Rock scrambling grades

Rock scrambling is where hillwalking ends and ends where rock-climbing begins ! It's exhilarating, great fun and where a real sense of achievement is earned. Our favourites are in Torridon, on Ben Nevis's Ledge Route and Carn Mor Dearg arete, An Teallach and the Aonach Eagach.

If you're thinking of booking onto one of our trips involving some rock-scrambling or climbing, please have a read at the outline below. You can also download this as a pdf document from here.

Graded rock-scrambles

Noel Williams, author of many acclaimed guidebooks, gives the description of rock-scrambling as "progress which is too exciting to be just hillwalking, but not difficult enough to be genuine rock-climbing". Below are definitions of rock-scrambling grades in dry, summer conditions as defined by the SMC in their "Skye Scrambles" guidebook, along with a few remarks from us.

Grade 1 : easy rock-scrambles

"This grade of scramble will be fairly straightforward for most experienced hillwalkers. It may be necessary to use the hands occasionally for progress, but the holds will normally be large and the exposure will not be too daunting." The use of a rope is not expected.

To join a guided Grade 1 rock-scrambling day with us, we ask that you are relatively fit and have done a good few hillwalks.

Grade 2 : moderate rock-scrambles

"This grade of scramble will require the hands to be used for more sustained sections. The exposure will be significant, and retreat may be quite difficult." Route finding will also be more tricky than Grade 1. For people with the necessary experience, the use of a rope is not usually expected.

To join us on a Grade 2 rock-scrambling guided day, we ask that you have done at least 3 Grade 1 rock-scrambles and are comfortable moving along such terrain. Ideally you'll have been out with us before on some trips.

Grade 3 : advanced rock-scrambles

"This type of scramble may involve making moves on steep rock in very exposed situations. All but experienced climbers might prefer the protection of a rope in some places. Occasional moves of Moderate rock climbing standard may be encountered. The ability to abseil may be useful if a retreat has to be made." Grade 3 rock-scrambles are effectively Moderate Climbs, and we treat them as such using ropes and relevant climbing gear.

You will need to have done a few Grade 2 rock-scrambles and be comfortable progressing on such terrain, before you can join us on trips which involve Grade 3 rock-scrambling. In addition, you will ideally have been out with us before.

Examples

Below is a list of fine Grade 1 and Grade 2 rock-scrambles that are on the way to popular peaks in Scotland, the Lake District and Snowdonia. It's by no means a definitive list, just a list of routes that we know and like ! Use this list as a helpful guide to pre-requisites for booking onto our guided rock-scrambling days.