 August 08 Boulder of the Month - 22/08/2008 |
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The first problem encountered, quite low down. An excellent V1 traverse and mantel display. Photos: Big G
Crispin Waddy can be seen here (inexplicably in his underpants!?) scaling the Pyramid via the Airy Caterpiller V1/Font 5, a slightly bold wall and arete on perfect pockets.
Below the Pyramid is the Dog Joke Wall - good landings.
Right of the Pyramid a deep and curious cave leads to this traverse. Despite a perfect landing and excellent conditions staff at Boulder of the Month had ney chance.
Right of the Pyramid this perfect proposition awaits an ascent.
Perhaps the finest problem of the lot, to stand on the quartz slash is easy but then you have a committing manoeuvre....it was a pleasure to bottle it.
These rocks nestle behind the tips - of note here is ‘Archangel of the north west’ - all too obvious.
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Back once again with the ill behaviour…it’s Big G, the renegade pie taster and intrepid explorer (and apologies for the absence of July’s BotM – I went on holiday to this great place in France, blah, blah…)
Dear sloper warriors, I bring you news of rare and exotic finds in t’other valley (that’ll be the Bethesda side of the mountain); read on and try not to dribble too much on your keyboard.
To find a new boulder is titillating, but to happen upon a whole collection is rewarding beyond words. The seasoned explorer Christopher ‘CJD’ Davies (aka Floppy) was the first to notice possibilities north of Cwm Ceunant below the ridge of Fronllwydd (gr 624642). (editor’s note: actually I hear tell that messrs Higginson and Ratcliffe did stumble across this very spot not five years ago – returning with tales of a highball grit like aręte)
Being of a modern persuasion he (CJD, that is) reached only one boulder and turned back (a common error). If however one ventures further towards the great slate tips of the adjacent quarry many more treasures will come into view.
The problems are distributed across four or five areas. At first glance crap landings abound but there are gems at every grade, with good crash pad sites. You may find yourself running recklessly from one rock to the next, almost foaming at the mouth.
The clean rock is composed of the coursest weathered grits (editor’s note: he’s right, there is sandstone in this area) much like the adjacent slabs of Carnedd y Filiast. Some pieces have rolled or upended to provide pillars, walls and aretes .Beware the deep heather - in some places short people might consider wearing avalanche beacons.
Go forth and cling my friends.
Best regards,
Big G
Relevant links:
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