Club Organised Events
AAC(UK) members organise a wide and varied programme of activities for their fellow members, ranging from day walks through UK weekend meets to full weeks and longer at home and abroad.
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The walks programme is gradually returning to normal, while carefully following the latest government guidance on social distancing. Pre-booking is still required, and last minute changes to advertised plans are still more likely than usual. Please contact the organiser of the walk for further details, and to register for a place on the walk
Booking: Pre-registration is required. Please contact the Event Organiser as
listed on the event information to express interest in attending.
2022
January 29 (Saturday): North Wessex Downs, Berks - *UPDATED*
Event information updated 15/12/2021.
Meet Cholsey Station 10.09 (Paddington 08.57 – check!) Aston Tirrold, Lowbury Hill (360° viewpoint, and quick snack), Ridgeway, Thurle Grange, Common Wood, Streatley (late lunch at the Bull Inn), Goring Railway Station. Return by train to Cholsey, or to Reading and London. 10 miles [E170].
Please log in to My.Britannia for booking details.
February 5 (Saturday): A walk along the Mendip Hills
Walk through the rolling Mendip hills, including parts
of West Mendip Way, Hill fort of Dolebury Warren, Black Down & Velvet
Bottom. Gentle to moderate, mainly on tracks, & minor roads. Please book no later than 9.30am on Thursday 3
February.
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February 19 (Saturday): Place Fell from Patterdale, Eastern Lakes
Meet Patterdale Cricket pitch car park (grid reference NY 389160) at 9.00am. Car parking costs £5 for the day. Boredale Hause - Place Fell - The Knight- Scalehow force - Sandwick. Hallin Fell - Martindale - Beda Fell - Bordale Hause - Patterdale. Ascent 2000ft (610m), 11 miles (17.5km).
Good views of Helvellyn range and Ullswater.
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February 19 (Saturday): Hangers on the Hampshire Border
Meet Liphook Station 10.01 (Waterloo 08.45 – check!). Sussex Border Path, Hatch Hanger, Maysleith Hanger, Rake (lunch at The Flying
Bull), Chapel Common, Weaver Down, Liphook Station. 11.5miles, 322m of ascent [E133].
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Please support the AAC(UK) by offering to lead a day walk in your area: e-mail the relevant coordinator to discuss your ideas.
This walking programme provides an opportunity for members to meet one another and keep their walking fitness while not in the Alps.
Most of the walks in the South of England are organised to start at a
railway station with a train connection to a central London mainline
station. Walk start times are usually based around the published
railway timetables. Be aware that these times can change at short notice
due to essential railway maintenance work, so please check before you
set out.
If severe weather warnings are given, contact the designated walk leader or the AAC(UK) Office beforehand.
Most of the Southern walks, have a pub stop for lunch, followed by the second stage of the walk in the afternoon. Please do not consume your own food or drink at the pubs. Pubs often prefer you to remove your boots, or put plastic bags over them.
Do you need to book for a Day Walk? – Yes, please book by emailing the leader. We made booking compulsory during the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to limit numbers, and have decided to continue with this on a permanent basis, so that leaders know who to expect and can contact participants about any last-minute changes or cancellation, e.g. as a result of railway engineering works or adverse weather conditions.
The current Ordnance Survey Maps are indicated by their number, prefaced by: LR (Land Ranger) for 1:50,000 maps, and E (Explorer) or OL (Outdoor Leisure) for 1:25,000 maps.
Please log in to My.Britannia for Co-ordinator contact details.
This programme provides an opportunity for AAC(UK) members and friends to learn about, and exchange, experiences in Austria and mountains worldwide in an informal atmosphere. If you would like to join in we would love to see you there.
Lectures are normally held in two regular venues from September to March. This Autumn the meetings are resuming as hybrid meetings based at the regular venues in London and Reading. Members are invited to attend the lectures in person or to attend on Zoom.. For the moment for each lecture, members are asked to book in advance, to either attend the lecture in person at the venue or for a Zoom link.
Please log in to My.Britannia to see more details on how to book a link for, or a place at, one of the lectures.
2022
January 26 (Wednesday): Vosges to the Pyrenees, 1,000 miles across France
Presenter: Diana Rayner
Location: RISC Reading and on Zoom (if possible)
Diana and Bernard followed the GR7 over nine holidays, 2012 to 2017. This was not a trip of glaciers and peaks, but a wonderful walking tour of medieval villages, quiet forests, vineyards, lonely plateaux and gorges. They stayed in family-run B&Bs and sampled gastronomic delights all the way.
