Terry Abraham's film explains the British Mountaineering Council's value to walkers.
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Posted: 4 December 2014
by Jon
What Does The BMC Do For Hillwalkers? - Video
Good question! The British Mountaineering Council's ongoing love-in for hill walkers continues with this short film made by Terry Abraham of Chris Townsend, Cairngorm, cinematic fame. Focussing on the Lake District in particular, the video explains the practical work the BMC undertakes in terms of access and footpath restoration.
It also points out that some 62% of the BMC's membership lists hillwalking as its main outdoors activity and introduces BMC Hillwalking Officer, Carey Davis and BMC HIll Walking Ambassador and outdoors writer, Chris Townsend.
It's easy to be cynical and take the view that the BMC is primarily a climbers' organisation and the walking recruitment drive is all about upping membership and consequently funding, but it's something of a chicken and egg scenario - if more hillwalkers get involved and active in the organisation, the more likely it is to work more obviously on issues directly relevant to walkers on a local and national level.
Natural Home For Hill Walkers?
It's not just a one-way street either. Hill Walking Officer Carey Davies hosted a recent event in the Peak District where walkers heard about the BMC's plan to 'to set up a volunteer working group which can oversee and implement a hill walking strategy for the future' as well as changes which have already taken place including the publication of more than 100% more hill walking articles on the BMC website, the creation of a BMC walking twitter feed, more walking in Summit magazine and the assimilation of Chris Townsend.
There's more about all that here along with a list of reasons why walkers should sign up - it's your call of course, but despite our initial skepticism, we reckon it's great that the BMC is increasingly taking walking seriously and, in the process, providing potential representation for those of us who very definitely don't see ourselves as 'Ramblers', but equally aren't full-blown climbers either.
What do you reckon?