My First Ascent of Cneifion Arete (Grade 3 Scramble)

Cneifion Arete is a very imposing ridge on the side of Gribin in the Glyders, Snowdonia. It's a Grade 3 scramble due to it being so steep and exposed, and the first ten meters in particular are pretty unnerving.
Live vicariously through this video and join me as I climb Cneifion Arete for the first time, breathing heavily and occasionally swearing to myself as I go. Hoorah!

[@JesusChrist-lh8di]

I watch these videos for two reasons. Your smashing personality and that feeling you get that makes your hands and feet sweat.

[@BraveDave]

Thanks, Jesus! When the Son of God says you have a smashing personality you know you must be doing something right :)

[@JesusChrist-lh8di]

@@BraveDave Absolutely, I've watched your videos ever since your train hopping days and I'm glad to see you've never changed.

[@raede2533]

@@JesusChrist-lh8di haha I definitely get both those sweat symptoms and the odd ball twitch. I’m not good with heights but I love these vids. Plus his train hops were so great

[@DisciplinedPhysique]

The trains drew me in, & the mountains kept me here. Well done👍

[@BraveDave]

Happy to hear that, KW! :)

[@jasonbraun127]

I know this is kind of random but I really appreciate you putting in the extra effort of adding subtitles. I don't have any hearing problems but I do like watching anything I can with subs because I usually read faster than people are speaking and it just makes it much easier for me to focus on everything else that is going on without having to try to focus on not missing anything being said. Especially with some of the background noises in your videos I think it really adds to the viewing comfort. Also as a non-native speaker that isn't that familiar with all kinds of British slang and vocabulary in particular it's great to learn new expressions and instantly see how they're spelled. I can imagine that it's a lot more work for you (or whoever) to do this every single time but at least for me this work is greatly appreciated. :)

[@BraveDave]

Hi Jason! You're very welcome. I have added subtitles to all of my videos for many years, and even though it takes LOADS of extra effort to do, I will continue to add them. Like you said, it helps people who don't speak English as a first language, but also it helps everyone else because often there is a lot of background noise, or I speak very quickly or mumble the words. It's always nice to hear that the subtitles are appreciated. Plenty more to come! :)

[@rafikhaizal]

I still yearn to see Dave ride an Intermodal across the Canadian frontier...

[@BraveDave]

Been there, done that! ;)

[@undereducatedvoter8812]

Cheers from the U.S.! Much love for your videos, they've got me itching to get off my butt and moving around myself :) Hope to see you flourish and have many more scrambles to watch, you are the best!

[@BraveDave]

Thanks, Voter! I've got at least two more scramble videos in the pipeline, so stay tuned :)

[@Cruser1068]

Dave....that first bit isn't a Grade3 scramble, it's a Diff Climb. The rest of it is classed as Grade3. Be careful up there guys. I did this route (starting on the Idwal Slabs, Ordinary route), for the 3rd time on Saturday, this time with my 17 year old son (not 16 as the News reports are saying!). A soloist very much like yourself passed us on the slabs and I commented I wouldn't want to do it without ropes to which he cheerily replied not to worry, he did it for a living. About an hour later as we approached the Cneifion Arete, we found his destroyed body at the base. He had fallen from near the top. I'll never clear the image from my mind, nor will my son I'm sure. Its all cool....till it goes wrong. If you can, try and climb with a buddy and protect each other as best you can. Respect to you for all you do Dave, I love watching you work, but I don't want to find out you are the next name on a long list of people the mountains have claimed.

[@BraveDave]

Hi Andy, thanks for your comment! I read about that lad falling off Cneifion Arete. As it happened, I was in the area that day too, walking around Llyn Idwal, around 10-11am (the wind was pretty horrendous). I'm sorry that you and your son were the ones to find the guy and I hope that it doesn't affect you too badly in the long run. I totally get what you're saying about climbing with ropes. However, the problem is that it's the risk of the dire consequences which makes Grade 3 scrambling exciting in the first place. I have no intention of falling to my death, and I don't do scrambles like this very often (and only in ideal conditions), but I have never been under any illusions about there being no grey area if I were to slip. It's a bit of a paradox, getting thrills from the appeal of being right on the edge of death and only having yourself to rely upon in order to avoid it, but I definitely enjoy that rush. But yes, like you said, it's all great until it's not. The human brain can be a funny old thing sometimes!

