Ice Climbing
I
often did not take a camera with me when winter climbing and anyway always found it hard to get good shots. Ice climbing and photography is a hard mix. I rather regret not having any photos of the many fine routes I did north of the border on the big bad Ben and Craig Meaghaidh. Living in North Wales, Ysgolion Duon was my local crag in winter and when in condition provided many fine routes and I was privileged to do some new routes there. I was introduced to the Ice climbing in the la Grave area by Terry Taylor who was maestro on ice and I worked there for several winter seasons.
Ypres – The Black Ladders
Ypres- Len & I had added a new start The Arctic Goove VI 6 to gain Ypres which then gave an excellent way up the cliff with fine climbing.
Western Gully -1st cave pitch
Western Gully V 6 – Ysgolion Duon or The Black Ladders. One of the great Welsh classics. We managed to climb both cave pitches direct and then the RH finish. A grand day out on a magnificent winter crag.
Snowdrop
Snowdrop Trinity Face Snowdon – one of the best routes on this face of Clogwyn Y Garnedd
No Mans Land
No Mans Land V 6 – Black Ladders – A line we spotted whilst traversing into Gallipoli. Giving good climbing up a narrow icy funnel
East Gully
East Gully IV – Glyder Fawr This is the 2nd pitch in fairly thin conditions
Clogwyn Ddu Gully LH
Clogwyn Ddu Gully LH
Cascade
Cascade V – Craig y Rhaeadr – Ist pitch of Cascade in thin conditions
Fairy Falls
Fairy Falls IV/V – Craig y Dulyn – Steep climbing on water ice
Pylon R hand
Pylon R hand La Grave – One of the many easily accessible icefalls in the La Grave region in France
Les Moulins
Les Moulins – Romanche valley La Grave
Le Doigt d’Astarothe
Le Doigt d’Astarothe – La Grave. A stunning free standing icicle, scary and hard
Croupe de la Poufiasse
Croupe de la Poufiasse Another fine route near La Grave Romanche Valley
Croupe de la Poufiasse
Croupe de la Poufiasse – Anne a little open mouthed at the top