My First Ascent of Dolmen Ridge (Grade 3 Scramble)

[@PunchineloPow]

Beyond the trail is a criminally underrated channel.

[@brokenjet6134]

Yeah!

[@eagleone5456]

My hands are sweating thousands of miles away. Love your stuff BD!

[@BraveDave]

I have the power! The power to make people sweat on the other side of the world!!

[@eagleone5456]

@@BraveDave absolutely brother, like quite a few here been watching since your Big Fat Freight Hop. Keep us sweating!

[@milesdavisist]

Great job, a lot of headspace required for this one! I climb a lot of multipitch in the Italian Alps and would most definitely prefer be roped up for a lot of the climbs of this difficulty. Top work and respect for keeping it together. There's a good reason why the British have a reputation in mountaineering for being tough.

[@mralekito]

Wow, that is a serious climb with a lot of exposure. You really need skill, confidence, strength and fitness. You have them all, well done.

[@gazclarke3618]

Where you said "Don't bang my head" is exactly where I banged my head when I did tis route 😂 Good job I wear a helmet.

[@BraveDave]

Hah! Yes, it's a very awkward position under that rock. Good to know I'm not the only one who ended up there :P

[@mightysam136]

Great job! I did this the other week too! What a fun scramble, probably the best i've done in Snowdonia.

[@alienfish8396]

Quality Dave. It's a classic! Double Danny was spot on with crediting Paul and Rob. Both excellent vids on this route.

[@BraveDave]

Cheers Alun! :)

[@stuplant6693]

Just returned from Mount Olympus Mystiaks peak another grade 3 scramble. At 7 mins when you say "ooh ooh nice" I know exactly what your saying. Taking a word with yourself in your head to keep going. Well done Dave.

[@yan24to]

That really is brave,Dave took complete commitment.

[@torquesteer2657]

Good to see you back Dave. My hands were sweating watching you climb that!

[@ElectronPower]

That was exciting to watch! Thanks for posting and stay safe :)

[@paularnold2651]

Nicely done dude! "Crest is best, flank is w*nk." 👍

[@FitzOutdoors]

Great book, great vids! Keep them coming mate :)

[@empirerailproductions]

Nice Video Dave! Always a pleasure watching you and your adventurous life! Hopefully one day I can book a climb with you!

[@benholland3682]

I get super sweaty palms watching the go pro angles but im ok at actually scrambling myself. How crazy is that!

[@FuriousBOIAngel]

well done Dave, did this on Wed eve after cneifion arete and actually found this rather tricky.

[@davetynan5045]

Well done mate inspiring full effort there

[@sdgreen1960]

Very exciting..I'm glad you don't add music to your videos. The grunts, utterances, scrapes & wind (from the weather that is) all add to the atmosphere. I wouldn't do this without a rope. At least in the groove bit. Some of the holds look suspect. It only takes one.. As a suggestion there is a scramble called Yr Esgair which has a fearsome reputation. I'm not suggesting you try it though...just read about it. That's enough.

[@BraveDave]

Yeah, I've seen a video of Yr Esgair. It looks way worse than any of the other scrambles, just because of how crumbly the rock is, and how much vegetation is growing up it. Not sure if I'll be heading over to that scramble any time soon :P

[@sdgreen1960]

Somebody did it..& lived to tell the tale. To me personally that's 'unjustifiable risk' kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2m3iIilpLaHbNU

[@The_Reality_Filter]

Sections of that were a bit bloody gnarly for a grade 3!

[@BraveDave]

I think so too, PlaneSIMple! Which parts in particular though? A couple of bits certainly felt a bit like "Errm, is this what the guide book meant??"

[@iamalwaysr1ght]

@@BraveDave behind the dolmen you can take a nice exposed ledge on the left! Good fun

[@iamalwaysr1ght]

@Bobby Jenkins did you go on there?

[@iamalwaysr1ght]

@Bobby Jenkins ah OK, were you replying to the original comment rather than my one? The ledge I was referring to isn't on the video.

