95m, 6 pitches.

Rockfax Description
A Mid Wales classic that weaves its way up a stunningly-located buttress. The views and climbing are worth the effort of both the wait for a dry period and the long approach drive.
1) 25m. Climb the cleanest line up leftwards and then back right to a belay below steeper ground.
2) 8m. Move up and then right to outflank the steepest ground, before accessing good ledges above.
3) 14m. Traverse left along the ledge and continue to a ramp. Move up the ramp and then make an interesting traverse left across a slab before ascending to a good ledge.
4) 14m. Move left along the ledge and continue via a gap to moves slightly down, then up and leftwards, to a belay at an overhung ledge close to the arete.
5) 8m. Move left around the arete - exposed - and climb steeply on good holds to easier ground and a belay on a tree.
6) 20m. Scramble up to, and then stand on, a large block. Make an awkward move up the corner above and finish up easier ground to grassy ledges on top of the buttress. © Rockfax

UKC Logbook Description
This is a popular route due to its inclusion in Ken Wilson’s Classic Rock book. A rising traverse left across the buttress. Start at the middle of the buttress at a break in the vegetation. The pitches are optional and many are done together, i.e. 1-2 and 3-4.
1) 25m. Follow the initial weakness towards a small tree and a large block. After the block climb a rightward-slanting slab to a short wall and take this to a good stance to the right.
2) 8m. Climb an obvious crack above to a bulge, and then traverse up a ramp to an obvious ledge where a nut-slot belay can be taken. Just above you there should be a small square block of stone protruding from the cliff face.
3) 15m. Follow the ledge leftwards around a bulge in the rock-face, passing a small spike to gain a short ramp. Go up this with little difficulty and move delicately across a slab to an obvious crack. Climb the crack to the next ledge and set up a belay.
4) 17m. Walk along the ledge and step over a gap to a stance under a small overhang. Carry on traversing left along the gradually slanting rock-face which has some good holds. Finally climb up to a ledge close to the arête under an overhanging wall.
5) 8m. Move to the arête and feel around the corner for the jug in a very exposed position. Climb on good holds to a large ledge and a tree to belay from.
6) 18m. The last pitch is a series of large square blocks. Climb up the blocks at first rightwards then leftwards towards a small tree in a crack. Finish by climbing the crack. A nut slot on the right and a thread on the left for anchors.
The descent is over the back and down the gully and can be slippery when wet!

JA Sumner, JP Hendrickson 04/Apr/1972.

Ticklists

Classic Rock , ROCKFAX - Top 50 North Wales Climbs , North wales road to ruins HVS , Preparation climbs for a Cuillin ridge traverse , The Original 'Classic Rock' List , George's Ultimate Easy to Mid-Grade North Wales Trad Ticklist , I want a Pasty! , Snowdonia and The Lakes Classic Rock Summer Challenge , Welsh Classic Rock Challenge , Llidberis , ROCKFAX TOP 50s upto e3 , North Wales

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User Date Notes
Private Flounder 14 Sep, 2022 Show βeta
βeta: Climbed to mark the 70th anniversary of The Mountain Club, who\'s members put up this route in 1972
βeta?
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βeta: Climbed to mark the 70th anniversary of The Mountain Club, who's members put up this route in 1972
hlburns 12 Sep, 2022 Show βeta
βeta: In high ferns the initial path left is difficult to spot. There's some handy young cairns showing the way for the eagle eyed to spot and ignore any distance information given in rockfax.
βeta?
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βeta: In high ferns the initial path left is difficult to spot. There's some handy young cairns showing the way for the eagle eyed to spot and ignore any distance information given in rockfax.
dmorgan27 30 Aug, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: Fab route. The pitch length are too long in the guidebook. I was half way across the traverse of pitch three (peg) before I set up a first belay. Great traverse and the step around and up the arete is sensational. Great climbing in an amazing position.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: Fab route. The pitch length are too long in the guidebook. I was half way across the traverse of pitch three (peg) before I set up a first belay. Great traverse and the step around and up the arete is sensational. Great climbing in an amazing position.
dmorgan27 27 Aug, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: Fab route. The pitch length are too long in the guidebook. I was half way across the traverse of pitch three (peg) before I set up a first belay. Great traverse and the step around and up the arete is sensational. Great climbing in an amazing position.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: Fab route. The pitch length are too long in the guidebook. I was half way across the traverse of pitch three (peg) before I set up a first belay. Great traverse and the step around and up the arete is sensational. Great climbing in an amazing position.
Danielle Whitman 21 Aug, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: First part of approach easy enough until you reach the grassy slope above plantation then VERY steep slope with lots of bracken bashing required!
βeta?
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βeta: First part of approach easy enough until you reach the grassy slope above plantation then VERY steep slope with lots of bracken bashing required!
Butty 3 Apr, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: Really nice route in a great setting. P1 still had seepage after 4 days of dry weather but enough dry rock to proceed. Traverse was steady, leader went high on 4th pitch which made it slightly harder. Crux was easy but nice moves. Removed old tat at top and replaced with new, abseiled into gully 2x50 ropes min to touch down
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: Really nice route in a great setting. P1 still had seepage after 4 days of dry weather but enough dry rock to proceed. Traverse was steady, leader went high on 4th pitch which made it slightly harder. Crux was easy but nice moves. Removed old tat at top and replaced with new, abseiled into gully 2x50 ropes min to touch down
nikgoile 11 Aug, 2020 Show βeta
βeta: Take the low approach!
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: Take the low approach!
simoncov 11 Aug, 2020 Show βeta
βeta: P1 seemed like at most 22m, belay is where there are some proper cracks with the first obvious cluster of good pro'. It is not far from there to the P2 belay on a good ledge directly above, which is reached by following the ramp rightwards and then left onto the ledge.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: P1 seemed like at most 22m, belay is where there are some proper cracks with the first obvious cluster of good pro'. It is not far from there to the P2 belay on a good ledge directly above, which is reached by following the ramp rightwards and then left onto the ledge.

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Guidebooks for Craig Cywarch (aka Craig Cowarch)

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Votes cast 63
Votes cast 65
Style of Ascent
Alt Leads
Lead
Followed
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Not Set
Onsighted
Repeated
DNF
Flashed (β)
Redpoint
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Route of Interest
Pencoed Pillar

Grade: HVD ***
(Cadair Idris - Penygadair)

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