North Wales - March 2022
Another cracking weekend of climbing in the rare and glorious Welsh sunshine!
With a number of members going up on Thursday night, Friday turned out to be an eventful day. Ian, Graham, Imogen and Josh headed for Tryfan to tackle Pinnacle Rib (D) and Groove Arête (HVD) respectively. While Lou, Dane and Jamie had their sights set on Chasm Face (Grade-3) up Glyder Fach for Dane’s first day of trad. This was made slightly more exciting by Jamie taking a quick and non-deliberate detour back down the hill on his approach. The day was rounded off with Kev & Lou squeezing in a quick evening climb up the classic Cenotaph Corner (E1 5c) on Cromlech.
Battered and bruised, the group (eventually) decided on Little Tryfan for Saturday. With a quick crash course in placing gear and making anchors from Josh, the group split up across the slab, seeing a good morning of climbing for all and first trad leads for Challum, Paula and Imogen.
In search of the evening sun, half the group headed round to the more adventurous Milestone Buttress. Lou set off up Direct Route (VD) with Hannah and Paula in tow, Imogen and Josh on Rowan Route (D) for her second lead of the day and Tom and Jamie on Pulpit Route/Ivy Chimney (VD). This was followed by an exciting descent, seeing Hannah’s first abseil and the group downclimbing a slimy Grade-2 scramble back to base. Unfortunately for Tom and Jamie, this was well after the sun had set making for an extra level of challenge.
Thankfully we had a delicious helping of Graham’s Chilli to come home to, very welcomed by all.
On Sunday, with a final desperation to get in as much climbing as possible, the majority of the group went sport climbing in the Dinorwic Slate Quarries. While Graham and Ian scrambled up Crib Goch for some type 2 fun and ran into Rob Upton at the summit, before heading home.
Altogether a great weekend for all with a number of firsts for many and some long overdue returns to leading for others, all without anyone getting wet!