After ten years of being based in North Wales, we're still finding new places to explore! This particular tip-off came from a friend last week, who just been climbing at the Hornby Crags of the Great Orme near Llandudno. He couldn't remember the crag name, but gave us a description good enough for us to track it down in the relevant guidebook. It turned out to be only five minutes drive away from the dentist appointment I had today, so was an obvious choice for today's adventures.
It's perched high up above the sea, and from our ledge we watched hundreds of sea birds fishing off the rocks, a few big seals and (potentially?!) some porpoise out to sea. Thankfully, there were also bolts to clip into on the ledge for the belayer too, as there is quite a drop down to the water!. There was a thin layer of hazy cloud today, but with a bit more blue sky it must be a real sun trap.
The routes were well bolted (although there is a bit of a gap near the top of 'Woo Woo' - which presumably is where it gets its name from?!) and the rock generally good - just watch out in the middle sections were they seem to have been 'cleaned'.
One thing we both commented on was how sharp the limestone was to hold! It's been a while since we climbed this rock type and it takes a certain amount of 'toughening up!'
The available evening light is certainly becoming less and less now; especially with a blanket of cloud on the skies. We made sure that we didn't get caught out and were back up at the road before it was properly dark rather than trying to sneak in 'one last route'!... How unusually sensible!
Hornby Crags - Great Orme:
- Sundowner, 6a*
- Woo Woo, 6a+
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