Loads of festivals abroad including budget trips to the Pamirs and a trekking festival in South Africa
The BMC has gone International Year of Mountains crazy with a vast
splurge of international meet opportunities for members.
The best of these looks like the chance to spend 25 days in the
Pamirs for just 399 US dollars as part of an international mountain
festival being run by the Kyrgyz Republic Mountaineering Club in the
Lenin Peak area and including an ascent of the 7134m mountain as well
as parapente trips, trekking, ski and board descents, races (eek) and
more. Bargain.
And that's just the start of it. Full details should be appearing
on the BMC web site
shortly, but in the mean time, here's the full release detailing the
Pamir trip and contacts, plus an Irish meet, Bulgarian rock
extravaganza and a women's meet in Sweden.
Trekkers can get involved too with a trekking meet in South Africa
running alongside a climbing version (see below).
******************************************************
UN IYM 2002 Overseas events
A Kyrgyzstan Extravaganza! (1-25 August)
The Kyrgyz Alpine Club (with the support of Kyrgyz Government)
will be holding a huge Mountain Festival in area of Lenin Peak
(7134m) in the Pamirs this summer. The area to be visited has been
described as "The most beautiful mountains in all the world" by
several leading climbers, and is fast becoming a world-class alpine
destination since the dissolution of the old Soviet Union.
This is a fantastic and rare opportunity to experience a wide
variety of outdoor activities hassle-free, as all logistics and
permits will be organised for you. The programme is set to include:
* Climbing Lenin Peak
* Individual races ascending and around Lenin Peak * Descents by
mountain skis/ snowboards
* Parapente flights
* Trekking along slips of Zaalaiskii Range * Rafting, kayaking,
mountain biking, horse riding etc.
What's included...
Places at the festival are first come, first served, and available
to BMC individual and affiliated members and will cost a staggeringly
low US$399 (for 25 days in the Pamirs? Steal of the century!). This
includes peak/national park fees.
What's not...
Transfer to Bishkek, Krygyzstan and some food costs.
How to apply...
Application forms available from
Kyrgyz Republic Mountaineering Club
(Vladimir Komissarov - +996-312-651221 or kac@netmail.kg
<mailto:kac@netmail.kg>)
(Ayana Khamisova - +996-312-651404 or itmc@elcat.kg
<mailto:itmc@elcat.kg>)
Deadline: 1 June 2002
(Further details available)
Fair Heads in Ireland? (6-9 June)
The first Irish International Climbing Meet to be organised by the
Mountaineering Council of Ireland will take place at Fairhead in
Country Antrim. This is one of the key MCI events celebrating the
United Nations International Year of the Mountains in 2002. For those
unfamiliar with the location, Fairhead has long been recognised as
one of the finest crags in Ireland, combining a superb location
overlooking Rathlin Island and The Mull of Kintyre. However the
climbing there is of the unrelenting kind, and applicants should be
capable of leading routes of E1 or above to enjoy its charms safely!
The meet will run along the same lines as the BMC International
events, with local hosts showing the visitors around and includes a
formal dinner in Ballycastle on the 8th.
What's included...
There are 15 places available to BMC members and affiliates and
the Mountaineering Council of Ireland will provide all accommodation
and food during the event, as well as transport from local airports
and to and from the crag.
What's not...
Transfer to Ireland. Guinness
How to apply...
Contact BMC for an application form and return to the office.
Deadline: 1 March 2002
(no further details)
Bulgarian Hotrock Offer! (21-26 May)
As part of the celebrations for the UN International Year of the
Mountains 2002 the Federation of the Bulgarian Alpine Clubs is
organising an international rock-climbing meeting in the limestone
area outside Vratza, Bulgaria.
The Vratza climbing area is situated 120 km North of Sofia, and
has top quality trad and sport routes from one to ten pitches long at
all grades. The rock is perfect limestone with a mixture of trad and
bolts, and there are plenty of opportunities to establish new routes.
During the meeting presentations and discussions will be held on
training organizing (from competitions to expeditions) and mountain
protection to which attendees are encouraged to contribute! There
will also be a sightseeing programme including eco-treks, caving and
canyoning (tbc)
What's included...
Unclear! Further details have been requested; it may only be
possible to send one representative from the UK.
What's not...
Err
How to Apply...
Contact the BMC office with an activity CV detailing your level of
ability, climbing history and any other experience you may be able to
offer the meet.
