History
Keeping in touch with friends and carrying on climbing
– all very important motives – were the reasons
for the formation of the Graduate mountaineering club of
the University of London in 1950. First named as the Senior
Branch of the University of London Mountaineering Club
(ULMC), it later became known as the University of London
Graduate Mountaineering Club (ULGMC).
ULMC had begun its life in 1945 when the climbing scene was
vastly different to today. There was little accommodation
in Snowdonia, camping equipment was poor and expensive and
transport very limited. Right from the start ULMC aimed to
have its own hut and it was thanks to the help of Professor
Huggett, Professor of Physiology at St. Mary’s
Hospital that the ambition was achieved. Caseg Fraith is
built on National Trust land, the NT having acquired the
Penrhyn estate on Lord Penrhyn’s death. Caseg was
officially opened in 1961. ULGMC played a key role in
obtaining Caseg’s site, helping to finance the
building and providing Trustees and a Hut Warden. Read more: “The beginnings of Caseg
Fraith”
Throughout the 1950s, ULGMC regarded itself as a London
based club, holding indoor meets and dinners at various
pubs. However, as time passed and its membership increased
no longer were those members to be found mainly in the
London area. Annual dinners were held in North Wales and
later in other climbing areas. Read more: “An extract from the Log
Book December 1950”
The Club archives record many of the exploits of its early
members – the Karakoram, Greenland, Kenya and South
America were among many places round the world that
attracted our members’ attentions. Members also made
their mark in the mountains of Europe and many were the
routes accomplished. Read more: “A Himalayan
Odyssey”
The 1970s opened up new prospects, the chief of which was
the acquisition of Fallcliffe cottage in the Peak District.
The cottage was not without its problems – it needed
a piped water supply, drainage and first and foremost
planning consent for use as a club hut. The story of the
dealings with the various planning authorities beggars
belief, especially as throughout the negotiations there was
every danger of losing the property to another purchaser.
However all came together and with much help from many
members the cottage was ready for its opening in December
1971. Read more: ”The acquisition of
Fallcliffe Cottage”
The history of ULGMC has, to a large extent, marched
alongside that of ULMC. The 16th March 1996 saw the two
clubs celebrating the 50th anniversary of ULMC at a
function at the Alpine Club premises in London. Read more: “ULMC 50th
Anniversary”
And in 2000 it was time for the
50th anniversary of ULGMC. Read more: "ULGMC 50th Anniversary".
Jill Bennett has edited the 'full' version of the history
and it is now available now to download, click here of you want to jump to
it.
The amount of background material on Caseg Fraith in the
Club Archives is still remarkably sparse, and I would be
very grateful for any papers which members may hold. Please
contact the newsletter editor.
Download the file below to read about the 50th year
celebration in the club's anniversary book:
ULGMChistory