Bastow Buttress, Tryfan East Face - Grade II+ Scramble

Route guide to the Grade II+ scramble of Bastow Buttress on the East Face of the epic Tryfan in Snowdonia, North Wales. This is a fantastic route, though only 140m in elevation from start to finish, it has some brilliant moments on superb rock.
Although I am soloing this route, I include a warning that you should only climb at your grade and soloing routes like this should only be done with a good level of experience, judgement and the right equipment. Seek professional guidance to be safe.

[@JP-cy1lw]

In a word "SUPERB". Your productions are the next best thing to actually being there.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi! It is so good to hear that. One of the biggest reasons for producing these videos is to share the experience for those who may never do this themselves. Thanks 👍

[@guilleroldan9532]

Gracias por mostrar una faceta de la montaña tan bella y olvidada.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Gracias. Es un placer!

[@TG-pd3ft]

I love this route. It was my first hard solo scramble and I still love it every time I climb it. The start is just brilliant and the moves at 6:08 are also thought provoking. Great footage Paul - very much appreciated.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi Freddie, I hope you're well. Thought provoking is a good description for sure. Thanks again.

[@willlloyd9480]

Brilliant video

[@CarterCreativeContent]

You make THE best videos on Scrambling! - watched all of you videos yesterday in one sitting!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Wow! That is great to hear, thank you. They are amazing to film and great content to produce. More in pipeline. Thank you.

[@charlie.carter.outdoors]

@@BeyondTheTrail I make short films, commercials etc. Your drone footage and editing are great!.....will be contacting you about a course. Thanks.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@charlie.carter.outdoors that's great feedback, thanks. Plenty more to learn. Get in touch any time 👍

[@paulmorrey733]

Another great video Thanks

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Cheers Paul. Glad you enjoyed it. It's another great route.

[@58andyr]

My first intro to scrambling aged 12 and have been hooked ever since (53 years).

[@BeyondTheTrail]

A great way to start!

[@stevebower1393]

your vids are so clear and precise Paul. I love the way you take time showing the start of the routes. da iawn

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Dioch, Steve. I really appreciate that. It's great to hear when they are enjoyed. Really looking forward to finding time to produce some more. Cheers.

[@richardfromcornwall5492]

Excellent video, really clearly presented with good advice about personal safety. I remember doing this route many (many) years ago when the rock was damp which made it a little more challenging.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

That's very kind, thanks. Yeah, these routes are climbable in the wet... but definitely not as enjoyable! Cheers.

[@jujujay]

It’s a beautiful climb for sure. Nicely made film dude.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hey, cheers for that.

[@AlexMaiaVictoria]

Nice job, man! Randomly came across your videos. Excellent stuff. If you ever in Austria - let me know, I do a lot of similar scrambles here.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hey, thanks for that! Greetings from the UK! I have one climbing friend in Austria who I want to visit so I'll keep you in mind. Have a great day 👍

[@johnmartin828]

Just did this route with my instructor and this video really captures it. Can’t wait to go back

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hey, thanks for letting me know that. How did you find the route?

[@johnmartin828]

@@BeyondTheTrail it was amazing. Took the harder line closer to the gully which was enthralling. Benefit of hiring a decent instructor. A bit beyond my skill set at the moment but working on it.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@johnmartin828 such a cool rib up the left. Who took you out?

[@johnmartin828]

@@BeyondTheTrail Simon Verspeak.

[@ormjo940]

Good on you, love to see it

[@BeyondTheTrail]

👍 Glad you enjoyed it.

[@RoadtoV11]

Superb video man! I'm mostly into bouldering but this vid has made me want to scramble too! Did Crib Goch a couple of years back, I think I should come back to North Wales soon! :)

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Cheers dude 👊 Bouldering is great for strength and technique but big mountain routes are a whole load of adventure! Let me know if you want any local info any time. Cheers.

[@RoadtoV11]

@@BeyondTheTrail will do!

