Scrambling Grades Explained

[@clogsonthemountain]

Scrambling is the best! You have to understand the grading system first before getting started. But when you work your way up the ladder it can be very rewarding!

[@nickrails]

One of my mates is a climber who has climbed up to E8. He refuses to come scrambling with me (I only do G1 & G2 never used ropes), reckoning that its stupidly dangerous. I wont go anywhere near climbing with him, reckoning that I dont have the nerve for it. I recently lost my nerve at the foot of Bell Rib on Yewbarrow, which is a G3 looked pretty terminal if a mistake was made. I consoled myself with the G1 scramble in the gully below up to Great Door. It did make me wonder if I have the stones for risk taking on the mountains any more.

[@clogsonthemountain]

Most grade 1 and 2 are OK without a rope as long as the experience is there imo. I've soloed a few grade 3 and that's another level. I rope up for most of them tbf. Always thought rock climbing wasn't going to be for me however as my confidence grew I wanted more 😂 Being on a rope makes you feel a lot safer tbf but also depends who's belaying you. Tomorrow morning we start a rock climbing series on the channel, highly recommend tuning in

[@nickrails]

@clogsonthemountain I might try and get on some guided roped scrambles - as you say the confidence that you're not going die if you make a mistake or slip sounds quite appealing! Be interested to see your new series, good luck with it.

[@66oggy]

I was scrambling for ten years before I knew about the grading system, and I still don't bother about it now. I flew up An Stac and the Inn Pin solo like a mountain goat.... Grade 3. Aonach Eagach, with it's tricky down climbs was a bit nervy I can tell you.... Grade 2. It's all relative to the individual, and when you start grading things, it puts people off who would easily do it, and lures people in who are way out of their depth. Crib Goch is a perfect example of this. It's a grade 1, but the exposure across the ridge is phenomenal. To be honest, anyone who thinks about falling off shouldn't be doing it, if you use ropes or not. Most people don't use a mode of transport, and think about crashing.

[@clogsonthemountain]

@@66oggy yes agree, definitely some scrambles are undergraded

[@alane3983]

Nice video. That last scramble looked great.

[@clogsonthemountain]

Thanks, just put a new video out on the last scramble, Cneifion arete

[@ПетрСтраумал]

As a climber I would say, thats dangerous stuff. Any mistake can lead to death. Thats litterally free solo, but with easy climb. Would not advise to do for anyone who is not fit enough, who is not experienced in real climbing, and 100% sure he can make it

[@thomasmackey6760]

So more like a 5.0 to 5.7 but all X, Like a 5.5X on Yosemite Decmile System

[@summer78946]

Or she :)

[@davidharris2517]

Much easier than that, these are 3rd and 4th class​@@thomasmackey6760

[@robvp71]

I would advise to do some medium - difficult graded (B/C/D) Via Ferrata's which will give you a sense of what you are about to do. Looking at the video I think grades I,II and III are comparable with the Via Ferrata B/C grades but having no steel cable will definitely have an impact on the mental side of the climb so that's why I think you should be able to get through D sections in a Via Ferrata comfortably. It's like top roping vs lead climbing 🙂 same routes, definitely another feeling!

[@robvp71]

Just ordered the scrambling route books of the Lake District and Snowdonia, I will be there this September. I had no idea about the grades but after seeing this video I think I will be comfortable with grade I and II but also eager to find a short grade III scramble. I've hiked the Aonach Eagach ridge which was great, the Black Cuillin and some routes at the Picos de Europa and most recently did a lot of Via Ferrata climbing (up to grade E). The 'fun' thing with the UK however is how there simply is no indication of the routes. I've climbed a lot in Switzerland and the yellow markers and red dots are everywhere.. in Scotland you sometimes find the small `stonemen' (not sure what to call them ;-) but that's about it. I think that adds that extra bit of challenge that makes it really worthwhile to visit the UK! It's one of the few countries where you can really be on your own without people or signs telling you where to go.. you should be aware of that if you visit the UK.. it's definitely not like Austria, Germany or Switzerland.

[@clogsonthemountain]

@robvp71 tryfan bach will be a good route to scramble without rope. Have a look at my top 3 videos for further inspiration. Definitely more onsight routes here where there are no indicators where to go! Enjoy your trip to the UK 🇬🇧

[@basharsafa5977]

At this moment is when I learned I won’t be going past Class 1 😅

[@XxJD1RTYxX]

Keeping it to the day hikes lol for me

[@georgesheffield1580]

One person's scramble is another's rope protected climb , conversely another person's sever rope climb is just an easy scramble . Third classing a 5.8 is common for many climbers .

[@clogsonthemountain]

Exactly that mate

[@summer78946]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@clogsonthemountain]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@frankblangeard8865]

People have free soloed the north face of the Eiger. So I guess that would be a class 3 scramble for those people.

[@davidrobinson7684]

@@frankblangeard8865 Rubbish.

[@OutandaboutwithSpencer]

Wow, cracking video..the guy on Crib Goch looked cool! 😂 Well done on the grade 3, too exposed for me. 👍

[@clogsonthemountain]

Thanks, you play a part in achieving this as well mate 👍

[@OllieFearn]

Nice video, very informative!