[@Cruser1068]

@@BraveDave I know what you mean, I'm no stranger to adrenaline seeking! Turns out the guy was a qualified Mountain leader and instructor, so his comment about doing it for a living wasn't just idle bragging. He was clearly very experienced despite his age but it still went as wrong as it gets. Absolutely tragic. He seemed like a lovely guy from our brief encounter and the tributes that have flowed in for him confirm that. I guess we'll never know how or why he fell, but like you said, the wind was bad and it had started to rain too. There's also the possibility of something outside his control eg some sort of stroke or heart problem for example. Since the vaccine rollout the numbers for these things are through the roof. Not a place to have a sudden seizure with no one to catch you. All the best Dave. May you continue to dodge the reaper!

[@alihire]

@@Cruser1068shit man. That was Tom Fury. My pal and I met him about an hour before you ascending the East Ridge of Y Garn. Stopped and had a chat and he seemed lovely. We were over on Tryfan by the time we saw the helicopter out and it wasn’t until seeing the need a day or so later that we discovered it was the same guy.

[@Cruser1068]

@@alihire yep….I found out later who he was. Seems like a really nice guy, taken far too soon. We were the last to see him alive and I often think about him even though I never knew him. So sad. I guess we’ll never know what went wrong for sure, but it had started to rain a little and rock gets really slippy in those first few minutes of being wet.

[@MCMOutdoors]

Mate that was horrific - my balls retracted into my neck ! You're a braver man than me mate - I used to love ridges but the older I've got, the fear has set in - felt sick just watching that - nice one.

[@chrisashley2736]

I lost count the amount of times my brain passed out and came back just to see him look down the abyss again. Amazing dude, excited for whatever comes next, but please don't kill yourself, this looks so intense :O

[@lifesforliving88]

Just come back from wales and stumbled back on this video… think this might have to be my next scramble… Was thinking of the idwal slab no ropes Keep up the great work mate videos are awesome to watch and you keep it real

[@glasgowbhoy8711]

All helmets should wear a brave Dave for protection

[@nickhayes4627]

Cracking video! This is one of my goals to do, looks brilliant. It's really useful to see the tricky bits that you encountered along the route too.

[@RG-tm7uq]

@@nickhayes4627 thanks!

[@longlegs4185]

Brilliant stuff mate just found you out and takes a real man to do things like that my hat goes off for you

[@malcolmcog]

A real idiot, the mountain rescue teams scrape fools like this off the rocks every week.

[@TG-pd3ft]

Nice route Dave, I've done this many times. Juggy holds all the way and certainly no route finding issues which can be a worry on some scrambles.

[@BraveDave]

Hi Danny! Yeah, it's a great scramble. It's only fault is that it's over so quickly! I'm sure that when I go up the next time it'll seem much easier. It's just that with the first time everything is new and you're always wondering if you're doing the right thing (especially the first part).

[@TG-pd3ft]

@@BraveDave Yes I agree, on-sighting a route solo is super exciting. At the start it's easier to be over to your right so you come up to the point @5:10 in your clip. The chimney is also avoidable (to the left) , as is the shin-bashing bit later on! You will do this route again and again, trust me, it's adddictive

[@BraveDave]

@@TG-pd3ft No doubt I'll be back! Though isn't it kind of cheating if you bypass the dodgy parts? :P

[@TG-pd3ft]

@@BraveDave Yes it is! Use of the knee is also cheating ;-)

[@BraveDave]

@@TG-pd3ft Haha. Well then, I'll have to go back and do it sans knees. Although the rocks punished me for it anyway. Check out those dents in my leg! Pro tip: If you're going to kneel on something with your entire body weight then try to ensure that doesn't have two jagged bits of rock sticking out of it.

[@Pshady]

Yup, that was brave

[@malcolmcog]

nope, just stupid

[@DirtmopAZ]

Killed it! I haven’t done a grade 3 yet. Still working up to it

[@DinnerForkTongue]

From your words seems like the chimney bit was a lot less dicey than it looked on camera. Good scramble, Dave!

[@kanttura51]

I really like your accent lol and you seem super funny. Really like watching these videos

[@BraveDave]

Happy to hear that, Aada! :)

[@Shieldz01]

Great vid, not sure that's a route I'd want to tackle without gear but hats off, you made it up in one piece. Have to say though the shakey leg vibes come through strong with this one. And ffs Dave keep the camera on your head. One handed grade 3 scrambling is pushing your luck.

[@BraveDave]

Haha. Yeah, I like to mix up the camera POV between head cam and holding it, but maybe Grade 3s aren't the best place for a variety of angles :P I didn't get shaky legs but my heart was pounding pretty hard in places.

[@Shieldz01]

@@BraveDave I bet. Looking forward to seeing the Dolmen video anyway. Chasm Face is another route well worth checking out in that area, the cave section is nuts.

