Scrambling and more Scrambling

Just finished up four days of fantastic scrambling for Seren Ventures, sat at home having a cold beer and listening to Andrew Marr talk about politics! On Thursday and Friday I took out Mike and Ben, a Father Son combo that I introduced to roped scrambling last year. They had not manged to get out on the hills much since last year so we decided on tackling Bristly Ridge - a tricky grade 1 - a route they have always wanted to do but have not yet had the confidence to try by themselves. We ascended in the swirling mist which made for an atmospheric scramble and provided a good test of Mike and Ben's route finding skills. On the way we looked at the different ways a rope can be used to safeguard short tricky steps. We descended by the Gribin Ridge - a short grade 1 - and had a go at abseiling with out the use of a harness or belay plate - the South African Abseil.


Bristly Ridge and the Glyders from Tryfan

On Friday we did a grade 3 on Tryfan Bach in the morning and a grade 3 on the Milestone Buttress in the Afternoon where we focused on building belays. belaying from above and below and movement over harder ground. It was fantastic to see Mike and Ben again and they will be back for more action in the summer.


Shayne on the tricky start of Nor' Nor' Buttress

For the past 2 days I have been out with Shayne of Nantwich, scrambling all over the Glyders. Saturday saw us taking on the challenge of Seniors Ridge Direct Start and then the ultra classic grade 3, Cneifion Arete. Thankfully the forecast 60 mph winds did not appear, which we were thankful for given the exposed nature of the terrain! Today Shayne fulfilled an ambition to climb Tryfan. I don't think he thought his first ascent of this peak would have been by a grade 3 scramble on its East face. We had an amazing day under bright sunshine and light winds and enjoyed the challenge of Nor' Nor' Buttress. I was continually impressed with Shayne's ability to deal with tricky and exposed ground on only his second day of hard scrambling.


Shayne, Adam and Eve. Tryfan summit.