Dear Comrades,

‘tis mid summer and we must take ourselves to the high places, whilst we can - escaping the ‘hegemony’ of the Cromlech Boulders and their kind. Simon Panton’s theory (that the best boulders, being denser, have all conveniently rolled to the valley floors) - has been largely discredited, close scrutiny of rocks in such heady venues as Snowdon's Cwm Uchaf proving rewarding, albeit not necessarily in a conventional sloper pulling sense.

These particular boulders are to be found at the source of the Afon Gennog (OS grid ref 622 558) above Craig y Rhaeadr (Diffwys Dwr) in the Llanberis Pass - an exhausting walk it has to be said. They’re not much good, but it is the lure of the ‘small unknown’ which pulls us further and further up into the swirling mist. For the average boulderer the views up here are enough to make one distinctly dizzy. Take plenty of water, a friend who knows all about hill walking, and do not get your mat caught in an unexpected gust (of which, at this rarefied altitude, there are many).

The latter picture of a great split rock balanced high on the plateau of Cwm Uchaf (OS grid ref 624 557) was deemed a step too far for this researcher. There is always a boulder like this, one that you just cannot muster the extra hike to, one that sits just out of grasp forever to remain on the periphery of our curious imaginations.

Best regards,

Big G

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