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Scrambling
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Instructor Gareth Davies from Betws-y-Coed introduces the sport of scrambling.
How did you get started?
I started off at Plas y Brenin, just helping out and getting some experience. I was already an active mountain walker and the more I learnt about the industry the more I wanted to get involved professionally. Now I'm a freelance instructor, but I also run my own company which offers courses in scrambling, mountain walking and rock-climbing.
Where did you go from there?
I got a certificate from the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) which allows you to work with under 18s, and also joined the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). I don't think you have to have qualifications to take parties out into the mountains, but you do need them for insurance purposes and I really wouldn't recommend going on an expedition with someone who doesn't have some sort of formal recognition of their experience and knowledge of the mountains. Always check this out before booking a course.
What clothing and equipment do you need?
You need all your usual mountain walking gear - boots, full waterproofs, fleece, first aid kit, survival bag, map, compass. Then it depends on what sort of level of scrambling you're looking to do. There are three levels. One is where you're not expected to use ropes - you learn how to spot each other, and only take small steps where you can usually get back to flatter ground without difficulty. Levels two and three do require increased rope work and you need a harness and I would recommend a helmet because there may be a bit of loose rock around.
Grade three scrambling is basically simple rock climbing. You don't stop and start so much as with actual climbing and you spot each other rather than having ropes out all the time, but other than that they are quite similar.
What's your most memorable experience?
Tryfan's quite a well-known scrambling peak. I've done a lot of Alpine routes, too, which are sort of a cross between scrambles and easy mountain climbing which are fantastic.
Have you got a favourite place?
The Ogwen Valley is the major scrambling area around here. Ideally you want a solid, rocky terrain whereby the rock's quite rough and easy to grip. The route also needs to be quite well stepped with a nice line up the mountain. The best scrambles are the ones which are quite exposed, with ridges or a defined buttress, so you've got great views of the mountains around you.
Any other points?
You don't have to be really fit - a day's scrambling can be tailored to your ability. Some outings are quite short in length, others involve a few hours' round trip to the scrambling site.
Your instructor will supply the harnesses, ropes and helmets if you're doing more advanced scrambling. Otherwise you just need your usual mountain walking kit, so it needn't be that expensive. A typical weekend's scrambling might cost around £150.
Where can I have a go?
You could go grade one scrambling perhaps without an instructor, especially if you're used to hill walking, but having proper instruction is a good idea because you get some useful tips. You need to be mountain-aware, know to look out for loose rock and what to do if something goes wrong because you won't be following the usual walking path. Definitely get instruction when tackling grade two/three scrambles.
Useful websites:
Sea2summit
Adventure Activities Licensing Authority
Association of Mountaineering Instructors
UK Scrambling
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