What Is a Grade 1 Scramble?
📬 Mountain Minute #02 – What Is a Grade 1 Scramble?
Your weekly 3-minute read for safer, smarter adventures in the hills.
Scrambling is the exciting middle ground between hiking and climbing—hands-on movement over rocky terrain. A Grade 1 scramble is the easiest grade, but still deserves respect.
Here’s what to know:
🧗 What it involves
Grade 1 scrambles are mostly steep walking with occasional use of hands for balance and progress. Think Crib Goch, Tryfan North Ridge, or Bristly Ridge in Snowdonia.
⚠️ What to expect
Exposure (big drops), rough terrain, and route-finding challenges. There's no rope needed in good conditions, but a slip could still mean serious consequences.
🧠Navigation is key
Paths are rarely marked. You’ll need to interpret the ground and stay on route. In mist or rain, it’s easy to stray into dangerous ground.
đź‘ź Gear matters
Grippy footwear, good weatherproofs, and a helmet for loose rock (especially on busy routes, like Tryfan North Ridge) are all smart choices.
Pro Tip: Start small. Try easier scrambles like the north ridge of Y Garn or parts of the Llech Ddu Spur before committing to Snowdon's big ridgelines.
➡️ Keen to try your first scramble with guidance? Join me on Tryfan
Sat on top of the Cannon Stone on Tryfan’s North Ridge.
