The Alpine Club is a British mountaineering organisation founded in London on 22 December 1857. It holds the distinction of being the world’s first mountaineering club.
Established during the golden age of alpinism, the club was formed to support climbers pursuing ascents in the European Alps and, later, expeditions to the greater mountain ranges across the globe. Its founding marked the formalisation of mountaineering as a recognised pursuit, bringing together climbers to share knowledge, plan expeditions and document ascents. Over the subsequent decades, the Alpine Club became the model for mountaineering clubs worldwide, shaping the culture and ethics of alpinism. Its members have included many of the most significant figures in climbing history, and the organisation continues to support contemporary mountaineers tackling challenging routes in high-altitude environments.
