What Is Scrambling: Take Your Hiking to the Next Level
If you’re a hiker, you may have heard the term “scramble” thrown around. No, I’m not talking about how you like your eggs in the morning or the word game you play on your phone.
Scrambling can be defined as the activity in between hiking and rock climbing. It requires the use of your hands to ascend a steep section of terrain but doesn’t quite enter into the vertical features that define climbing.
There are several grading systems used around the world to categorize the difficulty levels and progression of hiking and climbing. The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is widely used in Canada. We use this system to determine the difference between hiking, scrambling and rock climbing.
Let’s break it down:
Class 1
Class one terrain is the majority of accessed trails where the exposure or fall risk is very manageable or avoidable. The trail may still be long, but the terrain features are easy to navigate, and there are minimal sections of unstable footing.
Class 2
Class two may begin to require the use of your hands to keep balance and lead you into features like a scree slope or talus. The trail may not be as well-marked in class two terrain, and a fall risk is present, but the consequences remain only moderate.
Class 3
This is where scrambling begins. Class three requires you to use your hands for sustained sections with loose footing. The fall risk here has now increased and the consequences are serious. Class three can still be climbed without the use of a rope. Oftentimes, you can still climb downward in class three while facing outward.
Class 4
This is where difficult scrambling begins. Class four terrain will likely require the use of a rope and other protective climbing gear. While the terrain may be considered “easy” in the climbing world, the fall risk and exposure here are significant, and the consequence is likely death or serious injury.
Class 5
Class five means you have entered the realm of rock climbing. You are now in terrain that requires you to traverse and climb vertical and overhung rock faces with rock climbing equipment. From here, the scale continues from 5.0 to 5.15d to rate the difficulty of a particular climbing route.
Safety When Scrambling
Scrambling, amongst many other outdoor activities, is safest when done in a group instead of solo. Although, travelling with a group requires even more care and attention to one’s surroundings. Never hike directly above or below a fellow hiker. This can put you or someone else in the path of potential rockfall, so it’s best to either leave space between each other or pick another line.
If you happen to dislodge a rock while moving through a section of scrambling, yell “rock” as loud as you can to warn those below you. Never throw a rock off a mountain to move it out of your way—you never know who might be coming up behind you.
Protect your noggin! On some scrambles where rockfall is a hazard, wearing a helmet is highly recommended. This could be a climbing or ski helmet, depending on what you have. A daypack with a waist belt is also handy, as it keeps your bag centred on your back and prevents it from swinging side to side.
Oftentimes, it is easier to climb up a rock feature than it is to climb down. When assessing a scramble, ask yourself if you can climb back down with control. Make sure you have the proper footwear before you set out. Choose a hiking shoe with great traction and support. There are even scrambling specific shoes that are designed for precise foot placement on rocks.
Scrambling is an exciting transition from hiking and allows you to experience the mountains in a new way. When the risk is properly assessed and managed, scrambling provides an extra challenge for hikers and a whole lotta fun!
Great story, I’m going to try more scrambling soon