Editor's thoughts

by Peter Finch

With 15,000 members and counting, and the comprehensive organisation of the Club by its officials, office staff and volunteers, it is sometimes easy to forget that we are just one element of the massive Österreichischer Alpenverein. With 720,000 members and a headquarters operation to match, the ÖAV is not just a source of the maps and huts we use, and the insurance which covers our worldwide expeditions, but is a major influence in all aspects of “mountain life” in Austria. It is important that we are fully aware of, and involved in, all aspects of the ÖAV that impact our own activities. Our Board members attend the AGM each year and use the occasion both to keep up to date with the latest developments but also “network” on subjects as diverse as IT, finance, hut fund donations, and the environment. Diana Rayner’s report on the 2023 AGM and its impact on AAC(UK) appears in this newsletter. It shows the sheer scope of what our parent association deals with on our behalf.

The ÖAV has a whole section devoted to younger members, the Alpenvereinsjugend. In Sektion Britannia the opportunities for younger members (a fluid definition, but let’s say up to 35) to be involved in Club activities are wide-ranging. In this issue you can read the continuing “year of adventure” of Eleanor Lampard (mid-20s), a language exchange camp attended by Violeta Brooks and Neev Renton (15), an U35s tour of the Großglockner and Großvenediger by Casey Travanti, and a description of the 2023 Bergfest with 12 junior members present. AAC(UK) offers something for everyone!

Appeals for contributions from members have not gone unheard. We are regularly publishing 28 pages or more, and still we have to omit some articles. We apologise to those whose efforts remain in the “pending” tray and will try to include them at a later date when space permits. We are also experimenting with putting longer articles on the Club website with just a synopsis in the newsletter.

Please keep writing in with your contributions on any Club- or mountain-related topics. Copy date for the next issue is 1 April 2024. I can be contacted at: aac.newsletter.editor@aacuk.org.uk

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