Ty Powdwr – aka not the Cornwall meet!

Present: Colin Maddison, Dave Wylie, Gareth Williams, Lucie Crouch, Bron Edwards, Andy Stratford, Heather Driscoli, Max Driscoli, Vicki Newton, Chris Barston, Graham Hazelhurst, Jo Perry, Lester Payne, Dave Dillon, Christine Beeston, Steve Graham, Gemma Sutherington.

The Cornwall meet had morphed for various reasons into Ty Powdwr and then got off to an auspicious start by the meet leader not being able to get there until Sunday morning  (due to a break-in and car theft) and his co-pilot having to go to Vancouver.

But activity had been underway since Thursday thanks to Gareth’s eclectic ‘not the Skye meet’ multi-activity week. Dave W, Bron, Gareth and Lucie arrived in sunshine after climbing at Penmaen Head for G, L and D and mountain biking for Bron.

Friday and the same foursome take the bridge to Anglesey hang right and heading for Benllech and a seaside sports crag. It’s bright but a bit damp and after following the coastal path to the crag they find the high tide covering the bolts! A brief experiment with deep water top roping lasts one route before they call it a day.

Sunshine greets a now larger crowd on Saturday morning and several drive round to Ogwen and Cwm Idwal. Andy, Bron, Dave D, Dave W and Lucy all climb Slab Route Intermediate (VD) on Clogwyn y Tarw (the Gribin Facet) whilst Gareth rests a damaged ankle. Then it’s on to the Idwal Slabs where Andy and Bron climb Central Rib (HS 4b) whilst the two Dave’s do Hope (VD). Higher up, Andy leads Javelin Buttress (VS 4b) on the Holly Tree Wall and Groove Above (S 4b) on the Continuation Wall and Dave and Dave conclude a fine day with Lazarus (S 4a).

Whilst all this activity is going on, across on the Carneddau Heather, Max, Vicki and Chris are ticking off several tops including Pen Yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn in preparation for a future shot at the Welsh 3’s.

Sunday and finally the meet leader arrives to a damp start that dries up slowly during the morning. Andy has to go back home but Steve and Gemma add to the numbers. As things dry up a bit Gareth and I head into the quarries to look at a route in Twll Mawr (The Big Hole) accompanied by Lester for the walk and exploration. Locating the entrance tunnel we emerge in the bottom of the hole to find our route wet. Undeterred, we take the tunnels into California and emerge to find our route wet (again).

So on to Never Never Land where we watch the antics of the slackliners and enjoy a jaunt up Tomb Raider (F5+, F6a+). By now it is a fine sunny afternoon and whilst Gareth wrests the ankle I lead Operation Zig Zag (F5b) and Dog and Bone (F6a) with Lucie who has arrived with Dave D via Llanberis.

Elsewhere Heather, Max, Vicky and Chris opt for a walk around Llyn Padarn and a dip in the lagoons later when the sun comes out. Christine goes for a walk up Snowdon from Llanberis and Dave W, Bron, Graham and Jo take a stroll through Beddgelert forest and visit the ‘Gallery’ – the former pronounced great but the latter not considered worth the visit.

So to Monday, which dawned damp again. Heather, Max, Vicki and Chris decided on an exploration of the far end of the Carneddau from Aber Falls where it was still misty and water proofs are the order of dress. Lucie, Dave W and Lester went for a walk in the rain through the quarries, on to the Caban café in Brynrefail and then to the Pantri in Llanberis for tea and cakes and back to Ty Powdwr.

In search of something dry Gareth and I drove across Anglsey to Rhoscolyn through on and off misty rain but arrived there to find fair weather. A pleasant fifteen minute walk to the coast brought us to Llawder which is not unlike South Stack at Gogarth but handily accessible above the tide line.

Icarus (HVS 4c, 5a) takes a steep flake and then follows a ramp line (nicely wet) to belay below the excellent, steep upper groove that Gareth led. Some lunch and then a fine a bold lead of Savage Sunbird (E2 5b) by Gareth; sustained and run-out in the upper groove with some dubious rock.

I’m sure I didn’t get all the details so my apologies to folk for anything I’ve missed and for arriving late.

Foot note: Llawder - not actually a Welsh name. Just Red Wall backwards!

Ty Powdwr – aka Not the Cornwall Meet

The Bank Holiday meet is now at Ty Powdwr having re-located from Cornwall for various reasons. We’ll be in residence at our excellent hut from Friday evening.

PLEASE NOTE – There is an external booking at the hut over the weekend – a group attempting the Welsh 3’s. There are 10 of them and they have been allocated the Glydwr Fawr (lower left) dormitory. Please do not use this dormitory.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING - This still leaves us with 25 bed spaces and, of course, there is camping but please can anyone planning to attend let me know  so I can offer advice if we are over-subscribed – you can email Colin.maddison@naturalengland.org.uk add your name to the ‘Intend to Attend’ facility on the website or call me on 07772611060.

I’m sure I don’t need to sell the obvious comforts of Ty Powdwr or the delights of Snowdonia. There is no end of climbing, walking, scrambling, biking opportunities.