UKC

I've decided I'd like to try some new scrambling (to me), I've done Tryfan and Crib Goch many times , and Bristly Ridge (in good and bad weather) but not done much else around that area.

I've seen the Idwal Staircase route online and tried to read guides / watch YouTube videos and look at OS maps etc. but I am struggling to find a neat map showing a route that would go up Idwal Staircase, then I believe you can go up "Seniors Ridge" to get to the top of Gylder Fawr.

I know if you go off route after Idwal Staircase you can accidentally get onto real 'climbing' territory so I would be taking my time and only go in very good weather.

Has anyone got any links / maps / advice etc. they could share that would explain the link up from the top of Idwal Staircase (which I understand is the wet roofed gully that starts from Llyn Idwal) to Seniors Ridge? It looks like the area after the wet gully ends has a wealth of scrambling but I wouldn't want to start up the wrong way and get onto Grade 3 or climbing territory (though like I say, I would be cautious and make sure I can backtrack). I wouldn't be taking a rope or anything like that.

Edit: I did search the forums on here as well and couldn't find anything on this route specifically.

Many thanks

https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/idwal_slabs_aka_cwm_idwal-496/idwa...

Grading can be a little flexible on these routes... but IMO, this is a Grade 3. 
I get why some say Mid Grade 2... but for me, the route edges into 3 territory! 

For a grade 2, try the route next to it.. Northwest Face Route. 
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/idwal_slabs_aka_cwm_idwal-496/nort...
 

Not done it, though might tomorrow!

In the Scrambles guide route 45 - Ideal Staircase and Continuation' is described as ending on Seniors Ridge.  The description makes it seem reasonable with the Staircase bit sounding like the more challenging section.

I can send a scan of the relevant pages if it would help?  

Idwal Staircase is certainly in the Grade 3 scrambling category.  At no point will you be able to put your hands back in your pockets and maintain upwards travel (if you are sane) .  It's a good scramble but more climby than walky and you often have to weave a bit to stay out of the damp rock from the stream.

Once you get to the top of the buttress the ground levels out.  To your right is more technical scrambling terrain.  To your left is technical scrambling terrain.  Straight in front of you is slightly easier scrambling terrain where you can zigzag up onto Senior's ridge.  Again, scrambling terrain, not walking terrain and it can be loose in parts.

is this the book "Steve Ashton: Scrambles in Snowdonia: 80 of the best routes" from Cicerone? If so, I've just ordered it, I didn't realise it had all these in so that should be what I need!

This is a fairly nice one to have, and I find the photographic Topos quite handy when out and scoping routes..
https://rockfax.com/climbing-guides/books/snowdonia-mountain-walks-and-scra...

Having done the Snowdon and Bochlwyd horseshoes, I bought Garry Smith's guidebook and worked my through it; not completed, some routes really do a look a bit sketchy for soloing. But I've climbed most of the 3+ routes and wholly trust his descriptions.

P.S. I have zero rock climbing experience and most routes were ticked in Scarpa Rebel Lites.

I also own the Steve Ashton and the Mark Reeves guidebooks. The former I find a little confusing, the descriptions rarely marry up with what I'm seeing; "ape-like swings" on Chasm Face Route... ? The latter, I really don't get on well with. It features some egregious grade creep and takes some weird diversions off route for no apparent reason. Basically your mileage will vary, but hopefully you find an author that clicks.

Idwal Staircase is straightforward grade 2 scrambling, with the bonus of no awkward route finding. That comes next. The crux of the route is a steep corner that requires a reasonable bit of physicality, I'm 6'1" and it's not so bad but I'd imagine issues for the shorter inclined.

It is, yes.  

I think my plan is just going to be - wait for a day of great weather and take my time. I'm sure once I'm at the top of the damp roofed bit that starts by the lake (which I've seen loads of YouTube videos of, and doesn't look intimidating to my eyes compared to the stuff I've done before on Tryfan/Crib Goch etc.) I will be able to spot something that looks reasonable and marry it up with some of the descriptions etc. If not I presume there are safe ways to walk back to a path...

It’s nearly always wet. Fun if you enjoy that, less so if you don’t 😂

I always prefer Idwal Buttress just to the right before traversing left above Idwal Staircase when that meets the grassy section, to get back on good rock.

I'd second this - Idwal Buttress and Continuation is a great day out with the added bonus of staying out of the river. 

That's enough to encourage me to head for that tomorrow early then!

I'd second this advice. Idwal Staircase to me is an upper g2, tricky route finding. In contrary, NW Face Route (which newer guides have inexplicably started calling Idwal Buttress) is a low g2 and very fun, but still an exploratory scramble out of the cwm and well worth doing.

I remember it as being very unobvious and quite scary. Obviously not done much because there's very little evidence of foot traffic, and many misleading little sheep paths. I've only managed to follow it successfully once, and on at least three occasions have traversed left into the Nameless Cwm, crossed that, and then gone up the Cneifion Arete - a combination I would recommend. You might want a scrambling rope with a runner or two on the first 70 feet or so of the Cneifion Arete.

I went up today and did the Northwest Face Route (Idwal Buttress), the continuation, Seniors Ridge and the around Cwn Cnieffon and down Y Gribin.  Apart from heat, there were no problems at all.  Easy to follow the route throughout and some fantastic scenery of course.  

I'd definitely recommend good visibility for any of the scrambles in and around the Idwal Slabs; the continuation to Staircase is not the most obvious, and you'll likely to be on your own up there with very little in the way of polish and crampon marks to guide you.

"If not I presume there are safe ways to walk back to a path..." Once you're on the middle terrace, you're committed. There are no paths! Just take your time to work it out as there are a lot of options up there; you won't blindly find yourself on dangerous terrain, but you may have to reverse a bit to find the line of least resistance.

N.B. Mark Reeves does suggest a non-scrambling escape from the terrace, but I can't comment having never done it.

Idwal Buttress is a nice route, but Idwal Staircase has a uniqueness to it that makes it 100% worthwhile. Esoteric scrambling at its best. Oh and the steepest section is the start i.e. it becomes easier the higher you go. 

You can traverse off right relatively easily from the half way ish point, do have to follow your nose a bit.