On the beach at the Big Weekend Out 2011 in Snowdonia

Whether you’re new to Lancaster University or just fancy trying something different, next term is the best time to join LUHC! This little guide aims to summarise some of the key information you’ll want to know, from how to join to what we do and where we go.

You can join us at the Freshers’ Fair (we’ll be in the Great Hall), at our Introduction Talk (Monday of week 1, 7pm in Faraday Lecture Theatre), or any term weekday at the Farday Foyer, between 1-2pm.

Why join LUHC?

There are many reasons why we reckon we’re the best society on campus, and the best hiking club in the UK!

• Largest society in Lancaster and one of the biggest outdoor clubs in the UK, means we are able to offer walks for all abilities, from gentle bimbles around lakes to epic peak-bagging missions, catering for everyone from modest Lakeland fell walkers to serious alpine mountaineers.
• Membership is only £12, Sunday trips are only £7 and weekend trips are normally £20-30. We think this is great value for money, especially with petrol prices being what they are at the moment!
• We have a huge selection of gear, from maps and compasses to crampons and ice axes, which is available for you to borrow for your own use if you wish.
• As well as all this hiking, we have a great social atmosphere in the club. Every Monday night we meet in a pub for our weekly social, and plan many other socials throughout the year, from ceilidhs to meals. Check out the social section of the website.
• As a member, you get 10% discount at Ultimate Outdoors in Lancaster.

Summit of Binnein Shuas on a trip to Roy Bridge in 2011

What’s happening next term?

We’ve got some great events planned for next term – check out our calendar for full details, or download a printable copy from here.

• Social weekend in Rydal, week 2. We’re heading to Rydal in the Lakes this year for our annual social weekend. While this weekend does involve hiking it is mainly a welcome to the Club with most of the Exec planning memorable ways to help you learn lots of new names. Sign-up starts after the Introduction Talk in Week 1. Photos from last year’s Social Weekend.
• Fright Hike, Monday week 4. The scariest hike of your life! More details to follow.
• Glencoe, week 5. This is your first chance to experience Scotland for the weekend and it’s rather special. We’ve been doing this for so many years that LUHC alumni know to turn up and enjoy the good old times once more. Photos from last year’s Glencoe trip.
• Ceilidh, Friday week 7. Back by popular demand, you can’t beat a good ceilidh! More details to follow.
• Much, much more…

How do I sign up for things?

We’re at the Faraday Foyer every term weekday between 1-2pm, and this is when we take signs up for trips and any socials that may be going on. You can also join the club here, ask any general questions you may have or just come along for a chat and get to know your exec!

In addition to this, you can sign up for week 1′s Sunday trip to Langdale and the Social Weekend in Rydal (week 2) at our Introduction Talk which is held on the Monday of week 1.

Our social secretaries, Holli and Matt, at a summer BBQ in 2011

Stay in contact with the club

We send members a newsletter each week with details of what’s going on, but you can also keep up to date with events by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter or adding us to one of your circles on Google+. We use Picasa to store all of our photos, and you can see these on our Google+ account.

More info and the LUHC Wiki

Check out the rest of our website for more information about the club, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can always contact us via email. Here’s a selection of what you might be interested in:

• The Members’ Handbook. You’ll receive one of these when you join the club, but here’s an online version as well.
• What to bring on trips. Find out the gear you need to bring along with you on our trips.
• Becoming a leader or driver. Find out how to lead walks or drive minibuses for us.
• The current Exec. Find a bit out about the current Exec who are in charge of making things run smoothly!
• Scrambling. Want to get a bit more fun and exhileration out of the hills?
• Winter walking. Interested in heading to the hills as the snow sets in?
• A bit more general information about us.

We’ve recently set up a wiki called the LUHC Wiki. Although it’s only in its early stages, hopefully in the future this will provide a wealth of knowledge about the locations we visit, but also on the club as a whole. You’re more than welcome to contribute yourself!