On the Sunny Slates

It's been perfect conditions for a bit of slate climbing today. The air is still cool thanks to a light northerly breeze, but the sun had warmed the rock splendidly and in the sheltered region of 'Never Never Land' in the Llanberis slate quarries, it was t-shirt weather.

Just walking into the quarries on a day like today was beautiful. It's the first time this year that we've been into this area of the quarry and today the sky was completely cloudless. It felt good to be back.

We've probably climbed the route 'Fresh Air' (6a) more times than any other route in the quarries, but we still keep coming back to it. The moves all flow, the rock is solid, the views are great and it's very well protected - all factors that lead to a very enjoyable climbing experience.

Next door is the harder line, known as 'Swiss Air' (6c). The bottom half of this route is often wet from seapage, so therefore climbed much less often. While lowering off from the top of our first route, I couldn't help noticing that today it was 'mostly' dry. Feeling somewhat buoyant in the fine weather, I decided to give it a go.

A critical handhold at the start was very wet and did little to bolster confidence initially, but once past the first few dynamic moves, I slowly but surely inched my way upwards...

Judging by the lichen near the top of the route, it was probably one of the first ascents of the year, but it is a good route and certainly absorbing. 

Then to finish off with a holiday vibe, we stopped in on the welcoming sofas of 'Dinorwic Lodge' for a celebratory brew and even a slice of very nice cake!

Never Neverland - Llanberis Slate:

- Fresh Air (6a)

- Swiss Air (6c)