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Will4Adventure Scrambling Weekends - Scrambles 1

Will4Adventure Scrambling Weekends - Scrambles 1 and Scrambles 2

"Heartfelt thanks from Shalini, Cindy and myself for that fantastic, if somewhat daunting, scrambling experience. We are hooked . . . "

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Scrambling is the process of ascending mountains on rock that is not usually steep enough or technically demanding enough to be called ‘rock climbing’. It’s the adventure in the hills and mountains that is the natural continuation of walking that is moving to mountaineering. It's where walking can merge into simple climbing, where the ground gets steep enough to need your hands yet not so technical as to necessitate the need for ropes and climbing equipment.

Scrambles are graded from 1 to 3, with a grade 1 scramble being pleasantly exposed to height and usually being easy to escape. All scrambles can take you out of your comfort zone, and if you are usually nervous at height it is possibly not for you. Grade 2 and 3 scrambles are more committing with grade 3 routes requiring some basic climbing moves. A leader will always carry a rope when taking a group scrambling and would expect to use it with a grade 3 route - such would be its technical nature.

Scrambles 1 - Ascents to Adventure
Scrambles 2 - Scrambling Techniques for the Leader
Scrambles 3 - Advanced Scrambling Skills
FAQ
Participation Agreement
Accomodation

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Scrambles 1, Jack's Rake Scrambling

Scrambles 1 - Ascents to Adventure

"Will, wanted to thank you for an ace weekend, I don't think I want to 'just walk' anywhere ever again . . . overall what a great group of people to share an incredible weekend with, just wish I could spend every weekend like that!" Tina Jones

These excellent scrambling weekends offer the novice the opportunity to try some classic grade 1 routes in the Lake District and Snowdonia. So long as you have a reasonable head for heights you will not fail to be inspired by these wonderful days on the hill! The Saturday is the scrambling day and the Sunday is usually a shorter and pleasant, walking day.

Location: The Lake District & Snowdonia
Leader/client ratio: 1:6 (usually 1:4)

Weekends coming up:

Also on the Calendar . . .

24th - 30th June 2009 - Classic Scrambles in a Week - Scotland

27th / 28th June 2009 - For this weekend we bring you a scramble up the mighty Tryfan. It is in fact my favourite mountain, and no doubt it will be my pleasure leading you up its famous North Ridge before retiring for a well earned supper and pint.
Price per person: £25
On Sunday: four places only - Snowdon via a traverse of Crib Goch: £25

18th / 19th July 2009 - We step forth in pursuit of England's third highest peak, Helvellyn at 949m via the airy ridge of Striding Edge.
Once on top, (weather permitting of course), we should be rewarded by tremendous views with the Lakes of Ulswater to the East and Thirlmere to the West before heading back to the warmth and comfort of the pub. Striding Edge can be as pleasant or as scary as you make it - perfect for the novice or the seasoned scrambler. On Sunday we'll be driving over to Coniston where the Bell awaits - a brilliant little hill with a fantastic line of grade 1 scrambling all the way to the top - a real treat!
Price per person: £35

Also on the Calendar . . .

20th - 25th July 2009 - Classic Scrambles in a Week - Lake District

28th & 29th August 2009 Bank Holiday Weekend - Two Fantastic Scrambles - Snowdonia, North Wales.
Saturday: Tackling the notorious Bristly Ridge to take us on a journey to the Glyders will be today's prime objective. Hard to locate (for some) and looking far more scary than it actually is, often this is the missed scramble - but not today and not for us! No doubt a photo-call will ensue on the canti-lever stone on the top. On Sunday: we will tackle the little known ridge that is called Y Gribin another great route - and one that avoids the crowds. In the shadow of Snowdon this will lead us to the summit of Y Lliwedd.
Price per person: £50

Also on the Calendar . . .

18th - 23rd August 2009 - Classic Scrambles in a Week - Snowdonia, Wales

Monday 31st August 2009 - Four places only - Snowdon via a traverse of Crib Goch.
While others may choose to be driving home we'll be out on this infamous, gnarly and exposed ridge.
Price per person: £25

19th / 20th September 2009 - For this weekend we bring you a scramble up the mighty Tryfan.
It is in fact my favourite mountain, and no doubt it will be my pleasure leading you up its famous North Ridge before retiring for a well earned supper and pint.
Price per person: £25
On Sunday: four places only - Snowdon via a traverse of Crib Goch: £25

17th / 18th October 2009 - Snowdonia, North Wales - the Llech Du Spur followed by a traverse of the Carneddau. A fantastic day on the hill introducing you to a wonderful and remote scramble.
Price per person: £25
On Sunday: four places only - Snowdon via a traverse of Crib Goch: £25

Email Will about these scrambles, or . . ..