[@Richie2Shoes]

Great video mate, really well shot and put together. I recently bought the snowdonia scramble guidebook and I’m going to be working my way through it.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Cheers for letting me know you liked it. Some awesome routes in the book and plenty to get through. Have you seen my videos of Wrinkled Tower and Dolmen Ridge? Hopefully filming a few more this year 👍

[@Richie2Shoes]

@@BeyondTheTrail yea I did, I intend to give them a go. I actually had a bit of a binge of your stuff last night, they're definitely the best videos of these routes I've come across. I've forwarded your channel on to a couple of my pals. I've had a 4.5 year break from the hills because of injury but I'm starting to find my feet again after a partial ankle fusion in September. It's going to be interesting to see how much it affects me when I get back on to some more difficult routes. I look forward to seeing some new content, good luck with the weather when your filming!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@Richie2Shoes awesome, thanks for passing my channel on. Really makes it worthwhile knowing they're enjoyed. I'm recovering from a knee injury and it is an an interesting journey. So much about positivity and getting stuck into life in every way. Keep in touch as you get on.

[@Richie2Shoes]

@@BeyondTheTrail I hope the recovery goes well pal, you're right you've got to get out there and do what you can to stay positive. I'm living in Bangor so I'll keep you informed and maybe catch up with you for a scramble sometime in the future.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@Richie2Shoes great! Say hi if you see me in the hills.

[@56NeilWatson]

Did Bastow as my final 'test' route on my scrambling course with Plas Y Brenin under the guidance of Dave Evans.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Great. How did you find it?

[@CarterCreativeContent]

I keep rewatching this!... It's the route we're supposed to be doing on Saturday. Looks very exposed!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Some of it is! But much of it is broken up. Great route though.

[@chrisowen2763]

Nice - thanks.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

No worries. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@joew245]

Great to have another video from you Paul! Done plenty of scrambling on Tryfan this year, would like to try some rope routes next year. Booked on to a course in the Peak District to start to learn roped techniques etc a few weekends from now. Do you do any coaching/leading?

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Massive thanks, Joe. Good to hear from you. Sounds like you've had a great season. Mail me at [e-mail] and we can plan something to consolidate what you do in the Lakes. Let me know how it goes.

[@joespencer6287]

Awesome, looks a bit too much for my comfort but what a great climb

[@BeyondTheTrail]

There are certainly some exposed sections and some a little delicate but really good fun.

[@Willabrador]

This is so fantastic and wonderfully well put together! Thank you. I had planned to be scrambling in Snowdonia in a couple of weeks but it seems that may be delayed! I have Five Ten Guide Tennies. How do you think they'll hold up to some grade 2?

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hey Will, I have only just seen this comment so I'm really sorry for not replying sooner. Approach shoes are generally going to be good on these routes on fry rock, particularly on smearing moves. I haven't tried the Tennies but I know the rubber is good. The Boulder X that I wear have similar discs on the soles but the addition of aggressive tread too, so they are quite different. Perhaps them on something with lower risk first and carry some rock shoes like I do anyway (in case you take a wrong turn!!!) Keep in touch if you want any advice on the local routes. Cheers. Paul.

[@Willabrador]

@@BeyondTheTrail wow thanks so much for the reply :) we had an amazing time! Went up Tryfan north with a bit of variation and then Bristly and the loop. Then had an amazing day looping around Snowdon from the Rhd Ddu and completing the horseshoe. Just went with walking boots for those :)

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@Willabrador that's a great couple of mountain days, especially the Rhyd Ddu path. I'm glad you got out. Cheers.

[@SteveMoore1969]

Hi Paul I was wondering why do you carry the extra weight of a rope ! if it just you climbing! Who will be holding the other end?

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi Steve. It's an insurance policy 😁 I sometimes prefer to carry a rope and some gear on a new route in the event that I need to back off and abseil. Also, never know if it might be handy to help someone else in difficulty. Not necessary, but a 'nice to have'.

