Winners Announced in 2022/23 Alpine Club Photography Competition

There was a good entry for this year's photo competition with 113 images submitted over the four different categories.

AC member John Cleare, an internationally renowned professional photographer specialising in mountains and landscapes, was the judge, and he selected the following winners in each category:

Alpine Climbing 

'Approaching the NW summit of Mount Waddington, Canadian Coast Range' by Simon Richardson

AC Gatherings

'Regrouping on the Windjoch en route to the Nadelhorn' by Nathan Moore

Mountain Landscape

'Sgurr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh, Trotternish, Skye' by Andrew Moore

The Unusual 

'Lac Noir, summit fishing with Mont Blanc in view' by Tim MacLean

John chose another nine very strong entries, which together with the four category winners will feature in the 2024 Alpine Club calendar. Details on this will follow. 

There will also be an exhibition of the entries at Charlotte Road from early September to mid-November 2023.

Many thanks to all those members who submitted entries and congratulations to our four category winners.

Alpine Club Receives Pelmo d'Oro Award

The Alpine Club has been awarded the 25th Pelmo d'Oro Award by the Italian region of Provincia di Belluno. The Pelmo d'Oro, also known as the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Special Award, is given annually to an organisation or individual who has helped to promote, protect, chronicle or in some other way contribute to the ongoing history of the Dolomites.

This year's award recognises the contribution of the Alpine Club's first President John Ball who, in 1857, made the first ascent of Monte Pelmo - one of the iconic symbols of the Dolomites.

^{Monte Pelmo by Elijah Walton (1832-1880), Alpine Club Collection}

In explaining their decision, a spokesperson for the Provincia di Belluno said the following:

"The Alpine Club, the first of its kind in the world, was founded in 1857. This initiative was inspired by the venture John Ball had accomplished a few months before: accompanied by a guide from Borca di Cadore, he made the first mountaineering ascent to Mount Pelmo, one of the symbols of the Dolomites. The first mountaineers were also the main observers and communicators of those aesthetic, scientific and landscape values, which are universally appreciated today, and are fundamental to the recognition that UNESCO has given to the Dolomites in 2009."

^{John Ball (1818-1889), Naturalist, Politician & First President of the Alpine Club}

Current Alpine Club President Simon Richardson, who will travel to Italy to receive the award, said: 

“The Alpine Club is very proud to receive the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Special Award. At its heart alpinism has always maintained a deep respect for the mountain environment and it is fitting that the Alpine Club, Provincia di Belluno and UNESCO all seek to celebrate and preserve these special landscapes for the enjoyment of present and future generations.”

Roadworks to Affect Access to George Starkey Hut

Road closures are also expected on the Kirkstone Pass, commencing with work on traffic signals on 13 February and progressing to a complete 24/7 closure for four weeks from 06 March. 

JD Hooker Illustration Greeting Cards

The Alpine Club are pleased to present a pair of greeting cards featuring illustrations by 19th century British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker. The illustartions in question feature the Blue Himalayan Poppy and a Magnolia, and are taken from Hooker's 1855 book 'Illustrations of Himalayan Plants'.

The inside of the cards is left blank for your message, making them appropriate for a wide variety of occasions.

They are available in packs of 10, with 5 cards of each design, at a price of £7 plus UK postage of £2 for 1-2 packs and £3 for 3 packs (or each multiple of 3). For international shipping, please contact the Alpine Club Office.

The cards can be purchased using the PayPal checkout below or by cheque made payable to 'Alpine Club' and sent for the attention of The Alpine Club Office Manager, 55 Charlotte Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3QF.