The Peaks …
Arkle – photo by Bert Barnett
The Society primarily promotes an interest in climbing British hills that are Prominent relative to their surroundings. Predominantly, these are the Marilyns which were researched and listed in Alan Dawson’s 1992 book, ‘The Relative Hills of Britain’ (RHB). All have a prominence (re-ascent or drop) of at least 150m (P150) relative to the adjacent land or sea. There are currently 1,557 Marilyns in Britain which range from Ben Nevis (1344m) to Muldoanich (153m), a small island off the coast of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.
Subsequently, further lists have been developed, mainly by Mark Jackson who firstly researched the Humps with a prominence of 100m (P100) and then the Tumps with a prominence of 30m (P30). There are currently nearly 3000 of the former and a whopping 17,000+ of the latter!
Further afield, the pre-eminent mountains are the Ultras with a prominence of 1500m (P1500). As of 2019, there are 1539 of these but many are in remote areas where mapping is sketchy so there could be more. P1000 Ribus and P600m Majors are also popular with international peakbaggers.
While our focus is prominence-defined, nationwide hill lists, we are a broad church and recognise that there are many other lists (e.g. on hill-bagging, Haroldstreet and Peakbagger websites) and that many members enjoy bagging these too.
In the light of Covid-19 restrictions, we have also created a new Poly Bagging list and Hall of Fame.
The People …
Members on the summit of Dun, St Kilda
The Society was formed in 2016 from a nucleus of members of the RHB Group which had been running since the late 90s. It currently has around 200 members spread from Cornwall to Caithness as well as a smattering from Overseas. To join see Membership Options.
RHSoc has a regular programme of core events, comprising an Annual Dinner/AGM and the infamous Bagger Rambles meets in autumn and spring at hostels or countryside centres. RHSoc also organises trips to St Kilda and other islands with difficult access. Other events are organised by the members, including summit gatherings to celebrate Hall of Fame entries or List completions, usually fuelled by whisky and cake. Members also organise ad hoc hostel bookings or cottage rentals to allow like-minded people to share costs and enjoy good company for mutual bagging objectives.
Members receive an annual Journal, Relative Matters as well as regular Newsletters throughout the year keeping them up to date with events as they occur. Badges are awarded for entry and achievement in the various Halls of Fame.
You can contact the Committee at any time via rhsoc@rhsoc.uk.