STAR LETTER: No spray like home

I lived in the States for seven years, and it was in the magical landscape of Utah that I first took up climbing: Potash Road, Indian Creek and the San Rafael Swell are my first climbing memories.The Americans were very proactive about looking after their crags and I always turned up to Access Fund events. There was plenty of ‘spray’, but also lots of hard work and a great feeling of community and goodwill. When I landed in the UK five years ago, I looked for the same sort of thing, but found nothing. However, over the last 18 months or so, I’ve watched a steady stream of BMC initiatives relating to crag regeneration, gardening and other forms of ‘crag husbandry’. Maybe they were happening long before that and I just wasn't looking in the right place, but my message to the BMC is simple – well done. It needs the BMC to organise it because people are generally lazy, but will always follow where the confident lead. I went to the recent Egerton clean up and was delighted to see 20 people cutting, dragging, sawing and, most importantly, having fun. At each Access Fund event, more people always signed up. There was never any shortage of new members, and always plenty of reasons to join. So if you want to increase your membership, you're on the right track. I hope this letter piques other’s interest to find out what's going on at their crags. See you at the next clean-up, especially if there's more free cake!
Liz Davey, Summit 50

See www.thebmc.co.uk/yourbmc for details of the latest crag clean-ups.

Courage

The courage displayed by many contributors to Summit – most recently by Nigel Vardy in Last Thoughts, issue 49 – has really helped me regain my feet. Just under two years ago I was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, which led to three bouts of surgery and a prolonged course of radiotherapy. I now no longer have lymph nodes in my lower body, have some very significant scars and lymphodema in my legs and groin. I joined the BMC just before my diagnosis and the inspiration provided by the publications (both web and terrestrial) have helped me in the mental and emotional struggle to recover. Reading of the tenacity shown by others has helped bolster my courage to deal with this illness. I’ve also taken up climbing, albeit still indoor, and hope to undertake some winter mountaineering in early 2009. Thanks for a great publication – it helps in more ways than are immediately apparent.
Seb Morgan-Clare, Summit 50

Wolves at the door

Does anyone know of any companies than insure outdoor professionals? I know of Perkins Slade and JLT, but the add-ons soon mount up if I want to include all the activities that I offer. I’m an BAIML, BCU, SMBLA, Institute of Outdoor Learning (APIOL) member and there doesn't seem to be any discount for having higher qualifications, like there is for being a advanced driver. Insurance in this large market seems to be a closed shop. The BCU and SMBLA (for mountain biking) offer their own insurance cover depending on the level of membership. Does this mean that mountaineering has to suffer again? I’d be glad of any help in this matter. As a freelance instructor, keeping premiums to a minimum helps keep the wolves from the door.
Stuart Smith, Summit 50

Mountain girl

‘Mountain Girl’ in Summit 49 was a real breath of fresh air for all us ‘women with altitude’. Being a foot shorter than my male climbing companions, I was left chortling at the descriptions of frustration at not being able to reach the same holds, or not wanting to take the same risks as the boys. It’s really encouraging to see that women do have a place and a voice in serious mountaineering. It was great to see an article on it in Summit, and it proves that it really does cater for all BMC members. Still, with less than 2% of Swiss guides being female, there’s still a long way to go. Keep up the good work.
J. Allsop, Summit 50