Dan Bailey - Ridges of England, Wales and Ireland: Scrambles, Rock Climbs and Winter Routes

Most of the best and all of the most famous ridges have been described here but the selection in this book is not exhaustive. Those of an exploratory persuasion might find this list of also-rans helpful.

The paucity of Cumbrian winter routes covered in the book says more about the quality of recent seasons than it does about the omitted climbs; a deep freeze is required, since these are generally turfy:

• Great Doup Buttress, Pillar, 120m II
• Serendipity Ridge, Scoat Fell Crag, 115m III
• Juniper Ridge, Wasdale Screes, 130m I/II
• Pendulum Ridge, Scrubby Crag, 120m III
• South Pinnacle Ridge, Rampsgill Head, 90m IV
• Central Ridge, Rampsgill Head, 90m IV.

The adventurous might also explore the north and northeast side of Lingmell in summer or winter.

The ridge-climbing potential of the Exmoor coast has not yet been fully worked out; prospective explorers would have to be experienced with crumbling shale, steep vegetation and tidal issues.

Several historic Snowdonian ridge routes have lapsed into botanical obscurity, and are due a gardening renaissance. These include:

• Central Arete, Creigiau Gleision, Foel Goch, c100m VDiff
• The Great Ridge, Creigiau Gleision, Foel Goch, c130m Severe
• The Tower, Creigiau Gleision, Foel Goch, VDiff
• West Ridge, Creigiau Gleision, Foel Goch, VDiff
• Cannon Ridge, Tryfan West Face, c150m Severe
• Pinnacle Ridge, Craig y Bera, Mynydd Mawr, at least Difficult (some say substantially harder) theres more to go at hereabouts too, but if you thought Sentries Ridge was wobbly

Less obscure but no less worthwhile are:

• Mallorys Ridge, Y Garn (Nantlle), 115m VS 4c
• Eastern Arete, Y Garn (Nantlle), 140m VDiff
• Llechog Ridge, Snowdon, 1/2
• Seniors Ridge, Glyder Fawr 1
• Main Gully ridge, Glyder Fach, 2/3
• Pinnacle Rib Route, Tryfan East Face, 175m VDiff
• Overlapping Ridge Route, Tryfan East Face, 185m Severe
• Gashed Crag, Tryfan East Face, 170m VDiff
• Eastern Arete, Ysgolion Duon, 200m II/III

And finally

• Yr Esgair, Foel Goch, 180m II/III
  
• The most compelling ridge line in North Wales, this should only be considered in winter and even then only with sound nv/frozen turf. Being suicidally unstable in summer it is one to avoid unless youre that way inclined too.

While the unmissable Irish classics have all been described, several other Kerry ridges would also be worth a look for cool-headed types not averse to loose rock and greenery:

• Pippets Ridge, Carrauntoohil, Severe
• Primroses, Carrauntoohil, HVS
• Curved Gully Ridge, Carrauntoohil, VDiff/Severe
• Northeast ridge, Caher, VDiff
• Mystic Ridge, Mount Brandon, Severe
• East Ridge, Knocknagantee, 3
• Southwest Ridge, Hungry Hill, 1 (minimum)
• Grey Soldier Ridge, Ballydavid Head, Severe.

For those picking up hill skills these text books come highly recommended.

While a comprehensive list of the climbing and walking guidebooks covering every area touched on in this book would require a second volume in itself, a small clutch of recommendations might be handy: