green Guide for Groups of Climbers
Useful and practical advice to enable climbing groups to minimise their impact on the crags and other users whilst enjoying the places we cherish. This booklet includes tips on crag etiquette, information on important access legislation, and good practice advice on dealing with litter and managing sanitation.
Download the Green Guide for Groups of Climbers

Green Guide to Challenge Events in the Hills
Minimal impact advice for challenge event organisers and participants regardless of their previous experience. The booklet provides practical advice on a number of common issues and how to avoid them, breaking down the planning process into four stages with advice for each: research, planning, on the day, and after the event.
Download the Green Guide to Challenge Events in the Hills

Climbing & Occupiers’ Liability
Provides landowners, managers and visitors to the countryside and crags of England and Wales with a summary of the legislation which affects the obligation of those who own and manage land.
Download Climbing & Occupiers’ Liability

Lake District Winter Climbing and the Avoidance of Damage
A voluntary code to enable climbers to preserve the ethics of winter climbing in the Lake District whilst minimising impact on the natural cliff environment.
Download Lake District Winter Climbing and the Avoidance of Damage

Lake District White Guide
Essential advice to help you plan and head out for a day of winter climbing in England’s mountain mecca while minimising your impact on sensitive mountain habitats.
Download the Lake District White Guide

North Wales White Guide
Informing and educating winter climbers in Snowdonia on how best to enjoy the area, while at the same time minimising the potential damage to protected habitats and fragile environments.
Download the North Wales White Guide

Southern Sandstone Code of Practice
Essential good practice information for all climbers visiting the outcrops of the Central Weald on the borders of Kent and East Sussex, collectively known as Southern Sandstone. By following this code, climbers can help to preserve the fragile sandstone environment so we can all continue to enjoy the climbing in this area.
Download the Southern Sandstone Code of Practice

BMC Landscape Charter
The charter sets out our role and responsibility in campaigning to protect landscapes from developments that may damage their character and detract from their recreational and amenity value.
Download the BMC Landscape Charter

BMC Access Manifesto
The manifesto sets out our principles and proposals for government action on access to the countryside of England and Wales, particularly to cliffs and mountain areas.
Download the BMC Access Manifesto

Equipment advice

Care & Maintenance
An essential reference for anyone owning or using mountaineering and climbing equipment, with advice on routine care and maintenance and on when to retire equipment.
Download Care & Maintenance

Knots
A handy booklet providing guidance on how to tie and when to use the most common and useful knots for climbing and mountaineering.
Download Knots

Ropes
This guide covers the different types of climbing rope, what to use them for, and how to look after them. It also includes advice on maintenance and when to retire a rope, and background info on standards and fall factors.
Download Ropes

Harnesses
This guide will navigate you through the variety of different types of climbing and mountaineering harness, offering advice on how to look after your harness to maximise its lifetime and helping you determine when to retire it from use.
Download Harnesses

Helmets
All you need to know about helmets for climbing and mountaineering, including information on how the different types of helmets work, advice on care and maintenance, and guidance on when to retire your helmet.
Download Helmets

Passive Protection
Everything you need to know about nuts, micro nuts, hexentrics and camming nuts, the essential backbone of a traditional climbing rack. This guide provides advice on when and how to use them, how to care for them, and how to spot damaged equipment.
Download Passive Protection

Bolts
This guide covers the key issues you need to consider when making the transition from indoor climber to outdoor sport climber. Reading it will prepare and inform you for how to assess and manage any risks for yourself, and help you experience the wonderful world of climbing outside safely.
Download Bolts

Safety & skills advice

New Hill Walkers
An introduction to the skills, clothing and equipment needed to go hill walking in the UK, and a reference base of resources for learning the required skills.
Download New Hill Walkers

Safety on Mountains
In print for over 30 years, the latest edition is packed with up to date information and advice to help you get the most out of your hill walking.
Safety on Mountains is available to purchase from the BMC online shop

New Rock Climbers
Packed with tips for climbing outside, this booklet is a must for the budding rock climber taking those first steps onto real rock. Bouldering, sport climbing and traditional climbing are all covered, with an emphasis on how to manage the risks when outdoor climbing.
Download New Rock Climbers

London & South East Mountaineer
A mini-guide for climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers based in the London & South East area, including new partiicpants looking to take their first steps. Includes information about clubs, climbing walls and outdoor shops, as well as suggestions for early adventures.
Download the London & South East Mountaineer

New Alpinists
An introduction to the skills, knowledge and equipment required to become an alpinist, pointing you in the right direction to have many years of safe and memorable adventures in the high mountains.
Download New Alpinists

Parental advice

Young People
This booklet sets out what climbing, hill walking and mountaineering involve, in order to help parents gain a better understanding of these activities. It includes sections on child protection and parental responsibility, and is useful for children and parents as well as anyone who takes under-18s climbing, hill walking and mountaineering with parental consent.
Download Young People

Other publications

BMC Guidebooks
The BMC publishes definitive rock climbing guidebooks to the Peak District and surrounding Pennine areas, which include some of the most popular cliffs in the UK.
BMC guidebooks are available to purchase from the BMC online shop

British Mountain Maps
In 2005, the BMC in conjunction with Harvey Maps published the first in a series of waterproof, tear-resistant maps of Britain’s most popular upland areas. The series now encompasses 15 maps including the Peak District, Snowdonia, Ben Nevis and the Cairngorms.
British Mountain Maps are available to purchase from the BMC online shop

BMC Essentials DVDs
Six DVDs covering  the essential skills and techniques for hill walking, indoor climbing, rock climbing, winter mountaineering, alpine climbing and off piste skiing.
BMC Essentials DVDs are available to purchase from the BMC online shop

The First 50 Years of the BMC
A political history of the first fifty years of the British Mountaineering Council since its formation in 1944.
The First 50 Years is available to purchase from the BMC online shop

 

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