05-03-13, Llanberis Pass, Snowdonia - Winter Climbing

Kath on crux ice pitch of Face Route.

 Back on the ice after a lay off. Will probably need more of a rest now! Snowdonia is still in a good icy condition, freezing level has been rising gradually, but ice is still around in the Pass Cascade is getting attention, less so on Central Ice Fall but there is plenty of Ice on the south side of the pass. We climbed Face Route on Cyrn Las a good 3 pitch grade IV, with some pleasant, easy scenic, icy steps above. Cwm Idwal has a lot of ice also, not very busy. I think everyone has winter lethargy!

Cyrn Las, Face Route is one of the icy lines in the centre.

Descending the ridge. Cascade and Central Ice fall.

A snowy Crib Goch and Clogwyn y Person.

08-12-10, Llanberis Pass - Winter Climbing

It is still very wintry in Snowdonia and I have been out climbing the last couple of days. Yesterday I was out with Tim and James. We headed Cwm Lloer and climbed a snowy First Trinity Groove IV,4, then we headed up the icy first pitch of Moonlighting at about III,4 then traversed into Broad Gully to the Summit ridge, a great day.

Today I went out with Norman and John to climb their first ever winter route, we ascended Sergent's Gully II. Enjoyable stepped climbing all the way. It was slightly more busy here with many people out for the solo ascent, plus 3 teams climbing the classic and rare ice formation of Central Ice fall Direct VI,6.

James seconding First Trinity Groove IV,4.

28-05-10, Snowdonia - Rock Climbing

Clogwyn Dur Arddu

I have been working on Adventure Courses for Children aged 10-12 years old from the Wirral over the last couple of weeks, doing various activities including Rock Climbing, Kayaking, Gorge Walking, Mountain Walking, Sea Level Traverseing and Coasteering.

The weather in Snowdonia has been hot, hot, hot which has led to many evenings of climbing. I have been out most evenings climbing in Llanberis Pass (Cwm Glas Bach, Clogwyn Llo, Cromlech Boulders), Ogwen Valley (Clogwyn y Tawr, Scimitar Buttress, Cyrau and Clogwyn Dur Arddu on Saturday. Cloggy wasn't as dry as you might expect, probably due to the snowy winter. The drain pipe on the right hand side of the east buttress was very wet and the top corner pitch of Piggott's Climb was very wet and slimy (effort required! in photo below). Photo - right, Kath climbing the second pitch of Beta, VS 4c on Clogwyn Llo, which is located on the shady south side of the pass, a welcome relief from the suns heat!