It’s autumn time, the temperatures are dropping and those slopers are beckoning. Once again Big G is on hand to stoke the fire of sloper desire. Take it away G:

Dear NWB.com readers,

Do you find slopers beautiful? - don't worry there's nothing wrong with you. If you can't contain the joy - then let it out.

One such source of delight could rightly be the Ogwen's Rave Boulder (OS gr 659 601). Positioned 50m up hill from the Milestone Buttress car park it can easily be overlooked due to its relatively minor stature when compared to the numerous larger blocks posturing hereabouts. (Most visitors have continued slightly further up to the shoulder, with its cluster of established problems - indeed a sloper dweller could legitimately become distracted here for some days.)

The ‘Rave’ block is thus named, not after the musical inclinations of local boulder enthusiasts but for the unique rocking motion of the hefty slab upon which one places a crash mat. Two tons of Tryfan see-saw gently from side to side issuing a deep booming mega bass accompaniment to each unsuccessful attempt on the obvious problem (quite frightening at first!).

The deep sound is a rallying cry to our innermost urges as we tussle with the bare rock, all heels and blind slapping. But do be careful - a scream of ecstasy might be misinterpreted by those modest fellows following the nearby paths up into the mist.

Best regards,

Big G

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