Crib Goch, Snowdon
Related Courses: Intro to Scrambling Course

This is probably one of the most famous grade 1 scrambles in the UK and on summer weekends it is best avoided unless you like forming a part of a very long queue. So what's all the fuss about? Technically Crib Goch is the name of the summit that sits above Pen Y Pass and is connected to Crib y Ddysgl via a knife edge ridge. Mots people refer to this ridge as Crib Goch and it forms one half of the Snowdon Horseshoe which is an outstanding scramble taking in the highest mountain in England & Wales. There are no easy routes to the summit of Crib Goch which stands at 923m. The usual ascent route is via the East Ridge from the Pyg track a scramble up a tricky lower barrier leads to the summit of Crib Goch and onto the ridge that brings the mountain its fame. The ridge narrows to a knife edge that for some needs to be crawled whilst others are happy to stroll along the top. A good tactic is to use the left hand side of the ridge for your feet and hold the top for hand holds. The ridge leads to the pinnacles and then down to Bwlch Goch. From here you head up towards Crib y Ddysgl via more good quality scrambling including the difficult step.

To enjoy Crib Goch you need to have a head for heights, be happy route finding on steep ground and have good movement skills ie be good on your feet on steep ground. I am a member of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team and we have many, many call outs every year to people that underestimate the difficulty of the route. If there is snow on the ground then take crampons and an ice axe and make sure you know how to use them.

Here are some of my photos:

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