AUMC|Geckos

In 1991 a company named Bendcrete built a 48sqm coated concrete bouldering wall in the Gem Sports Centre. This wall is highly regarded for its difficult and often strenuous climbing, and is a true gem often under appreciated. The centre staff once said to a visiting climber, Charles Arthur, that “[its] not for beginners. It's a bouldering wall 14' high and 35' long. We don't hire equipment. There’s never a queue”.

Between 1998 and 2000, one of AUMCs past club secretaries Jon Dittman set the infamous JD bouldering problem on the Gem Wall, one that continues to frustrate members and in 2005 led to the clubs only major injuries.

The two years following the turn of the century saw a decline in what had been one of Aston’s most popular club. In 2000 the AUMC held its last Christmas Dinner meet at Fairy Falls Hotel in Wales. This was attended by some eighty past and present members. A year later the clubs ranks had decreased to a mere dozen.

The rejuvenation of the club has been slow these past few years, but the commitment and dedication of subsequent committees is now bringing the club back to strength. In 2002, following Aston Guild’s policy towards clubs, the AUMC chose to associate itself with the Gecko, which is now the established alias for the club.

A charity climb, which is now an annual tradition, was begun by Edward Austin in 2005. This helped to raise several hundred pounds for comic relief. In the summer of 2005 a two-week trip to the Moroccan High Atlas was organized and ascents during the expedition included North Africa’s highest peaks- Jebel Toubkal (4167m), Akioud (4030m) and an aborted summit bid on Ouanoukrim (4090m). The club put up a host of new routes ranging from VD to HVS.

In 2006 legendary climber Johnny Dawes attended the charity event and also held a master class for the AUMC. In the summer the club went to the Alps, where Edward Austin and Mark Gaud climbed Mont Blanc (4808m). Other members bagged a host of winter and summer 3000m peaks across Europe, including the Sierra Nevada, Pyrenees and the Swiss Alps.

In 2007 several members were beginning to lead consistently above E1. There were a record number of trips, the academic year ending with a two week trip to Mallorca, and the first alumni trip to the Pyrenees.