Deadline: 15 April 2002
Swedish International Women's Climbing Meet
The Swedish Climbing Federation is inviting nominations for two
BMC representatives to take part in The 1st International Women's
Climbing Meet in Gothenburg, Sweden 16-19th of May 2002. A group of
female climbers inside the Federation from various parts of Sweden
and Norway is arranging this meet with the intention of highlighting
issues related to women and climbing during IYM 2002.
During the meet there will be a weekend of world-class climbing on
Swedish granite during the day, and lectures and discussions in the
evenings, focussing on aspects such as 'climbing and writing' and
'guiding and/or instructing'. There will also be time assigned for
discussions of (for example) women in climbing, the profile of female
climbers in the media etc. In addition, the program includes slide
shows by local and invited climbers with the overall aim to inspire
and give the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences!
What's included...
The meet will take place in Gothenburg and all accommodation as
well as transport from local airport and to crags will be provided.
What's not...
Getting to Sweden
How to Apply...
BMC members can contact Stuart (details below) for an application
form to be returned to the office. Double quick though, because we
have to nominate you by:
Deadline: 1 March 2002
UN IYM 2002 Domestic Events
BMC International Climbing Meet 2002
5-12 May, Plas y Brenin, N Wales.
Once again, some of the world's leading climbing athletes will be
gathering at the Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre for a week of
climbing adventure this summer. The BMC International Meet is now an
established event in the outdoor calendar and involves debates,
workshops and social events as well as climbing - a guaranteed great
time for those wishing to expand their climbing knowledge, discuss
opinions and meet new friends!
This year, the BMC will be inviting around 50 of the sports
leading international exponents to the meet, and is looking for a
similar number of British climbers to act as hosts and show the
guests what it's all about.
The general theme for the meet will "breaking barriers" (both
socially and environmentally) within the outdoor community, and so
applications from minority groups are especially welcomed. A lecture
and seminar programme based around these topics will run in parallel
to the climbing excursions each day.
The only requirements for consideration are that you be an active
climber (regardless of ability) living in the UK and have a good
knowledge of climbing in North Wales. Don't miss this great
opportunity to add some international flavour to your climbing
activities!
What's included...
Accommodation and food for the week at Plas y Brenin will be
provided by the BMC.
What's not...
Transfer to and from the event. Bar food if you're out late!
How to Apply...
Register your interest with a brief resume of your climbing
experience with Stuart Ingram at the BMC office.
Deadline: 15 March 2002
(Further details available on application)
BMC / KZN MCSA South Africa exchange
3-11 May & 6-14 Sept 2002
We are still inviting applications to experience the splendour of
climbing or trekking in some of the most amazing mountain terrain on
the planet. The exchange is open to any dedicated climber or trekker
regardless of grade, and is a great opportunity to foster stronger
international links within our sport, as well as have the time of
your life in this wonderful country!
Six to eight (number tbc) lucky climbers will enjoy sun-drenched
rock in the "Kingdom of the Zulus" on the NE seaboard, as well as
visiting SA's highest mountains - the stunning Drakensbergs. Later in
the year (6-14 September), the (6-8) strong trekking party will
traverse the breathtaking escarpment dividing SA and Lesotho before
visiting the famous Ndedema Gorge.
What's included...
The Kwa-Zulu section of the MCSA is generously offering
hospitality whilst in the country, and the BMC international
committee will also provide a £100 bursary to each of the
successful applicants.
What's not...
Transfer to South Africa
How to Apply...
Please apply direct via post or email to Stuart at the BMC office
with an activity CV and personal profile.
Deadline: 15 March for the climbing meet (3-11 May) 15 July for
the trekking meet (6-14 September)
(Further details available on application)
The National Outdoor Welcome (NOW)
The BMC has joined the Outdoor Industries Association (a.k.a. Go
Outdoors or COLA) initiative NOW 2002. The campaign is intended to
encourage people back into the countryside in response to the impacts
of FMD in 2001. At present the BMC's intended involvement in NOW will
consist of 20 open days at climbing walls throughout the UK with the
twin aims of introducing newcomers to the sport and providing
existing users with the skills to take their climbing outdoors should
they wish to do so.
UN IYM Internet LINKS
• BMC information: www.uiaa.ch
(click the IYM button on our homepage UIAA Website
• IYM website: www.mountains2002.org
• UK IYM website: www.iym.org.uk
• Anglo-Swiss events: www.mountain-heritage.co.uk
(Lake District based)
