I decided to tick off a load of high grade scrambles all in one day. I had previously only done one Grade 3, and other than some brief descriptions in my guidebook I really didn't know what to expect. If you don't know, for a scramble to be Grade 3 it has to have prolonged stretches of very exposed climbing where there are no escape routes. You either continue and reach the top, or you fall and (almost definitely) die. I don't recommend that you try this yourself unless you really know what you're doing (or you're attached to a rope).
Bryant's Gully (Grade 2+)
I began my route by ascending my favourite scramble of all time; Bryant's Gully. I love this climb due to how big it is (over 500 meters of scrambling ascent) and how varied the sections are. I've already uploaded a few videos of it (including the first time I ever went up) but I thought I'd add this one too, because it shows it in more detail.
Bryant's Gully is a grade 2+ and you definitely shouldn't go up it unless you're a confident scrambler. There are lots of steep, slippery rocks and plenty of loose undergrowth, as well as a constant stream of water. Escape routes are minimal and can be almost as awkward to climb as the gully itself. There is zero phone reception in Bryant's Gully and it hardly ever has other people in it, so if you were to slip and break something then you'd find yourself in a whole world of trouble.
Bryant's Gully is a grade 2+ and you definitely shouldn't go up it unless you're a confident scrambler. There are lots of steep, slippery rocks and plenty of loose undergrowth, as well as a constant stream of water. Escape routes are minimal and can be almost as awkward to climb as the gully itself. There is zero phone reception in Bryant's Gully and it hardly ever has other people in it, so if you were to slip and break something then you'd find yourself in a whole world of trouble.
Bryant's Gully Jagged Cliff (Grade 3+)
Whilst ascending Bryant's Gully (as seen in the previous video) I found a rock face which I hadn't seen before and decided to give it a go. This was a totally unofficial route, and one which is not in any guidebook. I'm not even sure if anyone will have ever climbed it before. Anyway, I gave it a go and almost bit off more than I could chew. Fortunately, I know when to admit defeat and climb back down, because that lonely gully full of spiky rocks is not somewhere that I would like to fall.
Idwal Staircase (Grade 2)
After topping out over Bryant's Gully I made my way to Llyn y Cwn, the little lake to the South East of Y Garn. From there I descended past Devil's Kitchen and headed towards Idwal Staircase.
I filmed my ascent up Idwal Staircase but the footage wasn't interesting enough for me to make a video, so you'll have to make do with a single screen-cap instead.
Though Idwal Staircase is just a Grade 2 it was a fun scramble and it has a lot of extra ascent added on to the end of it, as once you come out of the top of the Staircase there is still a lot more to climb up before you get over the ridge and can see the next challenge; the quite intimidating Cneifion Arete...
I filmed my ascent up Idwal Staircase but the footage wasn't interesting enough for me to make a video, so you'll have to make do with a single screen-cap instead.
Though Idwal Staircase is just a Grade 2 it was a fun scramble and it has a lot of extra ascent added on to the end of it, as once you come out of the top of the Staircase there is still a lot more to climb up before you get over the ridge and can see the next challenge; the quite intimidating Cneifion Arete...
Cneifion Arete (Grade 3)
Cneifion Arete is a very imposing ridge on the side of Gribin in the Glyders, Snowdonia. It's a Grade 3 scramble due to it being so steep and exposed, and the first ten meters in particular are pretty unnerving.
Whilst working out the route up this first part of the climb I was hyper aware that I was one small mistake away from falling to my death. It was a huge relief when I got past the crux and could continue on the ridge because although still very exposed I felt that I had a lot more to hold on to.
I won't lie, this climb gave me a proper adrenaline rush!
Whilst working out the route up this first part of the climb I was hyper aware that I was one small mistake away from falling to my death. It was a huge relief when I got past the crux and could continue on the ridge because although still very exposed I felt that I had a lot more to hold on to.
I won't lie, this climb gave me a proper adrenaline rush!
Dolmen Ridge (Grade 3)
After topping out at Cneifion Arrete I was feeling pumped up, and made my way to Dolmen Ridge, a great big scramble up the side of Glyder Fach. I had seen videos of people climbing this route and it had looked very exposed and dodgy.
