lockwood's chimney is in this crag on the slopes of gallt y wenallt in the gwynant valley.

the crag itself is called clogwyn y bustach. the walk in is fairly short and passes by the back of a power station which has the look of a methodist chapel about it.

 

saturday of the hallowe'en bank holiday weekend - we're in snowdonia amidst extreme weather warnings on t.v.

 


above, gerry leads the second pitch of lockwood's chimney. the water is streaming down the walls. everything is sopping wet.

to the right, peter is belaying dave, also grappling with the downpour of the second pitch. barry is just behind him.

gerry and bébhinn squeezed into the crack, about to start the third pitch. it's is so wet and dark and everything is just slippy.

coming out of the chimney - daylight ahead. a view of sodden fields and declan's car. the wind is howling outside.

outside we are buffetted by very strong winds - the news said up to 80 miles an hour. this last pitch feels very exposed after the claustrophobic atmosphere of the chimney.

later on, after a quick change into dry clothes we head off for the beacon climbing centre to check it out. big bouldering area with lots of variations including a slate mock up.

 snowdonia: page 1 of 2

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