Elbow Ridge Scramble in the Peak District [Winnats Pass]

A short video of me scrambling up the delightful Elbow Ridge in Winnats Pass, The Peak District.
Read my write-up on the Bald Scrambler website: thebaldscrambl...
This ridge is notoriously windy with an exposed knife-edge ridge after the initial section. The route is graded as a 3 (some say it's slightly more challenging) but is fairly short.
The final section is loose and vegetated but I found a left line avoids the worst of it.
Want to try this scramble? You may wish to go early or late as there are usually tourists on the path under the route during the day and there is a risk of loose rocks hitting them.
I was wearing my La Sportiva TX4 scrambling boots on this route - amzn.to/47vJ6QK
Filmed on my GoPro 11: amzn.to/3OBb594
I also used my DJI Mini 3 Pro drone: amzn.to/3R2CiVd
thebaldscrambl...
/ @thebaldscrambler
Disclosure:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from purchases made via links on KZbin and my website.
Disclaimer:
I am not a mountain guide, just an individual with an interest in scrambling and hiking routes. If you try this route, you do so at your own risk; scrambling is a dangerous sport and this video does not contain step-by-step instructions.

[@LaziUK]

I love this short scramble, have done it 4 times and it never fails to get the heart beating as you gain the ridge...its a strange setting with cars driving past below! Great footage!

[@thebaldscrambler]

Thanks, I enjoyed this one too. I deliberately came early morning but there were still cars about and also a van driver honking his horn trying to distract me on the first steep bit!

[@jameseastwood4984]

Heh Baldy. Great content as always.

[@teamofsteve]

Excellent video. I've had a look at this a couple of times and bottled it because some other videos have reported the first section as being something closer to a climb than a scramble. I have no problem with the ridge and exposure but I'm certainly not a climber. How challenging was the first section? It doesn't look easy to descend and I wouldn't want to get stuck half way up!

[@thebaldscrambler]

Every grade 3 route I've done has had at least one short section of "moderate" or "difficult" climbing, usually only for a few moves and this route is no different. Personally, I found it easier than Dolmen Ridge or Cneifion Arete, although if it was windy I would have walked away. I did look at the nearby Matterhorn Ridge scramble and decided not to do that one as it looked too steep and loose for me.

[@markstennett1704]

I found the Matterhorn more challenging myself especially at the top

[@teamofsteve]

@@markstennett1704 interesting, I know I’d be ok at the top. Just worried about getting there! I think I need to go over there and take a closer look. Only a 40 minute drive. I’m 47, need to do it now or forget it forever.

[@CLOCKCHASER2222]

Its a bit loose the ground there, that’s what puts me off, parts aren’t trustable

[@jameseastwood4984]

Awesom drone footage, must take a while to set up, record and edit.

[@thebaldscrambler]

Thanks, in the end I did it three times to get the shots. Fortunately it's only a short walk back to the start. Normally when I do a commiting scramble, I've gotta get it right first time as it takes ages to walk back round to the start.

[@therockandtreeclimber8917]

Wow!! This is an amazing video! I have yet to do this climb but I REALLY want to cause you made it look so fun to climb on!! I have 2 questions though. #1: What are those boots you're climbing in? I've been meaning to get new boots to climb in and I really like yours! #2: Are those cargo shorts you're wearing in this video? Are they good for climbing Elbow Ridge in because based off of this video, those shorts don't look like they have a lot of stretch in them to rock climb in? Thanks and keep on climbing!! :)

[@thebaldscrambler]

I'm wearing La Sportiva TX4s, had them 2.5 years and they're great; very flexible and sticky. I did an in-depth review of them here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5rSg2abj5ZpoqM . Yes, I'm wearing baggy cargo shorts, I usually wear stretchy shorts but these are okay for stuff like this, it's not like I'm going to be heel-hooking anything ;-).

[@therockandtreeclimber8917]

@@thebaldscrambler thanks for sending that link over! I'll definitely give that a watch and thanks for the clarification for those shorts too! Good to know that they're baggy cargo shorts! Would you be able to do more videos in the future with those shorts on? The reason I ask is because I typically go climbing/scrambling with those shorts on and would love to see how those shorts do on different climbs

[@therockandtreeclimber8917]

@@thebaldscrambler Also, because you brought up heel-hooking, have you have tried a heel hook technique before? I would love to see you try that technique in a future video!

[@thebaldscrambler]

That ain't gonna happen ;-). I'm about as flexible as a plank of wood.

[@therockandtreeclimber8917]

@@thebaldscrambler hahahaha worth a shot at least! Regardless, thanks for the info and video too! Can’t wait to see more climbs/scrambles from you in the future!

[@clogsonthemountain]

Awesome mate, love that one! Repeated it 3 times now! Did you manage to do the matterhorn ridge as well? Even more suspect rock on that one!

[@thebaldscrambler]

I took a look at the Matterhorn but decided to leave it. The issue wasn't so much the steepness but I've seen from other vids it's very loose and I was on my own etc. I enjoyed Elbow though, nice ridge in the middle to walk across.

[@clogsonthemountain]

@thebaldscrambler it is loose in places but very doable. I felt the same way needed to be with someone else. On my way home from Wales as we speak 😅

[@yuvrajrandhawa5031]

Hello baldy, I'm attempting to climb up Dolmen ridge this Saturday. You have Any advice or tips please ? Also what is the best/easiest way to come back down please. Thanks

[@thebaldscrambler]

My video of Dolmen is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6emp4KflJKfps0si=s8t_VqOjdAUGjgeG&t=274 you might wanna double check the holds on the left side of the crux as two slabs have given way in recent years, leading to one fatality, I'm not sure of the state of the remaining slabs. I stayed away from the left side as much as I could as I'm very heavy. - www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/climber-26-fell-death-snowdonia-25084409 I went down Bristly Ridge but Y Gribin would be easier.

[@yuvrajrandhawa5031]

@@thebaldscrambler thanks mate.

[@Codzilla71]

Is this your "lost" drone or a replacement?

[@thebaldscrambler]

Lost and found, still using the same drone; DJI Mini 3 Pro. Just purchased an Insta 360 X4 so watch out for some funky camera angles in upcoming vids ;-).