February 1 (Tuesday): Iceland, September 2021
Presenter: Jack Whitaker
Location: CSC London and on Zoom (if possible)
Jack originally planned to spend a few days in Iceland before joining a cruise to the Arctic. The cruise was cancelled due to the pandemic, so he converted the few days into a 12day tour around all of Iceland, giving him an experience he would not want to have missed.
February 23 (Wednesday): Trekking in Oman
Presenter: Ski Sharp
Location: RISC Reading and on Zoom (if possible)
“Everything has changed but nothing has changed“. In Autumn 2021, after a 15-year absence, Ski and Sandrine returned to discover once again the beauty of Oman and the challenge of the rugged mountains of the Sultanate, located just a stone’s throw away from the airport and Muscat, its capital city.
Reading (RISC)
Time: 19:45 for 20:00
Location: The Conference
Room, RISC, 35 – 39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS. 10 minutes walk from
Reading station, parking in nearby streets. Parking in
nearby streets is free after 8pm. For street parking before 8pm payment
at the parking meters by cash, card or mobile phone is possible. Also,
beware the new Southbound bus lane in London Street!
Admission: Free for
members with a current membership card; non-members and guests £3.
Additional Information: Come and join other AAC(UK) members and friends from 18:30 in the
Global Café downstairs.
NB The Global Café is NOT expected to reopen until 2022.
London (CSC) SW1:
Time: 19:15 for 19:30
Location: The Civil Service Club
(CSC), 13 – 15 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HJ (nearest tube
station Embankment or Charing Cross).
Organisers: Collaboration with
the Association of British Members of the Swiss Alpine Club (ABMSAC).
Admission: Free for members with a current membership card; non-members
and guests £3.
Additional Information: Food available in a restaurant or in the bar until 19:00.
Bar open until 23:00.
NB: please check in advance whether normal service has resumed.
This programme of events, mostly organised by members for members,
provides an opportunity for members to take part in a wide variety of
events in the UK. Please join in. Your company is welcome; your
enthusiasm, help and expertise are needed.
Booking: Pre-registration is required. Please contact the Event Organiser as listed on the event information to express interest in attending. A non-returnable deposit or full payment is required to book a place. Please also supply an SAE, unless the Meet Organiser is willing to communicate by email. Please do not approach any accommodation proprietor to attempt to vary any aspect of the Meet Organiser’s accommodation booking; only the Meet Organiser may do this.
Due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus, activities and events listed below may be subject to postponement or cancellation.
2022
February 11 – 13: Patterdale, Lake District
Walks on the fells surrounding Patterdale, which include the Hellvelyn and High Street groups. Staying at the George Starkey hut.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
March 6 – 11: Glenfeshie, Cairngorms, Scotland
Winter conditions should still prevail in early March for hill walking and winter mountaineering in the Cairngorms. Self catering accommodation (10 places) at Milehouse hut near Feshie Bridge. Northern corries a half hour drive. £60 for 5 nights.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
April 3 – 10: Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Join other members at Muir Cottage, Inverey, tucked away in the wood, 8K west of Braemar. This area is ideal for Munroists, Mountain bikers, or those wanting to practise their winter skills. Just below the Cairngorm plateau, the area holds its snow usually well into April. The remote Cairngorm giants, Beinn a Bhὐird, Ben Avon, Derry Cairngorm and Ben Macdui are close by with excellent cycle tracks. Lochnagar is another possibility. The hut is well equipped with excellent bike storage. The club would like to offer this meet to members who would be keen to share their knowledge with others or to less experienced members who would like to practise and improve their winter skills and navigation.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
May 15 – 20: North-West Highlands, Scotland
Sunday through Friday, staying at Ronnan Cottage, Ladies Scottish Climbing Club, Poolewe, £50 for 5 nights. Good hill walking with access to a number of Munros and Corbetts.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
May 21 – 28: Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
What more can be said – high likelihood of awful weather and swarms of midges, but when it’s good it’s amazing, the nearest we have to alpine climbing in the UK.
Self catering accommodation (20 places) in the Glen Brittle Memorial Hut, £140 per person.
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May 29 – June 5: Cornwall
A week in Cornwall based at Penzance YHA Sun 29th May -
Sun 5th June Join other members at Penzance YH, in private rooms with between 2
and 6 beds.
The main attraction there is the Coast path, and It should be possible to walk all the sections from St Ives to the Lizard using only buses and trains from Penzance. The Lizard peninsula itself and the N coast E of St Ives are also accessible.
