Another super weather day across Snowdonia, with the high peaks staying up above the clouds. I wasn’t feeling up for another big day, so Dave and I chose an easy access crag, that we could get to (and off again, thanks to a handy abseil station), quickly and without too much effort.

We climbed two routes, that I’d not done before between catching up on each others summer news…

Dave set off first up the trickier lower section, before finding a belay up in the overhangs.

The belay piton didn’t inspire much confidence for the hanging belay, but luckily, there was plenty of cracks to back it up.

The final pitch was short by exciting, in a great position…

The views were fabulous and the weather had turned (unexpectedly), incredibly warm. On the second route we did, I literally had to move into the shade as I belayed as it felt like I might faint from the heat of the sun. The air was stiflingly warm.

Passed some big fungi on the walk out…

And back at the van, the thermometer confirmed that it wasn’t just me feeling a bit under the weather, the temperature really was high! What a contrast from the rains of a few nights ago! Rather than climb on, we went to Betws y Coed for ice creams!

I got back to The Cottage at 16:30, feeling exhausted and pretty rough. I fell instantly asleep in the back garden! Although the weather was perfect for an evening swim, my body didn’t feel like it, so we took a gentle walk down by the sea instead. T-Shirt warm even at sunset…

Craig Dinas Climbs:

• State of Independence, HVS, 5a*
• Ground Force, HVS, 5a