Dave and I have climbed Idwal Slabs loads of time, so it was an unexpected bonus to climb a route that neither of us had done this morning. It was a great route, but I could see why it had never appealed. The start involves steep climbing (on excellent rock), but without any protection, until you're rather high up and committed to carrying on upwards. Dave kept his cool and pretty much walked up it unphased. I was happy to have the rope above me when I followed a few minutes later.
From midway on the climb 'Tennis Shoe', I made a diagonal traverse rightwards to join the easier 'Ordinary Route' and we moved together up to the top as fast as we could, before unroping to scramble down and back to the valley. It felt really nice to be seeing the old view again and to be bumping into friends who I've not seen since the start of the year who were walking in with their clients, ready for a days climbing.
I was back at The Cottage before midday - just in time for an outside birthday lunch in the sun with Josie, who had cycled over from Anglesey. Luckily for us, the morning rains held off until later in the afternoon.
Idwal Slabs:
- (Tennis Shoe) The Direct Start, HVS, 5 or E1, 5a** (depending what guidebook you look in!)
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