The OLD Favorite lets no one down

Another good day here. A good frost, light winds and blue sky gave the neve seekers a cracking day out. AlSO Clogwyn Ddu the old favorite is still there.

Hi Baggy,

That Tim Jepson gets about a bit; Yr Wyddfa yesterday & Gylder Fawr today! He just pipped us to Y Gully Left Hand on Clogwyn Du this morning but being the gentleman he is, decided to let us have a crack at it first - it was dripping a bit too much for his drier taste I think! It was however in great condition with heaps of in situ gear to aim for/clear away. An excellent steep thin finish up a steep gully (to the left of the finish on the topo & right of the Pillar Chimney ice fall) provided extra value. Possibly V 5 at the mo'.

We were followed up it by the guy who did Flanders (Summer version) earlier this winter & that Greg Cain chap again!! Also did Pillar Chimney (start & finish variations) having seen Tim & John do it earlier.

Plenty of folk on the easier slabby & gully climbs on the opposite of the cwm tho' fewer than yesterday according to Jon. Y Gully Right Hand was taking a hammering too.

Another great day in N.Wales.

All the best, Geoff Bennet

Hi Baggy, was out with Bryn Williams and Gareth Evans on clogwyn Ddu today. Did left hand Y Gulley, behind a few other guys. Jon Byrne and Geoff were one of 3 groups ahead. Lots of crap coming down!! But it was the only really decent looking route up there today, right hand was all right too. The ice was down to the ground this morning, but it was thin, and so much came off under everyone on it that its a few meters off the ground by now, but passable without too much difficulty. It was very wet, we all got soaked but its fat enough and well enough protected with masses of in situ tat on the rock to the right. The chimney top pitch looked really thin, and got thinner as the other groups went up it, we went out left as it looked the much nicer ice, it took long screws and seemed bomber! Brilliant pitch. This route will improve as the week goes on I imagine.

Jon and geoff did Pillar Chimney variation behind Tim Jepson, did'nt look hugely wintry, but was apparently quite good. I don't think anyone dared to go up the chimney today though, very thin ice and no gear.

Here is a pic of Bryn on the top pitch in the sun

Cheers

Greg Cain