Trip Reports

Rock Intro and Scrambling

Written by Leader Sam Leary, September 2014

Introductory Rock Weekend and Scrambling weekend. 12th- 14th September 2014.

When the weather in Snowdonia is this good you certainly don't need to go anywhere else to be introduced to the delights, wonders and challenges of moving in a steep rock environment. I had three very keen gentlemen signed up for the Into Rock course and Mick had Sophie and Thomas hoping to be shown all they needed to know to enable them to get and enjoy scrambling safely. We had a brief get together at Siabod Cafe to chat about people's aspirations and do a kit check then it was straight out onto the rock.

The scramblers had one of the classic mountaineering days out that the UK can offer. Up the Grade 1 North ridge of Tryfan with Mick coaching them through the key movement skills to make this an exciting but pleasurable experience. Reaching the summit it was then down the South ridge and then out came the rope for a more challenging journey up the stunning Bristly Ridge on Glyder Fach. This is also a grade 1 but Mick took a more interesting line making the most of all the steeper sections and this takes it up to grade 2 and requires the rope. Onto the summit and then a beautiful walk back down of the Glyder plateau back to the valley and road. A long but stunning and rewarding day.

Meanwhile the climbers were over at Tremadog sampling the delights of the Doleritic rock and it's amazing friction. A morning spent bouldering proved time well spent as the trio had no problems transferring the movement skills onto the roped terrain. Everyone got to grips with knots and belaying really quickly and despite never having climbed on rock before all three managed to climb a tricky route graded at Very Severe on their first day.

Day Two.

Mick was on a mission today as Sophie had to be back slightly earlier to catch a train, no pressure then! The scramblers ventured forth onto a harder route which would allow them to consolidate everything they had learned yesterday and learn a whole bunch of new techniques. Their route, Idwal buttress and continuation grade 2, sits right in the heart of the stunning National Nature Reserve of Cwm Idwal. Thomas and Sophie had no real problems following Mick up the superb rough rock slabs and where delighted with quality and challenge of the route. Reaching the top in good time there was even room to sneak in a extra scramble but in descent this time and still make it back for the train. Fantastic end to a great weekend of top quality scrambling.

I gave my team the choice of another day at a single pitch crag or to go multi pitching on a bigger mountain route. The mountain route was picked unanimously so the adventure began. We also opted for Cwm Idwal and a big journey up and down the Idwal Slabs taking in one of the historic and classic routes; Faith, graded Very Difficult. Multi pitching with three clients requires meticulous rope work and my job was made much easier as Chaz, Mark and James listened hard and picked up all the new skills very quickly. Belay management was a breeze and they were soon anticipating what I need to be done and when. The climbing is superb, delicate and very exposed in places. There had been a few big eyes at the bottom of the 440ft route but soon all I heard were exclamations of wonder at the climbing and whoops of enjoyment from the exposure. After a scenic lunch it's was up the grade 2 scramble to access the abseil descent. It all went a bit quiet at the top, it is pretty intimidating to be fair, but everyone was soon safely down and after a look at some expedition rope work, jummaring etc we headed off for a well deserved coffee and cake.

Jagged Globe Newsletter

We publish an email newsletter with trip reports and latest availability, plus features, competitions and general news of our climbing, trekking & skiing activities.

Categories
Archives
 
Follow Us:
1