The exploratory spirit of the Boulder of the Month feature is not always focussed upon virgin ground. Sometimes it just means leaving the Roadside face at the Cromlech or Parisella’s and going somewhere else, even if it has already been documented. The important thing is to break the spell and step out of the comfort zone, and head to the metaphorical hills, or even the real ones if you fancy that too. This month Big G spreads his wings towards Cwm Silyn no less…

Dear NWB readers,

On my first visits to Cwm Silyn I swear I never noticed the ‘Great Block’. The only possible explanation for this is that it may be some form of ‘erratic’ (a boulder that is there some days - but not others).

Viewers will notice how it completely dominates the cwm. Gr 514503 would be the place to take the mats and sandwiches, a mere two minutes walk from the south end of Llynnau Cwm Silyn. It is impressive for a number of reasons, not least its ability to repel the casual visitor from an ascent of any face. There are polished footholds on the west side as generations of climbers have paused on their way up for a scramble on the ‘Outside Edge’ on the largely irrelevant cliffs beyond. After two moves or so they have clearly all failed to see the light. Thus the rest of the blocks faces have been left in peace.

Now with modern eyes each of the faces and arêtes provide contrasting difficulties. The South East arete which faces the cliff is a fabulous proposition. Staff at Boulder of the Month were unable to grasp the holds, let alone the problem.

Such humiliation makes us stronger, if not in arm, then perhaps in character.

Big G

Relevant links:
       Fred`s Dead