With the mountain tops of Snowdonia covered in snow the ever keen Mark ‘Baggy’ Richards (with Mark Walker) grabbed a new winter ascent on Cloggy. The day started well with the lads climbing two and half pitches up The Black Cleft (VII, 7) but when it all turned thin and nasty they opted for an abseil escape. A quick romp up the three star classic Jubilee Climb (V,6) on the Far East Buttress followed and the day was finished with the first known winter ascent of the VS line The Bauble (VI,6). Somehow, after all that climbing, they made it back to work for 5 O’Clock in the evening!

Elsewhere the ever reliable Clogwyn Du was in condition, with a number of teams active. Tim Neil and friend made a repeat of Leigh McGinley and Simon Panton's El Mancho (VI, 7), commenting that it was one of the best winter routes he'd ever done.

To see a topo of the modern winter routes on Clogwyn Du, click here

This latest flush of winter conditions comes at the end of a less than inspiring season. That said there were climbable conditions earlier in the year. Full snow cover was not on the agenda for long, but ice formation and frozen turf was widespread. The classic grade V icefall Cascade on Diffwys Dwr (Craig y Rhaeadr) even received a top roped ascent at one point. On Glyder Fawr’s Main Cliff Mark Baggy Richards and Kath Bromfield climbed a new line. Fire Escape (IV/4) is 155 metres long and climbs a variation of the summer route West Groove over much turfy ground. Baggy went on to team up with Neil Pitstock for another new route on Lliwedd Bach. Ziggy Plays Guitar (IV/4) takes a corner line near the lowest point of the crag towards its left end.

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