Step Up: Navigating the Path from Hiking to Scrambling
If you've got a few mountain hikes under your belt and you're craving more excitement, scrambling could be your next big challenge! It’s the perfect blend of hiking and rock climbing, where you're not just walking up trails but tackling steep, rocky terrain using your hands to pull yourself up – no ropes or harnesses needed (well, for the easier stuff!). Think of it as a thrilling middle ground between a casual hike and full-on rock climbing.
Routes are graded by difficulty, ranging from fun hands-on scrambles over rocky paths to heart-pounding, exposed climbs that might have you feeling like a pro climber as you inch your way up what feels like a near-vertical wall.
Grading System:
- Grade 1: The simplest form of scrambling, often described as rough hiking with occasional use of hands for stability. These routes generally don't require ropes and are suitable for confident hillwalkers.
- Grade 2: More technical, often involving steeper terrain where the use of hands is essential. For some, this may be where a rope is required and understanding how to protect short exposed sections with a rope and technical climbing gear would be essential.
- Grade 3: The most challenging scrambles, where the route is often exposed with significant drops. Climbing skills may be necessary, and ropes would be advised including the ability to use climbing protection safely.
How to get into scrambling
Research your routes. Guidebooks are a great place to start and the internet is full of videos and blogs about scrambles and how challenging a route may be. Ideally, you want to start with easier and shorter routes so check out the guidebooks and seek out the softer grade 1s that offer less commitment. YouTube is also a great place to gauge the difficulty of a route but beware, some people like to talk up the difficulty to make it sound much harder than it is, and some will make the hardest scrambles sound like a walk in the park, opinions about difficulty are very subjective.
Find a scrambling buddy
Finding a scrambling buddy can be very useful as two people assessing a route and making decisions is often better than one. Facebook has plenty of groups where you can meet other scramblers but make sure you check out the routes they plan to scramble as some groups will favour the harder routes without a rope which is not advised for beginners.
Join a course
We offer a Scrambling Introduction in North Wales which is a perfect introduction to mountain scrambling and perfect for beginners. We offer these courses in North Wales throughout the year.
https://www.themountaineeringcompany.co.uk/mountaineeringcourses/introduction-to-scrambling/
Extra Information
What footwear do you need for scrambling?
You wouldn't need any specific footwear to get started with scrambling as the terrain generally has larger footholds and steps that are fine with boots or approach shoes. That being said, some scrambling-specific boots like the La Sportiva TX series, Scarpa Mescalito or the Salewa Mountain Trainers will offer improved grip and will be ideal for those looking to push onto harder grades later down your journey.
What is the difference between scrambling and mountaineering?
Scrambling doesn't require any technical skills it simply describes the act of moving over the rock without the rope, if you scramble a grade 3 without a rope it's still scrambling.
Mountaineering is the art of using climbing equipment and a rope to protect a mountain journey, if you use a rope and climbing equipment on a grade 2/3 or above then it's mountaineering.
Is Scrambling Dangerous?
You can get seriously injured walking across the road so it's all relative but yes scrambling in the mountains does carry a higher level of risk than some other activities. That being said, the number of people who enjoy the mountains every year without accident shows that despite the elevated risks, it's still unlikely you will ever be involved in an accident providing you dress correctly and plan well before you head out.
About the Author
Matt Cooper is a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and Winter Mountain Leader based in North Wales. Matt is the owner of The Mountaineering Company and has a passion for instructing and guiding in the mountains.
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