On our road trips to the Southwestern states (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, etc) Laura and I have driven passed countless rock formations with masses of piled up, fallen boulders (scree) surrounding their faces. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to get up close to those piles of fallen rock and pack across them. (I guess it’s the climber in me.)

A quick lesson:

Scrambling: a method of ascending or navigating rocky faces or ridges where hands must be used in the ascent for balance.

Scree: an accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, or valley shoulders.

During our recent hike along the Niagara Escarpment, we had ample opportunity to practice ‘scrambling on scree.’ In the picture gallery attached you’ll see both of these actions: Laura and I navigating paths of fallen rock (scree), and using our hands for balance and stability (scrambling). It’s a pretty simple and fun concept really: either use your hands, or break your tailbone