An Alternative Start to Tryfan's North Ridge (Milestone Gully Scramble)

[@TM-pz2ue]

I did this recently on a drizzly foggy day and found it pretty tough. Did Idwal Buttress and the staircase continuation the day before when it was dry and found them similar in difficulty. Love your content man, best resource on the internet for Snowdonia scrambling.

[@SirJonathanTPunkbottom]

Wow, that got pretty slimey up there! I was looking at getting some of those shoes. So, thanks for the unintentional real world review! 😅

[@thebaldscrambler]

I tried them on another, easier route as well; they're defo not for me but some people seem to rate them highly though. I might do a video review of them; I felt much more secure when I put my old trusty TX4s on.

[@SirJonathanTPunkbottom]

@@thebaldscrambler You can't go wrong with the TX4!

[@OutandaboutwithSpencer]

Me and Koos did this today, it was very wet today and I found it tough going in places. Reaching up for handholds and having a waterfall run down your sleeve is a bit unpleasant! 😂👍

[@thebaldscrambler]

Sounds like a crazy one! Defo a couple of places in there where one has to reach up for the holds. Some do it in descent, not me though ;-).

[@This.Island.Earth68]

I've done this a couple of times, most recently in the dry, sunny June of 2023. Definitely not a beginner's route with a lot of tiny, polished holds and well worthy of its grade 1+ rating, IMO. Thanks for the upload 👍

[@thebaldscrambler]

Yeah, I enjoyed this one, probably the wettest I've seen it but still doable. I did the eastern terrace of Cloggy the following morning and should have the footage up next week, looks better as I got the drone up for some nice wide shots.

[@This.Island.Earth68]

​@@thebaldscrambler Eastern Terrace is a nice route, will look forward to that one 👍

[@clogsonthemountain]

Looked at it a few times but yet to do. Probably would prefer the buttress over the gully now though. Looks a good scramble mate 👍

[@thebaldscrambler]

I'll do the continuation next time, bit short but takes the most direct line towards the cannon stone.

[@lessismore83009]

Did this in May, but I had a rope! More for my mind than anything else 😂 brilliant start to tryfan as you say.

[@thebaldscrambler]

It's quite steep and sustained all the way to the top, bringing a rope is defo a good idea, esp after rain.

[@lessismore83009]

@@thebaldscrambler in your opinion...(is the last bit of tryfan, nor nor gulley way, is that more difficult than the milestone gulley? I took one look at the nor gulley and the drop at the bottom of it and bottled it!! 😂

[@thebaldscrambler]

In the middle of Nor Nor Gully there is a really steep drop but the upper section just shy of the North Ridge is similar to Milestone Gully in difficulty but not as sustained. The North Ridge, all parts of it, are easier than Milestone Gully imo.

[@JayChambers83]

Yeah ticked this one off today. Very greasy and slimy, its positioning on Tryfan does not allow it much sun light. I wouldn’t say it was the best day I’ve had 😅! Have you ever tried Penmaenbach Ridge, Daniel? It’s very near to Dwygyfylchi on the north coast. Also close to Penmaenmawr. All one needs to do is park near Lyon’s Caravan Park, walk through behind the main building where the bar and reception is. Continue through the remainder of the site into the woods and you’ll see the ridge the whole time. It starts at ground level at the extreme end of the rock walls and straight into a very steep but excellent climb mate. Probably flirting with Grade 2 I would suggest, but the holds are wonderful. I’d really recommend it as you can link in the north wales coastal path above Conwy in the lower hills. And the views along with absence of people or climbers would suit you.

[@thebaldscrambler]

It's on my list of to-do scrambles, I've seen a few vids and looks like a cracking scramble with the sea in the background. Yeah, that gully is super greasy, it certainly makes for a interesting alternative to the direct route onto the NR!

[@JayChambers83]

@@thebaldscrambler yeah agreed re alternative to NR. The western side has less traffic too besides roped climbers which is cool. Defo get it done, Daniel. It’s a cracker on the coast and perfect scrambling, particularly the beginning section. 🤙🏻

[@TG-pd3ft]

Totally agree, this is a more exciting start to the NR. A rock ladder once you're on it, although sustained and exposed. The continuation has an initial cracked slab with a hard and exposed move right at the top and then the upper section has lots of heather bashing. That's over-rated IMO

[@thebaldscrambler]

I watched a guy go up there in about 3 minutes, just that one move looked difficult, I'll do it next time I go on the NR.