Socials

In 2002, 8 members of the London Mountaineering Club set off to Nepal to climb Tent Peak 5,695m in the Annapurna Sanctuary.

In the 21 years since then, 3 members of the expedition have passed away.

Tony Hamza retraced the route in 2023 to Annapurna Base Camp and, with the help of Buddhist monks at the Pema T'sal Monastery, paid tribute to those passed friends.

Avalanche intro

Some of our LMC winter cohort will share their experiences from training and the field in interpreting weather and avalanche forecasts for winter mountaineering. In perticular how to feed this into decision making in planning trips and when out in the alpine. And, most importantly, pointers on where to learn more with courses we’ve attended, talks, books and online.

In February 2023 Guy and Richard fulfilled a longstanding ambition to complete the classic crossing of the Hardangavida plateau on skis.

After a shopping trip to Braemar to acquire some skis and despite the railway line to Bergen being blocked by an avalanche they managed to make it to the DNT hut in Finse in the midst of a blizzard.

Come along to find out how they got on and learn about hut to hut ski touring in Norway.

The AGM is an important process in determining the future direction of the club so it's important to have as many club members there as we can to ensure everyone's voices are heard. From ensuring you get the right candidates for the appropriate committee positions to ensuring everyone can provide feedback and vote, a well run AGM will ensure that preparations for the rest of the year are on track.

Please make every effort to attend the AGM this year.

Meeting starts at 8pm.

***Free drink for the first 20 people to arrive***

LMC member and a talented photographer, Ben Menashe will be sharing his tricks of the trade.
Composition, lighting and editing all contribute to a photo that catches our eyes… but how do you achieve the balance?
Come along and find all about it!
We meet for drinks from 7pm
The talk starts upstairs at 8pm.

Due to civil war in Sudan our plans for a road trip from North to South were curtailed before we started. However we endeavoured to make the most of it and travel instead from Kenya around Ethiopia and back into Kenya before heading west to finish in Namibia. During this amazing 10 week journey we saw some truly amazing wildlife, witnessed what felt like the harshest conditions to live and work in the world, did a minuscule amount of climbing where the guides were a hindrance and generally had an amazing time with many stories to remember. Experienced some proper Type 3 fun, well maybe a 2 but not going to do that ever again. Come along to hear more about it.

We meet for drinks from 7pm
The talk starts upstairs at 8pm.

Welcome to today's discussion on the Ultra Running Age. Ultra running, any race longer than a marathon, challenges both physical and mental endurance.

Training involves a mix of long runs, interval training, and strength workouts. Rest and recovery are crucial to avoid injury and maintain performance.

Nutrition is key, with a balanced diet and race-day fueling strategies like gels and hydration. The right gear, from moisture-wicking clothing to durable shoes, enhances comfort and efficiency.

Mental toughness is essential. Techniques like visualisation and positive self-talk help push through difficult moments. Listening to your body and learning from each race are vital for long-term success.

Social & drinks starting 7PM, talk at 8PM

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the famous LMC 'Viking' ascent of the East Face route spearheaded by Ralph Hale back in 2006, a small hit-squad of three LMC-ers set off in May 2016 to re-create this classic ascent.

‘Adra’ - the must-see feature-length climbing film of the year. After touring the film festival scene and winning Kendal Mountain Festival’s Community and Culture Film Award, Adra is now coming to the London Mountaineering Club!

The film by Coldhouse and Pertex is kindly being offered out to climbing groups free of charge, and they are encouraging any funds raised by the screenings go towards Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team or your local Mountain Rescue Team. So will create a pot on the evening.

The beautiful film follows local climbers Zoe Wood and Lewis Perrin on a nostalgic journey exploring the history, the locations and the many colourful characters that have lived, worked and played in Llanberis - the diamond at the heart of the rugged North Wales scenery and the epicentre of adventurous climbing in the UK. Adra gently gifts us a sense of home, of community and belonging, and how the mountains of Cymru have conjured up the spirit of ‘hiraeth.’

'Adra' YouTube Trailer (copy and paste into browser)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrZWip0QBH8

Building of an Alpinist
Our LMC has a small group who like to take themselves from the gym and the crag into the cold, wet and windy Alpine. Come hear from one such member on his latest step in the building of an Alpinist.

From Scotland to Chamonix
Starting out on his first meet climbing the CMD arête with LMC elders, a couple of seasons of Scotland notched up and it’s time for Will to take a sabbatical and add a big notch with a month of summer in Chamonix with his beguiling tangerine climbing buddy.

Role modelling Dodos
Our merry band of Alpinists takes much from role modelling our favourite band of nutters, The Dodo’s, and this trip is no different. There is music, dress-ups and throwing oneself into adversity to build the alpine character.

From camping on a glacier in a tornado, to a dank rock shelf
Dodo Will’s stories will show his insatiable alpine character building through camping in 60 mph winds on glaciers to sleeping on mossy rock ledges in an emergency blankets. Mixed with the bagging of what the alpine would offer during this wet summer of ‘23.

Come have a couple of beers and laughs with Will Osborn at the September LMC Social. Usual kick off drinks at 7pm and talk at 730pm.

"To sleep on the mountain is to be immersed in it. The feel of the ground through the blankets, the vast silence around, the clear air, the sense of being on the roof of the world — it is an experience of total immersion in the natural world. The mountains at night have a different character, more intimate and yet more vast, than in the day."
— Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain

Originating from constraints and the wish to juggle work, family, and being outdoors, becoming nocturnal opened endless levels of freedom. Walking at night distorts the perception of time while all other senses expand.

In this Social, Tal will share some of his experiences of night walking and solo camping in the mountains.

Running 240 miles is a serious challenge. It’s not just about your physical fitness; it’s about managing everything the trail throws at you—because trust me, things will go wrong. But that’s where you learn the most.

In this talk, I’ll dive into what it really takes to tackle a race this long. We’ll cover the essentials like pacing, nutrition, and how to handle the inevitable problems that pop up—whether it's dealing with blisters, fatigue, or just keeping your head in the game when things get tough.

I’ll share practical advice from my own experiences, focusing on the real-world stuff that can make or break your race. Whether you’re prepping for your first ultra or aiming to refine your strategy, this talk will give you the tools to keep moving forward, no matter what the trail throws your way.

So, if you're looking to take on a big challenge or just want to learn more about what goes into these crazy-long races, join me. Let’s talk about how to make sure you’re ready to not just survive 240 miles, but actually enjoy the journey.

And if you want a taste of what this kind of adventure looks like, check out my

[Journey Across Switzerland: My 390KM Race Adventure]
https://open.substack.com/pub/ultrarunnersam/p/journey-across-switzerland-my-390km

Attention all rock jocks and mountain mavens! The London Mountaineering Club's Christmas shindig is just around the corner, and it's time to swap your carabiners for cocktails! Join us for an evening of high-altitude hilarity as we celebrate this year's epic ascents and plan next year's vertical ventures. Whether you've conquered Everest or just the local climbing wall, come share your tales of triumph (and near-misses) with fellow peak-pursuers. Don't miss this chance to mingle with the crème de la crème of London's climbing scene - it's sure to be a night that'll have you on cloud nine! So chalk up those social skills and belay yourself down to our festive gathering. Remember, the only thing higher than our aspirations will be the spirits!

We have half of the downstairs bar booked this year. As per last year, there will be buffet food - see below - to share and two drinks each on arrival for the princely sum of a Terrier (£30) per person.

Please book via the LMC Christmas Party 2024 meet, state any dietaries, on the meets page. Your payment will be required upon booking. All bookings due by 13th November.
https://www.londonmountaineeringclub.com/meets/6409