Free solo turns treacherous on wet, mossy route up Broad Gully Ridge, Pen Y Olwen

Looking forward to a nice day out soloing an Easy grade 2+ turns into a whole different turn of events as I spend an hour scoping out the route and alternatives when the vegetated terrain in the jammed boulder section (a grade 3) creates little if any foot holds to even venture onto the boulders let alone climb them!
This was the first time I've ever soloed and had to use gear so totally new experience.
#freesolo #climbing #scrambling #grade3 #scrambler #scramble #dangerous #solo #fall #protection #yt #subscribe #youtube #challenge #adventure
music compliments of video guru

[@jamesbowler3339]

Enjoyed watching this captures how many of us feel on the less well travelled scrambles. Assuming escape was possible to the left at most points towards the winter route of Hourglass Gully? I guess it is part and parcel of scrambling and the challenges of the less well travelled and reported scrambles. Noted Mark Reeves comments on UK Climbing wrt and the committing move/crux which I think are comments to be respected! The route also gets very little sun all year round which doesn't help.

[@kadadventures]

Lol indeed James. This was my second lone scramble on this face and I feel daunted every time I approach it. The grades seem trickier here than others. I don't think I found the Gully, just thankfully the peak at the end 😅

[@jamesbowler3339]

@kadadventures what other scrambles are there? I thought that was the only one? I've done the Cwm Lloer Spur which is in the same Cwm. The crux of that definitely felt "way out there" for scrambling, very exposed, but it was very short so I guess it is a hard one to grade

[@kadadventures]

@@jamesbowler3339 I think I was tired when I read the first comment. Thought we were reflecting on glyder Fach. I've done the grade 3 lloer spur and did that solo. Pretty terrifying commitment on the move at end of the ledge. Yes they are all short there. I did a winter climb to the left of this one but it was to far left to access on this ascent I felt.

[@raybeaumont7670]

It's "Pen YR Olwen"

[@kadadventures]

Okay, lol there's always some part I seem to be getting wrong 🤪

[@TG-pd3ft]

Kate perhaps some more grippy scrambling boots would be wise? Yours look like walking boots. La Sportiva TX4 boots are excellent for scrambles.

[@kadadventures]

Yeah I had climbing shoes in my bag actually but parts of thus involved standing in the deepest mud that I thought it might actually be more dangerous amd slippery with them on. I always think of approach shoes but never bought any yet. I love La Sportiva stuff ❤

[@tomtom4405]

​​​@@kadadventuresyes, rock shoes would've been more dangerous, steep wet grass is not good in them. Also most scrambling/approach are overpriced trainers and dangerous BS, but La Sportiva TX4 gtx (I like the over ankle "mid" ones) are excellent for this territory ... like the other poster suggested

[@zaneclone]

You climbers lol... always taking the most difficult route up... :D

[@kadadventures]

Lol 🤣 trust me if there had been an easier one on this route I sure would have taken it 😅