Introduction to Scrambling

I have always enjoyed scrambling and most of the mountains and hills I hike have an element of scrambling to them, so I am always surprised when somebody doesn't know what scrambling is. Or even worse, if people are scrambling but just think it is hiking!

With scrambling becoming more and more popular and with hikers now picking certain routes on mountains and hills with a scramble route, I thought it would be a great idea to share my thoughts and techniques that you might want to incorporate into your own scrambling. So here it goes! 

The first thing you should consider is the type of stage scramble that you want to undertake. Buying a guide of where you want to scramble is always a great shout; the Ciceroneguides are really good. If you are new to scrambling and (like me) aren't a climber, then stick with stage one scrambling routes. They can be pretty demanding but the chances of you getting to the summit are a lot higher than if you were to do a stage two or three scramble. (which will also mean you will need to harness and rope up!)

So you have studied the route that you want to take. You are prepped. You are ready! You then hike to the starting point of the scramble and you look up, and what do you think? Now a lot of the time it's: “there is no way in hell you can hike/scramble up that...look at it!” BAM! That is the biggest and most common mistake that a lot of hikers make. (well to me anyway!) When you see your route do not be put off with what it looks like in the distance because that will always put you off. Especially if you are new to it. Just think about where you are and what part of the route you want to dedicate yourself to. Once you get a feel of what you are doing, you will be fine. Also, once you are face to face with it and looking up, you find the route you want to take and it really isn't that bad!

Choosing the right equipment is vital. The main thing to look into is a decent pair of hiking boots but not all hiking boots will do. You will need to check the flexibility of the sole of the boot; the stiffer the better. This will allow you to then put your body weight onto the smallest section of rock, but the stiff sole will almost secure it like you have jammed your foot into the rock. This of course can be hard for some people because you are putting a lot of faith in your boots, hence why it is so important! If you are thinking about stage two and three scrambling, then harnesses and safety ropes all need to be looked into, and I mean properly looked into because they are life saving devices.

The only other thing I want to talk to you about (or bore you with) is how your body positions are a vital part when it comes to scrambling. If you over reach or over stretch to grab a boulder or rock, then you should choose a different route. It's in our nature to take the bull by the horns but nine times out of ten it will leave us either in a sticky situation, or hurt. So if you can’t seem to get over a rock or boulder, step back and look at the situation you are in. Don't just look at what’s in front of you, but also what is beyond; you don’t want to put all your effort into getting over the boulder to get to the top of it, then, for example, in 100 meters there is an even bigger boulder that you definitely can’t go around. So always try to find the best route and the safest route possible.

Watching your stepping is key. A lot of people start scrambling like they are going hiking; you want to have smaller steps. This will give you better balance in steeper or uneven ground and also will mean you won’t run the risk of over stretching. Once you have dug your foot into the rock side, you have dedicated your weight to your boots before you move. Position your nose to where you want to go, then follow your nose. What you will find is that your overall balance will be much better and you will not run the risk of falling or arching your back.

And that’s pretty much stage one scrambling in a nut shell…well in my eyes anyway. The most important thing is to have fun, take in the scenery and most importantly, stay safe!