The Mountaineering Council of Scotland

International Winter Climbing Seminar and Meet

25 February to 3 March 2001, Glenmore Lodge

Statement

Forty-eight climbers from twenty countries and over fifty British hosts attended the 2001 international winter climbing seminar and meet. When on the third day of the seven day meet the authorities asked climbers not to go into the hills the meet was happy to respect the wishes of the authorities and stop climbing. This represented a very considerable sacrifice by the international climbers and their hosts as many had traveled long distances often at considerable personal expense to attend the meet and to experience Scottish winter mountaineering at its very best.

The Meet was cognizant of the fact that hill walking and climbing is a principal driver of local economies. Hill walking and climbing is worth ten times more annually to the Scottish rural economy than the skiing industry. The Meet appealed to the authorities to be consistent in their approach to restrictions to the countryside. It seemed to make little sense to restrict one form of use of the countryside while encouraging another.

The Meet asked that at the earliest opportunity, the authorities introduce restrictions that minimize the disruption to the rural economy. Thus, it was hoped that all foci of the foot and mouth outbreak are soon identified and that access to the countryside will be permitted where there is no possible threat to wildlife and domestic livestock.

The Meet also agreed the following:

  • Climbers and mountaineers should have a basic freedom to climb. This freedom includes the choice of climbing style which should be in keeping with established traditions and sensitivity to the environment.

  • Ascent reports should provide a complete and accurate description of the climbing style used and difficulty of the climb.

  • Climbing and mountaineering activities should be carried out in a sustainable manner, primarily by adopting a minimum impact approach, with the intention of preserving mountain environments for future generations. Climbers and mountaineers should follow recognized good practice codes such as the UIAA Kathmandu Declaration.

  • Mountain activists should always show support for local communities and rural economies, of which they are an integral part.

  • Support should be given to programmes working for the conservation of mountain and wilderness areas.

Glenmore Lodge, 3 March 2001

This page is part of the old website of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
To visit the new website, click on
www.mcofs.org.uk

[ Home ] [ News ] [ Safety and Training ] [ Access and Conservation ] [ Sports Development ] [ Council Matters ]
[ Search ] [ Info Service ] [ Membership ] [ Publications ] [ Newsletters ] [ Links ]

© The Mountaineering Council of Scotland