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!

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.