Climbing, or alpine, clubs form to promote and preserve the climbing way of life, including

rock climbing Rock climbing is a climbing sports discipline that involves ascending climbing routes, routes consisting of natural rock in an outdoor environment, or on artificial resin climbing walls in a mostly indoor environment. Routes are documented in c ...

ice climbing Ice climbing is a climbing discipline that involves ascending routes consisting entirely of frozen water. To ascend, the ice climber uses specialist equipment, particularly double ice axes (or the more modern ice tools) and rigid crampons. ...

, alpinism &

ski mountaineering Ski mountaineering (abbreviated to skimo) is a skiing discipline that involves climbing mountains either on skis or carrying them, depending on the steepness of the ascent, and then descending on skis. There are two major categories of equipment ...

. Clubs frequently act as advocates to protect climbing areas, advocate for climbers around the world, preserve climbing’s history and chronicle climbing achievement.The purpose of the American Alpine Club
/ref> Climbing clubs usually schedule climbing meets & events allowing members an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, learn new skills and partake in

lead climbing Lead climbing (or leading) is a technique in rock climbing where the 'lead climber' Glossary of climbing terms#clip in, clips their rope to the climbing protection as they ascend a pitch (climbing), pitch of the climbing route, while their 'seco ...

which by definition requires two or more individuals.

Organization

Climbing clubs are often affiliated to a national governing or representative body for purposes of public liability insurance. In the UK this is most often the

British Mountaineering Council The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is the national representative body for England and Wales that exists to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers, including ski-mountaineers. The BMC ...

. In Ireland this is most often Mountaineering Ireland.

Club facilities

Clubs ''may'' typically provide: * Scheduled meets & training * Mountain huts & reciprocal arrangements with other hut owners * Books, newsletters & other publications * Social events * Limited public/civil liability insurance * Rescue insurance * Discount schemes with climbing shops * Libraries & photo collections * Climbing grants * Conservation, stewardship & advocacy

Notable climbing clubs

Climbers' Club The Climbers' Club is the senior rock-climbing club in England and Wales (outside the Lake District). The club was founded in 1898. The CC one of the largest publishers of climbing guidebooks in many of the main climbing areas of England and Wale ...

* California Mountaineering Group
American Alpine ClubSwiss Alpine Club (Club Alpin Suisse)French Climbing Club (Club Alpin Francais)
*

German Alpine Club The German Alpine Club (, DAV for short) is the world's largest climbing association and the eighth-largest sporting association in Germany. It is a member of the German Olympic Sports Confederation and the competent body for sport and competiti ...

(Netherlands climbing and mountaineering society) Nederlandse Klim en Bergsport Vereniging (NKBV)

References

{{Climbing navbox Climbing and mountaineering organizations Sports clubs and teams