[@iamalwaysr1ght]

@Bobby Jenkins oh I see! It is exposed but the hand holds and the ledge for the feet are really good. Very safe secure feeling holds.

[@amyroberts3198]

Feeling like Eminem every time I watch you vids 😂 palms are sweaty, knees weak arms are heavy.

[@BraveDave]

Hopefully you mom's spaghetti comes out in the next wash, Amy! :)

[@ivgotballsofsteel4048]

@@BraveDave lol

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

Aren’t some of these rocks loose when you grab hold of them?.....just amazed how much trust you seem to put in these hand holds. Amazing👍

[@BraveDave]

The key to scrambling like this is to test every rock before you commit to it. That's why I don't put weight on the loose ones. Pretty smart, if I do say so myself ;)

[@ScrumBeeble]

Nice to see you out and posting again man.

[@BraveDave]

Thanks, David! It's nice to be out and posting again too! :)

[@Pshady]

If you fancy a summer holiday, look up some of the difficult via ferrata’s in the french alpes. Very fun

[@iamalwaysr1ght]

Behind the dolmen, when you said this is awkward. You can edge out on a nice little exposed ledge around the left and then up. More fun!

[@khemikora]

Awesome job mate!

[@BraveDave]

Cheers Steve!

[@EggnogonthebogProductions]

Looney! LOL! Well done. Enjoyed the climb.

[@BraveDave]

Glad you enjoyed it, Eggnog! :)

[@TheRealJerseyJoe]

Blimey... I think I may have just shat myself a bit.... LOL. Yes, Dave is brave. Well done U !

[@BraveDave]

Sorry to hear that, Joe! I hope you managed to get cleaned up properly once the video had finished :)

[@TheRealJerseyJoe]

@@BraveDave -- LOL 😆

[@andrewdeacon4737]

Can I recommend finding a copy of the first edition of the Ashton guide from 1980? It describes the adventurous and solo way the routes were researched and might appeal to you. It states in the first edition that all the routes were checked without a rope and it is the author’s “personal feeling that this is the best way to enjoy them.” By the time of the second edition in 1992 it’s a little more sober. Dolmen is far beyond what I am comfortable soloing but I think you’re taking the right approach by soloing the classic Grade 3 routes that have sounder, cleaner rock than some of the more marginal routes. Be careful out there 👍

[@BraveDave]

Thanks Andrew! Yeah, it would be well interesting to read about how the guide book was researched. And I definitely agree with Ashton that the best way to experience a Grade 3 is without a rope. Otherwise you're just doing a very simple rock climb without any risk involved. Not really worth it, to be honest!

[@fiveinitaly]

Amazing share👍👍👍

[@paulhoulden]

Excellent stuff mate! How fun is that ridge though ;)

[@BraveDave]

It's a great climb, Paul! And it just keeps on going and stays interesting right to the end :)

[@Frivillig]

Dave's living life like he as a spare life in his backpack! JFC!

[@goose3303]

Maybe that's why it's so heavy all the time

[@SuperMentalMicky]

Have you tried proper via ferrata? Greay way to get mind blowing exposure without faffing with ropes.

[@SkyeGellmann]

Beautiful climb. A bit scary haha. But well worth it at the top. Do you do any indoor bouldering to compliment the outdoor stuff?

[@BraveDave]

Nope. I don't do any climbing or bouldering, indoor or out. I just do a bit of scrambling whenever I'm over in North Wales. Fortunately I have a very good head for heights so I can go up some dodgy looking routes without too much issue!

[@t28mcd]

Did this yesterday. Can confirm a decently sized pair of balls is required.😅

[@frankhayes1135]

Watching that dave I feel like I climbed it myself - bummer - no need for me to do it now!

[@Brusselsproutsk8]

Pinnacle Ridge and yes you pointed at the right bit.