[@BraveDave]

@@Shieldz01 Hell yeah! I just looked it up. How tight is that cave? I'm not claustrophobic but I'm a pretty big guy and wouldn't fancy getting wedged up there by myself. Haha.

[@Shieldz01]

@@BraveDave err, its pretty snug in there! I had to take my helmet and rucksack off to fit through the first bit. I'd deffo take a sling so you can pull it behind you. It's a great route though, just a sequence of cruxes, all totally different in character. It doesn't really let up until you pop out of the mountain. Really enjoy your videos, very relatable. Just winging it and hoping for the best at times. We've all been there, not many people actually put the footage on the Internet though, haha.

[@BraveDave]

@@Shieldz01 Yeah, I certainly put myself out there for criticism by uploading my "winging it" videos, but that's okay. More people enjoy them than get enraged by them, so the maths works out :P Definitely want to do Chasm Face next time!

[@jimcameron9258]

Good to see some new content mate.

[@BraveDave]

And it's good to make some new content, Jim! :)

[@gregcooper2719]

Ah, this is why when we came off the Glyders over Y Gribin there were people with ropes and helmets… after the little scramble at the top I thought it was overkill for a hiking path…

[@BraveDave]

Haha. Yes, they certainly weren't kitted up like that for the Gribin scramble at the top :P

[@jamescrew6288]

Absolute beast We love Brave Dave

[@BraveDave]

Cheers James!

[@alienfish8396]

Damn. That was pumpy! Good job mate!

[@BraveDave]

Haha, "pumpy". Cheers Alun! You fancy it sometime? (just kidding...)

[@MizunoIronMan]

Great content, looks decidedly scary in paces ! How would you compare to Dolmen Ridge ?

[@cDUB111]

May be a dumb question but, what do you do when you get to the top? Downclimb?! Or is there a nice easy walk down in another trail?

[@BraveDave]

It leads to an easy path so getting back down is no problem. There's nooooo way anyone would try to downclimb a grade 3 like that :p

[@lifesforliving88]

Good on ya brave Dave! Would of loved to have joined ya

[@BraveDave]

I think that if I'd been with someone else up there it would have been twice as scary! I'd keep thinking I was about to see someone die :P

[@bilaltahir9978]

Do you think that doing regular indoor bouldering will improve my scrambling skills on rock?

[@BraveDave]

Yes. The grips and textures might be different to outdoors but it'll definitely improve your strength and stamina which can only be a good thing!

[@richrowley8355]

I was scared just watching the video.... i'd probably struggle to do that roped. Good work mate.. Devils kitchen is the easier option to get me up to the Glyders. Hoping to get up there early Saturday. visibility was crap last time i went up.

[@BraveDave]

Cheers, Rich! I'd come down Devil's Kitchen to get to that side of the valley. The views were great! I hope they're clear for you this weekend :)

[@asellers98]

His closing photo looks like an in memory of kind of pose.

[@dylanhorne]

That's wild man!

[@smalltownn]

BRAVE DAVE !! . I found your videos when you came through Canada train hopping . Are you ever doing something like that again? . Glad your still alive !

[@rafikhaizal]

He was banned for ten years :(

[@KTMSparky]

@@rafikhaizal from KZbin? What for?

[@garethjones3485]

Your videos stress me out man, haha!

[@BraveDave]

Haha. Sorry about that, Gareth. Have you tried muting them and playing Whale Song at the same time? :P

[@Shaunishc]

That chimney looked pretty intense man!

[@BraveDave]

It's called "The Awkward Chimney" for a reason :P Yeah, I wasn't expecting it to be quite as tricky as it was. Very tight! My backpack wouldn't fit in it, haha.

[@jamesbowler3339]

I'm pretty sure that wasn't the chimney in the guidebook, that one comes up from a platform which is usually the end of the first pitch. I think you went much higher and to the right at the start than the more practised route/in the guidebook. But hey ho, whatever gets you onto the arete proper!

[@EggnogonthebogProductions]

Brave Dave does it again!

[@BraveDave]

I did four major scrambles on that day! Expect more :)

[@JonasGranel]

damn that looked dangerous af

[@jimjones8808]

Bit of a cheeky question Dave, so totally understand if you won't want to answer it, but I was wondering, do you still have the day job or do you do this almost full time now, taking groups up the mountains?

