Mountaineering group campaigns for support of Welsh names after recent ‘turbulence’

The British Mountaineering Council Cymru (BMC) has emphasised its commitment to the use of the Welsh language following “turbulence” surrounding the use of “disrespectful” English names at a quarry used by climbers.

The BMC also shared its intention to work with national bodies to ensure that original names are used and respected.

In a statement shared with Nation.Cymru, the group representing climbers, walkers and mountaineers in Wales and England, it said: Following the recent unrest surrounding the naming of the Dinorwig Slate Quarries, the BMC would like to emphasise that we are committed to and support the use of the historic Welsh names for all parts of the quarries.

“The BMC is keen to explore ways to create a record of historical information and names that appropriately document and share the traditions and names used by those involved in the quarrying industry for geographical features, unique aspects of this nationally significant culture, the traditions of the time and the more recent history of climbing.

“To achieve this aim we are working with Cadw and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales to develop our approach and support the statutory listing of historic place names.

“We hope that the work done at this stage will encourage future climbers and mountaineers to seek information on historical names around the world, before adding new names where there are already existing names locally.”

Divisions

The British Mountaineering Council Cymru (BMC) previously called for an end to the division between climbers and supporters of Welsh-only place names. According to the BMC, original and newer route names are not mutually exclusive.

In an earlier statement shared with Nation.Cymru, the group said they support the principle of protecting and preserving Welsh language names for geographical areas in Wales, but that there is ‘room for both’ languages ​​and groups.

The calls were made following the promotion of an event commemorating the North Wales Quarrymen’s Union and demands to protect the historic Welsh place names of the Dinorwig Quarry, which have been replaced with English names such as ‘Dali’s Hole’.

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has said it supports the principle of protecting and preserving Welsh language names for geographical features in Wales.

In accordance with this principle, they have adopted the use of Eryri and Bannau Brycheiniog as the official names of these national parks.

Similarly, they support the retention of Welsh place names for the galleries (known to climbers as levels) of the Dinorwig quarries and other slate quarries used for climbing.

Interest

According to the group, many climbers are interested in learning more about the history and culture of the places they climb, and efforts have been made to ensure that many newer climbing guides use the original Welsh names.

The BMC has said it is committed to continuing to promote understanding and information exchange between these two communities. There is now significant overlap between these communities: many of their members, volunteers and two of their staff are Welsh speakers and feel passionate about this subject.

“Interconnected”

BMC Access and Conservation Officer for Wales, Tom Carrick, said: “Having grown up speaking the Welsh language and living in Gwynedd for most of my life, it saddens me to see the conflict between my mother tongue and my sport, passion and career, that’s all. interconnected, in my view there is room for both.”

“It is important to remember our history, but also that climbing has brought a whole new industry to the area and given new meanings to the lines and experiences of climbers.

“We are not alone in the world in struggling with this and I am an advocate of using difficult languages ​​where I can.

“The names Denali, Sagarmatha and Uluru are all more widely used, in the same way we encourage the use of Eryri and Yr Wyddfa. It is great to see these names being encouraged, but through education and demonstration of the importance of our history and traditions not through division.”

“Disrespectful”

The event that brought national attention to the newest divisions was organized by a Facebook group Eryri Wen, founded by Eilian Williams, who said: “The new names given to climbers over the last 40 years are considered disrespectful by most people – often using names taken from fantasy movies (Tolkien etc.).

“Only in the last two years have we become aware of these as they are limited to climbing guides and websites. Lately, these sites have multiplied.”

“Apologists say this disrespect was not intentional, but the result of newcomers failing to mix with the native population and forming their own English-speaking mountaineering groups.”

“Some have suggested that both sets of names should be recognized, but we reject that completely.

“This quarry has been the site of our ancestors and history for over two centuries, and the land for millennia.

“We were offered to landscape the quarry, but we didn’t think it was appropriate because it is a monument to the work and sacrifice of our families.

“This decision resulted in climbers using the terrain for recreation. The least they could have done was to learn our language and the names of the galleries.

“We will push Cyngor Gwynedd and the UNESCO Board to take action.”