Walk & Scramble Gradings

Within the future walks section, you will find the grades of each walk, which will include distance and ascents. This is just to give a guide only to the difficulty of each walk and what to expect.

For walks on the fells and mountains, actual (approximate) ascent will be given.

If you feel you can improve on or add to the walk grading below, please let us know; we won't be offended.

Grade	Description
1	Steep ascents involving some scrambling, rough paths, full day mountain walk
2	Steep ascents, including some rough terrain, full day mountain walk
3	Varied terrain, with some steep sections, about 6 - 8  hours
4	Generally good paths, some steeper gradients, 5 - 7 hours
5	Generally good paths, moderate gradients, 4 - 6 hours
6	Generally good paths, easy gradients up to 7/8 miles (3 - 4 hours)

This may sound like stating "the   +&%X"£*  obvious" but walks in the mountains and high fells are going to be tough. Please don't think you can walk round a couple of reservoirs and then take on Snowdon or Ben Nevis. It doesn't work and it can be very dangerous, not just for you, but equally, the others in the group.   

If in doubt about the grade or difficulty of a walk, please always ask the organiser/leader before the day!

Scrambling  

 This is more for information only for those who enjoy a bit of scrambling or who want to get involved with it, Please remember that whilst scrambling is good fun it is also very dangerous.

If out scrambling, above all else safety issues and common sense must prevail. You should not undertake or attempt anything you are not comfortable with or you think is beyond your abilities. 

Without wanting to be alarmist, remember, whether your walking or scrambling one slip could prove fatal

Grade 1

Generally speaking, fairly straightforward and with no route finding difficulty. Can vary from ascents to ridge walks and do not usually entail any great degree of exposure.

Grade 2

This grade will entail longer scrambles and demand a higher level of skill from a scrambler. There will be harder pitches and route finding will probably be more difficult and there will be more exposure. Do not attempt to use the route for a descent! A rope may be required for safety on the more exposed sections or to help in the event of an "escape". 

Grade 3

This should only be undertaken by experienced parties as this grade will be a far more serious undertaking.  There will be exposed sections and some parts will be classified as moderate rock climbs. Route finding will be probably be difficult. Ropes etc will be probably be required for the majority.  

Grade 3S

Partcicularly serious route, containing sections of high exposure and parts will again be classed as moderate rock climbs. Only for the very experienced and ropes etc. should be used.

Please remember that the grades are affected by the weather. A Grade 2 in bad weather should be regarded as a difficult grade 3. Generally speaking you should add at least one grade on in adverse conditions.

Also rocks become very slippery after rain or when in dark gullies, as moss builds up.