Know Before You Go

Anyone wishing to participate in activities arranged by, supported by, or facilitated by the club in any way (e.g. arranged using the club’s online forum, or arranged via a club social event) must read and accept the following UIAA participation statement before taking part:

"I accept that climbing, hillwalking, mountaineering and many other outdoor pursuits are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. I am aware of and accept these risks and shall be responsible for my own actions and involvement."

Safety Essentials

  1. Although members are usually happy to offer informal advice, Dundee Mountain Club does not provide group leaders or mountain guides
  2. You are responsible for your own route planning, and having appropriate equipment with you 
  3. You are responsible for your own safety on the hill, and having the necessary skills for your planned activity (e.g. navigating with a map & compass / using an ice axe and crampons) 

Planning your activity / route

Weekend / Multi-Day Meets :-

  • Participants are expected to have looked at maps of the area and route options in advance (the Meets Secretary / trip organiser may send out some relevant links and info to help) 
  • The club Discord and/or club’s pub social should be used to discuss plans and options. 
  • On arrival (usually on a Friday evening), participants will typically finalise plans deciding who is going with whom and agree departure times. 
  • All participants must write their planned activity and route into the DMC routes book along with approximate expected return time (and any likely alternatives e.g. foul weather diversions etc) so that the others on the trip will know if you are overdue (and if so, where you went) 
  • Ensure you have a plan and ASK in advance of the trip if in any doubt (don’t wait until Saturday morning and expect to be able to ‘tag-along’ with someone!)
  • Accommodation prices reflect the level of comfort and facilities and sometimes the location itself e.g. island meets

Day Trips :–

  • All DMC members are encouraged to propose day trips 
  • Plans will typically be made via Discord and/or at the pub social including deciding on a destination, activity, route, meeting point etc.

What To Bring ( scale down as appropriate for day trips )

  • Clothes: waterproof jacket and trousers / good boots / plenty of layers / gloves and hat/ something to sleep in (usually mixed sex dorms). At least one full change of dry clothes to have at the hut.
  • Sleeping bag / pillow / pillowcase are usually needed for ‘huts’ and not needed for ‘hostels’ but there are exceptions – check the posted Discord channel meet information.
  • Food: Breakfast and packed lunch for two days ; dinner if you are not participating in the communal meal. Cars usually stop en route to grab food ; check with the driver that this is in plan.
    Drinks: Soft drinks / tea, coffee etc / evening tipple.
  • Personal medicines, toiletries, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, ear plugs.
  • Equipment: Rucksack, map, compass, whistle, flask, water bottle, headtorch.
    Climbing equipment might be useful – chat to people about plans in advance.
  • Bring some cash as well as a card. Coins can be useful for car parks and may sometimes be needed for showers/electricity etc – check details for the specific meet.

Communal Meal

  • There is a sign-up option for this on most weekend meets, usually the Saturday evening – a main and dessert are typical.
  • Please state any dietary preferences in the notes section of the sign-up form.
  • If you haven’t volunteered to plan, shop, help prepare or cook for this, it is expected that you will help with the clearing and washing-up etc.

Cleaning of huts / bothies / bunkhouses

  • As a club, we should leave the accommodation we use as we would expect to find it.
  • All meet attendees are expected to contribute to this, using guidelines if displayed or sent out in the Discord meet channel.

Skills

Important skills for self reliance and mountain safety include:

Skills Courses (see also Glenmore Lodge and Ancrum)

Weather and Conditions

  • Always check the current and forecast conditions before setting off.
  • In winter, also beware of the risk of avalanches and check the avalanche forecast too.
  • Be ready to adjust your plans accordingly!
  • Don’t rely on standard weather forecasts – temperature, wind strength etc can be vastly different up on the hills from down in the valleys!

Useful forecast links

See useful links for more weather, routes and gear suppliers

Dogs

  • Dogs are not permitted on weekend meets.
  • Dogs are occasionally welcome on day trips, depending on the activity.
    If you wish to bring your dog on a day trip please seek agreement from all other attendees first.