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MEMBERSHIP

The Alpine Club- which includes the Alpine Climbing Group- has

among its members the best of today's active mountaineers. This

unique group of men and women is responsible for much of

mountaineering's development and they are still exploring the

untrodden corners of the greater ranges. The Alpine Club Library is

one of the largest collections of mountaineering literature in the

world. It is a working library, open regularly for reference and

research. If you are climbing regularly in the Alps or the greater

ranges, why not join? Full Membership is open to competent

mountaineers over the age of 21 and Aspirant Membership is

available from age 18 or for those who do not yet qualify for full

membership. Benefits of membership include:

a free Alpine Journal and quarterly newsletters

a free access to the Alpine Club Library

e monthly lectures from prominent mountaineers

a climbing meets in the UK, the Alps and the Greater Ranges

a reduced rates in many alpine huts

a discount on climbing equipment, journals and AC publications

* Full details can be obtained from the Alpine Club,

55/56 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3QT.

Telephone 071-613 0755

MOUNTAIN RESCUE

In Switzerland the rescue services are organised by the police. In the

event of an accident that requires rescue facilities, the following

procedure should be adopted:

Notification of an accident:

If you witness an accident, or one is brought to your attention, and

you consider that it is necessary to obtain help, contact the Canton

police by telephoning 17/117. In practice this is usually done by

alerting the guardian at the nearest hut.

Distress signals in the mountains:

Visual signal: In daylight wave a light/bright coloured piece of

clothing SIX times a minute, wait a minute and start again.

Continue until a response is seen or heard. At night wave a lighted

torch SIX times a minute, wait a minute and start again. Continue

until a response is seen or heard.

Audible signal: Shout or whistle SIX times a minute, wait a minute

and start again. Continue until a response is seen or heard.

Response: Three such signals per minute.

Air rescue:

This is the normal form of search and rescue used in the Alps.

Assistance of this form is requested by the rescue team or rescue

authority. Do not request air rescue for accidents that are not

serious. The UIAA have adopted the ALARM SIGNALS shown

and you are advised to use these when a helicopter or light plane

appears to be taking an interest in you.

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