Been a busy week of some quite tough exams... hence the week delay in this post!

Had a Geography exam last friday morning which went fairly well, dashed home soon after it finished to rapidly pack stuff, sort out a lift to Wales and then hurridly get to Warrington to Jonathen Phillips (A friend of Dave an Tracey's) and his two friend's Phil an Kylie. Set off with haste heading south...

Got to the pass around 4pm so quickly sorted gear and headed up to do 'Crackstone Rib S 4a' on Carreg Wastad, a climb in Classic Rock. Jonathen lead the first pitch up onto a stunnin arete with great situation then I follwed him up leading through to the top. The second pitch was really good, started with some balancy work on a small slab before going up a steep section to a roof before a commiting traverse underneath this and then a top out move over a small overhang. Absolutely amazing... need to go back as I've been told the VS next to it called 'Ribstone Crack' is even better!


Loitered back down to the car and then down to Nant Peris, up to the Cottage to lob up Jonathen's, Phil's and Kylie's tents and then down to the Vaynol for drinks and food. Observed the afternoon's photos on the new touchscreen uber small laptop College has given me to test out and then orded copious amounts of food from 2 different and therefore confusing menus!? Dave an Tracey soon arrived followed by a whole host of other people from all corners of the country. Lots of interesting conversations with many folk.

Up to the cottage, offered a bed inside so moved my stuff into the bunkbed room, very kind of Tracey. Sat around with folk in the louge until late talking about all manner of things including plans for the next day then retired to bed to talk to Heather on the bunk above and fall asleep halfway through conversation...

Woke the next morning to the sound of Heather's alarm which she had conveenitately placed on the stool next to my head. Had a wander outside and around the cottage before having a brief and small breakfast still feeling full from the HUGE shoulder of Lamb I had in the Vaynol the previous night. Got off soon after 8, with 6 of us (Me, Jonathen, Heather, Jim, Phil & Kylie) heading up to Lliwedd, a big crag on the side of the Snowdon Horseshoe. Walked in and decided to do 'Horn Crag Route' a 875ft Vdiff wihich had another 200ft of scrambling at the top to get to the path. I lead the first pitch and then we swung the leads from then on. After pitch 4 we found a nice little spot to have some lunch looking out towards Capel Cruig then continued. The climb had 2 cruxes, the first was just before the horns which Jim led and the second after which I did followed by a very long run-out of the rope with minimal gear.... 50m with 6 pieces! Reason being the rock was really crap, falling to bits in places compared to the bomber stuff we'd been on early. Found a spike belay an brought Jim up suggesting that we move together for the rest. After about 100m of climbing we finally topped out on the path much to the surprise of the horseshoe walkers! Got some funny looks sticking a sling round a big boulder on the path and brining Jim in!

Once we were up and had rested for a minute had a look for the to others on their route. Spotted them and tehn got convinced by Heather to come down and try the last pitch of their route... technical grade 4c. Abbed down to their stance and then tried, and succesfully followed Heather up the driect start - Very balancy and pincy! Packed gear on top and then quickly down to Pen-Y-Pas. Jumped back in Jonathen's car... pretty squashed in the back with 4 of us then back down to Nant Peris. Quick sup in the Vaynol with Heather an Jonathen then up to the cottage for the BBQ. Quick change and then out to socialise and cook muchness of meat and drink muchness of ale. Saw Maria who was trying to finish her uni work off for the dealine on Monday and also met the other Jakulis sibling Paul who seemed pretty cool. Remember falling asleep on the sofa next to Maria while watching Heather try to beat Jonathen at Chess... lost all concept of time so ahve no idea what time I eventually went to bed!

Woken by Heather in the morning as apparently most people were already up and packing! Helped tidy cottage and said goodbyes then wonderd down to the Vaynol to meet my folks who had been by coincidence staying in Llanberris the previous night. Stopped in Capel Cruig and then Betws-Coed on the way home to pick up some bargins, a pair a La Sportiva climbing pants from Joe Brown on sale and a light-weight pair on Montane waterproof pants for the Alps. Home after lunch to do some revison for the impending physic's exams!