grading of Mountain Scrambling

Grading of Mountain Scrambling

The most difficult way up a mountain, is to climb via a crag or sheer face and this is rock climbing. Walking is the most straight forward way up a mountain The easiest way to get up a mountain in Snowdonia is to take the well established path, two examples are the Llanberis Path for Snowdon or the pony path up Cader Idris which many thousands of walkers have used before.

Scrambling is that hazy Grey area in between rock climbing and walking, mountain scrambling is one of the purest and most exciting of all outdoor pursuits which you can enjoy.

Join Ian on a days mountain Scrambling in Snowdonia

Scrambling grading system puts routes into four grades .

Grade 1 :

A rough climb or exposed walk. The occassional hard step where you will certainly be required to use your hands. Route finding will be obvious.
Ropes will only be required by the extremely nervous.

Prime examples in Snowdonia are North ridge of Tryfan and the much traversed Crib Goch near Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) photo to the left and Crib Lem on Carneddau Dafydd.

Grade 2 :

The scrambling is more difficult and longer. A rope may be advisable. A broard varied experience of scrambling is required. Route finding can be difficult, and escape from the route, also, may not be easy.
Clogwyn Y Person Arête,Crib Y Ddisgol and Llechog Buttress are fine examples of grade two climbs.

Grade 3 :

More pitches of simple rock climbing on which rope protection is strongly advised, for safety. Dry conditions may be essential. Skills in rope work are required because of lack of escape routes.
Tryfan Bach Approach, Sentries Ridge, Mynydd Mawr and Shark Buttres on Glyder fach See photo to the right

Grade 3S :

S is for serious. S is for severe. S is for safety. Only mad people climb 3S's unprotected. These were classed as rock climbs not so many years ago, but as the technical skills required for rock climbing rose higher and higher, these routes fell out of rock climbing guides and into scrambling guides.
Two demanding 3S climbs are Cyfrwy Arête, Cadair Idris ( photograph below) , and the West Peak via Bilberry Terrace on Lliwedd (over 1000 feet of scrambling ascent !)

Winter conditions change everything, snow and ice transform even a grade one climb into a climb of Alpine proportions.

Mountain scrambling proficiency and personal skills.

Scrambling is a very basic and probably the most dangerous form of mountaineering, if you have any doubts about your personal skills and abilities to lead others in the mountains you are best introduced to the skills by Ian or one of his associate instructors.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 September 2007 )

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