Point 5

The team were called out at lunchtime on Sunday to reports of a cragfast ewe and her lamb. A small hill party deployed to investigate and found the pair at height, unroped, on Idwal slabs. Despite being off route for Ordinary Route, the sheepish pair explained they were experienced climbers and were happy to continue their day.
Despite people's concern, the local sheep can often be found on the crags around the area, but we generally don't get involved until asked by one of the farmers. Please don't attempt to approach any as this can spook them into trying to escape and fall.🐏🐑

Mountain Rescue England and Wales
North Wales Mountain Rescue Association
Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri - Eryri National Park

https://www.paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/3226232

Once upon a time, in a small town nestled at the foot of majestic mountains, there lived a man named David. David was an adventurous soul, always seeking new challenges and pushing his limits. He had a deep passion for rock climbing, a sport that allowed him to conquer both his fears and the vertical walls that stood before him.

David had climbed numerous routes over the years, steadily progressing through the grades, but there was one route that had always captured his imagination: Fools Gold. This E1 climbing route was legendary in the climbing community, renowned for its sheer verticality and technical difficulties.

One crisp morning, David woke up with a determination burning inside him. He decided that today would be the day he would attempt Fools Gold. He meticulously prepared his gear, checked the weather forecast, and set off towards the mountain range that held his desired challenge.

Arriving at the foot of the towering cliff face, David gazed up at the route, its imposing presence daunting yet captivating. Fools Gold seemed to mock him, with its intricate sequence of handholds and treacherous cruxes. Nevertheless, David felt a surge of excitement as he harnessed his determination and tied into the rope.

With each move he made, David felt a mix of exhilaration and trepidation. The physical and mental demands of Fools Gold pushed him to his limits. He encountered challenging sections that required precise footwork, delicate balance, and unwavering focus. Every muscle in his body strained, but his spirit remained unyielding.

David's heart pounded with anticipation as he approached the crux of the climb. Sweat trickled down his forehead, but he pushed forward, determined to conquer the route. He dug deep within himself, summoning the courage to navigate the intricate sequence of handholds, making calculated movements that seemed almost impossible.

Time seemed to stand still as David neared the summit. He reached for the final hold, his fingers grasping the rock with a mix of exhaustion and triumph. As he pulled himself up, a wave of exhilaration washed over him. He had done it! David had successfully climbed Fools Gold, his first E1 route.

As he stood on the summit, the world spread out before him in all its breathtaking beauty. The mountains, valleys, and distant horizons seemed even more magnificent from this vantage point. David felt a profound sense of accomplishment, knowing that he had conquered not just a physical challenge but also his own doubts and fears.

Word of David's ascent of Fools Gold quickly spread throughout the climbing community. He became an inspiration to others, proving that with passion, perseverance, and a daring spirit, any obstacle could be overcome. David continued his climbing journey, seeking new adventures and conquering greater heights, but Fools Gold always held a special place in his heart as the route that had pushed him beyond his limits and showed him the true power of determination.

And so, the legend of David and Fools Gold lived on, inspiring generations of climbers to chase their dreams, face their fears, and reach for the metaphorical summits in their own lives.

Work of fiction, inspired by the weekend’s events.

Clogwyn y Person Arête, a cracking grade 3 scramble that I’d happily do again. Finished off by doing Grib Goch and the down the north ridge. 3 ridges in a day

Voluntary Product Recall for the Wild Country SUPERLIGHT ROCKS.

Taking safety and product reliability as our biggest priority, we want to share this information with you thoroughly, so you know what steps to take with your Superlight Rocks.

👉 www.wildcountry.com/product-recall, is where you can find all the recall information and a Q&A.

Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience, and thanks for your understanding and support.

--Voluntary Superlight Rocks Recall Details --

• Hazard:
Wild Country has recently learned that when SUPERLIGHT ROCKS are exposed to maritime seaside conditions with high concentrations of salt and/or humid climate with a salty atmosphere for an extended period of time, corrosion inside of the ferrule (the swage covered in plastic that is labeled with the name of the product) can occur. This can significantly reduce the breaking strength of the chocks and may therefore become dangerous for a climber in the event of a fall from height.

• Which rocks?
ONLY Superlight rocks, which can be easily identified by the label on the tubular heat shrink, where the name of the product “SUPERLIGHT ROCK” is specified. However, the product can also be identified by the characteristic single cable wire.