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Scrambles 2, Llech Du Spur Snowdonia

Scrambles 2 - An Introductory Course to Scrambling Techniques for the Leader

This is a two day course for aspiring Mountain Leaders and experienced scramblers alike. It aims to develop the skills needed for leading your friends and/or family when on steep ground. While this course can't teach you everything for all scrambling terrain, it will point you in the right direction and hopefully it will at least make you stop and think before getting yourself into trouble. Further, with the superior skills of MIC, Daniel McKinlay*, leading this course, it is the ideal Mountain Leader refresher for those trainees headed for assessment!

Location: Grade 1 and selected Grade 2 Scrambles in Snowdonia
Leader/client ratio: 1:6 (usually 1:4)

Course content:

Short roping

Interpretation of environmental factors

Short pitches and direct/indirect belays

Rescue techniques

Emergency scenarios

Cost per person: £125 (Group discounts available upon request)

*Dan McKinlay is an award provider of the Mountain Leader and Single Pitch Award with vast experience of the assessment process.

Email Will about these scrambles, or . . ..

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Scrambles 3, Advanced, Idwal Staircase

Scrambles 3 - Advanced Scrambling Skills

For those of you bitten by the bug and looking to take this further why not try this 2 day course to consolidate the lessons from Scrambles 2 and gain further skills to get you started independently. Plus, at a leader to client ratio not exceeding 1:3 you'll get to sample some fantastic high and airy grade 2 and 3 routes . . . bring it on!

Location: The Lake District & Snowdonia
Leader/client ratio: 1:3

Course content:

Technique for climbing and movement on steep ground
Basic rope skills for safeguarding short ascents and descents
Judgment and route finding
Hazard awareness and management
Interpreting guidebooks
Equipment review
Guided ascents of classic routes

Cost per person: £150 (Group discounts available upon request)

Note: This course will be lead by one of a team of highly experienced Mountaineering Instructors including: Dan McKinlay, Dave Smith, Andy Bruce, Simon Cooke, Steve Egglestone, Mike Laing.

Email Will about these scrambles, or . . ..

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Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve never done this before: what’s a good route to start on?
First of all – if you are scared of heights – maybe you should start by doing our Overcome Your Fear of Heights Course. But if your head is good then the best scramble to start on would be Striding Edge, Helvelyn – if it feels too scary then you can just take the footpath alongside it!

Do I need strong upper body strength?
No you don’t – if you’re working your upper body that much you’re doing something wrong. On all our scrambling weekends and courses we always take time to show you the appropriate technique. But – you do usually need good hill legs – especially for the Scrambles 2 and 3 weekends.

Do I need any specialist kit for scrambling?
No you don’t – just wear what you would sensibly need for any mountain day. If you are doing the Scrambles 3 course you will need a helmet and harness – though these can be provided by us free of charge.

Where do we stay on these weekends?
Once we get your booking we will forward all information including where and when we meet up plus all local accommodation which you will need to book yourself and usually includes camping, the local YHA and all the B&Bs.

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Participation Agreement

Scrambling is exciting, intoxicating and liberating. But it should also be noted that scrambling as with all outdoor pursuits, carries an inherent risk of injury and death, which cannot be eliminated. You must accept that although we do our utmost to reduce any risks to an acceptable level, there are chances of accidents happening. Furthermore plans may be changed on our weekends and courses to take into account local and environmental conditions such as the weather.

Not Included in the price:

Travel costs
Accommodation
Feeding

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Accomodation

Nant Peris/Llanberis Accommodation

Listed below are various forms of shelter. All are conveniently close to the pub which will help ensure a happy night Saturday night. If you’re not camping I would book your chosen bed asap.

Camping and Bunkhouse:

There are two camp sites over the road from the Vaynol Arms in Nant Peris – one is opposite the park and ride car park and is easily spotted. They’re basic but cheap and reputedly the windiest campsites in GB. (I don’t believe that but I have seen many tents wiped out at about 0400 in the morning). See this link for the location.

Also at the campsite (opposite the park and ride) there are some very basic bunk houses which are priced depending on how nice, gullible, middle class you sound and/or the time of year. Alternatively for £15 per night I’d recommend the far superior Bens Bunkhouse:

Bens Bunkhouse
Nant Peris
Llanberis
LL55 4UD
Tel: 07989500657 or
07500513765
Grid Reference: SH 597 588
www.bensbunkhouse.co.uk

B&B:

Dol Peris Hotel
Llanberis High Street
Gwynedd LL55 4HA
mail@dolperis.com
01286 870350
www.dolperis.com

The bus timetables would also suggest that the last bus departing from the Vaynol Arms to Llanberis is at 23:30 . . .

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Email Will about these weekends now, or . . .

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To see what books you can get from Amazon on the subject of Scrambles click this link >> show me the books now! You may also be interested in visiting UK Scrambles, 'The Online Scrambling Community Across the UK' . . .