There are many different activities described as climbing, hill walking and mountaineering.  Find out more here.  

The BMC is the national representative body for climbing, hill walking and mountaineering in England and Wales.  The BMC works closely with Mountaineering Scotland (MS) and Mountaineering Ireland (MI) and does represent Britain on international matters such as running the GB Climbing Team which competes at international climbing competitions.  The BMC also represents the UK on the UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation).

The results of the latest BMC equity survey are available here.  It suggests that 98% of climbers are white and that only 2% come from all other categories combined. The BMC has set up a steering group to look into whether there are any barriers to participation that we can work toward removing. This is in line with the Sports Councils’ Equity Standard that we are currently working toward achieving.

Climbing, hill walking 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. Find out more here.

Yes, the BMC is increasingly involved in campaigning to protect the freedoms of its members.  Read about our latest campaigns here.

The BMC organises bouldering and lead climbing competitions.  These either occur on indoor walls or on artificial walls outside. The BMC does not organise competitions on outdoor crags - this is a longstanding policy to help protect the environment from overuse. Competitions organised by the BMC include:

British Bouldering Championships
British Lead Climbing Championships
BMC Youth Climbing Series

Climbing walls often hold their own climbing competitions.  The British Teams take part in international events including the Bouldering World Cup and the Climbing World Cup.  For more information on climbing competitions click here.

The BMC can help to put you in touch with climbers and mountaineers. Many climbers and mountaineers have their own websites including:

Chris Bonington
Natalie Berry
Lucy Creamer
Andy Earl
Gareth Parry
Ian Parnell
Andy Kirkpatrick

The BMC currently has over 63,000 members.  The BMC offers individual, club, student, family membership. Over 300 climbing clubs and their members are affiliated to the BMC.

No, the BMC is a not a charity, it is a not-for-profit organisation.  Any surplus is fed back into to the work of the organisation for the benefit of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.  The BMC does receive some government funding through Sport England.  The BMC set up the Mountain Heritage Trust and the Access and Conservation Trust (ACT) which are both charities.  ACT aims to promote sustainable access to cliffs, mountains and open countryside by facilitating education and conservation projects that safeguard the access needs of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.

Yes, if mountaineering was an Olympic sport, Great Britain would have plenty of gold medals.  Recent climbing and bouldering achievements include Andy Earl wins bouldering world cup event - read more, Steve McClure pushes the boundaries of UK sports climbing - read more, Dave Barrans makes semi-finals of European Bouldering Championships - read more, Junior British Climbing Team does well in Marseille - read more.

Climbing can go hand in hand with nature.  In fact, many climbers are keen nature and bird enthusiasts. In 2006, the New Scientist reported research carried out in America  which found rock climbers not guilty of destroying plant life. The BMC produces a series of green guides to climbing and also negotiates restrictions so as not to disturb nesting birds (poster 2007).  You can read more about initiatives where climbers contribute towards conservation or land management projects here. The BMC is also a partner in the Best of Both Worlds initiative which helps increase opportunities for outdoor sports and recreation, and at the same time commits to protecting the sensitive environments in which they take place.

You could go to your local climbing wall, do a course or join a club.  Find out more here.

Although Britain doesn't have cliffs as high as in countries, it is renowned for the incredible variety of rock types available on such a small island.  The Peak District, Lake District, Yorkshire and North Wales have loads of climbing to suit all levels.  Sea cliff climbing around the coast of England and Wales is also popular, for instance around Pembroke and Swanage.  Disused quarries can also make good climbing sites.  The BMC has an online regional access database which gives up to date access information to over 300 crags around England and Wales.  Find out more about climbing outside here.

If it is an subject area that the BMC is involved in then we will be happy to give comment.  Otherwise we will try to put you in touch with a more appropriate person or organisation. See other useful press office contacts.

The BMC has a selection of images available for use in the media where the BMC is specifically mentioned.   Click here for the BMC photo library.

When starting out you can usually hire kit from the climbing wall however once you're hooked you'll look to buy your own kit.  Read more.

Places where you can go walking in mountainous areas and get great views include the Lake District, Peak District in England and the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia in Wales.  Find out more about hill skills here.

The BMC provides the highest quality travel insurance for climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers. Find out more here.