Mountaineering and Climbing Ethics
The most fundamental aspect of the sport/pastime of hill walking and mountaineering is summed up by W H Murray, second president of the MCofS (1972-1974) and world renowned mountaineer, conservationists and author, in his statement:
“Here is a field of free action in which nothing is organised, or made safe or easy or uniform by regulation: a kingdom where no laws run and no useful ends fetter the heart
Ethical issues can often seem ambiguous, and mountaineering ethics especially so to non-climbers or those new to mountaineering. When asked to define them, even many climbers would have difficulty, although they know how they affect their activity when they do it.
Mountaineering ethics are a set of ideals that act as parameters by which we conduct ourselves and they define our actions. They help us make decisions about every aspect of mountaineering, including where we climb, how we climb, how we treat our climbing environment and how we wish our sport to develop in the future.
These pages attempt to define some of the core ideas in mountaineering / climbing ethics but, be aware that ethics are never static and are constantly evolving.
Such changes are often agreed at through discussion and dialogue and the MCofS website Pitch-in pages offer opportunities for continuing the ethical debate.
Climbing in Scotland (Statement)
- An Explanation of How Climbing is Conducted (NEW 2010)
Mountaineering Ethics in Scotland
- Adventure and Participation
- Risk and Risk Management
- Self Reliance
- Rescue
- Instruction / Leadership and Risk
- Adventure=Experience=Safer Activity
Mountaineering Ethos – MCofS Guidance
- Mountaineering Ideals
- What are Climbing Ethics?
Climbing Codes of Good Practice (in Scotland)
- Crag Code
- Nesting Birds and Climbing
- Wild Camping Code
- Where to "GO" in the Great Outdoors
International Codes (The UIAA)
Pitch-in
- Discussion Forum
- Articles and Reports