A dodgy weather forecast and a large contingent of the MMC still licking their wounds from the Ecrins led to limited interest in this trip, though not for the lack of trying by the organiser. After much hard work trying to persuade people to come to the Llangollen meet, only 3 people attended the meet. Is that a record low? Only records which I have no access to, will show. So there they were: Maija, Paras and Stefan – three hardened souls desperate for some climbing so much so that they did not let the prospect of rain put them off.

So the story goes like this. We arrived late on Friday 6th July to the campsite, which neither of us were impressed with because of the sloppiness of it – everyone kept sliding around all night as we found out the following morning.

So after a bad night’s sleep everyone was up and ready by 10:30 and we set off for the ‘Trevor area’. Here we were met by Rachel Somerville at around 11 or 12 and we proceeded to climb a lot of routes together. Paras and Rachel did lots of 6a’s and 6b’s and Paras even led a 6c called ‘Traction control’, which Rachel seconded. The routine continued for hours on end and lots of climbing was done in the blazing sunshine – there was not a single occasion where rain was anticipated such was the weather.

Meanwhile Stefan and Maija did some trad-climbing, which was ambitious and probably equally rewarding given the limited protection on most of the routes in this area. After much climbing we had lunch and a much needed breather.

Maija and Rachel pose for a picture against the beautiful backdrop

After lunch more climbing was done and then Rachel left around 16:00. Stefan and Maija did more climbing of trad nature and Paras found some random London/Liverpudlians to climb with which he did until when it was time to go! Overall the afternoon was amazing and a lot of good climbing was done. The only downside was the lack of company to go to the pub with!

Paras and Maiija on top of a big hill at Dinas Bran Castle

Just before we went to the pub for that evening we went to see Dinas Bran Castle. It was quite interesting knowing that that building has been up there since 1267 or so! After going up to the top and taking lots of scenic pictures we made our way back to Stefans car and made our way into town where we ate and one pub then went to drink in the one near the river. See picture below.

After this we went back to the campsite and went to sleep. The following morning we decided after a short spell of rain that it was better to go home than climb wet rock. We later regretted that decision since it was very sunny and hot the whole drive back to London.