Scrambling Skills

Scrambling is more difficult than hiking as it requires you to find ways around step terrain that may require the use of hands and precise foot holds. Because it does not often involve the use of ropes it looks easy, however in reality most back country rescues happen when people are attempting scrambles that are above their ability level, they don’t know the terrain, have not considered the current conditions and are ill prepared.  

Our Introduction to Scrambling program has been designed to help you reach many of the ridges and summits in the Canadian Rockies’s safely and with confidence.  The program covers how to choose the right peak for your abilities, how to plan your ascent and how to safely enjoy the day.  We follow a tried-and-true progression covering basic techniques which you can continue to develop over time as you achieve more summits.  

To maximize the use of your time, once you register for the course, we will send you some material on simple topics such as weather, geography, risk management and route finding, so when we meet at the trail head you will have some basic knowledge and we can progress rapidly to introduce topics such as route finding, terrain management, hazard assessment, movement on steep terrain and on snow and iced covered rock.

Have you already been scrambling and want to learn more and attempt harder routes? We can customize a program for your specific needs and goals that will include the basic use of rope, natural protection and belays to attempt more difficult scrambles.

Topics Covered:

• Proper Gear & use

• Guidebooks, maps and apps use

• Walking techniques

• Scrambling techniques

• Class 3 and Class 4 terrain

• Conditions assessment

• Trail finding

• Protecting yourself and others

• Pre-planning

• Risk management

• Environmental care

• Timing & Weather

Additional information

Please keep in mind that prior to to heading out for our Scrambling Program all participants are required to read and agree to waiver terms and conditions prior to booking completion. A copy of which can be found paramount-guides.com/waivers