Comments on: Why

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:38:37 +0000

Hi Ian,
I’ve really enjoyed reading about your adventures around the Saas Fee area. We’ve been visiting that area now on and off for the last 10 years and love it. I had no idea I would be able to get up some of these big peaks despite having been climbing in the UK for many years. I don’t think some people realise that if they are experienced in scrambling/easy rock climbing with some winter experience in the UK they could easily manage some of these peaks (with a little training maybe).
We’re hoping to go back this summer after 2 weeks on Skye. Have fun on Aconcagua.
Rich

By: james

james — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:42:15 +0000

phil : What a load of old codswallop, you are making easy routes sound like the living end. All the gear…No idea.

Phil, I think you need to appreciate what Ian is doing rather than criticising his advice. Given Tash's question it was a pretty decent answer! I have found Ian's site very useful as I am visiting Nepal next week for an EBC trek and have found info on this site and depth that the guides dont publish.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:18:23 +0000

Hi Yaz/Andrew,

Thanks for the comments and sorry it’s taken a while to post back, I’ve been busy with moving into my first home and then Christmas!

Glad you enjoyed Bristly Ridge Yaz, it’s a fantastic route and one well worth getting up really early for to have to yourself.

Appreciate the support for the site Andrew.

Couple of posts to tidy up and get posted and then in a weekend or two I’ll be out and about in the snow getting back into it all, so hopefully plenty of posts on the horizon.

- Ian

By: Andrew Deacon

Andrew Deacon — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:27:41 +0000

This is an interesting site, I hope you keep it up. Most outdoor blogs are either about climbing or walking and it’s nice to read about a few scrambles for a change. Ignore the anonymous “old codswallop” toss, everybody has to climb at their own level and try to push their own personal limits. The interest in a blog like this is the recalled experience of pushing those limits, not where the limits are, otherwise we would all subscribe to Ueli Steck’s blog and be done.

Rgds

Andrew

By: Yaz

Yaz — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:21:03 +0000

Hi
think the website is a great idea and I agree it’s better to be safe than sorry went up bristly ridge yesterday for the second time and it can be quite tricky in places, you see so many people walkng in snowdonia without the right equipment or preparation who end up being injured or having to be rescued, at great expense to the mountain rescue service when some forethought could have prevented this.

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:56:59 +0000

Hey Phil,

Thanks for the comment. Appreciate the routes I’m describing aren’t tricky but we all start somewhere, and there’s a lot of people out there who are trying them for the first time too. I’m just enjoying/describing the experience and hope the notes over time will be a decent reference for others doing similar and me to look back over.

- Ian

By: phil

phil — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:55:26 +0000

What a load of old codswallop, you are making easy routes sound like the living end.

All the gear…No idea.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:17:05 +0000

Hi Tash,

I’d strongly advise you to do some walking first, just to get a feel for what the terrain/mountains are like in each area, North Wales/Lake District and Scotland are all quite different. Check out some of the Cicerone guide books for ideas (“Great mountain days in the Lake District” and “Ridges of Snowdonia” are both good places to start).

Weather is hugely important, even on the normal paths, and can make a simple route tough. If you do set your mind on a scramble do it in dry conditions with little wind and stick to grade 1.

Realise also that it’s easy to lose the route on scrambles when you start out and it can get a lot more tricky if you do. Whilst it’s lovely to do without crowds, sticking to busy routes at peak times is the best bet at first.

Also think about how you’ll handle exposure to heights/steep drops. The first few times it can be disconcerting so build up to it.

Bristly Ridge isn’t too bad but slightly harder than Tryfan North ridge to me, so if you set your heart on it then do that first in good weather and see how you feel. There’s plenty of options to drop back to the road or go further into the Glyders from there.

Finally scrambling is dangerous, I’ve been lucky a couple of times after pushing myself too far. Take it slowly, enjoy the mountains and be ready to walk away if you’re not comfortable.

Any questions feel free to ask at ian2707@gmail.com

- Ian

By: Tash

Tash — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:54:16 +0000

Hi there,
Ok this may seem dumb but the whole garde 1 scrambling thing does this mean you have to be pretty decent at this. I have never experienced mountain trekking or climbing or anything like that in my life but I am pretty fit and really want to give it all a go its something I have a passion for yet I haven’t tried it. I am off to England soon to do some trekking in scotland and wales and maybe the lake district and want to do some trekking and view some beautiful scenery….I was looking at The Glyders via Bristly Ridge climb would that be too advanced? I am also doing it with my dad who is slightly overweight…..what are your thoughts and advice?
Thanks

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:45:02 +0000

Ian, brilliant! You are a few steps ahead of me. It will be great to find out what you going through. Maybe I’ll be able to avoid some errors.

“Life is brought down to the basics: if you are warm, regular, healthy, not thirsty or hungry, then you are not on a mountain. . . . Climbing at altitude is like hitting your head against a brick wall – it’s great when you stop.” -Chris Darwin ,The Social Climbers