Returning from a successful trip to Alberracin in Spain (where he ticked Cosmos V13/8b), Chris Davies hit the ground running, adding a fiercely difficult link to the steep face of the Main Block up at the Sheep Pen Boulders in the Ogwen Valley. Compact Culture V13/8b does the first 2 moves of The Menace, then makes a throw out right to a reasonably good hold on the ramp. A hard-to-hold swing, precedes a big cross under move, leading rightwards along the ramp, with more tricky moves allowing access to a finish up the top section of Kingdom of Rain. 13 moves in total.

If the grade stands, this will be one of the hardest problems in North Wales, joining the elite roll call of Pilgrimage V14/8b+ (Malcolm Smith), East Coker V14/8b+ (Chris Davies), Director’s Cut V13/8b (Jamie Cassidy), Pool of Bethesda low start V13/8b (Malcolm Smith) and Pill Box Wall V12/13/8a+/8b (John Gaskins).

Relevant links:
      The Menace news item