BMC Bringing Chips To North Wales...

The BMC is launching something called CHIPS, but before you get busy with the salt and vinegar, you ought to know that the acronym stands for Climbing Huts Information Project.

It's an interesting initative aimed at encouraging climbing hut users in North Wales to contribute more to the local economy instead of skulking round in shadowy corners, festering on damp mattresses and reading 1970s climbing magazines like you do.

The idea behind the project, is that each climbing hut in northern Snowdonia will be equipped with an information pack aimed at giving information about local businesses and activities as well as information on local culture and nature and practical details of local transport timetables.

The project's being funded by Adfywio, the National Trust, and the recently established Access and Conservation Trust and undertaken on the BMC's behalf by Rural Resources, a Welshpool based consultancy.

Rural Resource's director Steve Evison, says that they are getting a very positive response from local businesses:

'One local trader said, 'it's great to hear someone is doing something' while another commented, 'things like this are a real help, it's so much better than people bringing all their stuff with them... it's a great idea, and I am really pleased that it is free!'

Ken Taylor, who is managing the work for the British Mountaineering Council comments; 'This is an important area of work for the BMC. We recognised the problems faced by many remote upland communities before foot and mouth disease (FMD) made matters worse. But FMD highlighted how big a contribution visitors make to places like Llanberis and northern Snowdonia. Even so, we feel that members can make a bigger contribution, economically and in other ways. That's why we set up CHIPs'.

Cynics might note that climbers are tight wad skinflints and the only major contribution most make to the local economy is in the pub after a day on the hill... But that would be cynical.