Editor’s thoughts

By Peter Finch

Our thoughts are turning to warm alpine days amongst the scented meadows of wild flowers, sun-baked scrambles over rocky peaks, and welcome cold beers in mountain huts at the end of days spent under blue skies whilst enjoying superb vistas. And then along comes the AAC(UK) newsletter full of articles about winter mountaineering, ski touring and snowshoeing, frequently frustrated by rain, snow, icy winds, thunderstorms, avalanches and the rest. But that’s the nature of the beast, and when winter 2024 arrives the newsletter will help us reminisce about halcyon days in the mountains.

Ski touring is clearly a favourite pastime with snowshoeing not far behind. Training courses have been popular, and it is fascinating to read about experienced leaders such as Sean McGachie and Brian Bateson extending their skills by attending higher-level courses.

We often receive reports of expeditions from around the world and in this issue your geographic reach has broken records! Laine Blayney has been snowshoeing and langlaufing in the Arctic; Joe Robertson has been climbing in the Antarctic; while Wayne Pettigrew split the difference and climbed peaks on the equator. The alps were not forgotten, with reports from the Berner Oberland and the Tirol, and Jude Jones reminds us that the Lakes have a lot to offer (including gale-force winds!).

We make no apology for the length of Diana Rayner’s summary of the results of the membership survey. This was the first broad sweep since 2015 of members’ views about your Club, the activities, opportunities and facilities it provides, and gaps where there is scope for members to step forward and make a contribution or simply participate.

Please continue to send articles, not just trip reports but on any relevant theme. Copy date for the autumn issue is 1 July, and following one is 1 October. I can be contacted at: aac.newsletter.editor@aacuk.org.uk

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