Location: Snowdonia
Price: £395 per person
Ratio: 1:4 for the first 3 days and then 1:2 for the last two days
Length: 5 days

Who is the course suitable for?
As a summer hillwalker you enjoy the mountain environment and now want to begin to tackle some of the fine ridges and gullies that they have to offer. To gain the confidence to stroll along airy ridges with stunning views dropping away on either side is to open up a whole new playground!

If you are feeling confident as a summer hillwalker, and would like to explore steeper ground, moving onto roped scrambles as the week progresses then this classic scrambles week is the one for you. You don't need any previous scrambling experience and we will take you from grade 1 to grade 2 or even 3 by the end of the week. If you have some previous experience then we will help you progress.

What does the course cover?
This is a fantatstic 5 day course that starts you off on grade 1 scrambles with classics to suit the group with options including Seniors Ridge on Glyder Fawr, the North Ridge of Tryfan, Crib Goch on Snowdon, The Gribin Ridge on Glyder Fawr, Bristly Ridge on Glyder Fach, the Gribin on Snowdon and the West Ridge of Moel Siabod. Routes will be chosen to match your experience and aspirations and of course the weather conditions. We will look at movement skills, route selection and how to assess and manage risk to stay safe in a steep mountain environment. We will help you to interpret the guidebook and pick a line and teach you to move safely and confidently so that you can head out on these types of routes under your own steam.

As the course progresses we will move onto grade 2 and 3 scrambles. Initially these will be a guided journey with me on the sharp end of the rope so that I can teach you the skills that are used to manage this type of ground using the rope and some basic rock climbing equipment. As the course progresses you may have the option of leading the rope depending on your aspirations, there will certainly be no pressure to do so. Options include:

The Cneifion Arete - A magnificent Grade 3 scramble which is often compared to an Alpine Ridge. The route starts with a couple of pitches of Difficult grade climbing and then eases off to provide fantastic scrambling up a knife edge ridge. 

Dolmen ridge (Glyder Fach)
A grade 3, three star scramble, finishing a few metres from the summit of Gyder Fach.

Clogwyn y Person Arete
A grade 2, three star scramble. A beautiful alpine style ridge with a couple of pitches of rock climbing followed by exhilarating scrambling. The descent is normally by way of Crib Goch back down to the Llanberis Pass. 

The course starts at a 1:4 ratio and then drops to a 1:2 ratio for the last two days to ensure that you get the highest level of care and instruction. 

The latter part of the course focuses on demonstrating the ropework involved in the harder scrambles and giving you a taste of what this ground entails. We can also look at the ropework involved in protecting nervous partners on easier ground. 

At the end of the course you should be aware of the skills that you require to tackle your own objectives under your own steam. Rob will provide advice on how to progress those skills.  The course is great preparation if you are planning your first trip to Skye or your first summer Alpine trip.

Previous Experience:
You need to be a reasonably fit hillwalker and ready to tackle some steeper ground.

Where is the course held?
We run the course in Snowdonia. We have a wealth of historic mountain scrambles to choose from that are all easily accessable with relatively short walk-ins.

Whats included?
The course fee includes instruction and the use of any specialist equipment. You can read our "whats included" and kit list page here.

What about accommodation?
We do not include accommodation with this course. For a variety of different accommodation options in Snowdonia, from camping to nice hotels, visit this link.