Chris Doyle has climbed a stunning new line down on the Sea View Walls below the Marine Drive on Great Orme. Flashpoint V8/7b+ takes the impressive bulging wall located just beyond the descent point and is a contender for the best of its grade on British limestone.

The sequence goes thus: from a standing start a hard slap gains a large slopey pocket, which in turn allows a sweet tufa feature out left to be grasped. With a high heel hook a pinch sidepull is reached and powerful insecure moves lead past a crucial edge to a ‘thank god’ hold. The top out moves are easier, but it would be possible to blow it here. In fact it might be a good idea to go and check out the finishing holds first.

Fresh from the first ascent Chris scampered back down, grinning from ear to ear, and immediately declaring, “That's the most fun I’ve had with a pair of rock shoes on for a long, long time! That is easily the best problem on the Ormes, it really is amazing. I'd have to say that it's of a similar quality to stuff like Surprise de Chef at Ailfroide, or maybe even Midnight Lightning!”

Prior to the ascent Chris abbed the line and glued the crux edge hold after it had broken on an early attempt. On the actual ascent it broke again so he returned and cleaned it up properly leaving a stable hold at a slightly lower level. Luckily the move has not changed in difficulty or character.

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