How to start mountaineering
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Subsidised mountaineering courses for 18-30 year olds
Some aspiring mountaineers could be eligible for a subsidy. The Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust delivers subsidised mountaineering courses for young people.
Join a mountaineering club
Once you want to venture further afield, it’s a great idea to join a club if you haven’t already. There are more than 300 climbing, hill walking and mountaineering clubs affiliated to the BMC and many run meets in remote parts of Britain or abroad.
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Learn from the best
Hire an Instructor
Hiring a guide through the Association of Mountaineering Instructors is a great way of fast-tracking your skills development and gaining confidence. Depending on the nature of the course or activity you should expect to pay upwards of £200 per day for the services of a Mountaineering Instructor.
Take a Plas y Brenin mountain course
You may also find it helpful to take a course at the National Outdoor Centre, Plas y Brenin. Based in Eryri, in North Wales, the centre provides courses in rock climbing, scrambling, mountaineering and alpine preparation courses.
Hire a Mountain Guide
British Mountain Guides work in the UK, Europe and further afield in the world’s famous climbing areas and high mountain ranges. Every British Mountain Guide is IFMGA qualified, which put simply, means an internationally qualified guide with the knowledge and skills to lead parties in the world’s most challenging mountain environments. BMG's can offer guiding in trekking, alpinism, climbing, ski touring and ice climbing
BMC Travel Insurance
Off to great heights? BMC Travel Insurance has got you covered as you head off abroad in search of that mountain high.