[@TG-pd3ft]

Great route isn't it Dave? Nice of you to credit Paul & Rob at the start as their vids are so helpful. at 7:25 it's better to carry on straight up the corner than move round to the right like you did. Chasm Face next please :-)

[@BraveDave]

Interesting that you say it's easier to go straight up there as it didn't look it at the time though I also remember thinking that the move to the right looked very exposed. At least I can say "I did Dolmen Ridge the harder way" :P I'd love to give Chasm Face a go as it looks so interesting!

[@mehashi]

Nice scramble Dave! How awesome is the quality of that welsh rock eh!? Hand holds in all the places and good grip in damp conditions too! Living the dream mate. Now wtf am I doing over here in norfolk...

[@BraveDave]

Thanks Mehashi! The rock was perfect that day. However, if there had been any moisture in the air I'd have not gone near it. A route like that with wet rock would be pretty much suicide!!

[@rickeeling]

I've done shit like this and been stood there on the crux, foot shaking, seeing no way forward and muttering under my breath "why the F am I here?" But it's great when it's done. Nice one Dave.

[@BraveDave]

Cheers, Ric! Yeah, I get my confidence from knowing that it's a well established route which many people have done before, so there has to be a way up, even if it doesn't look obvious at first (though of course, that only works if you go up the correct route :P). If I was on a rock face where I didn't know for sure there was a route and I might be climbing myself into a dead end then that's when the fear would start to set in. Haha.

[@jackbrennan2184]

Quality video

[@bilaltahir9978]

Is this more technically challenging than cneifion arete? And is it a longer day and more taxing day?

[@BraveDave]

I'd say they're quite similar, but yeah, maybe this one is slightly more difficult. The really dodgy start on DN is longer than the one on CA, and the climb is overall higher. The thing that they both have in common is one slip and you're a crumpled pile of mush!

[@bilaltahir9978]

@@BraveDave thanks for letting me know. I did the arete with a rope and instructor who belayed me and definitely feel that unroped grade 3s are not my piece of cake. Is there a way to solo this but with the safety of a rope?

[@BraveDave]

@bilaltahir9978 I guess it's possible but it would require a lot of setting up equipment. And if you're going to go through that much effort you may as well just go with a friend so they can belay you :p

[@bilaltahir9978]

@@BraveDave thanks that makes sense. I guess need to just go with an experienced climbing friend. What shoes do you use for scrambling? Do you recommend approach shoes like la sportiva tx4s or do you think trail runners with vibram grip are enough?

[@BraveDave]

@bilaltahir9978 I just used my worn out walking boots. Probably not the most sensible choice but it's all I had :p

[@paulmorrey4298]

Thanks

[@lordsneed9418]

did you need to do any backtracking if you went up to a path that turned out to be too hard to climb? how much backtracking?

[@BraveDave]

Nope. Everything that happened, you can see in this video. And there'd definitely not be any backtracking on the crux part. Once I was up there I was 100% committed!

[@lordsneed9418]

@@BraveDave thanks!

[@professortbag]

I did Snowdonia the other week and did the scramble at creb goch (sorry for spelling). I'm getting the exact same feeling watching your video when you look down. I remember thinking when I did it, a helmet would've been nice but watching this I don't feel it makes a big difference, if you fall you die. Scary stuff. You've got balls of steel Dave. Nice video!

[@philjackson6859]

The helmet's more to protect you from anything (like a rock) that falls from above

[@better.better]

or even just if you bump your head on a protrusion when you're looking around, wouldn't want a concussion way up there

[@TimRsn]

Nice sense of achievement getting to the top there. Ironic that 'The Tomb' is at the top.

[@BraveDave]

The tomb was a let down. There wasn't even a single body inside it!

[@TimRsn]

@@BraveDave careful what you wish for.

[@BraveDave]

@@TimRsn Haha

[@SpartanMJO12]

That's why they call him Brave Dave I guess lol

[@Mike-gt7sk]

3:39 "Yeah, that looks alright" you have got to be nuts mate, you're climbing a sheer cliff with a big drop and you just shrug it off, absolutely mad

[@BraveDave]

Haha. Well as long as I know there are good handholds then the height doesn't particularly bother me.

