simon-b wrote:Common practice with a professional guide, eg guide and client(s) will stow their sacks at the bottom of a rock before a climb or scramble, particularly in places like Skye. Solo, I generally prefer to keep my sack with me. An exception is a very short there and back scramble, eg. The Howitzer on Helm Crag in Lakeland. I guess I might do the same for The Cobbler if I ever get there.
When I did the scramble to the top of The Cobbler I left my rucsac at the bottom. IIRC the scramble would have been made very awkward if I had been carrying it, and I was only away from it for 5 minutes or so.
The only other occasion was when I was with two friends who suggested leaving the daysacs to bag a summit about half a mile away as we were coming back the same way and then continuing along a ridge. It was a clear, sunny summer day so there wouldn't have been any obvious hazards, but I was not entirely happy being parted from my gear and only went along with the majority opinion. If I'm on my own I would never leave my sac, not least because I carry a small first aid kit, and you never know when you might need it.