In late 2025, a miraculous discovery was made at the Alpine Club, London. Hidden away in the basement archive at 55 Charlotte Road, amidst ice axes, tents and geological samples, was a huge collection of glass negatives from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Taken by some of the most famous names in British mountaineering, these photographs offered a tantalising glimpse into the early days of climbing in the Alps and put flesh on the bones of the men who made it possible.
Working with photographic experts Salto Ulbeek, the Alpine Club has chosen some of the best of these images to be reproduced as large-scale platinum-palladium prints. This printing process has transformed that tantalising glimpse into a true window onto the past. One through which you can almost hear the wind whipping at tweed jackets and feel the freshness of the Alpine air.
All of the prints and folios on display are available to purchase, with the proceeds being shared between the Alpine Club and Salto Ulbeek. The exhibition catalogue remains available for your reference here.
‘Long Exposure’ will continue its run at Charlotte Road until the end of October and those wishing to arrange a return visit can make a booking via the Alpine Club website.