Had my first dunk in the lake yesterday after running a kayaking race event. The warm air made it just about okay, but not to be in for long!

The recent warm weather caught me off guard somewhat on Monday morning when I nipped down to the harbour in Caernarfon after breakfast in shorts and sandals, only to find it enveloped in a thick freezing fog!

By the afternoon, things had warmed up a little, so we drove around to the Llanberis Pass to get some ‘training’ in for our summer expedition.

We wanted to climb some long rock routes, so choose the Classic Rock climb of ‘Flying Buttress’ on Dinas Cromlech.

It involves some steady climbing but in some outrageously exposed positions, high above the Llanberis Pass.

We swung leads on pitches that took us in and out of the shade, but were generally sheltered from the cooling breeze. It was far from t-shirt weather, but perfectly okay climbing conditions.

Higher up the cooler it became.

The 6th and final pitch involves an awkward and very polished/slippery chimney crack. Luckily for me, it was Clare’s turn to lead! A confident approach is required and once the first couple of hard movers are dispatched it’s generally okay.

It was a great finale, especially as it landed us back in the sunshine at the top of the crag.

Great views up the pass too.

The way down is a scramble down a steep gully which still requires plenty of concentration, then a final walk back down to the road. Good stuff.