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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
16 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2011 : 12:45 PM
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I have been ski touring for a couple of seasons and am looking to venture on to more complex terrain that is likely to require an Ice Axe and Crampons so I figure its time to find someone to learn from.
I am looking at joining either BCMC or ACC vancouver section and was wondering if there is any difference between the two groups? They seem very similar.
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1321 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2011 : 1:23 PM
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The ACC flies everywhere they go in helicopters and the BCMC is too cheap to even drive places.
(Mostly) kidding!
Probably the best thing to do is to attend a meeting (or trip) from each club to see which one you prefer. In some sense they are reasonably similar... both do similar activities etc. |
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Vancouver
1808 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2011 : 2:01 PM
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Both have websites you can check, for instance to compare trip schedules.
ACC (Airborne Climbers of Canada) members tend more to be managerial types.
BCMC members are more blue collar and intellectual types with a much stronger environmental awareness. The BCMC offers some very popular mountaineering courses. |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
16 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2011 : 2:25 PM
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I have looked at both sites and went to the BCMC meeting Tuesday. I guess I should go check out the ACC as well if I am in engineering then?
That’s pretty funny ( Airborn Climbers ... )because looking at a trip description the first thing i noticed was the helicopter fees...
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Edited by - TylerD on 05/11/2011 2:39 PM |
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Coquitlam, BC
Canada
342 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2011 : 7:33 PM
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I'd agree... there seems to be quite a few engineers in the ACC (me being one of them), but as for the airborne climber club? There's some truth to it... some of the national (or even regional) climbing camps use heli access to get into remote areas that otherwise would be very difficult to access.
But, I have yet to go on those trips as they're fairly spendy. The ACC trips are generally pretty good but pretty generic (i.e. common targets - Black Tusk, Tricouni, Needle-Yak, etc). They do give you a chance to meet other climbers and when you get to know them and they get to know you then you can set up more interesting trips offline. Just be aware that there are a lot of well-meaning, but ill informed climbers out there who can get you into trouble without realizing it.
As for BCMC - they're a little more grassroots, there are a couple people out there who put out some big trips into remote areas and probably a few more hard rock alpine climbs than you see on the ACC schedule. Both clubs will let you trial a few club trips before they ask you to throw down some cash.
Either way you'll meet some great people to get out into the hills with.
Cheers,
Corey |
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Qualicum Beach, BC
Canada
1303 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2011 : 11:43 PM
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You can also go to the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC web site, www.mountainclubs.org and follow the links to several BC clubs and their schedules. Pretty much all clubs will let a newcomer go on three trips, before expecting them to join.
Every club is different, especially the ACC Sections. On Vancouver Island "We have no stinking huts, don't want any stinking helicopters and don't need no stinking badges." (A tip of the hat to a Clint Eastwood movie). If you like the bushwhack aspect of mountaineering and no amenities, then the Island is for you.
Peter |
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Mountaineering Clubs