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August 19 – 21: Stoney Middleton, Peak District
Climbing meet, with more information to follow.
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Read articles written by Members for UK Club Meets about their experiences.
See photos taken by Members during their adventures at previous UK Club Meets.
For general queries about tours, such as becoming a leader, please contact the UK Meets Co-ordinator.
If you can arrange an event of any kind, please contact the relevant co-ordinator well in advance. Meets require long lead times and should be planned, and booked, well ahead.
UK Meets Co-ordinator: uk.meets@aacuk.org.uk
This programme of non-UK Club meets and tours, mostly organised by members for members, provides an opportunity for you to take part in a wide variety of events, outside the UK. Please join in. Your company is welcome; your enthusiasm, help and expertise are needed.
Booking: Pre-registration is required. Please contact the Event Organiser as listed on the event information to express interest in attending. Plan and book early to avoid disappointment. A non-returnable deposit or full payment is required to book a place. Please also supply an SAE, unless the Meet Organiser/Tour Leader is willing to communicate by email. Please do not approach any accommodation proprietor to attempt to vary any aspect of the Organiser’s/Leader’s accommodation booking; only the Meet Organiser/Tour Leader may do this.
Before you apply for a tour, it is essential that you read the following Covid-19 guidance document
2022
January 22 – 29: Saint Gervais / Les Contamines, France - *UPDATED*
Event information updated 21/12/2021 - No further applications are being accepted at this time.
Day ski tours for intermediates, non-glaciated terrain, from a base in St Gervais. Climbing approx 1000m per day.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
January 29 – Febraury 3: Day Ski Tours, Silvretta Alps, Austria/Switzerland
Day ski tours for intermediates based at the Heidelberger Hutte.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
January 30 – Febraury 6: Monte Rosa, Italy
Day ski tours for beginners/ intermediates in the Val d’Ayas and Vallone di Gressoney.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
January 30 – Febraury 5: Snowshoe Days, Obernberg im Wipptal, Austria
Snowshoe days, offering 2 levels of walk each day; an easier lower level walk and a harder higher level walk.
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February 5 – 12: Tuxer Alps, Austria
Ski tour days from Lisumer hut, non-glaciated terrain, for intermediate, experienced ski tourers.
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February 27 – March 4: Stubai Sellrain, Austria
Ski tour days from the Westfalenhaus and the Potsdamer hut, intermediate grade, on non-glaciated terrain.
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March 5 – 11: Tirol, Austria
Hut to hut ski tour for intermediates, based at the Weidener hut & Lizumer hut.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
March 13 – 18: Queyras, Hautes-Alpes, France
Ski tour days in non glaciated terrain. Touring from 2 locations.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
March 20 – 27: Ski Tour, Tuxer Alps, Austria
A challenging hut to hut tour on moderate non glaciated terrain.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
July 6– 13: Hut to Hut Tour, Dachstein, Austria
Eight day hut to hut trek around the Dachstein and Gosaukamm - south east of Salzburg. Starting and ending in Ramsau.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
July 18 – 21: Franz Senn Hut in the Stubai Alps – Bergfest, Austria
Coming out of the Covid pandemic the Club will be hosting a Bergfest meet for families at the Franz Senn Hut in the Stubai Alps in July 2022.
We are hoping the Bergfest will attract families with young children, young adults, grandmas, granddads, grandkids, old hands and anyone looking to have a hutting experience or to just pitch up and meet old friends. The meet will take place over four days and will offer a good mix of activities guaranteed to bring laughter, smiles and loads of selfie opportunities! Our past President, Allan Hartley, will head this meet; he and the Club are keen for this to be the first of many Austrian Bergfest meets!
The activities on offer will include simple walks, ascents of nearby peaks, and having a go at Klettersteig (via ferrata), river gorge walking, slack lining and flying fox zip wire. There will be mountain guides on hand to help with instruction and learning of basic mountain craft skills plus the joy of gaining new experiences and making new friends.
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
September 4 – 11: The Anello Ring - east of the Dolomites, Italy
Seven day circular route providing challenging, strenuous and exposed walking via spectacular scenery including many tall pinnacles and areas of botanical interest. Parco Regionale Dolomite Friulane is a UNESCO World Heritage site
Please log in to My.Britannia for contact details and booking forms.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, members should inform themselves of the travel and other restrictions operating in the Alpine regions they intend to visit. They may also receive related advice from tour leaders and from the AAC(UK) website.
