05-12-10, Cwm Lloer, Snowdonia - Winter Climbing

Busy day in Cwm Lloer today. 3 teams and 3 new routes climbed! I was out with Gaz and Dave, we climbed a new route and called it 'The Whiskey Made Me Late', V, 6 (5,5,6) (photo right - Gaz on second pitch). It starts up a groove between First Trinity and Second Trinity, then takes a counter route to the already climbed winter route First Trinity, climbed by Andy Cave and Rich Cross. A good 3 pitch turfy route, with plenty of gear. A team next to us on the right climbed Third Trinity Groove suggesting VII,7. Tom and Will climbed the rib between Left and Right Y Gully, they said it was a steady grade III and called it 'Don't Forget Your Sole'. There is a lot of snow at present, Tom and Will said they saw and triggered a slide in Left-hand Y Gully.

There was a thaw yesterday and plenty of rain at lower levels, this effect has made the snow heavy in places and with lower temperatures all this week it should firm up nicely.