Castle Mountaineering Club – environmental guidelines

[Geoff Nichols]

Castle Mountaineering Club – environmental guidelines

As a club we recognize that climate change is a major challenge. These guidelines are suggestions to limit our impact on the environment.

Travel:
Travel probably makes up the greatest part of our adverse environmental impact.
• Encourage lift sharing through the Whatsapp groups.
• Plan some meets which use locations accessible by public transport.
• Think if flying is the best option for getting places.
Kit:
• Encourage members to get kit repaired, such as through Alpkit or Re-action. Some companies, such as Patagonia and Paramo, offer this service.
• Repurpose/recycle or donate your older equipment. Maybe to other club members or charities like refugee support groups or the Archer Project. Advertise unwanted kit on the Whatsapp groups. We could have a kit exchange or sale evening.
• The Foundry and Awesome Walls have recycling for ropes and nylon kit.
• Buy kit made from natural fibres? Buy second hand kit? Exchange kit with other club members.
• Get club T shirts which are responsibly sourced.

On the hills and crags:
• Walk on paths rather than alongside paths to minimize erosion.
• Keep a spare carrier bag to collect litter. (Use a biodegradable doggy bag for banana skins and orange peel).
• Use less chalk.
• Avoid setting up trad climbs with top ropes.
• Think before taking a photo. Could there be a negative impact from publishing this location further?
• The Peak Park guidance on dogs on open access land is: ‘you must use a fixed lead of no more than 2 metres from 1 March to 31 July in order to protect ground-nesting birds and at all times near livestock. On grouse moors and during the lambing season, dogs may be excluded but this does not affect the public footpaths and bridleways. Please look out for signs that will explain this. You can also check on the Natural England website, which has up-to-date information about dog restrictions’.

Inspire others:
• Encourage others to adopt good environmental practice on the hill.
• Engage environmental causes and perhaps volunteer time towards these? The BMC, Moors for the Future, RSPB, etc.

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