Club Safety Policies

Mountaineering encapsulates many different disciplines - bouldering, hill walking, sport climbing, multi-pitch climbing, ice climbing, alpinism, deep water soloing, the list goes on and on and on and each of these disciplines has its own risks. Some of the disciplines are relatively low risk such as Bouldering and Sport Climbing while some have much greater risks and should only be undertaken by those with the correct training and experience (Alpinism etc). However it is essential to remember that ALL climbing contains some degree of risk and that ALL disciplines of climbing have seen serious injuries.

LUUMC is not a guiding service-we rely on members to pass on experience in an informal way. While the committee do ensure good practice, it cannot be stressed enough that every member should be taking responsibility for themselves. LUUMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions. If you cannot accept that risk then climbing is not for you, and you might be interested in this site: www.etwa.org

The BMC, of which the club is affiliated to, have numerous publications on safety and good practice. If you would like to borrow and consult these publications please contact me (Simon). The BMC also provide specific guidance for university clubs, to which we closely adhere to. This guidance can be found on the BMC website. If you would like to see the LUUMC risk assessments please go to the ARC in the union. A list of club members who we (the Committee) deem competent to lead novices is available below.

The wearing of helmets whilst climbing is compulsory on club trips. The risk of falling objects such as ice and rock whilst alpine climbing, winter climbing, at any loose venues (eg: many limestone crags) and most mountain venues in the UK is very high. Solid gritstone outcrops or sport climbing have less chance of falling rocks, however a fall resulting in an impact to the head is possible anywhere. You should also note, particularly on club trips, that other people are a liability, and you can never rely on other people to not drop things such as climbing equipment on your head. For these reasons helmets must be worn whilst climbing and belaying outdoors, on all club trips. Helmets may not look cool, but being dead is definitely not cool.

LUUMC accepts that soloing is a legitimate climbing activity, and is enjoyable, particularly at small gritstone outcrops. It must be stressed that soloing is extremely serious, and should only be undertaken by experienced climbers well within their limits. It hardly needs to be said that the consequences of a mistake can be extremely serious, and as a result we do not encourage club members to solo. Members who wish to solo on a club trip should think very seriously of who can see them, and who might be encouraged to get out of their depth as a result. Soloing is a personal activity, and while we do not wish to impinge on people's climbing, we accept no responsibility for any injury which results. You have been warned, if in doubt, don't.

Below is a list of members of LUUMC, who the committee deem safe to lead novices on club trips. It should be stressed that this does not necessarily mean that a leader is officially qualified.

1. Single-pitch Leading (With Novices)

Ruth Snowdon
Alex Nevard
Matt Ringrose
Tom Nichols
Nick Drinkall
Chris Thain
Richard Spence
Duncan Macneil
Duncan Kaye

2. Single and Multi-pitch Leading (With Novices)

Simon Lindsell
Jamie Goodwin
Will Hunt
Dave Smith
Sean Jacobs
Sam Leach
Greg Grace
Xavier Nuttall
Clair Spencer-Jones
Ed Causton
Cameron Berry
Steve Sharland
Liam Mealey
Laurence King