The Highlands of Scotland offer plenty of opportunities for scrambling and climbing, whether that’s a hair-raising hike over a narrow ridge, or one of the more gentle Munros or Corbetts. If you are unsure of the difference between scrambling and climbing, here’s a look at what these distinct activities involve, and how you can benefit from acquiring these skills.
What is scrambling?
Scrambling is a halfway point between walking and climbing. It involves using the hands and feet to ascend more challenging steep terrain. Scrambles are divided into grades 1-3, rising according to the level of difficulty. In Scotland, the most challenging scrambling routes can be found in the Skye Cuillin range and the Aonach Eagach ridge.
Easier scrambles do not require technical equipment, although they do demand some mental and physical skill. Grade 1 scrambles can be done without any ropes, and Grade 2 scrambles will rarely require a rope, whereas Grade 3 scrambles may often require the support of ropes and other safety gear such as harnesses and helmets.
What is climbing?
Climbing involves scaling very steep or vertical rock faces, and is almost always done with the aid of technical equipment and safety gear.
Most people learn to climb by practising with a qualified instructor, and often they may begin at an indoor climbing centre. This provides a good opportunity to get used to wearing the safety equipment and selecting the right hand and foot holds, without the added challenge of variable weather conditions.
Experienced outdoor climbers learn how to assess and adapt to the conditions, as obviously ice, rain, or high winds bring extra challenges. Learning with an instructor will help you to judge the terrain and gain confidence, and often people realise they are capable of much more than they thought. Of course, it’s also strongly recommended for safety reasons.
Which should you learn first?
It’s often assumed that climbing is the more advanced activity, and that it is a natural progression from scrambling. However, it can be more beneficial to learn how to climb well first, particularly if you are nervous of heights. This is because the risks are more controlled, and if you do make a mistake you are backed up by safety gear.
On the other hand, more difficult scrambling routes can leave you exposed to potentially dangerous drops with no back up. In wet or cold weather when the rocks are greasy or icy, scrambling can be more technically challenging.
Scrambling safety tips
Always research your route carefully to ensure that the grade matches your experience and comfort levels. Test out your hand and footholds before placing your full weight on them in order to minimise the risk of slips and falls. Make sure that there is an accessible way down before you embark on your ascent.
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