The Oxford University Mountaineering Club (OUMC) was founded in 1909 by Arnold Lunn, then a Balliol undergraduate; he did not earn a degree.

History

The club has taken a significant part in the development of mountaineering in the United Kingdom, and many British climbers have been members of the club. were members of the successful 1953 British Expedition to Everest. Evans was Deputy Leader to John Hunt on that expedition, Bourdillon was responsible for the oxygen apparatus, and Westmacott was in charge of keeping the dangerous passage through the Khumbu Icefall open.

Governance

The club is operated by committee – the executive (president, secretary, treasurer) is always made up from Oxford University Students but the wider committee roles are open to any members.

Oxford University Women's Mountaineering Club

The Oxford University Women's Mountaineering Club was formed for the first time in 1924. It was formed by graduates but "intended for both past and present Oxford women". The OUWMC was active until 1937 with meets in the UK and abroad every year.

The OUWMC was briefly resurrected in 1943 and 1950.

  • 1983: Elizabeth Jolley became the first female president of the OUMC. The club was dissolved in 1924 and then re-established in 1934. In its new form the OAC became open to “resident and non-resident members of the University of Oxford (other than undergraduates in residence) who are interested in mountaineering”.
  • Sir Anthony James Leggett (b. 1938), Balliol
  • Stephen Venables (b. 1954), New College
  • George Atkinson (b. 1994), Linacre College

References

  • Club website

Other notable mountaineering clubs

  • Preston Mountaineering Club
  • Glasgow University Mountaineering Club