news blog

AC Tatra Meet 2021

25 September – 03 October 2021

​Morskie Oko is one of the most interesting climbing locations in the Tatra Mountains. It is a lake surrounded by big mountains like Mieguszowieckie Szyty, Cubryna and Rysy. Climbing here is varied and challenging. It is mainly on granite and it is mainly trad. Routes are from 3 to 20 (or so) pitches long and there are lots of options at all levels of difficulty. Descents are often tricky and require either multiple abseils or scrambling down from the summits. There are also several sport crags and alpine style ridges that are usually quite exposed but in good weather give fantastic views of the Tatras.

AC Joint Alpine meet 2020 cancelled

The 2020 Summer Meet was planned for July in La Bérarde, in the heart of the Écrins. This site has excellent climbing and many people have fond memories of climbing and walking there.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow over this, and we have watched events unfold.
The decision on the meet has been delayed as we have watched events, but we are now 6 weeks before the meet. Although there is some relaxation in France (and the UK), travel is still restricted, with severe limitation on entry into France. There will be quarantine measures in place until at least the week before the meet.

Alpine Club Caucasus Ice Meet 2021

Andrey Golovachev is arranging the Alpine Club Caucasus Ice Meet in the Midagrabin valley, North Ossetia, Russia from Saturday 6th February 2021 to Friday 12th February 2021. Accommodation is a newly built hotel with en-suite showers with twin, double and family rooms available. The approximate costs are £250-300 for the hotel accommodation, transfers and meals plus about £325 for return flights from London to Vladikavkaz (OGZ) plus about £50 for the Russian visa.

The hotel stands literally at the foothills of Mt Tbau 3,400m. Its 700m dolomite cliffs much resemble Italian Marmolada and there is a big potential for trad first ascents, provided sunny weather. In theory it is possible to climb Kazbek (5054) which requires a detour into Georgia via Verhny Lars official international border crossing. It takes about 5-7 extra days for acclimatization and the climb. The more technical route is graded about AD+ and is about 700 vertical meters of 50-55 degrees ice.

Slovakia Meet, Chata Pri Zelenom Plese

6th - 13th March 2020

Words & Photographs by Alex Metcalfe.

Attendees: Mike De La Rue (organiser), Jonathan Bamber, Alex Metcalfe, Tom Davis-Merry, Mark Grist (guest), Tom Priestly (guest), John Venier, Ian Bryant.

Things did not start well for the AC Slovakia meet. A six hour delay gave members of the team ample time to repack & worry about baggage allowance whilst others went to see the sights and sounds of Luton. The team finally convened that night to fly out and meet the Johns the following day in Tatramanska Lomnica.