As of 25/10/2021 normal Alpenverein mountain hut rules have been amended to include, participants must bring their own sleeping bag, pillowcase, towels, face mask, hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes in order to comply with hut Covid regulations. Please also check on the hut website the exact requirements before travel. Please also confirm Covid specific requirements with your tour leader in advance of travel.
For general queries about tours, such as becoming a leader, please contact the Overseas Meets and Tours or Ski-ing Co-ordinators.
Please log in to My.Britannia for Co-ordinator contact details.
This programme of events, mostly organised by members for members,
provides an opportunity for members to take part in a variety of events
in the UK.
Booking: If applicable, complete and return the booking form provided for the event. For some events, a non-returnable deposit or full payment may be required to book a place. Please also supply an SAE, unless the Meet Organiser is willing to communicate by email.
Events will be advertised in early 2022 for the Spring & Summer season.
If you can arrange an event of any kind, please contact the relevant co-ordinator well in advance. Meets require long lead times and should be planned, and booked, well ahead.
Please log in to My.Britannia for Co-ordinator contact details.
Members Events - Not Organised by the Club
MENOC - Member Event Not Organised by the Club
Events which are organised for members by members.
They are not Club events and can take many forms, from informal gatherings in campsites to expeditions to remote areas.
Members intending to participate in these non-Club events must accept that any arrangement is between them and the organiser of the proposed event, not with AAC(UK).
Members’ Commercial Events
Events which are organised for members by members who are, for example, professional guides. They are not official Club tours and are run on a commercial basis. All correspondence and payments must be made through the organiser.
Members Short Notice Hikes, Climbs and Scrambles
Interested in linking up with other members at short notice to
independently arrange hill or mountain walks, scrambles or climbing?
Members
intending to participate in Short Notice Hikes, Climbs and Scrambles do
so at their own risk and the arrangement is between those individuals
and not with AAC(UK).
Events Accessible to AAC(UK) Members
Oread Mountaineering Club - Walks
AAC members who live near the Peak District National Park (PDNP) are invited to join the Oread Mountaineering Club on some of their local walks. These walks are based on the PDNP boundary marked on ordnance survey maps and each stage of the ‘boundary walk’ is about 10 miles long. All walks are led by members of the OMC.
Eagle Ski Club Lectures - near Kendal, Cumbria
AAC(UK) members are also invited to lectures organised by the Eagle Ski Club at Wilf’s café in Staveley, near Kendal, Cumbria. Please book well in advance through Ali Bramall on alibramall@gmail.com Cost is £10 including meal, payable on the door. The evening starts at 18.15 with a Bring & Buy, a chance to sell the ski mountaineering or mountaineering gear you no longer use: no need to pre-book stalls, just set-up at 18.00. A main course meal is served at 19.00, followed by the lecture at 20.00.
Website: https://www.eagleskiclub.org.uk/
Oread Mountaineering Club Winter Lectures - Derby
AAC(UK) members are invited to attend the Oread Winter Lectures held on the first Tuesday of the month from October to March at 20.00 at The Royal Oak, Ockbrook, Derby, DE72 3SE. Admission £3 for OMC members/ £5 for non-OMC members. Please arrive a few minutes early to buy a pint and secure a seat.
Website: https://www.oread.co.uk/
Rucksack Club Lectures – Stockport
AAC(UK) Members are invited to winter lectures organised by the Rucksack Club at the Heaton Moor Sports Club SK4 2NF. 7.30 pm start, bar and raffle. Rucksack Club Members £4, non-members £8: tickets on the door.
Meets with Bremex
AAC members who are interested in improving their hill-walking and mountaineering skills are cordially invited to join Bremex weekend meets, which take place nearly every month in upland areas across Great Britain. Prospective members may attend one taster weekend before deciding whether or not they want to join.
Website: http://www.bremex.org.uk
Disclaimer
Climbing, hill and country walking, hiking, scrambling, mountain biking, mountaineering, klettersteig and snow sports (and any other similar activities) (the “Activities”) organised by Austrian Alpine Club (UK) (“AAC(UK)”) are physically challenging and carry risks that AAC(UK) cannot entirely eliminate. These include the risk of personal injury or death. In taking part in the Activities you acknowledge and accept these risks, being responsible for your own actions, involvement, health condition and safety. All event participants must follow any safety warnings or instructions displayed or given to them by a leader or organiser (and ask a leader or organiser if anything is unclear). In the absence of any breach of duty by AAC(UK), participation in the Activities is entirely at participants’ own risk.