Volunteer Story: Nicholas Galpin
Nick sits on the BMC Technical Committee and UIAA Safety Commission. He is one of the incredible volunteers helping to ensure that the safety and performance standards of equipment are up to scratch!
Nick sits on the BMC Technical Committee and UIAA Safety Commission. He is one of the incredible volunteers helping to ensure that the safety and performance standards of equipment are up to scratch!
Are you a climber, hill walker or mountaineer?
A bit of everything but with the time available to me at the moment mainly a boulderer and trad climber with a bit of skiing thrown in and the odd quickdraw clipped. I still dream about alpine peaks and Scottish winter though!
Whar is the highlight of your climbing/hill walking/mountaineering?
A single highlight seems too hard but a selection would be: waking up on the Cullin Ridge for my 16th birthday, topping out March Hare gully on Beinn Bhan with a snow capped Skye in the distance and any time I've fought hard on lead and pulled it off against the odds.
Why did you choose to get involved with the BMC?
I wanted to give something back. I attended a few local BMC meetings then noticed an advert for the Technical Committee and being an engineer, that seemed right up my street..... I was right!
What projects or events are you currently working on and what impact would you like to see?
I am on the BMC Technical Committee and what I'm most looking forward to is the belay device video coming out, hopefully making the now confusing market of multiple devices a lot easier to navigate. I am also currently the BMC representative on the UIAA Safety Commision and on CEN TC 136/WG5. The impact I'd like to see is new standards and improved existing standards ensuring the performance and safety of climbing gear that suits the needs of UK climbers.
What advice would you give to people looking to volunteer at the BMC?
Do it! It has been very rewarding, from feeling more engaged in the community to meeting outdoor folk from all over the world. I was very proud to be representing the BMC as "we" hosted the UIAA Spring meetings this year.
Related Content
Volunteering News
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering
Steve is a Pembrokeshire area volunteer who has been a local access rep for over 15 years.
Volunteering
Emily sits on the gender subgroup of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is a talented researcher and also runs Beta Magazine, a climbing and outdoors community magazine focused on the female experience but inclusive of all.
Volunteering
Mike is a Student Rep on the Clubs Committee and more recently has been working with the team as part of the Organisational Development Group.
Volunteering
Graeme has been volunteering at the BMC for over 10 years, he volunteers as part of the Equity Steering Group and has worked hard to help the BMC achieve the Intermediate Equality Standard.
Volunteering News
This week is Volunteering Week 3 - 9 June so why not get involved with one of the many BMC volunteering opportunities? There are loads to choose from, including helping out at climbing competitions, leading hill walks at events and litter picking nationwide, planting seagrass in Wales, repairing footpaths in the Lake District and restoring peat bogs in the Peak District.
Access Articles
BMC volunteers from the Get Stuck In programme joined Fix the Fells last month in Wasdale on Lingmell Breast, one of the main routes up to Scafell Pike. They spent the day helping to maintain part of this hugely popular footpath up to England’s highest mountain.
Volunteering News
We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2023 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
Congratulations to our recipients of the 2022 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2021 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2020 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2019 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Indoor Climbing Articles
This page contains all the documentation that BMC Youth Climbing Series Coordinators (YCSCs) need for the BMC Youth Climbing Series