2025: Another Landmark Year for UK Climbing and Mountaineering Amid Rising Conservation Concerns

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, the UK outdoor community finds itself at a crossroads, leading the way in global climbing achievements while also grappling with growing concerns over environmental impact and conservation. Here’s a look at how the British mountain and climbing world is balancing progress and preservation.

Competition Brilliance: A New Era in British Climbing

Another landmark year for british climbing, with dominant performances and exciting new talent emerging across all categories.

This year’s indoor competition scene has been dominated by the rising star Erin McNeice, who made history by winning both the British Bouldering and Lead Climbing Championships—a rare and remarkable feat. Her flawless finals performance and subsequent bronze medal at the Bouldering World Cup in Keqiao, China, have positioned her as one of the UK’s most promising climbers on the world stage.

On the men’s side, Jack MacDougall clinched his second national bouldering title, continuing his strong overall placements in competitive climbing.

Meanwhile, the next generation of British climbers are stepping up and chalking up. Iggy Rinaldi and Spike Fullwood won their under-17 categories, showcasing the UK’s depth of youth talent in the sport, are these the names we’ll be seeing on our screens in the 2028 LA Olympics?

Inclusive Progress: Investing in the Future

Inclusivity and accessibility have taken center stage in 2025. The BMC introduced the new GB Paraclimbing Team, with 36 athletes across nine classifications, aiming for a strong showing at the LA 2028 Paralympics. This initiative is part of a broader movement to ensure equal opportunities in climbing.

UK Sport’s £2.775 million investment into climbing and paraclimbing is set to elevate performance standards nationwide, providing athletes with the support and resources needed to thrive. Adaptive climbing programs and customized routes are rapidly expanding, ensuring that climbing is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability.

Environmental Action: Leading from the Crag

Rising visitor numbers are putting increased pressure on the mountains and those who guide them—how should we respond?

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has launched a bold Climate and Sustainability Action Plan, addressing the sport’s environmental impact head-on. With goals around reducing carbon emissions, restoring degraded landscapes, and promoting responsible mountain use, this initiative reflects a growing awareness of the need to protect the natural environments we explore.

Mountain guides, particularly those working in iconic areas like Snowdonia—which sits at the heart of the UK's outdoor adventures—are embracing these shifts, incorporating sustainable practices into their sessions. Whether it's reducing carbon footprints through more eco-friendly transport options or encouraging groups to follow Leave No Trace principles, mountain guides across the UK and more importantly in high impact areas such as Snowdonia need to evolve and prioritize conservation.

With Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) being a key hub for both mountaineers and walkers, guiding in this area is now more focused on environmental stewardship. Guides are being trained not just in technical skills but in ways to preserve the integrity of the land, ensuring that these magnificent mountains remain accessible for generations to come.

Raising the Bar in Mountain Leadership

For those looking to guide in the UK’s mountainous regions—whether leading a scrambling day in Snowdonia or running multi-pitch climbing skills in the Lake District—there are important updates from Mountain Training. As of January 2025, the syllabi for climbing instructor qualifications have been refreshed to place greater emphasis on leadership, judgment, and environmental awareness.

This is especially relevant for those looking to offer guided mountain experiences in Snowdonia, where demand for high-quality, safe, and environmentally conscious instruction continues to grow. Mountain Leaders are now required to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the natural environment, as well as the safety and well-being of participants.

If you're planning a guided adventure in the Snowdonia mountains, choosing an instructor who is up-to-date with these new qualifications can make all the difference in terms of experience, safety, and environmental responsibility.

Environmental Impact and Conservation Challenges in Eryri

Is Eryri thriving or just surviving the crowds? Can adventure and nature still walk the same path?

While 2025 has seen a surge in interest in outdoor adventure, it has also brought renewed focus to the environmental pressures facing Eryri National Park. As visitor numbers continue to climb—particularly on iconic routes like Snowdon’s Llanberis Path and the knife-edge Crib Goch—so too does the strain on fragile mountain ecosystems.

Erosion of footpaths, increased litter, and the disturbance of wildlife habitats are all growing concerns. Seasonal overcrowding has also led to traffic congestion and parking issues in local communities, prompting calls for more sustainable tourism management. While recent investments in public transport and education campaigns have helped, the scale of the challenge is significant.

The Eryri National Park Authority, alongside conservation groups, has been working to balance access and preservation. Initiatives like volunteer-led path maintenance, habitat restoration, and encouraging responsible behaviour through Leave No Trace messaging are steps in the right direction—but more comprehensive, long-term strategies are needed.

As more people are drawn to the beauty of Snowdonia, the question becomes not just how to welcome them—but how to ensure the mountains can thrive for generations to come.

Eryri National Park

In 2025, Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) continues to be a focal point for environmental, cultural, and adventure tourism developments. Efforts to manage overtourism include better visitor distribution, eco-friendly transport options, and improved waste management, ensuring that the park’s delicate ecosystems are protected. Conservation initiatives are ongoing to preserve rare species and restore habitats, while new safety measures and technology (mobile/cellular masts, path trackers etc..), are being introduced to ensure visitor well-being.

Local events and heritage projects are also spotlighting the rich Welsh culture, while funding is supporting infrastructure improvements and sustainable outdoor experiences. These initiatives, combined with a growing emphasis on sustainable tourism, aim to balance Snowdonia’s natural beauty with the increasing number of visitors each year.

Looking Ahead

A standout year for adventure—but are the wild places we love are feeling the weight of our footsteps?

Whether on indoor walls or remote mountain ridges, 2025 has been a defining year for UK climbing and mountaineering. From record-breaking competition wins to a new wave of leadership and inclusivity, the outdoor community is thriving, driven by passion, progress, and a renewed sense of purpose. Yet alongside this momentum lies a growing tension. As participation rises and footfall increases across our wild spaces, the environmental cost is becoming harder to overlook. Path erosion, habitat disturbance, and the strain on delicate ecosystems remind us that with greater access comes greater responsibility.

The real challenge ahead is not only to keep pushing boundaries—but to ensure that the places we climb, walk, and explore are protected for those who follow…