Eight MPs and one peer who are members of the All Party Parliamentary Mountaineering Group have walked up Snowdon to promote the importance of outdoor recreation to the rural economy and discuss issues affecting climbers and walkers.

Alan Hinkes, the only British mountaineer to have summited all 14 of the world's 8,000m peaks, and Crag Jones, first Welshman to climb Everest, as well as colleagues from the National Mountain Centre at Plas Y Brenin accompanied the MPs on their walk on Friday 7 September.

The All Party Parliamentary Mountaineering Group (APPMG), formally established in 2011 by MPs John Mann and David Rutley, is a group of over 30 parliamentarians, all keen walkers, climbers and mountaineers.  Regular meetings with members of the APPMG means the BMC has frequent contact with politicians on a range of issues affecting climbing, hill walking and mountaineering.

Following last year’s successful walk up Blencathra in the Lake District with Sir Chris Bonington, this year’s event drew in new members of the group and is now set to be an annual affair. Setting off from Pen y Pass along the PyG Track, the group reached the summit to be met with exceptionally clear and bright views of Lliwedd and Cadair Idris in the far distance.

Building on the Olympic legacy, David Rutley, Conservative MP for Macclesfield, who is keen to promote outdoor sport, said; 

“Sports participation is on the up, and the purpose of this walk is to promote outdoor sports for health and wellbeing.

“The people at Plas y Brenin have told me more and more people are signing up for courses with their families, after being inspired by the Olympics and Paralympics.

“This is ahead of a new campaign - Britain on Foot - which will be launched later this year to promote accessible walking for all - it’s free, all people have to do is get off the sofa. And as well as promoting health it boosts the rural economy.”

Co-chair John Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, added:

“When we lobby Government we’re keen to stress that hill walking and climbing are pastimes that people continue to do throughout their lives. The physical health benefits save the NHS money.”

It is hoped that many more MPs will be donning their hiking boots in the coming months and will join us next year to share in the cross-party enthusiasm for the hills.

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