The exceptionally dry winter weather has done wonders for the popularity of the Ogwen bouldering venues; that, and the growing realisation of the potential for development in this vast boulder strewn valley – so often overlooked for its more famous neighbour, the Llanberis Pass.

Pete Robins extended Three’s a Crowd on the Menage et Toi roof with a low sitting start – pulling on with left hand on the low undercut and right hand on a side pull/undercut in the roof. Sustained slappy moves lead into the sloping shelf. The new improved version rates V7/7a+.

Renaissance of the Small Hold hold has seen some belated attention. Ascents last year from James MacHaffie and Ben Bransby, then today from Jon Ratcliffe and Pete Robins, has lead to a consensus grade of V8 being accepted for this ultra classic, and very accessible line. The boulder, located in a very prominent position by the side of Llyn Ogwen opposite the Ogwen Cottage, has a number of other superb problems up to V4.

In Your Honour has seen a flurry of repeats, and the emerging consensus is V7/7a+. The sitting start project is still holding out, although a number of people have been getting close.

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