It hasn’t rained for around a month in North Wales, and the place has really come into its own. Everything is dry and, if you’re able to ignore the hordes of weekenders and other various idiots making noise and leaving their rubbish everywhere, it really is a paradise.

^{My friend Will approaching the crux moves on Llithrig (E1 5c), at my backyard crag, Clogwyn Du’r Arddu.}

After missing the last two summers due to injury (broken finger in 2021, dislocated elbow in 2022), I’ve been very lucky to have had a relatively long spell without injuring myself, and have been immersing myself in the climbing around my home in Llanberis.

While it may not be the world’s best rock climbing destination, nor have the world’s best weather, North Wales does have an incredible concentration of rock climbing, and enormous variety of rock types and climbing styles. And to top it off, there is an amazing community of strong, friendly and active outdoorsy types.

^{My friend Dave excited at the prospect of getting stuck in[to] Fear of Infection (E4 6a), at Clogwyn Mawr Cwmglas.}

After having a couple of nasty (but thankfully minor) injuries over the past few years, I feel like I’ve become much more aware of the risks associated with rock climbing, and much less inclined to attempt bold or dangerous routes (although I’ve always been a bit of a wuss, to be honest). But I do love the thrill of fighting my way up a physically challenging, but well protected trad climb.

^{Contorting my way up Foil (E3 6a), at Dinas Cromlech.}

And I’ve been lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to have had a few photos taken of me, high up on some classic rock climbs at Dinas Cromlech.

^{Relaxing in the sun on Left Wall (E2 5c); high up and alone on Resurrection (E4 6a).}

I’m not sure how long I’ll be in North Wales for, but there are definitely worse places to be, and I’m quite content for the time being.

^{All of the climbs mentioned in this post were accessed from my home by foot, bicycle, or public transport.}