e-Newsletter September 2012

Elizabeth Holley recently started work at the BMC in the newly established role of regional development officer for London. Her focus will be on increasing opportunities for young people to participate in climbing; find out what she’s planning to do in the coming weeks and months.

When technology works well, it makes our lives easier. But when it comes to navigation in the mountains, gadgets are no substitute for fundamental map and compass skills, as a number of rescued hill walkers have recently discovered.

The 2012-13 BMC Better Bolts campaign has £10,000 of equipment to distribute to local bolt funds to enable them to replace old bolts and belays; applications are now open.

Dave Turnbull, BMC CEO

London calling: meet our new regional officer

Elizabeth Holley recently started work as our new regional development officer for London. A born and bred Londoner, she has been a dedicated volunteer for several years, and is raring to get started on what is a trailblazing appointment.

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Smartphone apps: handle with care

The increasing number of hill walkers being rescued after relying on smartphone apps for navigation has prompted a rash of negative newspaper headlines. Can our love of technology really be that bad? Ed Douglas discovers there’s no substitute for a map and compass.

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Better bolts campaign 2012-13: great news for sport climbers

Great news for sport climbers! Once again the BMC is providing free bolts and accessories to bolt funds in England & Wales. Bolt funds are invited to make applications for equipment to replace old bolts and belays to help make our sport climbs safer.

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Peak Performance: a true history from the Kelly gang

A team of well-known climbers and historians have come together to complete a manuscript of the history of Peak District rock climbing left incomplete by the tragically early death of activist Giles Barker.

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BMC Leading Ladder 2012/2013

The BMC Leading Ladder is a fun lead climbing competition running at 37 UK walls until the end of March 2013.

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Let your thumbs do the talking: donate to ACT by text

Supporting the work of the BMC Access & Conservation Trust has just got easier, you can now let your thumb do the talking and donate by text message from your mobile, wherever and whenever you like.

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Bosi clinches fourth for Team GB at World Youth Championships

Team GB continued its positive showing at the 2012 World Youth Climbing Championships in Singapore, as two climbers qualified for the final round. William Bosi took fourth place in the male Youth B category and Molly Thompson-Smith finished seventh in the female Youth B category.

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Solo trekking ban in Nepal on hold

A recent announcement by Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs had threatened a ban on tourists wanting to trek alone in any part of the country. But the decision has now been delayed as a review takes place. It is the BMC's understanding that a ban on solo trekkers in Langtang continues to apply.

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