How Dangerous is Crib Goch?

Crib Goch is one of the most thrilling and infamous ridges in the UK, attracting seasoned hikers and climbers from around the world.

The large number of Mountain Rescue incidents and the potential for a huge fall off the sheer cliffs of Crib Goch make it one of the most dangerous mountains in the UK.

This article explores the risks, frequency of Mountain Rescue incidents, and how to stay safe while tackling this iconic ridge in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

What is Crib Goch?

Crib Goch (Welsh for “Red Ridge”) is a mountain in the Snowdon Range that forms part of the Snowdon Horseshoe in North Wales. It is characterised by and famous for its knife-edge ridge that rises to 923 metres (3,028 feet). 

Despite its beauty, Crib Goch is a Grade 1 scramble and demands confidence, competence, and a head for heights.

The route is exposed, steep, and technically challenging. One misstep on its jagged ridge could result in a fatal fall. For this reason, Crib Goch is not recommended for inexperienced hikers.

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How many Mountain Rescue incidents on Crib Goch?

Crib Goch accounts for a significant proportion of callouts of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, one of the busiest teams in the UK. Statistically, this makes it one of the busiest mountains in the UK for Mountain Rescues. 

According to data from Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team dozens of incidents occur annually on or near the ridge with some years seeing over 30 rescues involving this ridge alone.

The numbers tend to spike in peak season — especially summer — when less experienced hikers attempt the route without fully understanding the risks.

What incidents happen on Crib Goch?

While not all incidents are fatal, many involve serious injuries, hypothermia, and individuals becoming cragfast (stuck and unable to move due to fear or terrain). 

The types of incidents on Crib Goch vary, but common scenarios include:

• Falls: The narrow nature of the ridge coupled with the huge drops can mean simple slips and trips can have the most severe consequences. In addition to the ridge, the bad step and the pinnacles are very steep accident blackspots where falls have happened.

• Cragfast: Many people underestimate how scary the ridge can be. This causes many individuals to freeze, requiring rescue.

• Navigation errors: Poor visibility, technical terrain and/or a lack of map skills often leads to hikers straying off-path onto very consequential terrain. The easiest line up Crib Goch is a grade 1 scramble. Pretty much everything else is a rock climb or unclimbable.

• Weather-related issues: Rain, ice and wind can turn an already difficult scramble into a life-threatening situation.

• Inadequate preparation: Hikers lacking proper gear, knowledge, fitness, or experience frequently get into trouble.

• Exposure: High winds, cold temperatures, and rain can cause hypothermia.

Don’t assume there is safety in numbers either. In 2013 a team of nine hikers were rescued from Crib Goch after getting into trouble.

The steep nature of the terrain and technicality of the ground means that even a minor mistake can have serious consequences.

How many deaths on Crib Goch?

While the number of fatalities on the mountain vary from year to year, on average there are two deaths per year on Crib Goch.

This is quite high compared to other mountains in the UK making it one of the deadliest mountains in the country.

What are the risks of Crib Goch?

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) state that:

“The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions.”

Many experienced mountaineers consider Crib Goch more dangerous than some alpine routes due to the combination of exposure, popularity, and ease of access (which attracts unprepared walkers).

Here are the risks found on Crib Goch:

1. Cliffs: The cliffs on both sides of the ridge are the biggest danger found on Crib Goch. There's no safety net, so for much of the ridge one slip could be fatal. In addition, accessing the ridge requires scrambling up short sections of near vertical terrain often with big drops below. 

2. Weather: Snowdonia is notorious for fast-changing weather. Fog, rain, or sudden strong winds can make the route extremely hazardous.

3. Technical terrain: Unlike a typical walking path, Crib Goch requires scrambling — using hands and feet to climb. The easiest line up Crib Goch is a Grade 1 scramble. It's not suitable for walkers without scrambling experience.

4. Lack of Escape Routes: Unlike most mountain routes, there are a lack of escape routes. Once on the ridge, there are only two options; continue or turn back. Unfortunately, retreat is often more dangerous than continuing, making it a committing route.

