Scrambles in Snowdonia and North Wales
We are able to offer scrambling courses at various levels; we can help you take your first steps onto grade 1 scrambles, give you the extra skills and confidence to tackle your own grade 3's or guide you up the classic scrambles that abound in North Wales.
Scrambling with an instructor will give you the experience to gauge the difficulty of a route and teach you how to protect both yourself and your partner on steep ground. You will learn about all aspects of the rope work used on scrambles; running belays, moving together, direct belay techniques, abseiling & short roping.
Scrambling the great ridges of North Wales is a perfect introduction to the world of mountaineering. The skills learnt from an instructor whilst scrambling will give you the the basics for moving competently and safely over steep, rocky terrain and allow you to enjoy some of the best mountain routes in the UK.
The capable scrambler moves far faster than a rock climber and it is that freedom of movement that makes long, sustained scrambles so much fun. The art of scrambling is about efficient rope work; being able to switch smoothly between soloing without a rope to moving together using a shortened rope, coils and natural runners for protection and then when necessary being able to pitch the short, hard sections.
We like to try and do all our instruction whilst on the hill so that the information is as authentic as possible - from the first day you will be out in the mountains doing plenty of scrambling on North Wales classic ridges and gullys
On a scrambling course lasting 1-2 days you'll get a taste for scrambling and at the end should be able to second scrambles of most difficulties. If you are looking at leading routes and being more independent then you will need more time. A 3-5 day course will let us help you progress from never having scrambled before to the possibility of leading your own scrambles in a controlled and confident manner at the end of the week.
The ideal ratio for scrambling instruction is 2 or 3 clients to 1 instructor. We can offer individual instruction, but this does limit our ability to teach some topics effectively i.e. when an instructor is teaching the client how to belay, it is best if there is a third person scrambling on the end of the rope for it to be a realistic exercise. On guided scrambles it is possible to lead with ratios of up to 1:4, however this higher ratio it will only be possible to undertake easier scrambles. The best guiding ratio for more challenging scrambles is 1:1 or 1:2
We provide all the technical equipment that you will need; ropes, harnesses, protection and helmets. You will be using the latest equipment from DMM and Mammut as Silvia is sponsored by these companies.
There are many brilliant scrambles in Snowdonia and some of the most popular include:
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Cneifion Arete (Ogwen) - Grade 3. This is a superb arete with an alpine feel that lies above Llyn Idwal. The hardest part of the scramble is at the start with very steep rock, ut the holds are good. Above there are lots of flakes and spikes to use as both hand holds and as protection. The top half of the route is a good place to practice moving together whilst roped-up. This scramble is quite exposed so you will need a head for heights.
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Grib Goch (Llanberis Pass) Grade1/2. Crib Goch (Red Ridge) is in the Snowdon Massif and forms part of the Snowdon Horseshoe. It is a massively exposed scramble that starts as a broad rib then higher up turns into a classic knife edge ridge with steep sides and a very narrow top. It is possible to carry on scrambling to Snowdon Summit if you have any energy or adrenaline left over.
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Bristly Ridge (Ogwen) Grade 1/2. This is an absolutely classic scramble and possibly the best grade 1 in Wales. It is possible for the fit to combine this with a scramble on Tryfan for a long, but very satisfying day out.
However there are any other routes that offer equally good days out in possibly quieter surroundings: Clogwyn Y Person arete on Clogwyn y Ddysgyl or for the more experienced the intimidating Sentries Ridge on Mynydd Mawr.
If you want some background information then there are several guides to scrambling in North Wales, but probably the best are Scrambles and Easy Climbs in Snowdonia and Scrambles in Snowdonia
There is also a useful online resource at UKScrambles.com
Grading System
The Scrambling Grading system uses four categories .
Grade 1 Scramble:
These scrambles will have exposed positions, but should not require speciic mountaineering skills and should be within the ability of experienced and adventurous hill walkers. They will normally be an occasional hard step where you will certainly be required to use your hands. Route finding is straight forward and ropes are not normally needed in normal conditions.
Classic examples in Snowdonia are the North Ridge of Tryfan, the very popular Crib Goch traverse to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Crib Lem (Llech Ddu Spur) on Carnedd Dafydd.
Grade 2 Scramble :
These routes normally require some prior scrambling or mountaineering experience and involve longer sections of difficult ground. A rope will often be necessary in all but perfect condtions. Route finding can be difficult and escape from the route may not be easy.
Clogwyn Y Person Arête and Llechog Buttress on Crib Y Ddysgl are fine examples of grade two climbs.
Grade 3 :
These scrambes will involve pitches of basic rock climbing and rope protection is fairly mandatory. The scrambler will need a solid knowledge of rope techniques in order to construct belays, running protection and in extremis set up an abseil. Dry conditions may be essential. These routes are often hard to escape.
Sentries Ridge on Mynydd Mawr, The Tryfan Bach Approach on Tryfan and Cneifion Arete are classics at this grade
Grade 3s / 4 / Scottish Grade 4 + 5
Scrambles at these grades should only be undertaken by the most experienced of scramblers with a strong background of mountaineering skills. The routes will be serious, exposed and involve climbing steep rock; it will often be necessary to climb sections rock at Very Difficult (VD) rock climbing grade. Ropes and mountaineering equipment are mandatory
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The West Peak via Bilberry Terrace on Lliwedd is a perfect example of this grade - a long, inescapable route with 300m of climbing.