University of Birmingham 

Mountaineering Club

The club is in safe hands, despite the President, with Nick Hill pulling the strings. Having spent a year working in the real world solving important engineering problems Nick is perfectly suited to making sure things run smoothly in the world of UBMC. As the clubs very own “Mod Dogger” (It’s a technical climbing term, we promise!) he is ideally positioned to take on the mantle of “safety sec”...who better to see the importance of appropriate gear placement, communication and ropework on the hill than someone who’s own coordination skills are conspiring against him daily. Nick has risen to the dizzying heights of VP from the position of gear sec two years ago so has an in depth knowledge of the club. And it’s nuts.

Need some advice on best safety practice at the crag or just want to tease him about falling off easy routes?

Contact Daddy Nicholas: [email protected]

Alice Purdy is our equivalent of Smaug this year, ferociously guarding the club’s hoard of gold! New to climbing last year she has quickly learnt the ropes and is an ever chirpy addition to this years committee. As a physics student she can be relied upon to competently handle those figures and organises UBMC’s funds to see us safely through the year. Having won the election for treasurer based on a love of spreadsheets and sweets you can be sure Alice will provide UBMC with the funds and fuel required to send hard this year.

Can’t tell if it’s icing sugar or chalk? Contact Alice: [email protected]

Big hair, big psych, big mountaineering fan...the club secretary this year is the one and only Joe Ramsay. An avid trad climber and mountaineer, the only things Joe loves more than climbing is climbing related admin! That last bit may not be true but having spent the last year doing a “real job”, planning an expedition to the high mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and of course being UBMC Web Sec in 2016 Joe is well equipped in the powers of organisation and efficiency for his role as secretary.

An enthusiast of gnarly trad routes involving dirty cracks and gnarly nights out involving womens clothes, Joe is sure to provide comedy and encouragement at any crag/venue the club frequents

Need help with membership or just fancy discussing the virtues of the hand jam vs finger lock? Contact Joe: [email protected]

This ain’t his first rodeo kids...Alex has served his time on the UBMC committee previously as social sec 2017-18. He has promised a range of exciting social themes from yoga to salsa and is always happy to be that bad influence you need on a night out to snobs. Alex is notorious for fraternising with other societies but uses this to the advantage of UBMC by setting up all sorts of joint events...what could be next?!

Our social team are on hand to make sure that UBMC stays a socially competent bunch and to prevent us all becoming boring. 

If you’ve got any amazing ideas for socials or fancy dress themes or want to ask John about the olden days get in touch at - [email protected]

One half of our lean, mean, gear secretary team is Sophie “ Helicopter” Wilson. Sophie is a strong and bold climber and can be found spending her days wistfully eyeing up gnarly trad lines and counting her nuts. She would probably claim some sort of spiritual attachment to all thing climbing gear related which puts her in a good position for holding half of the responsibility for the club’s gear collection! An adventurous soul, Sophie never passes up an opportunity to get helicoptered out of a situation and is always keen for a grand day out.

Our other marvellous gear sec this year is the lovely Dan Pearce. Though relatively new to the club Dan has picked things up quickly and is happiest crushing tricky trad routes out on the gristone in the Peak. As a Geography student he has plenty of time (when not colouring in) to devote to keeping the extensive gear log in check and to lovingly caress the club axes.

Dan is a gentle and cheerful guy but woe betide anyone who mislays a nut, a hex, or heaven forbid...an ice axe...legend has it he turns into a terrifying beast who will hunt a stoat to the ends of the earth to keep UBMC’s gear cupboard inventory intact!

Sophie and Dan have the exciting task of keeping tabs on all the club equipment this year. As confirmed on summer trip, they’re both very protective of the club gear and love nothing more than lending it out and having it returned in one piece. Make sure to return things in good time and complete and you’ll be in their good books!

To request gear or for tips on nut polishing, contact Sophie and Dan- [email protected]

Our first team sec this year is Joe Crolla. His legendary ability to crush hard boulders and sport routes and obsession with training put him in the prime position to co-captain our competitive bouldering team this year. His dedication to encouraging improvement doesn’t stop at the team, if you want tips on training or a bit of motivation Joe is your guy. On the other hand you may have to offer Joe encouragement and support as he makes the tricky step into becoming a trad climber!

P.s. He couldn't find any clothes in the hammock.

Strong stable and nothing like our prime minister Cecilia is our other team sec this year. An extremely skilled climber and experienced climbing coach already Cecilia is the perfect fit for team sec. She can often be found flying up routes with style and panache at the Depot and is a brilliant source of bouldering and sport climbing technique tips!

Cecilia isn’t just a competitive climber though and has been known to attend socials painted head to toe in blue daba dee…

Cecilia and Joe will be managing our bouldering team this year and leading them valiantly into battle with other uni teams at BUCS and LUBE! They are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the team’s performance, the team’s training and friendly comps for everyone to take part in. Contact Joe and Cecilia about all things “team”! - [email protected]

Quite frankly UBMC are set for their media secretary this year. Practically a walking meme, instagram star and general technology whiz, Eve is off to a flying start!

Eve has climbed with the club for a number of years and has taken her new responsibility very seriously. Papping various members of UBMC relentlessly throughout our summer trip to Pembroke and even teaching our VP some slang (Yaaaas Eve)  we can be sure out social media will be “lit” this year and the UBMC will truly be “down with the kids”.

As a final year physicist she also has time management down to a fine art and has lovingly curated the UBMC website and new up to date calendar of events!  

If you’ve got any great pictures from club trips or want to be featured on the club instagram, contact Eve - [email protected]