Who are we?
UCLCMC is UCL’s Climbing and Mountaineering Club and has been running since 1985!
Over 150 students of all climbing abilities and from all backgrounds sign up with us each year to learn and practice bouldering and/or roped climbing both indoors and outdoors and connect with a variety of like-minded people.
The community we have built over the years is our absolute pride and joy: our members always look out for each other and are guaranteed to uplift you during climbing and beyond. All our returning members concur to say their time with UCLCMC helped them make lifelong friendships as well as life-changing memories!
The club also takes safety and inclusivity extremely seriously - we are Pride in Sports accredited have signed the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment Pledge.
What do we do?
We climb!
UCLCMC members meet every Wednesday and Friday evening around 6 at The Castle Climbing Centre in North London. It is a short commute from UCL’s main campus on the Piccadilly Line, taking you from Russel Square to Manor House. Please note that climbing gym entry is not included in the membership.
Members climb for a few hours and then gather at a nearby pub, The Brownswood, for a laidback chit-chat around chips and drinks. Some people even skip the climbing and go straight to the pub to hang out with everyone!
If you are one for challenge and competition, you can also enrol in our comp team upon passing our team trials held early into the academic year. Recruits selected by our Team Captain and Vice-Captain then begin training along Team UCL and get chance to measure up against other unis in competitions such as BUCS, LUBE or NULSCC – at which UCL ranked third last year!
We host socials!
The club also hosts a variety of socials throughout the year: keep an eye out for our traditional Halloween costumed pub crawl (non-drinkers welcome!), frequent summer slackline socials in London parks, grouped outings to various climbing centres and a yearly inter-university event… Boat ball anyone?
Your 2024/2025 committee is also working on collaborative events with other UCL societies to connect different student bodies, discover new skills and encourage our members to try something new!
We go on trips!
UCLCMC organizes not one, not two but three (!!) trips each year.
The first yearly trip takes place in late October before the first half-term break. This weekend trip to Portland, Dorset is an opportunity for newcomers to try outdoor climbing, learn ropes and make friends within UCLCMC. It is always a ton of fun!
The second yearly trip is set in late January. Members leave for a weekend in Scotland to discover or practice ice climbing and winter mountaineering together. Beautiful views are guaranteed for all those who dare rise to the challenge!
The final trip of the year is a week-long escapade abroad over the Easter Break. UCLCMC has previously flown its members to sunny Sicily, El Chorro and Costa Blanca, Spain! These unforgettable trips are always the perfect mix of fun, chaos and of course, climbing. They also offer the amazing chance to learn lead climbing, partake in hikes or even try via ferrata!
Can I join? What membership should I get?
All beginners are absolutely welcome to join! Bouldering is fairly easy to get a hang of and our members will happily help you get started. You’ll be surprised how quickly you progress!
If you want to join us for our taster sessions but don’t feel like committing quite yet, grab a free taster membership and join us for one of the trial sessions we run in the first two weeks of Term 1.
Want to become a member? We love to hear it! Just upgrade your taster membership to the regular one. Our £35 membership fee covers:
- The eligibility to join our climbing trips
- The eligibility to join our competitive team
- Access to all our social events
- Access to our gear cupboard from which you will be able to borrow thousands of pounds worth of advanced climbing and mountaineering kit for free*
- A student membership with the BMC (British Mountaineering Council) granting you insurance while rock climbing in the UK and significant discounts in most outdoorsy/climbing and mountaineering stores across the country
- Our lovely “Climb! UCL” club t-shirt!
Where can I find UCLCMC?
Whether you’re curious to find out more or simply want to stay up to date with the club, connect with us on social media!
Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uclcmc/
Our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/uclcmc
Email us! [email protected]
This Club is Pride in Sport Accredited
UCL Climbing and Mountaineering Club have signed the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment Pledge.
*Personal Harness required, belay device and screwgate recommended, bookings subject to availability of gear secretary.