6 DON’TS FOR SCRAMBLING WITH KIDS

DON’T USE ADULT TIME ESTIMATES

When I’m planning a mountain route with kids, I take a normal adult time and double it.

Then I add in extra for wee breaks, snack stops, picking up and examining unusual rocks, exploring secret caves, getting soaked through in ghylls and all the other weird and wonderful things that children get up to when you let them loose in the hills.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TURN BACK

Drifted off the line? This is not the time for impatience. Retrace your steps, get back on track – and, of course, never scramble up anything you can’t easily scramble down. That’s right: do as I say – not as I did!

DON’T TAKE MORE THAN ONE CHILD

For exposed or harder sections, you’ll really want to ‘spot’ your kid from below. That means sticking to a 1:1 ratio of adults to children. With only one small person on your radar, you’ll also be able to give them your full concentration.

DON’T FORGET TO LOOK AT THE GUIDEBOOK

One lesson I really should have learned by now: maps aren’t enough when it comes to scrambling. Find a good description of the route (ideally with pictures or illustrations), read it thoroughly, and take it along in your pocket for reference.

DON’T BRAVE BAD WEATHER

Windy, rainy conditions might be best avoided even for adult scramblers; but for kids, they can be downright dangerous. Avoid slippery, blustery and icy weather. It’s not just safer, but more enjoyable for everyone too.

DON’T SCRIMP ON KIT

Proper waterproofs and walking boots, plus plenty of warm gear, are essential on any high mountain route. For scrambling, you might also want to consider helmets and– if you know how to use them and the route demands it – ropes.