And it was!
The first part is very straightforward, but then you get to a steep ramp which leads to the start of the Grade 3 section. This is where the scrambling gets real. There's nothing quite like hanging on to the side of a vertical cliff, unable to climb back down and unsure where the next handhold is, to really get the adrenaline pumping.
At 6:48 I reach a point where I decide to go to the right, rather than continue straight up. After watching other people's videos I realised that at this point I left the usual route (as described in the guidebooks, and shown on other people's videos). Fortunately I kept a cool head and found enough handholds to pull myself up and over the crux but I wonder how many other people have gone that way before me. Not many, I reckon.
Dolmen Ridge is a great way to get to the summit of Glyder Fach! Also, please don't copy me.
And it was!
The first part is very straightforward, but then you get to a steep ramp which leads to the start of the Grade 3 section. This is where the scrambling gets real. There's nothing quite like hanging on to the side of a vertical cliff, unable to climb back down and unsure where the next handhold is, to really get the adrenaline pumping.
At 6:48 I reach a point where I decide to go to the right, rather than continue straight up. After watching other people's videos I realised that at this point I left the usual route (as described in the guidebooks, and shown on other people's videos). Fortunately I kept a cool head and found enough handholds to pull myself up and over the crux but I wonder how many other people have gone that way before me. Not many, I reckon.
Dolmen Ridge is a great way to get to the summit of Glyder Fach! Also, please don't copy me.
Getting Back To The Car
Once on top of Glyder Fach I was able to pause for a moment and really appreciate the fact that I had survived the day.Any one of the scrambles that I had done could have been the end of me.
I then had to think about getting back to my car, as Glyder Fach is a fair distance from where I was parked, and the sun would be setting in a couple of hours. One option was to return to Bryant's Gully and descend it. However, having done that before and knowing what a big task it is, I opted for a more straightforward descent, or so I thought.
I aimed for Llyn Cwmffynnon, a lake hidden behind Pen y Pass and one which I had never been to before. It was just 1.3 miles away, down a simple looking slope. I didn't realise that this would become the longest 1.3 miles ever, thanks to the terrain being a nightmare.
The entire slope was covered in tall, thick ferns and piles of boulders. The ferns made the boulders super slippery, and hid a million little potholes where I could very easily snap an ankle. I didn't time just how long it took to get down that way but it was at least two hours. Still, at least I know to never, ever descend that way again.
Finally getting back down to Pen y Pass was fantastic, as then it was just a case of walking two miles down the valley as the sun began to set.
All in all I was out scrambling and descending for eleven hours that day. Great scrambling, great exercise, and relieved to still be alive and in one piece. Can't ask for more than that!
I then had to think about getting back to my car, as Glyder Fach is a fair distance from where I was parked, and the sun would be setting in a couple of hours. One option was to return to Bryant's Gully and descend it. However, having done that before and knowing what a big task it is, I opted for a more straightforward descent, or so I thought.
I aimed for Llyn Cwmffynnon, a lake hidden behind Pen y Pass and one which I had never been to before. It was just 1.3 miles away, down a simple looking slope. I didn't realise that this would become the longest 1.3 miles ever, thanks to the terrain being a nightmare.
The entire slope was covered in tall, thick ferns and piles of boulders. The ferns made the boulders super slippery, and hid a million little potholes where I could very easily snap an ankle. I didn't time just how long it took to get down that way but it was at least two hours. Still, at least I know to never, ever descend that way again.
Finally getting back down to Pen y Pass was fantastic, as then it was just a case of walking two miles down the valley as the sun began to set.
All in all I was out scrambling and descending for eleven hours that day. Great scrambling, great exercise, and relieved to still be alive and in one piece. Can't ask for more than that!
Tag Searches
Bouldering
7
Mountain Walking
39
Mountains and Peak Activities
82
Rock Climbing
8
Rockface Activities
9
Scrambling
24
Snowdonia
38
Wales
40
View Posts By Other Leaders
0
There are currently no posts made by other Leaders
Recent Searches
© NeedALeader 2025