[@BraveDave]

I definitely, definitely don't do this full time. It's more of a hobby which pays for itself. Although of course, days like this, I'm just out by myself, for myself. I don't think it would be a good idea to lead people up Grade 3s without ropes :P

[@jimjones8808]

@@BraveDave Valid point 😂

[@gediminasgribauskas4714]

I feel that adrenaline just by watching it💪😎👍

[@JpMasterg]

How about those glue/sticky tape mounts for sticking the camera to the helmet?

[@BraveDave]

Yeah, I've got some (not stuck them on my helmet yet though). However, the problem is that the GoPro is mounted to my head strap, which I can quickly take off and put back on again whenever I want. To use a helmet mount would mean the camera stays on there permanently which reduces my options for interesting camera POVs.

[@ieuancilgwri3230]

You’re off your head Dave 😀😀😀

[@BraveDave]

Haha, after watching this video back I might have to agree with you there, Leuan!

[@raymarshall3217]

Do you still train Muay Thai Dave

[@BraveDave]

No, I've not done that in a long time, Ray. I'm sure I could still through a decent kick or an elbow if required though :P

[@cplcookie4111]

Shout out to the scouse lads at the bottom! Thought the accent was familiar lol

[@Miles-lq7vc]

My fear of gravity: *show off*

[@KnjazNazrath]

ngl, helmetcam > selfie stick errytime. Great vid, still. I've done some g3s, but that chimney might've spooked me tbh.

[@BraveDave]

The chimney was okay, just very awkward. I didn't feel like I was going to fall at any point, more that there was no way up it other than shuffling very gradually. Haha.

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

One thing about these vids they never show?.......how the bloody hell do you get down?

[@BraveDave]

By walking down! It's not a spire leading to nowhere! It's a ridge leading to a mountain path ;)

[@HeathenHammer123]

well done.

[@BraveDave]

Thanks, Hammer!

[@DaveJenvey]

I'm not trying to be the fun police, but wouldn't it be better to do this on ropes first, learn the route, and then free solo it? I think that is what Alex Honnold does. Just seems crazy dangerous to do it blind. I would be sad if you died Brave Dave, your channel is legendary.

[@BraveDave]

That's a very sensible idea, Dave. And I agree, it would be sad if I died. However, I felt confident that I could do this route without having been up it before because it's a well established scramble and quite a common one for people to do without ropes. Therefore I knew that whereas it would be very exposed in parts, there wouldn't be any particularly technical moves which carried a high risk of slipping and falling. As long as the rock was dry (which it was) and I kept a cool head (which I did) I was pretty sure it would be okay (which it was) :)

[@DaveJenvey]

@@BraveDave Fair play Dave, you know what you doing on these scrambles, you've got a lot of experience, and in fairness, I know nothing about these things, just be careful, coz we all would be sad if you got badly hurt.

[@Cloudface45]

I feel like it must be way easier to actually climb this than it is watching you do it.

[@BraveDave]

Well, only one way to find out... ;)

[@Cloudface45]

@Bobby Jenkins It was just a joke, Bobby. What I meant is that it's very hard for me to watch.

[@nickliveseyphotographingth5050]

Since when has this magnificent scramble been on the side of Y Garn?

[@BraveDave]

Since never. I meant Gribin :P

[@thingthing899]

Love your videos, please get a strap for that camera! Dont want you to slip trying to hold it!

[@BraveDave]

It has a strap! It's permanently attached to a head strap, which I then wrap around my wrist when I've got it in my hand. However, it means that in order to steady the camera I need to use my middle finger, index finger and thumb, which doesn't leave much else to hold on to rocks :P

[@johndoeyop]

Real shit💯💯🤝🙌

[@tcmbrnt]

I’ve watched lots of free soloing and lots of freight train hopping, but the reason I return to your videos is because you’re such an amateur really. No offence, I mean that in the best way possible. Very very entertaining, but I do hope you’ll stay safe and ride some more trains!

[@BraveDave]

That's my niche! I'm a normal guy who goes out and tries risky things, and then posts the videos afterwards! Raw footage, minimal post-production, nothing fancy, and mistakes included. I guess people find it relatable! :)

[@tcmbrnt]

@@BraveDave We do! Keep it up! 👍🏼

[@christopherneil988]

To much Adrenalin! lol!

[@AngusMurray]

This was stupid! But it's totally something I would do

[@Miles-lq7vc]

Ropes are your dear friend dave

[@BraveDave]

Only if they're attached to something and being belayed by someone else...

[@black_eagle]

I look at some of those rocks and think one is going to break off and take you down the cliff.

[@BraveDave]

That's why I test each one before committing ;)

[@kennethsymons3326]

Accident waiting to happen :)

[@BraveDave]

An accident waiting to happen is something dangerous which is done over and over again. I only did this once ;)