On occasion Big G gets the urge to leave the cozy confines of his usual northern Snowdonia stomping grounds and head south to the far flung environs of Dolgellau and the like. It’s very pretty down here and there is a big hill to gawp at, but who would have though that there might also be bouldering potential…

Dear NWB followers, I have news! Yes, there are boulders out there on the flanks of Cadair Idris, so shrouded in mystery that even those with the knowledge fail for some reason to shout from the very roof tops of sleepy Barmouth below.

It’s inexplicable.

The Pared y Cefn hir 'Fang' would be one such item, shrouded also, in a great deal of ...weather, it reveals itself occasionally through gaps in the cloud.

From Arthog a long and beautiful many-gated road leads up through the birch woods to the base of the curiously scale-less uplands and Llynnau Cregennan beyond. (handy parking)

Here a tantalizing short distance from the road, (GR 660147) likely looking rocks beckon to the traveller like sirens in a spagnum sea. Oddly, the bits held in positive regard transpire to be pretty naff. But the eye will be caught by the 'Fang' - No more graspable adornment has ever graced a rock. Flat landings and jugs abound in this miniature V0 heaven. Adjacent walls allow further activity of the same grade.

It's a queer old spot. Nothing for the expert here, and best suited to those who enjoy crowd-free activity. You won't be meeting anyone, though the caves vague offering of shelter may attract one or two voyeuristic sheep. They seem keen to share the space. At least I'm guessing that is their motivation.

...But perhaps we are jumping the queue.

...Maybe, just maybe, they are there to have a bash at the problems!

Ta, ta for now,

Big G

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