Sharp rocks and ropes don't mix

There are some great bolted routes at Penamaenbach Quarry, but beware as on closer inspection, the rock has some alarmingly sharp edges in places. 

We went out this evening to do a few field tests and experiments on how easily a rope might cut on some of the rock edges in the quarry. But not after a beautiful afternoon above Llandudno.

As well as some shape edges, we also came across a few routes, where the wrong combination of bolts and hangers had already caused them to start corroding.

The left hand slab of the upper tier proved to have some shockingly sharp edges on the right hand end of the slab. Generally these can be avoided, but the fall line from the lower-off, means that gravity certainly sends you towards it!

We did a few experiments rubbing a rope gently over this edge ten times.

Rubbing over a slightly rounded rock edge produced a bit of wear as the rock type is quite rough...

But on the sharp slab edge, it didn't take much pressure to cut right through to the core! Be careful!

With the daylight hours drawing in, we couldn't stay for long. We made it back to the van just before dark having enjoyed the last of evening light on the hillside as we walked back. The leaves are starting to turn and there was a real nip in the air.