Mountain Lifestyle: Climb, Swim, Climb

We packed in the maximum amount of fun into today at a variety of venues. Eventually, we started out in the Gywnant Valley after a little parking faff. We had expected to pay to park at the campsite, but refused to pay the extortionate fees and parked for free in the layby by the lake instead, opting to take a slightly longer walk to the crag rather than pay £5 to park and then £5 for every person in the car!! Seriously!!!???

I spent most of the day in shock from this, but recovered enough to revel in the steep delights of the climbing. It was vertical to overhanging in a wild position, but the handholds were huge and kept appearing every time I needed one!

We retreated to the lake after climbing, for a swim and a snooze.

Hot drinks were also freshly provided to shivering swimmers.

We got back home at 5pm, in time to meet Matt who was on a flying visit to Wales. A short while later and he was balancing his way up some slabby slates at Bus Stop Quarry.

Feeling on good form, he went on to lead the harder (bolder) route to the left called Masambula, which was a first ascent for me, so nice to be able to climb a new section of rock at an area I've visited hundreds of times. The route is wild. In the photo below, he has just reached the first meaningful bit of protection at over 10m above the ground. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief once the rope was clipped in! Gripping stuff!