I am fairly new to the world of camping, and I've never done scrambling before, but it looks great. I would consider myself a novice, obviously, and was wondering where a good place to go is? I'd like to go somewhere 'attractive', but I realise this is a very subjective term. I find Cumbria to be incredibly beautiful from what I've seen online (http://www.yell.com/images/uk/cumbria/cumbria.jpg) and would love to go there - is there any good scrambling there? I have seen that Snowdonia is very good for it, but for me the views are a bit less compelling - seems to distinctly lack any sort of greenery! I've done a little research and I heard about Crib Goch - but it seems that this wouldn't be a good one to start with, especially solo. Could anyone make any recommendations? It'd be hugely appreciated.
Was scrambling up in Cumbria on Saturday and as a beginner you'll find plenty of 'easy' routes there, were you can follow the crowds and not have to worry about route finding or loose rock. Others on here would know more about that area of the country than me and be able to recommend something suitable.
I wouldn't worry about 'greenery' as it's the last thing you want when scrambling. There is good scrambling to be found in Wales as you've read, I prefer it to the Lakes to be honest. If you want a dramatic skyline around you, then Gribin, a smallish ridge sat below, Snowdon, Crib Goch and Lliwedd is hard to beat as a starter scramble, then you could head over Lliwedd and down the other side - all fairly easy but cracking views. You'll have good views of Crib Goch from up there and can make plans for future days out.
To save you buying a guide book to start with, you may find this site helpful http://www.ukscrambles.co.uk/
Yewbarrow next to Wastwater, then onto the surrounding peaks?
More of a steep walk with scrambly sections that can be avoided if you find scrambling is not for you. Certainly one of the most beautiful area's in Cumbria and you can camp nearby.
Maybe find a group to tag along with, you'll find yourself getting up things that you may have shied away from on your own.
Tryfan North ridge. You can walk around anything you don't like or try your hand at silly hard climbing. Go at the weekend and there will be plenty of people to follow, encourage you or help if you whimper a bit.
A lot of the ridges although classed as grade 1 scrambles, don't involve a lot of scrambling. They may involve using your hands and have exposure but that doesn't mean you will be climbing or clambering a great deal.
Jacks rake is hands on and quite easy with one real section of exposure but it's very short 5m or so? If it's airy exposure you're after striding edge is long and easy and is a cracking day out, Sharp edge is a little bit more exposed in places and requires hands on a lot more although it's fairly short.Crib goch is very exposed and very long, the most committing ridge in England/Wales IMO, the scramble on the way up to the ridge is ace
I think for fun and hands on climbing frame style clambering, it has to be Tryfan. It's fun from the road to the top and if you add in Sinister gully and bristly ridge it's a day out that's hard to beat.
If you want a little taster in the Lakes Harter fell is quiet and has quite a bit of scrambling to be had on it, nothing committing just fun.
I think a good choice for a first scramble in Snowdonia would be Senior's Ridge on Glyder Fawr, which is probably half way between a walk and a scramble. You could descend via the Devil's Kitchen route back to Idwal Cottage. Alternatively, try heading up the Y Gribin ridge on the same mountain and descending Senior's Ridge.
Another good beginners scramble in Snowdonia would be to head up the Watkin Path from Nantgwynant and then come back over Y Lliwedd. The scrambling on Y Lliwedd can be varied according to how you are feeling and you will get great views of Snowdon and Crib Goch.
Finally the Daear Ddu ridge on Moel Siabod would make another good introductory scramble in Snowdonia, and once again the difficulty can be altered according to how you are feeling.
I would personally avoid the N ridge of Tryfan for your first scramble in Snowdonia as there is a section towards the top which is, to my mind, a bit harder than any of the rest of the route, and can't really be avoided. If you don't fancy it you will face quite a long trek back down to the road and your confidence will be dented.
As far as the Lake District is concerned, you can't go wrong starting off with a combination of Swirral Edge and Striding Edge. I personally prefer to head up Swirral Edge and then back along Striding Edge. This is because Swirral Edge goes consistently upwards, whereas Striding Edge just goes along and it doesn't really matter which way you do it. Doing it this way also avoids a potentially tricky downclimb where Striding Edge meets the shoulder of Helvellyn - you get to go up rather than clamber down.
Another good introductory scramble in the Lakes would be Hall's Fell ridge on Blencathra. This would give you a chance to head over to get a look at Sharp Edge to see if you would fancy it for another time.
