Founded in 1948 and the oldest of the 3 British Service mountaineering bodies, the Royal Air Force Mountaineering Association (RAFMA) is responsible to the RAF Sports Board for the sport of mountaineering within the Royal Air Force. RAFMA provides members with a variety of outdoor opportunities – hill walking, rock climbing, ski moutaineering, indoor climbing and meets in the Alps and Greater Ranges. The latest meets itinerary can be found on the Events Page.

Participation Statement: RAFMA recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

RAF Mountainfest

RAFMA will be welcoming new members and guests to the RAF MOUNTAINFEST due to be held over the weekend of 7 -9 May 10 in the Lake District’s stunning Langdale Valley. We will be camping near the famous Old Dungeon Ghyll Pub at the National Trust campsite. There will be something for everyone with superb fell walking, rock climbing and bouldering within walking distance. A series of workshops will be run to cater for beginner through to advanced hill walkers and climbers. See the attached poster and info sheet for further details.

Tri-Service Bouldering League Results

The final round of the tri-service league took place at the Joint Service Mountain Training Centre Indefagitable climbing wall on 13 Feb 10. The league consisted of 5 bouldering competitions at climbing walls across the UK. The top 3 scores of each contestant were added together to produce a total which generated the league rankings. The league is set to run again next winter and the RAF will be hoping to challenge for places at the top.

The final results:

1. Surg Lt Glenie RN

2. SLt Packer RN

3. Capt Odling Army

Highest placed RAF:

7. SAC Twinley - RAF Wittering

15. SAC(T) Easton - RAF Benson

18. Fg Off Coles - RAF Lyneham

RAF Climbing Competition - 2010

This years RAF Climbing Competition will be held in Wolf Mountain in Wolverhampton on 23 June, for more information see the attached poster and also please visit the forum.

RAFMA Bolivian Exped - 2010

RAFMA will be going to Bolivia for its major expedition in 2010. The trip will take place in Sep and consist of 2 teams based from La Paz. The Main team will be made up of 10 personnel (a mixture of experienced and novice mountaineers) and will be in country for approx 18 days; their trip will culminate with an attempt on Illimani, a PD+ route above 6000m. The Climbing team will be made up of 6 personnel (all with experience of high altitude mountaineering and competent at seconding on HVS ground) and will be in country for approx 25 days; their trip will also culminate on Illimani via an alpine ascent of the West Branch of the North Ridge. The route is 5km long, with the lower East-facing rock buttress giving pitches from III to V+ between 5000 and 5500m and the higher section consisting of mixed ground and ridgeline up to AD+.

For full details of this and other expeditions please see the expeditions tab in the forum.

STOP NOTICE - Auto Belayer Descenders

Please see attached an immediate stop notice for the use of Redpoint and and Auto-Belay Descenders issued by MSA 14 Oct 09.

British Services Antarctic Expedition - 2012

The British Services Antarctic Expedition 2012 is an expedition to explore and climb remote areas of the Antarctic Peninsula. For more details click here for the poster and for the DIN and Application form please see the forum.

British Services Makalu (SE Ridge) Exp 2010

Planning for a return to the South East Ridge of Makalu (8463m) in spring 2010 (pre-monsoon) is now well underway. The expedition will comprise a team of 8 climbers drawn from across the 3 services with the sole objective of the expedition being an ascent of the South East Ridge. Applications are invited from RAFMA members who are interested in being a member of the expedition. For more information see the expeditions tab.