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not the motorbike kind, the mountain kind.
I'd like some scrambling in the mountains. I'm pretty comfortable with heights, climbing and navigation but actually I'd quite like to do a weekend guided/course.
1-2 days, probably snowdonia as that's the closest to the sunny south-west.
to google there are tons of different providers, mostly one man bands.
aside from just going to plas-y-brenin has anyone got any recommendations?
Tryfan North Ridge, then onto Bristly Ridge is a splendid day out.
Striding Edge then Swirral edge is also absolutely superb.
Both of those are great starting points, and don't need a rope. Absolutely loads to go at in Snowdonia, some of which is easier if you can use a rope and read a rock route.
It's very addictive, and for me just lead me into the Trad Rock Climbing direction.
If you've got any week days off over August, then I'd be happy to take you out and show you a few routes.
aside from just going to plas-y-brenin has anyone got any recommendations?
They're probably the best in the business, done loads of courses with them over the years.
Yes, I have done a few courses with these : https://www.peakmountaineering.com/product-category/scrambling/
10/10
Yeah, I'd pick PyB. Get them to throw in a bit of actual climbing as well, it's even more fun!
Tom,thanks for the offer, and maybe in the future. for now the 2 day PyB course looks like it could work, although the five day course is tempting too.
I can recommend this guy:
Booking a guide might be expensive though, unless you can get others to share the cost.
Yea, Tryfan North ridge is a classic grade 1 (easy) scramble. The big rocks may look intimidating from a distance but up close you'd be surprised how many footholds there are + how safe it is.
I would just have a go with mates, or go somewhere there's a crowd.
The weather makes the most difference - wet rock is a LOT less grippy than dry rock!
Scrambling you say? I wouldn't, it's rubbish. As I confirmed in Glencoe this weekend.
Aye, scrambling is shyte.
Update. Did a two day intro to scrambling with PyB this weekend. Only me booked on so ended up 1:1. Tryfan north ridge, bristly ridge and down gribin on day 1
day 2 wasn’t so special.
Spent the day in the PyB training wall building belay anchors, practicing lead climbing and then sport climbing in the main wall until my arms gave up.
good weekend.
As above Tryfan and Bristly ridge but always very busy on Tryfan . Sharp edge on Blencathra is another shout and Idea if you fancy the Helvellyn ridges on day two.
Excellent.
So, where next?
yeah,where next?
Esk gorge. Best of its kind in the UK. Quite possibly one of the best in Europe.
Although admittedly probably not so much for the next 8 months
moel siabod is a fun scramble, low grade but this can be tweaked by choosing harder lines on the way up.
the summit view on a clear day is arguably the best in Snowdonia
Sharp edge on Blencathra is another shout and Idea if you fancy the Helvellyn ridges on day two.
They're pretty boring by Lake District standards.
I'd try something like Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark as the next step up.
Fault line bottom right to top left across Pavey Ark:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/3846/14593613213_bfbdf0b62e.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/3846/14593613213_bfbdf0b62e.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oeA5LV ]Pavey Ark[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
The wife's bottom....
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/2923/14571491984_e2a0ca9e1a.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/2923/14571491984_e2a0ca9e1a.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ocCGUq ]Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/3848/14549202426_d34e6dab02.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/3848/14549202426_d34e6dab02.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oaEsZG ]Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/2895/14571878952_30c4bcaa33.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/2895/14571878952_30c4bcaa33.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ocEFWh ]Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
It's neither sustained nor technical, but the next progression with a set of slightly trickier problems in succession with plenty of breaks in between them.
Whereas Striding Edge is just a walk with one 2m down / up climb on it. Sharp edge is pretty much the same - nothing there really...
Where next? A flight to Glasgow for some real world work, and then probably laps of the dewerstone to hone some rusty, dusty climbing skills..
They’re pretty boring by Lake District standards.
I think straightforward is the phrase I'd use, but I'd argue they're both must do, if you've never done them before.
Loads of great scrambles in Snowdonia and lakes, just buy the guidebooks and off you go.
Did they teach you any rope work? Moving together alpine style, running belays, using natural belays, direct belays etc etc
I dragged a few mates up Jacks Rake years ago, probably a bit above a few of their level of comfort in hindsight but it’s a classic nonetheless.
If progressing to graded trad routes, Corvus on Raven Crag in Borrowdale is unmissable. Superb climbing, setting and just enough exposure for a route of its grade. After that, maybe Tennis Shoe on Idwal Slabs? I could go on…
I dragged a few mates up Jacks Rake years ago, probably a bit above a few of their level of comfort in hindsight but it’s a classic nonetheless.
Aye, its not hard but there would be consequences to getting it wrong in places. Not trying to put anyone off but I've seen a few people having a 'mare on Jack's Rake over the years.
I love that Alex Honnold refers to climbing at possibly the grade climbed by most weekend warriors as scrambling.
This summer in between bouts of proper climbing, have really got into exploring the fells of the Lake district, scrambling and soloing long mountain routes up to severe, the feeling of uncluttered movement on lovely rock with exposure and the odd tricky move has been liberating, no gear faff just swinging about on jugs above the abyss is hard to beat, not for everyone of course, but i have been climbing for decades and always loved the occasional soloing mission into the mountains and glad to still have the urge.
Did they teach you any rope work? Moving together alpine style, running belays, using natural belays, direct belays etc etc
not on the hill. The intro course is a no ropes course but because we were 1:1 and I’ve done a bit of climbing on the past, we spent the manky weather on the Sunday as a refresher and going over the basics. would have been a very different experience on the 4:1 ratio it’s supposed to run at.
<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">The wife’s bottom….</span>
You mean she's near the bottom? To be fair most pics taken on climbs tend to towards the arse shot. Unless you go for the dodgy selfie
... failing to freak out the lad on Curved Ridge, Glencoe last autumn (which is where I'd head from Glasgow). "Dad, if I let go I'll die..." "Er, don't let go then!" Good laugh.
Lakes? Up Pinnacle Ridge, St Sunday Crag, down one of the Helvellyn ridges. Years since I've done this so must find time this autumn. Probably return via Nethermost Pike as I've never done it. Or maybe Middlefell Buttress and on up Stickle Pike I think it is. Have a rope in the bag for all these.
I did pinnacle ridge on thursday not for the first time, it's a strange one for a scramble touted as being one of the best in the Lakes, it's pretty forgettable imho , Grisedale is a picteresque valley so bonus there, the flog up the hill and traverse have nothing going for them, but it was all worthwhile for the line right? nope what line, it is escapable and the crux groove and pinnacle are out of character with the rest, it's just so short.
But must admit to having an existential crises as i thought the reward not worth the effort of getting there, on this day, pretty sure i enjoyed it more last time, but that was winter.
The bigger routes like Aonach Eagach or Castle Ridge on the Ben are more fun as you get into a rhythm on them.
Whereas Striding Edge is just a walk with one 2m down / up climb on it. Sharp edge is pretty much the same – nothing there really…
Sharp edge sees a number of serious injuries from long falls each year, and many more crag fast or near misses. I would be cautious of treating it lightly, despite being grade 1 and straightforward in the dry, the rock is like soap in the damp or wet. It is a hotspot for our rescue team.
cheers
Tom
Arse shot. Followed someone up Jacks Rake once with an interesting choice of virtual underwear and a skirt