NO OTHER MODELS of chocks/Rocks are involved in the recall.

• Do all Superlight Rocks need to be returned?
YES, as this corrosion process is not visible to the user and cannot be identified, we strongly recommend stopping using the Superlight Rocks immediately and following the recall instructions.

• Contact and information:
You can find information about the recall, contact services and FAQ at our link in bio.

Which ones describe you?
I’m a good few of them 🤣

I mean, taking salad to the crag is never a great idea! 😹

“You know it’s cold outside when you go outside and it’s cold”

- Annon

Wet weather day at
Absolutely beasted myself 🥵

This is sad news. The BMC are challenging the decision.

The High Court has ruled that wild camping on Dartmoor (the only place where it is legal in England and Wales) could only happen with explicit consent from the landowner.

Landowner extinguishes the right to wild camp on Dartmoor Today, the High Court ruled that wild camping on Dartmoor (the only place where it is legal in England and Wales) could only happen with explicit consent from the landowner.

Throw back to summer in Glen Nevis.

We all know someone who has too many unused guidebooks 🤣

Where will 2023 take you? 🤔
Whichever path you take, may it bring you laughs 😂 and fond memories.

Happy new year everyone.

May 2023 bring you many happy adventures and you can make the most important thing, memories.

See you on the hill soon. Happy climbing.

Pictures from a very wet Ogwen yesterday

Merry Christmas everyone.

Here’s a Christmassy picture from Eryri (near Moel Eilio) last weekend.

Have a good one folks!

Under prepared, overweight and a broken/bruised rib. - LL 100mile course reccy. The second hardest thing I’ve ever done

I can’t imagine getting to buttermere and knowing that there’s 75 mile left. I was finished off!!

1st quater was fun and enjoyable but mainly on my own.

2nd quarter I had company and was glad I had someone to follow.

3rd quarter back to being on my own but legs started cramping up.

4th quater and the cramp for worse and every step was a gamble if it would abate or stop me dead. When I could run I got stitch.

Ribs (injured last weekend) was a bearable but like constant stitch pain and did limit taking a deep breath.

Back to the drawing board. Plenty of time to train yet.

Crackstone Rib, S 4a, ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 star route pass.

The first 2 pitches of this could be linked but then you miss the opportunity to get some pictures of the leader on the traverse.
Granted, it would be a better picture if we’d climbed earlier, before the sun was directly behind Chris who was on lead.

After this traverse there is an exciting move onto an arête (the rib from where the route gets its name) where you climb up to a ledge to belay. The move onto the arête places you in a fine position with air beneath your feet. It’s a gem of a route.
The last pitch also has an exciting move traversing back left after a corner.
Been promising Chris we’d do this route for ages, he wasn’t disappointed!! 🤩

Quality day in a quiet part of Snowdonia. Mur y Niwl is a stunning route with a “bouldering start” above a dead sheep.

P2 was Tom’s lead, which involved a hand traverse out onto an arête and a hanging belay with nothing but space below your feet.

P3 gives another exciting hand traverse where the exposure is out of this world. With no foot holds, you have to smear on tiny edges while trying to forget about the space below your feet. Move quickly before your hands tire and cross the void.

P4 gives a tasty little crack and P5 has and amazing, sloping quartz ledge. Teeter across this to the final corner of P6 which is easier ground but quality climbing up to a pinnacle and a slab.

North Face of Ben Nevis. The place of dreams (and nightmares). Had a few amazing moments climbing the north face and had some right epics too!

Climber Asks If Knot He Invented Is Safe I have this knot I’ve invented, a take-off on the trace-8, and am wondering if it would weaken the rope?

Rhybudd - Warning
Climbers - Dringwyr

I have been contacted by a respected local Guide who regularly inspects, adjusts and replaces fixed abseil slings+maillons, as typically found at Tremadog and in Llanberis Pass.

He has recently found several of these slings showing signs of critical wear on the knots, caused by poor positioning. (See photo.)

So, there are two important messages to convey to all climbers:

1. ALWAYS visually check a fixed abseil sling for wear before committing your weight to it. If in doubt, walk/scramble-off, or use your own kit.

2. Please don't tamper with existing abseil points, unless you really know what you are doing. Inexperienced climbers often use fixed equipment on the assumption that it is 100% safe.

Bydd yn ofalus.
Climb safely.

Tim Jepson
Cadeirydd BMC Cymru (Gogledd)