[@TheOldGreggggg]

That G2 looks shit scary

[@clogsonthemountain]

It's an exposed route for sure, not as bad as other grade 2's I've done though 😅

[@craigasher5970]

What kind of shoes do you use?

[@clogsonthemountain]

@@craigasher5970 approach shoes, la sportiva

[@pcb1962]

I'm going to stick at grade 1, thank you 😁

[@clogsonthemountain]

@pcb1962 I've always said that, now lead VS rock climb 🙃 But never venture on terrain you're not comfortable with

[@DanIngham]

just done this in the rain and at 40mph winds inside the white rain clouds, all I can say is f*** me it was a beast of a challenge to stay alive, that's how it felt for 4 hours pretty much non stop, it was only my 4th scramble so that escalated pretty fast for me

[@clogsonthemountain]

Sometimes you're out in bad weather and yes it can be very intimidating. Always happy to get off the mountain in one piece in those conditions.

[@RonaiHenrik]

So what would a UIAA grade IV be? Grade 2 scramble? Also, do I hear a hint of a Dutch accent?

[@clogsonthemountain]

More like grade 3 HVD or S Yes, originally Dutch but been living abroad since 2006

[@RonaiHenrik]

@@clogsonthemountain 3 HVD? What is that, I don't recognize the abbreviation. Dank je! :)

[@clogsonthemountain]

@@RonaiHenrik Hard very difficult or S for severe

[@RonaiHenrik]

@@clogsonthemountain ah the British scale I guess. I'm asking because I'm planning to climb Grauspitz and there are supposedly parts of UIAA IV- Or some say III. Some even think it's more III-. So I'm trying to get a feel for it. I can climb D/E via ferratas and 6b sport routes, 6c boulders, so the mental part is more scary than the physical aspect.

[@clogsonthemountain]

@RonaiHenrik sounds to me you've got great experience, not familiar with the mountain itself though so can't advice you on that I'm afraid. UIAA grade IV is equivalent to a 3C so taking out the exposure side of things you should be more than capable

[@matthewculpepper5261]

Probably just what I’m used to, but I prefer the YDS Class system. I’m sure you can add plus and minus to Grades and have the same type of equivalency, but I just feel like Class 3 is so distinct from Class 4 (i.e. there’s nothing in between like a “Grade2”); and then you can add plus or minus on each to give a great actual feel to the rock difficulty.

[@clogsonthemountain]

@matthewculpepper5261 we add a plus or minus too to every grade suggesting more exposure and difficulty. Even when a grade 3 has sections of technical rock climbing in it, it will become a grade 3S

[@salsageordie]

Matterhoen grade ?

[@clogsonthemountain]

5.7 grade for the matterhorn with previous alpine and ice climbing experience required if that's what you meant?

[@salsageordie]

5.7 grade can you define that ?

[@charlesmartin1121]

From what I have seen here and elsewhere, is the precise distinctions between scrambling (class 4) and low grade climbing (class 5.0 to 5.4)------>are totally scrambled and indistinct. Like in the definition of a species there should be one archetypal section of rock for each grade, that is widely agreed upon. Better still some organization or group of organizations should create a series of 50 meter long artificial climbing surfaces (i.e. resembling real rock) that precisely define what each grade looks like.

[@clogsonthemountain]

I agree, the many varieties on grades can make it quite blurred imo. A good understanding in all of them can be very helpful when climbing and or scrambling abroad.

[@matthewculpepper5261]

If you look hard enough, you’ll find the differences. It’s not like Class 4+ (yes, that’s a distinction too) just magically becomes 5.4 with the very next harder move. But like an assortment of fine wines, the differences will be subtle and dependent on the precise foot and hand holds that you are on.

[@yungthunder2681]

If you're using ropes, you're not scrambling, you're climbing

[@annabellemitchell192]

Yes… and if you have a rope it becomes easier than a class 1… because at least you’re protected somewhat

[@davidrobinson7684]

Wrong. The difference between scrambling and climbing is not determined by whether or not ropes are used. Some less experienced and confident scramblers traverse the Aonach Eagach in summer using ropes for security and reassurance, but it remains a scramble. Conversely, Alex Honnold's free-solo ascent of Freerider on El Capitan did not turn into a scramble just because he used no ropes. It's a very hard climb that only one person in the world, so far, has free-soloed.

[@philipmear8680]

Grade 1 fun, the others are not for me.

[@clogsonthemountain]

That's what I thought at first. Some of them are hair raising but very rewarding. However best to stay in your comfort level for sure 👍

[@djshocka2007]

👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@dmbeaster]

Ugh. Shitty rock. I am spoiled by Sierra granite. That Grade 3 is not that nasty. Exposure, but secure moves. More like a high end class 3 in the Sierras. Class 4 is nastier.

[@kenslawich3148]

your wrong, there's 4 grades and on the first theres no hands are needed for starters

[@clogsonthemountain]

In the UK there are 3 scrambling grades

[@dmbeaster]

That is the US system. UK grade 1 is class 2 US. Class 1 US is a trail - not a scramble