The SMC Route Database Is Live!

Over the many years that the Scottish Mountaineering Club, for whom we publish a range of guidebooks, has recorded information on climbing routes in Scotland, much has changed. Since those first few editions of the SMC Journal in the late 1800s, the number of people heading to the crags of Scotland has exploded, and with it the number of new rock and winter climbing routes being recorded has increased (and continues to increase!) at a phenomenal rate.

The SMC now has over 43,000 routes in its database (virtually everything ever climbed), all managed by a dedicated team of volunteers. While we publish thousands of routes across our range of guidebooks, it would be impossible to publish them all in print. Fortunately, since the Journals of the 19th century, technology has also moved on…

Following a recent software release, not only are the route descriptions for all 43,000 available for free, there are also over 1,000 crag diagrams for crags that aren’t included in our guidebooks, plus mapping that allows you to browse crags geographically – perfect for those ‘I wonder if any routes go up there?’ moments when you’re out and about.

You can find all of this information by visiting routes.smc.org.uk, and don’t forget to report your new routes so we can be sure to tell everyone about your future classic!

Images

Pitch 2 Balaton – Rob Lovell

Andy on Fracture Clinic at Ellens Geo – Rob Lovell