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Catbells - a great scramble in the Lakes. Photo by Jordanesq
By jwsmith1979
21 January 2009 13:24
My partner is scared of heights and I am looking for some easy scrambling routes in the Lakes with little exposure to ease them into scrambling.
By Trail magazine
To ease a partner into scrambling for the first time make sure it is well within their ability level so as not to scare them off. Give them lots of positive encouragement and arrange a reward that they will enjoy, like a pint or a favourite meal afterwards.To make them feel further at ease, choose a hill that they are familiar with, make sure they are wearing comfy and appropriate walking boots and make sure the forecast is for rocking weather. Then set off on a warm up walk. Any Lake District hill that you choose will have rocky sections that you can tempt your partner over. Loughrigg Fell just above Ambleside sticks out as a small, beginner hill with many small craggy spots ripe for mini-scrambles. Let them follow your lead as well as trying things out for themselves. Show them how they can use the edges of their boots to use small foot holds, test the grippiness of their boot soles and look for the easiest line up a set of gently sloping crags. Then try the very popular Cat Bells above Derwent Water to the south of Keswick. The walk is steep up to a small ridge of exposed scrambling rock at the top. Be very careful not to attempt this in wind or wet, however, as for a first timer this will be daunting. On a clear day however, the views below are superb and the holds plentiful and make for an arresting, challenging first scramble.
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Are there any good Lake District scrambles if you're afraid of heights?
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nigelew says
RE: My partner is scared of heights and I am looking for some easy scrambling routes in the Lakes with little exposure to ease them into scrambling.
Loughrigg Terraces worth a try - very gentle and good views of Rydal
05 March 2009 19:31
clogger4 says
Cicerone publish 2 exellent books by Brian Evans called Srambles in the Lake District Vol 1 Southern Lakes & Vol 2 Northern Lakes, these grade all scrambles, give details of what to expect,plus sketches of climbs and grid references. These are books you can spend many enjoyable hour studying.
28 February 2009 22:09
Ullswater says
Re: Are there any good Lake District scrambles if you're afraid of heights?
Try Red Screes from the Car Park at Kirkstone Pass Pub. Nice big slabs to start then becomes more of a scramble 3/4 way up. You'll always feel safe scrambling up!
22 February 2009 22:57
Spectric says
Hi Andy Thanks for the link to Wills courses & height courses, will be looking into this urgently !
Hi Andy
Thanks for the link to Wills courses & height courses, will be looking into this urgently !
20 February 2009 12:48
Hi all Know the feeling, I am also not happy with heights but am a lot better now because I keep pushing myself. A lot of the issue can be fear of the unknown, ie if I get up & over this very exposed bit will the next bit be even worse ! Also push yourself but don't get yourself into trouble and freeze as this is a setback, you will loose something of what you have gained. A strange thing is that I am nowhere near as bad underground, suppose these are negative heights and you cannot easily see the bottom. Another thing about heights is perspective, you may be on solid flat ground but feel uneasy because you know you are up high due to the vista. The ones that I am very pleased with achieving are Grisdale, Gables and the Old man of coniston. Roy
Hi all
Know the feeling, I am also not happy with heights but am a lot better now because I keep pushing myself. A lot of the issue can be fear of the unknown, ie if I get up & over this very exposed bit will the next bit be even worse !
Also push yourself but don't get yourself into trouble and freeze as this is a setback, you will loose something of what you have gained.
A strange thing is that I am nowhere near as bad underground, suppose these are negative heights and you cannot easily see the bottom.
Another thing about heights is perspective, you may be on solid flat ground but feel uneasy because you know you are up high due to the vista.
The ones that I am very pleased with achieving are Grisdale, Gables and the Old man of coniston.
Roy
20 February 2009 12:40
smithtom82
04 May 2009
12:52
What scrambling grades are Central and Custs Gulley on Great End, in summer conditions, and how long do they take?
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