The BMC

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is the national representative body that champions the interests of climbers, hill walkers, mountaineers and ski mountaineers in England and Wales; it is also recognised by government as the national governing body for competition climbing.

BMC Vision

To be the organisation that every climber and hill walker wants to join.

BMC Mission

To be the natural champion and community hub for all those who climb hills, mountains, rocks, ice and indoor walls; to promote the interests and protect the freedoms of climbers, hill walkers, mountaineers and ski mountaineers.

BMC Members

The BMC is a member organisation, which currently has over 82,000 members, comprised of individual members as well as members of more than 250 BMC affiliated clubs. Organisations who wish to support the work of the BMC can join as associate members.

Staff and Volunteers

The work of the BMC is carried out and co-ordinated by over 30 members of staff supported by hundreds of volunteers. This vital partnership between staff and volunteers enables the BMC to work on behalf of its members and for the benefit of the entire mountaineering community.

Specialist Programmes

The BMC relies on a well-established structure of voluntary Specialist Committees, supported by staff, to develop and oversee much of the organisation’s technical work for members.

The work of the Specialist Committees covers:

  • Access & Conservation
  • Child Safeguarding
  • Clubs
  • Competitions
  • Equity
  • Guidebooks
  • Huts
  • International Mountaineering
  • Land Management
  • Technical Equipment
  • Training, Youth & Walls

Anyone registering for a Mountain Training award must become a member of the BMC and will be insured to do volunteer work between their training and assessment. The BMC works closely with Mountain Training to help ensure safe and open participation on the mountains and cliffs.