Scrambling Equipment

Equipment Guide to Scrambling

equipment-s Many visitor to this site will be experienced enough to have their own ideas about equipment, but as a website guide to scrambling it is our duty to remind you and other less experienced scrambles of the types of equipment you need when out on the hills.

Boots

While many of us own a pair of walking boots not all types are suitable for this type of activity. A suitable pair should be well made and of a comfortable fitting, giving a good security of foothold.

Nowadays many summer boots are made from fabric and are light on the foot a descent pair of these fabric boots with a good stiff sole is more than adequate for scrambling in summer. One point to make is that it might be worth spending a little extra and buy waterproof Gor-Tex fabric boots; this will ensure that your feet remain dry while scrambling close to water.

Waterproofs

waterproofs for scramblingCarrying a set of water proofs in your rucksack is always advised, even if the forecast is for a sunny day. A waterproof jacket can come in very handy to prevent you from getting wet when scrambling up close to waterfalls. Don't forget mountain weather can change from clear blue skies to a thunderstorm within an hour, and being caught out by this would make the rest of the day a wet and cold walk back to your car.

Rope

While many scrambles do not require the use of a rope it is always advised to carry one when venturing onto scrambles graded 2 and above. A rope can be used not only for protection but on the occasional retreat if the conditions prove to hazardous. It is also possible that poor route finding could lead you into an area of difficult terrain or an exposed grass slope, where you might want to use the rope for a rope worksafe retreat to a more level position The choice of rope i would recommend is a 9mm 30 meter climbing rope as most if not all scrambles can be escaped from within this distance.

Apart from just having a rope each member of your party should carry a harness and at least one screw gate karabiner and a belay plate, as there would not be much use for the rope without the right equipment to go along with it. A few slings and a some rock climbing nuts would alos be advised on more difficult routes. NOTE: please make sure at least one member of your team is an experienced rock climber with a good knowledge of how to set up abseils and belays. Many people have been injured or killed due to thier lack of knowledge of how to use the climbing equipment safely.

If no one in your party is experienced enough to set up a belay or abseil then please do not venture into terrain which might cause you to use it. It might be an idea if you or a member of your party took a 3 day climbing and rope course.

Map and Compass

Well not much to say about this topic apart from always have them with you and know how to use them together. Nowadays you can get electronic GPS (Global Positioning Devise) that will tell you exactly where you are and guide you in the right direction. But please note these devises also require a certain amount of skill to be used correctly. Never rely on one device always have a back up and the knowledge to go with it. Then you will be safe and can be assured that your scramble will be a happy and safe one

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kit
written by bob, July 18, 2010

I find a minimal rack typically consisting of a set of nuts (sizes 1 - 9), a small selection of quad cams/friends (no more than five) and a basic petzl pulley is more than adequete. My main problem kit-wise is finding mountain friendly condiments. Betws-y-Coed Spa only sells glass jars of mustard rather than the handy tubes available in Fort William.

A few basic points on scrambling
written by stephen reilly, July 12, 2010

Hi, I'm fairly new to the sight but not so to scrambling. I find the info surrounding scrambling all a bit much, when moving from hillwalking to scrambling as a natural progression it was always thought of as something you did for a bit of fun, it was the middle ground between walking and rock climbing now magazines like trail are providing whole articles on equipment, what rack to take etc. Surely this is the domain of rock climbers? Scramblers seem to be of a more laid back and easy going type, not to hassled about non stick specialised shoes or ultra light weight belay jackets. I hope this sight does not get too bogged down in the technical stuff and remembers that any out door activity should be enjoyable and any risk or danger should be manageable and the best skill is experience.
I'll get down of my soap box now

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