[@better.better]

I think a 360 helmet cam would be better, then we could look around at whatever we want, and you could pan around the video for amazing still shots afterwards

[@better.better]

a drone would be cool, but if you get a drone, because you're the one climbing, you also need a pilot. you could get one that just follows you, but the batteries don't last very long, so you wouldn't get far up the climb

[@user-tb2jy9lu3d]

Some of those rocks in the middle part look really sketchy.

[@astudi1lo]

I don’t understand why people do this. Experienced climber here. Get some friends. Get a rope. Do that and you will, with high probability, get to enjoy the sport well into your old age.

[@BraveDave]

Doing this route with ropes would be very slow moving and pretty dull. Without ropes it's the massive consequences of making a mistake which makes this sort of thing a proper rush. That's why some people do it.

[@TobyClimbs]

the one on the cover is the ridge of little Tryfan i think its grade II

[@BraveDave]

No, it's Pinnacle Ridge and it's over on Pen Y Ole Wen (where I pointed). I'll head over there sometime :)

[@joespencer6287]

Gotta admit after that ramp my hands were getting sweaty as well 😉 kinda put me off trying it tbh. Prob bit above what I'd be comfy with.

[@BraveDave]

If you don't like the look of it from the video then definitely don't try it in real life, Joe! (without ropes, I mean). There is absolutely no recovery if you slipped up there! Stay safe :)

[@joespencer6287]

@@BraveDave thanks Dave but I wouldn't do without someone who knows it well and could belay me up those bits tbh. Cheers though 👍💪

[@papawhisky2935]

Mate be careful a light drizzle and the whole thing would be slippy as hell. Trust your abilities but be careful without ropes.

[@gazclarke3618]

I've done it in a light rain, the rock is actually really grippy. Had proper climbing shoes on mind you.

[@mehashi]

I've climbed on tryfan in the wet, and you'd be surprised how good the rock is. It is non porous volcanic stuff. Nothing like the greasyness of gritstone where the rock itself holds on to the water.

[@Shieldz01]

As good as the rock may be with a bit of water on it, in the interests of mitigating risk I think soloing higher grade stuff is definitely a fair weather activity for most.

[@papawhisky2935]

@@mehashi I've done Crib Goch in a solid rain, it was terrible

[@gazclarke3618]

​@@Shieldz01 Very true, I always take a rope. And on that occasion probably should have used it.

[@GrizzTV69]

Mental!

[@BraveDave]

I though the same thing when I was half way up :P

[@ericswanson7134]

Dave it's been awhile... I hear a train horn in the distance.. What do you think.??🙂

[@better.better]

people keep bringing it up, because that's how they found him, but I think his close call with the attempted return to Canada for another run took the wind out of his sails for that type of adventure.

[@rafikhaizal]

Don't ride suicide and watch out for the bulls...oh wait...

[@namboozleUK]

Looks like bouldering at some points

[@BraveDave]

It was bouldering. Just hundreds of feet in the air :P

[@philipchristopherson6910]

Stop with the Brave bit just Dave will do

[@cobracommander4516]

Please don't free-climb steep slopes/walls. I enjoy your travels and adventures, but not when you push your limits because I feel too much for you. Let others push themselves until they fall and die instead. I like your craziness, just not when it is death defying type of videos. Now, how about UK-trains? ;)

[@BraveDave]

Trains are very dangerous and I could fall to my death ;)

[@cobracommander4516]

@@BraveDave Well okay, I suppose so :D I belive in your risk-analysis and self-consiousness... Just as a reminder, take good care of yourself!

[@JaredAnderson422]

A helmet always help when falling over a 100ft

[@gazclarke3618]

It helps stop that happening, when you stand up and bang your head on a rock that you didn't see above you though.