[@miles9294]

what shoes do you use for scrambling, done bits of ice climbing, rock climbing and a bit of scrambling but did the scrambling in walking boots. should I use bouldering shoes or would walking boots or trail shoes work just fine. I know it depends on the route

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hey Miles, for these routes on decent dry rock I absolutely love my approach shoes, currently Boulder X by La Sportiva. Excellent grip and a good good toe edge. But I'd switch to using a rope on wet days for routes like this.

[@miles9294]

@@BeyondTheTrail thanks! you posting any videos soon? new to the channel but love it

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@miles9294 that's really encouraging, thanks. I'm currently climbing in Spain and will put out a video on whether to resole climbing shoes whilst showing El Chorro. Anything you would like covering in the future?

[@Robsadventures06]

Beyond The Trail you’re probably not going to see this but if u do could u do a video of byrants gully please

[@danbrown4772]

Haven't seen you yet test a hold.... :)

[@danbrown4772]

Then you do!

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@danbrown4772 excellent commentary 😅 and a really important point. Cheers.

[@danbrown4772]

@@BeyondTheTrail I'm usually very conscious of holds coming off even when they look highly improbable, as its happened twice to me decking out both times... Impressed by your route knowledge and local knowledge too... great video too

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@danbrown4772 wow! Two falls from a hold break! That really drives it home. That is a reality check for anyone soloing and is probably the greatest objective risk. It is also a high risk to those on rope. Thanks for sharing that account. Cheers.

[@zedooncadhz]

Just getting into scrambling with a mate. Trying to figure out what grade we're at and how to get better. I think we're at about grade 1, any tips on how to get better?

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi. I'd say it's not a case of getting better, it's more a matter of gaining experience and confidence moving on steeper terrain. Much of scrambling well and safely is about good judgement, which comes with time on various routes. Through repetition you'll learn good body positioning, foot and hand placement and how to read a route. You can also book onto a scrambling course to learn some of these elements then get out and practice. Hope this helps.

[@waynewayoaveyard9397]

how do you learn how to use ropes, ive done so many grade 1 and 2 scrambles and i really feel i havent challanged myself yet. everything has being too easy and the only way i can challange myself is learning how to rope up

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi Wayne. The best way is to book onto a course with an instructor. This is a great way to learn. Email me for advice on this. I learned by reading, watching videos and trying it with a friend. This was great but we did learn from our mistakes...not always the safest way to learn in climbing. Contact me if you want more information. Cheers.

[@katedavies5897]

Hi I love your videos. I help run the Ogwen valley Facebook group I was wondering if I could share some of your content?

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Hi, great to hear that. Yes, absolutely. What does the group cover?

[@katedavies5897]

@@BeyondTheTrail hi We are group that love walking/hiking/scrambling in the Ogwen valley Facebook. I try to put up short videos to help people who are new to the mountains. I also use your grade 2 and 3 scramble route videos as they are spot on. Please join us. I have just put a post up with your video on navigation. I am Kate Davies I help out with Admin

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@katedavies5897 that sounds great. I'll join the group and you are welcome to post my videos any time. Plenty more to come but slowed down by other commitments recently. Cheers Kate.

[@katedavies5897]

@@BeyondTheTrail great that you are doing more videos. Scrambling ones will be great for me personally😄 but I like all of your kayaking ones too. I have a two man canoe so a bit slower pace.

[@BeyondTheTrail]

@@katedavies5897 I have to finish the nav series and I have a number of other Ogwen scrambling routes planned. I have great footage of a couple of kayak runs to edit already but need time!!!

[@eilianwilliams7219]

Stop putting stupid English names on our rocks and Gulleys Llwybr Gwregys not Heather terrace Craig Llwybr Gwregys not your " Bastow" meaningless name

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Oes yna enw am Bastow Buttress yn gymraig?

[@Alfonze4]

Nice videos, but more climbing, less talking

[@BeyondTheTrail]

Any requests? 😁