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Photos: Big G


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Urban bouldering in North Wales - whatever next? Brace yourself while Big G takes us on a trip to the Cofi heartland:

Dear boulder wrestlers,

This month we take an excursion to the ancient rocks of Caernarfon. The attractive rocky prominence at the very heart of the town sports modest exposures of volcanic rock, shaped in encouraging bulges, laced with cascades of ivy and set among pleasant landings, on carpets of bluebell and bracken frond.

From the centre of town (parking is available in a secure multi story facility...not the castle) a labyrinth of narrow streets and quaint alleyways lead to a lofty pedestrian fly-over crossing the main road and leading the excited visitor to the open spaces preserved a-top this fabulous geological feature.

Having savoured the vista of castle and docks with its modernised front and marina initiative, backed with Snowdonia and the Lleyn beyond, descend by a well worn path lined with an historic collection of plastic bags and discarded drink cans, to the ‘Cave’ feature. It is the bulging wall here which presents the most stimulating possibilities. (The area below is known as the ‘Needles’, and is less favoured).

The only discomfiture connected with the place would be any prolonged interaction with local characters/teenagers. If they appear, run as fast as you can; leave it, its only a mat and some rock shoes - get over the grim concrete bridge, past the fummy defile of escaping heaps, get down those piss-filled alleys, go like the sea-rotted wind and don't stop!

Power to the defoliators,

Love Big G

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