Got on a different kind of wave today! I've been eyeing up this slab of rock for years. Every time I drive down the Nant Ffrancon from Ogwen Cottage, I can't help but notice the huge slabs of Atlantic Slabs up on the side of Carnedd y Filiast. I've been up there plenty of times, but never got round to climbing the most striking and cleanest slab of rock up there - The Waved Slab. Until today!
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| Adrift on the waves |
The slab is an amazing geological feature of course gritstone that features hundreds of wave ripples. It has a reputation of having no gear or belays (although I don't know anyone who's actually climbed it!). The guidebook gives it a Mod/Diff grade and suggests that belays are non-existant. We thought we'd head up and check it out for ourselves.
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| The Waved Slab |
It's a steep, sweaty walk up to the slab, but all over in 45minutes. There turned out to be plenty of good protection as well. Some of it was a bit spaced out, but the friction was great and the rock really solid. We climbed it in 4 x 55m pitches. Our first belay, was solid, although a bit uncomfortable, but after that, we had good stances, with solid protection. The climbing is all easy slab padding on the most grippy rock you're likely to find in all of North Wales, but I suspect that to solo it would be a lonely prospect.
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| Geological Climbing |
We had a few threatening drops of rain half way up, but by the time we neared the top, (around 14:30) we were bathed in afternoon sunshine. Super pleased to have finally climbed the Waved Slab!
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| View down the Waved Slab |
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| Escaping the slab |
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| Clouds lift to show the view into the Nant Ffrancon from the top of the slabs |
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