Climbing book review: Scrambles & Easy Climbs in Snowdonia (Grey Stone Books)

scrambles-and-easy-climbs-snowdoniaRather than trying to distinguish between scrambling and climbing, this book simply offers great mountain day rock expeditions. If you like easy moves on big routes, occasionally with a good measure of exposure, then read on.

I came across this book while looking for a guidebook for the Amphitheatre Buttress route in Snowdonia. It features this classic route along with 50 others, all contained in a handy, pocket-sized package.

The climbing routes are well described and easy to follow, and if you don’t understand any of the terminology used, there’s a glossary at the back. There’s even a handy guide to some of the Welsh terms you might encounter.

You’ll find a good combination of illustrations and black & white photos throughout. The climbs are indexed alphabetically and by grade. There’s advice on where to climb when it’s wet, and which climbs are best reserved for blue sky days. The book even includes advice on where to eat and sleep.

I have used the guide twice now, for the Amphitheatre Buttress and the Cneifion Arete (which is featured on the cover). The directions for the walk-in for the first climb were a little light on information, and I ended up having to ask a local for directions, other than that the guide was spot on for both expeditions.

You can get this book for £12.95 from The Climbing Book Shop.

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Written by Gareth Hanson

Gareth Hanson is a hugely enthusiastic climber and the editor of Rock Climbing UK (this very website!), an online rock climbing magazine for UK climbers. Check out RCUK's Twitter account here.

See all posts by Gareth Hanson.

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