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My daughter said she wants to scramble up rocks on a mountain. Great! Except she's lazy and hates to walk. So we need something short with entertaining rocky bits but no slog. I think my usual go-to route on Moel Siabod would be to much of a slog on the way down
My problem is I need to see routes through her eyes not mine, as I last did this kind of thing in my 20s where I enjoyed the exercise.
Perhaps one of the smaller ranges? But stuff like Rhinogs whilst shorter is further from roads so requires more walking.
Little tryfan?
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/tryfan_fach-490/#little_tryfan_slabs
Caveat grimpeur, I've never actually climbed there, but it's the obvious answer to your question.
Does it have to be a mountain You've got some great places to scambles on sea cliffs near where you live and coasteering if she swims and likes water.
On Tryfan a rope would be wise with a child, I've climbed there.
Depending upon whether you consider it 'scrambling', ands how confident she is on the rock, but a couple of Moderate graded routes:-
Ordinary Route, Milestone Buttress (Tryfan) 230ft Mod - starts practically at the roadside (OK, maybe 300 yards from the carpark)
Ordinary Route, Idwal Slabs 475ft Mod, I have seen a spaniel soloing it... The downside of that one being the rather awkward descent off the back of the slabs. But again, not much more than 3-parts of a mile from a carpark, and there's icecream at the cafe when you get back.
Otherwise you could probably make a steep scramble out of some of the craglets and bluffs on the way up the steep end of Pen yr Ole Wen from Pont Pen-y-benglog, the advantage (to some of us, anyway) being that it ends on a summit. It's not too much of a slog to get back down via the east ridge.
Climbing the ridge of little Tryfan would be good or possibly the descent route off milestone buttress or one of the crags in the Pass. The issue there is the descent is the same.
Could always go to the RAC boulders at Chapel. The Pass boulders are a bit near the road but possible too.
Can't think of more offhand but will look up the scrambles guide I have later. How hard a scramble? Do you want just hands out of pockets interest or do you want a roped climb you can do in trainers?
Down to Gower and mess about on Three Cliffs, always an ice cream van at either car park and nice cafe at Pennard stores.
If you’re looking for excuses to head north there are plenty of nice outcrops north of Llangollen on the Panorama walk, especially at Worlds End, all close to the road or a good path.
Hmm yes I was thinking of roping up Alpine style but I could easily get another harness and rope up properly. That would open up all those easy little outdoor centre climbs. And she might be inspired to continue further up!
@edukator she specified mountains, she wants to be in lonely wild places. But doesn't want to walk or ride far...
she specified mountains, she wants to be in lonely wild places. But doesn’t want to walk or ride far…
Classic. Have you offered to give her a piggyback?
It was easier back when I could do that 🙂
Little Tryfan scramble would be a perfect location but afaic it's more rock climbing for a child than scrambling. it goes high and continuously reasonably steep so you'd def want to be leading her on a rope or setting up a top rope for her to play on the bottom section, which means that you'd need to feel you were competent. I think you start at the left end for the scramble.
There's a big easy angled slab just beyond Gladstone rock on the Watkins path, you can see it on Google maps satellite view.
NB it was a long time ago that we walked past it on the path and went up it, seem to recall it was quite fun, but don't blame me if it turns out to be not worth the walk.
BTW little Tryfan is so close to the road iirc that you could go and have a look anyway, if it's not suitable then you won't have lost out much.
Park at the Bus Stop Quarry at Dinorwic.
Through the gate and into the quarry. Play to your hearts content.
Easy, unimtimidating scrambing up the inclines, tunnels, wide paths with exposure.
If you get to the top and she still wants more, up the hillside to Eledir Fawr. 'Proper' mountain. Great fun.
Buy her a wooly hat and go bouldering 🙂
Seriously , Little Tryfan would be my starter for 10
There’s a big easy angled slab just beyond Gladstone rock on the Watkins path, you can see it on Google maps satellite view.
I think that is Gladstone Slab which I have climbed/scrambled up, albeit a very long time ago, i think thats a hard scramble/very easy climb from what I can recall
Edit, its this im thinking of, not sure if that really is Gladstones Slab.
https://earth.app.goo.gl/1cqFrQ
Tbh, if in Eryri id probably just head to foot Tryfans North ridge and eyeball some short lines that can be walked off then repeat on a new line.
Tryfan North Ridge (lots of short pitches which can be included or avoided at will). would be my choice too but it is quite a schlep up the the start of it and back down.
Does it have to be Wales?
Capel Curig pinnacles?
Fachwen. I know it is now boulder central but there are some scrambly bits.
Spaniel on the Ordinary route! Even before I finished the sentence I was wondering about the descent. That would be worth a watch.
Doesn't have to be Wales but they are our closest mountains, that being where we live. Although we do live in the South.
Spaniel on the Ordinary route! Even before I finished the sentence I was wondering about the descent. That would be worth a watch.
Pah, the descent from Idwal is easy.
IMO part of the satisfaction of scrambles, and so much out in mountains and nature, is the effort you've put in to get there.
I'm less keen on the McDonalds-ification of outdoor adventures.