Why should I join RAFMA?
It will be fun, you will get subsidised climbing and you will meet like minded people. Interested? Read on…
RAFMA is the official body authorised to promote mountaineering as a sport within the RAF. This means that a variety of support is available to you in terms of transport, kit and finance as a RAFMA member. In addition we are a part of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and RAFMA membership means club membership of the BMC. Aside from all of this we are a lively and sociable organisation where you are sure to meet many like-minded individuals across all ranks and trades in the RAF. So whether you are a 2 star or an LAC it’s all first name terms when it comes to mountaineering – we would like to think that we are a friendly and welcoming bunch.
Meets Programme - Click here for the meets program
The UK meets programme consists of monthly meets, usually at the weekend, in climbing areas across the UK from the North West Highlands to Cornwall. The meets are held at campsites or in bunk house type accommodation (max £7.50 per night), where members self cater or take meals in a near-by pub. All types of mountaineering get done at these meets, dependent on conditions. This can include bouldering, hill walking, scrambling, rock climbing, winter climbing (snow, ice and mixed), ski touring occasionally or even indoor climbing if it gets too wet. These activities are not formally organised so if you are already competent then you are free to go off and do your own thing. If you would like someone more experienced to climb with or some instruction, then the meet co-ordinator will ensure that you get looked after. There will be a certain level of scrutiny of what activity you are up to so as to ensure that risks have properly been assessed you have the appropriate skills and equipment. We won’t stop you going off to bag an E9 or IX if you are up to it though! Evenings are invariably spent in the local pub. Travel to RAF sport is at public expense, subject to local budgetary conditions. The meets programme is the mainstay of RAFMA activity and meets really make for entertaining and cheap weekends away.Rock Week
Rock week is held each year over a week in the summer to bring on member’s rock climbing skills. Increasingly we are making use of in-house and external instructors to provide members with Joint Service Adventurous Training(JSAT) qualifications.
Winter Week
Winter week is held in Scotland each year and is the ideal opportunity to learn to use axes and crampons and to learn safe travel in the Winter Mountains. These skills can be used on expeditions to larger mountains overseas. We generally have places available in the CIC hut below the north face of Ben Nevis – one of the world’s premier ice climbing areas.
Annual Dinner
The Annual dinner and AGM is held each November with an option of staying at discounted rates in a decent country hotel or making use of Service accommodation at £3.00 per night. Either way a decent party normally ensues. Sometimes members even go climbing!
Joint Services Alpine Meet
Each summer there is a meet held in the European Aps where members can learn the techniques involved in scaling glaciated mountains at high altitutde. You can take JSAT courses up to instructor level or climb as equals. This is an ideal precursor to getting on larger expeditions and really allows you to take your UK climbing to the next level.
Expeditions
Single Service and Joint service expeditions are held at least once per year to mountains and climbing destinations all over the world. This could be bouldering in Font or scaling an 8000m Himalayan giant. We try to run a variety of expeds and itineraries to suit all tastes from extreme alpinist to gentle trekker. These expeditions are organised under the auspices of the Joint Services Adventurous Training scheme and funding is provided through a mixture public money, Service Funds, sponsorship and personal contributions. Recent expeds have included rock climbing in the Lofoten Islands (Norway), ski mountaineering in the Yukon wilderness (Canada) and trekking and high altitude mountaineering in and around Makalu (8463m Nepalese Himalaya).
Climbing Competitions
There are annual RAF and interservices competitions held at a variety of indoor climbing walls. Recently the Combined Services team has participated in the European Military Climbing Championships. Plans are also afoot to develop a military ice climbing championship. If you fancy having a go in the novice categories or reckon you can crank out a 7 or 8 why not come along?
Equipment
RAFMA has a stock of specialist equipment such as high altitude tents and radios which are available for loan. Local AT stores may be able to provide you with some equipment to participate in RAFMA meets.
Climbing/Walking Partners
Moving around so much as we do in the RAF it can be difficult to find climbing partners. RAFMA provides you with a bank of people to get out into the hills with in your own time. The forum on this site allows you to hook up with likeminded individuals who you may have climbed with on official meets.
BMC Membership – see www.thebmc.co.uk
BMC club membership is included with RAFMA membership. The benefits include 3rd party liability insurance for mountaineering activities, reciprocal rights to alpine huts, various publications and advice, access to specialist travel insurance and much more. Importantly the BMC works hard to protect access to some of the climbing and mountain areas which we enjoy using. Also membership of the BMC is required to access the civilian instructor awards such as the SPA and Mountain Leader awards.
Coaching
RAFMA will be funding a series of coaching events to help you improve your climbing abilities. Who knows, it might be just what you need to get you up that boulder or climbing project.
Journal
A quarterly e-news letter
Discounts
We have negotiated some very good discounts with gear suppliers, retailers and climbing walls. These include Montane, DMM, Cotswold Outdoors and The Outdoor Shop. Details of these offers are found on the RAFMA forum.
Summary
With an annual membership subscription of only £15 pounds, it makes sense to join RAFMA if you are eligible. With the current operational tempo you may not be able to participate in many meets, even so you will be most welcome when you do find time. Whilst some climbers in RAFMA have gone on to do some amazing routes we are definitely not an elitist bunch – you will find a friendly face if you are thrutching on a V diff or if you find yourself out of breath scaling Ben Nevis!
Get involved!
RAFMA membership is only one form away – click the link below to get involved!
Click here for a membership application form.
Click here for a list of Subscription Benefits