Introduction
Our scrambling courses in the Lake District give you the ideal opportunity to explore the more rugged and dramatic routes up mountains. They will also expand your repertoire of skills and give you the ability to undertake your own scrambling days out.
In the UK, we give scrambles one of three grades – Grade 1, 2 or 3. All of these grades imply a level of difficulty that is harder than simply walking. However, scrambles are generally not hard enough nor continuous enough to merit a rock climbing grade. There is something of a crossover at the top end. Some Grade 3 scrambles are one and the same as a rock climb that is graded Moderate or Difficult. These are two of the easiest rock climbing grades. However, while scrambles may not be technically difficult, they are usually in positions of great seriousness. In these circumstances a slip can be fatal.
As such, what we call scrambling is potentially one of the most dangerous forms of mountaineering. On the other hand, it is also one of the most enjoyable and rewarding. Moving quickly with only light equipment, a scrambler can cover much greater distances than a party of rock climbers. They get to enjoy the rapidly changing views as they gain height. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the mountains.
We offer a whole range of scrambling courses and guided scrambles in the Lake District. These range from courses for the complete novice to those wanting to learn rope work skills for scrambling in the UK and mountaineering in the Alps.
Booking and Prices
If you’d like to know more about our scrambling courses in the Lake District, then see our main page for more details and prices or see what our clients say about us.
When you are ready, then get in touch to make an enquiry or a booking.
We also run scrambling courses in Snowdonia and on the west coast of Scotland.
Beginners’ Scrambling Courses in the Lake District
High on Jack’s Rake, Great Langdale
On our introduction to scrambling in the Lake District you could very well find yourself on Striding Edge. Striding Edge on Helvellyn is one of the classic Grade 1 scrambles in the area (and in the UK). Two other routes that we scramble regularly and are of a similar difficulty are Jack’s Rake (right) and Sharp Edge on Blencathra. All of these routes are high on many people’s ‘tick lists’.
Striding Edge is a very popular way to the top of Helvellyn. It’s an ideal route for our Lake District introduction to scrambling. However, it requires a head for heights and a steady nerve. While it isn’t very difficult, poor mountain conditions can make it far more dangerous than you may expect. The usual scramblers way to make a circuit and return home would be to descend Swirral Edge. Our aim on a course like this is not simply to guide you around. Instead, we will help you to develop your knowledge and formulate your own judgement about what is safe and not safe to do. In this way, you will become an independent scrambler capable of going out alone to tackle routes like this.
Advanced Scrambling Courses in the Lake District
On our advanced scrambling courses, the aim is likely to be twofold. We will aim to give you experience of moving on harder scrambling terrain, such as Grade 3 scrambles like Pinnacle Ridge. You will begin to appreciate the additional exposure on these routes and feel just how much more serious they are compared to Grade 1s. We will also be introducing you to some of the rope work used to safeguard scrambles, so that your level of knowledge increases too.
Learn to Lead Scrambling Courses in the Lake District
In comparison with a Grade 1 scramble, on a Grade 3 scramble many people would prefer to have some protection. This would include a helmet and a harness and the use of a rope and climbing equipment – along with the knowledge of how to use them.
That is the purpose of our learn to lead scrambling courses in the Lake District. We will teach you a variety alpine mountaineering techniques which can be use to protect Grade 3 scrambles without slowing down your progress too much.
In the photo below, a student on one of our learn to lead courses is putting his leading skills to the test on Cam Crag Ridge, an ideal training ground.
