Scrambling Courses UK

 

We offer Scrambling days, classic Scrambles and Scrambling courses throughout the UK. If you’re new to the sport, then why not book on one of our scrambling for beginners courses? Likewise you may have done Scrambling before and know what an amazing experience it is, but want to learn more? If this is the case we suggest one of our rope work and movement days. In fact these days are perfect to learn how to safe guard you and you’re partner safely whilst out Scrambling.

Graded

Scrambles in the UK are graded from 1 -3. One being the easiest, two requires more thinking about. These are covered in our scrambling for beginners courses. And three being the hardest. Grades 2/3 will generally need the use of a rope to safe guard slips/trips.

From here on in it becomes a graded Rock Climb. Examples of a grade one Scrambles would include: Helvellyn via Striding / Swirral edges, Blencathra via Sharp Edge, Snowdon via Crib Goch in Wales, and Beinn Alligin, the Horns of Alligin in Scotland.

A grade two Scramble includes: Cam Crag ridge in the Lake District, Bryant’s Gully in Wales, Aonach Eagach in Glencoe, An Teallach, classic traverse or Forcan ridge all in Scotland.

In contrast a grade three scramble can be hard as nails! And often terrifying in the wet…In truth a grade 3 can be open to debate. As it’s a fine line between a Scramble and a Rock Climb. That said there are some superb grade 3 Scrambles. For example: Pinnacle Ridge in the Lake District, Parts of the Cuillin Ridge on Skye, and Dolmen Ridge in Ogwen Wales.

Grading Explanation Chart

Grade Description
1 Fairly straightforward for most experienced hill walkers. It may be necessary to use the hands occasionally but holds will normally be large and the exposure not too off-putting
2 It will be necessary to use hands for more sustained stretches. Exposure may be significant and retreat may be difficult.
3 Advanced scrambles. This may involve making moves on steep rock in very exposed situations and some people may prefer the protection of a rope in places. Occasional moves of ‘moderate’ rock climbing standard may be required. The ability to abseil may be useful if a retreat is made.
3(S) Some guide books use the 3(S) grade to indicate scrambles which are particularly serious, whether because of difficulty, exposure, or poor rock. All but the most experienced and competent would use a rope on these climbs.

Guarantee

Above all we guarantee ALL our days. We believe we are the best at what we do. All our instructors are very experienced and highly qualified. All will hold the highest qualifications, meaning you’re always in the best of hands and In brief you will come away gaining hill skills and additional mountain knowledge after being with us.

Scrambling for Beginners Course

In addition to our Scrambling days, we offer a scrambling for beginners course. This is aimed at people who are new to the sport. That said it also includes people who may have touched on scrambling before. For example you may have scrambled Striding Edge, or maybe Crib Goch and would like to do more but don’t know where to start? Our courses are 2 days in length and will fit as much as we possibly can into those 2 days.

We will be moving around the grade 1/2 scrambling territory on our scrambling for beginners course. Thus giving you the chance to hopefully stretch yourself, whilst still being able to learn and feel in control.

What does the course cover?

The course looks at the following:

  • Kit needed
  • Grades / how to they differ?
  • Guide book knowledge
  • Finding the route
  • When do i need a rope?
  • Intro to rope work & safeguarding each other
  • Technique used when scrambling – Mountain Leader rope work
  • Mountain knowledge & scrambling know how
  • Direct/In direct belays and anchors

This course is super useful if you are either new to the sport, or maybe you have been on an Alpine or Scrambling course before and want to start building some personal independence. We will tailor the day/s according to Your needs, and Your tick list from what you want  out of the course.

Course Duration & Location:

The course is run over two, three or four days and is run from the Lake District. We can also run the scrambling course from Snowdonia and Scotland if this is preferred. For beginners we recommend the two day course. That said you might prefer our four-daycourses, as this gives things chance to ‘sink’ in and consolidate the processes. It also gives you more chance to be in the hills practicing what we have learnt.

After days one and two, things start to sink in and on days three and four, you start to implement and use the skills learnt from the previous days, and put them into real life scenarios. By the time the scrambling course is over, you’ll have a solid grounding to begin some adventures on your own.

We can also try and pair you up with another like minded Scrambler if you prefer a 1:2 experience, and you’re a solo Scrambler? This also works out cheaper

Prices:

Our 2-Day Mountaineering course Lake District prices:

1:1 – £370

1:2 – £190 per person

1:3 – £140 per person

1:4 – £125 per person

Above 4 persons additional instructor will be required. Terrain dependent.

3-Day course prices:

1:1 – £550

1:2 – £300 per person

1:3 – £220 per person

1:4 – £190 per person

Above 5 persons additional instructor will be required. Terrain dependent.

4-Day course prices:

1:1 – £720

1:2 -£380 per person

1:3 – £340 per person

1:4 – £290 per person

Above 5 persons additional instructor will be required. Terrain dependent.

walking along striding edge the lake district
client on a scrambling techniques course

Scrambling for Intermediate Scramblers 

This Scrambling course, is aimed at people looking to progress to the next level when it comes to their own personal scrambling.

Therefore we will be moving on grade 2/3 scrambling ground, so ideally you should be confident on this type of terrain. If not then don’t worry, we are happy to lead you and show you the ropes (no pun intended) as we go.

As a result we will look at when and how to use the rope to safe guard this type of terrain. Grades 2/3 can be tricky so the use of a few pieces of climbing equipment will also be used and explained throughout the course. Our courses are four days in length and will fit as much Scrambling as we can possibly do over the course.

What does the course cover?

  • Kit needed for steeper ground
  • When to use the rope
  • Getting to the scramble/Gearing up
  • Rope techniques used on grade 2/3 ground
  • Advanced movement techniques
  • Intro to short roping style
  • Body position, and it’s benefits
  • Direct and in-direct belaying
  • Retreating
  • Lowering
  • Plus additional ‘real life’ information

Course Duration & Location:

The Scrambling courses can be run over two, three or four days and is run from the Lake District. We can also run the scrambling course from Snowdonia and Scotland if this is preferred. For beginners we recommend the two day course. That said you might prefer our four-daycourses, as this gives things chance to ‘sink’ in and consolidate the processes. It also gives you more chance to be in the hills practicing what we have learnt.

After days one and two, things start to sink in and on days three and four, you start to implement and use the skills learnt from the previous days, and put them into real life scenarios. By the time the scrambling course is over, you’ll have a solid grounding to begin some adventures on your own.

We can also try and pair you up with another like minded Scrambler if you prefer a 1:2 experience, and you’re a solo Scrambler? This also works out cheaper.

Prices:

Our 2-Day Mountaineering course Lake District prices:

1:1 – £370

1:2 – £190 per person

1:3 – £140 per person

1:4 – £125 per person

Above 4 persons additional instructor will be required. Terrain dependent.

3-Day course prices:

1:1 – £550

1:2 – £300 per person

1:3 – £220 per person

1:4 – £190 per person

Above 5 persons additional instructor will be required. Terrain dependent.

4-Day course prices:

1:1 – £720

1:2 -£380 per person

1:3 – £340 per person

1:4 – £290 per person

Above 5 persons additional instructor will be required. Terrain dependent. scrambling for beginners

Further Reading:

5 biggest pitfalls to Scrambling

Britain’s best grade 1 Scrambles

 

‘Climb the mountains and get their good tidings’ ”John Muir