After setting off to climb a route in the Llanberis Slate quarry, we were surprised to find thick, dark clouds clinging to the hillside. It had been a beautiful day back home to The Cottage, so we turned the van around, returned to base, swapped kit and set off up Carnedd y Filiast instead towards Red Slab.

Cloud was filling in the end of the valley at Ogwen Cottage, but we remained in the sun as we picked our way across the boggy ground.

The clouds threaten to spoil the fun, but held off long enough for us to complete our climb.

It could easily have been ten years since we last climbed on this slab. It’s so great! No one is climbing here, so the rock remains super grippy.

Two long pitches of mega slab climbing and just enough gear to not be scary. Pure enjoyment.

The clouds were superb, coming and going on a very strong south west wind.

The wind kept things cool and really buffered us around on the last pitch.

We had our sandwiches before we descended. It is possible to carry on up to Atlantic Slab (the classic combo), but we didn’t need a huge day out, so opted to return to the van and go for a swim in the river instead! The water was surprisingly okay and the air temperature (out of the wind) was in the low twenties.

Then to top off a fine day out, we had dinner with Tim, who was on a flying visit from Switzerland and called over on his way to Manchester Airport to say hi!

Red Slab, Carnedd y Filiast:

• Central Route, Severe**