5. Unstable Terrain: Loose scree and jagged rock increase the risk of slips and injuries. The rock on the main route is pretty consolidated but the odd bit is loose. Much of the rock off the main route is loose, especially west of Bwlch Coch. 

6. Route finding: The main line is a Grade 1 scramble and this is the easiest route up and across Crib Goch. Less experienced mountaineers can struggle to find this especially in poor visibility. Those who drift off this line can find themselves on steep, loose and more challenging terrain.

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How to Stay Safe on Crib Goch

The risks associated with climbing mountains can never be removed entirely. However, there are a number of actions that can be taken to reduce these risks:

Know Your Limits: This route is only really suitable for experienced scramblers who are aware of their own capabilities. Don't attempt it if you're unsure of your abilities.

Gain experience: Work up to Crib Goch by doing other mountain routes and scrambles that are less exposed, sustained and consequential. Snowdon South Ridge, Y Gribin and the Ddear Ddu Ridge are great routes in themselves and are ideal for improving exposure to heights and scrambling techniques.

Do your research: There is plenty of information on the internet and hundreds of videos showing Crib Goch. Know what you are getting yourself into.

Communicate what’s involved: There are often people who find themselves on Crib Goch who had no idea what they were getting themselves into. They are often told by a friend; partner etc that they were going for a nice walk only to find themselves on Crib Goch. Make sure you have an honest conversation with everyone in your group about the difficulties and dangers of the route.

Check the Weather: Avoid Crib Goch in high winds. It should only be attempted in rain, snow or fog by experienced individuals who know their limitations with the right gear. Clear, dry days are ideal. Be prepared to turn around if the weather is worse than you were expecting.

Go Prepared: Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions, bring a map and compass (and know how to use them), and carry emergency gear.

Know the escape routes: There are a couple of really useful escape routes off Crib Goch for experienced navigators.

Consider a Guide: If you want to attempt Crib Goch but lack experience, hire a qualified mountain guide.

Take your time: Start early to give yourself plenty of time. You really don’t want to rush on very consequential terrain.

Improve balance and fitness: Fitter individuals with good balance and leg strength will find the challenges posed by Crib Goch easier. Individuals operating well within their capabilities will be safer and have a more enjoyable time.

Respect the Ridge: According to Ernest Hemingway... “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games”. Everyone who attempts Crib Goch should be aware that they are entering an environment which is much more dangerous than they are likely used to with the potential for serious injury or even death.

Turn around if necessary: If weather conditions are worse than expected or it doesn't feel right it is likely best to turn around. This is best done well before the ridge itself, ideally at Bwlch y Moch or before. The mountain will be there another day.

Conclusion

Climbing mountains involves the risk of personal injury or death. The consequential terrain found on Crib Goch leans into the more serious dangers including death than most other mountains. Because of this, and the high number of Mountain Rescue callouts, Crib Goch is one of the most dangerous mountains in the UK. 

It should only be attempted by experienced individuals with a good head for heights in the right conditions.

Mountain Rescue advises that novice hikers should use a guiding company.

Get in touch to organise a Walk Snowdonia guide to take you across Crib Goch.

FAQ's

Can a beginner climb Crib Goch?

No, Crib Goch is not suitable for novice hikers or as your first scramble. The difficulties, commitment required and dangers don't make it suitable. It is recommended that beginners do other hikes and grade 1 scrambles.

How difficult is Crib Goch?

Crib Goch is a Grade 1 scramble but it is probably the most underestimated, sustained and possibly difficult Grade 1 in the country.

Is Crib Goch suitable for dogs?

No, Crib Goch is not suitable for dogs.

Is Crib Goch suitable for children?

Only in circumstances where parents (or legal guardians) have done Crib Goch should children be allowed on the ridge. Only in this instance will parents fully appreciate the risks involved and have an idea of whether their child is capable.