BC Mountaineering Club

05/15/2026

Mountaineer and government surveyor Charles Townsend is found taking a break (likely on Wedge Mountain) in 1923.

Working alongside Neal Carter, the two extensively explored the peaks in the Spearhead Range. Commencing in 1923 -- basing themselves out of Rainbow Lodge on Alta Lake -- the two took several seasons to survey the Spearhead mountains and developed a map with names. That map is still used today.

Townsend and Carter were members of the British Columbia Mountaineering Club (BCMC), still active today.

Photo: Carter Collection

04/25/2026

🏔️ BCMC Social Night – May 12, 2026

Join us at the ANZA Club for a fun and inspiring evening!

🔹 7:00 PM – Informal Gear Swap (buy/sell/trade your gear)
🔹 7:30 PM – Guest Speaker: Glenn Woodsworth

Backwater Corners of the Coast Mountains
Explore stunning, lesser-known regions like the Seven Sisters, Howson Range, and Raleigh-Gilbert area through 60+ years of adventure and photography.

📍 ANZA Club, #3 West 8th Ave, Vancouver

Come connect, swap gear, and get inspired for your next trip!

03/02/2026

The VIMFF 2026 is here — 20+ unforgettable shows. 40+ powerful films.
Stories that will move you from the edge of your seat to the heart of the mountains. 🏔

Join the adventure in-person Feb 27– Mar 11 across Vancouver, Coquitlam and
Squamish, or stream select films online Mar 14 – Apr 11.

🎟 Explore the full lineup → https://vimff.org/

02/08/2026

🏔️ BCMC Social Night 🏔️

Join us for an evening of exploratory mountaineering with BCMC member Francis, featuring stories and photos from two expedition grant–supported trips to the Ha-Iltzuk Icefield and Kapella Headwaters.

These journeys led to the ascent of 12 previously unclimbed peaks in some of the Coast Mountains’ most remote terrain.

📅 Tuesday, February 10th
📍 The ANZA Club — 3 W 8th Ave, Vancouver
⏰ Doors 7:00 PM | Event starts 7:30 PM

Bring a friend, come early, and be inspired. You won’t want to miss this.

🌟 Note: This social is open to members and non-members.

01/09/2026

BCMC SOCIAL EVENT | Capitan Climbing Coup
📅 January 13, 2026

Join us for an inspiring night of big-wall history as Peder Ourom shares stories from his 1970s ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite 🏔️—from an era when climbing was bold, raw, and adventurous.

Peder’s roots run deep in BCMC. His parents joined the club in 1963, and his family explored local trails alongside legendary mountaineering families like the Kafers, Apps, and Waddingtons. Expect great stories, mountain heritage, and plenty of stoke.

📍 The Anza Club, #3 West 8th Ave, Vancouver
🕖 Doors: 7:00 PM | 🎤 Talk: 7:30 PM

Event open to members and non-members.

12/03/2025

✨ The 14 Peaks: A Life Above 8,000 Meters — Without the Mask ✨
We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Azim Gheychisaz to our upcoming club social!

Azim is one of the very few humans on the planet to summit all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters without supplementary oxygen — a feat considered the ultimate benchmark in high-altitude mountaineering. Climbing even one of these giants “clean” is extraordinary. Climbing all 14? It’s legendary.

Born in Tabriz, Iran, Azim has become one of the country’s most influential mountaineers and a guiding force for the next generation of elite Iranian climbers. As the first Iranian to complete all 14 Eight-thousanders without oxygen, his achievement carries profound national pride and cultural significance — even earning recognition from President Rouhani.

Join us for an inspiring evening as we explore what it truly means to live above 8,000 meters. 🏔️

📅 Tuesday, December 9th
📍The ANZA Club 3 W 8th Ave, Vancouver
⏰ Doors 7PM; Event Starts 7:30PM

Bring a friend, come early, and be inspired. You won’t want to miss this.

🌟 Note: This social is open to members and non-members.

11/12/2025

11/01/2025

🚨 Save the date! 🚨

Our next social is happening Tuesday, Nov 11 — starting with our AGM (7:30–8:00 PM) followed by an Avalanche Awareness Presentation with Brent Hillier from Canada West Mountain School!

Brent will share updates from the CAA, changes to terrain evaluation processes, and the latest thinking on group dynamics when touring or snowshoeing in hazardous terrain.

If you’ve been a member for a year, please attend the AGM — we need 25 members for quorum to make it official.

📅 Tuesday, Nov 11
🕢 7:30 PM start
📍ANZA Club

10/17/2025

🧗‍♀️ Got a trip to share?
Send your stories, photos, or event updates to the BCMC Newsletter!

"We often found ourselves balancing between two options: more exposed sections on relatively solid rock near the center of the ridge, or less exposed paths that were a chaotic mix of loose rock and talus. While we generally preferred the exposed but stable ridge crest, we occasionally
dipped into side gullies and ramps when they offered a more reasonable alternative" [Page 16]

📧 Submit to: [email protected]

Be part of the community — your adventures belong here!

📸 Cover photo: Gilberto Salazar on Assiniboine. Photo by Alizé Couzigou.

10/13/2025

🚨 Reminder! Applications are now OPEN for the BCMC Mentorship Program – Winter 2025/26 Season ❄️⛏️

Whether you're looking to learn or give back, this is your chance to be part of a mentorship community focused on growth, safety, and connection in the mountains.

🧗‍♂️ Mentee & Mentor spots available
💰 Program Fee: $50
📅 Apply by: Oct 15, 2025 @ 11:55 PM
🔗 Details & application: BCMC Mentorship page

https://bcmc.ca/mentorship.php

👉 BCMC membership required ($40 if you’re not already a member)

Let’s build skills, share stoke, and make this winter unforgettable. 🌨️