A great day on the Black Ladders
~ Monday, 10th January 2011
So, the good winter conditions continue here in Snowdonia! At times though, it is a case of good fortune with my timing. Yesterday I had a stunning day on the Black Ladders, with my good friend Tim Lofthouse. Today, it is hammering down with rain and the freezing level back to the summits or above. We got an early start yesterday, thinking that the cwm would be packed with weekend warriors armed with Baggy and Simons new guidebook, possibly the best book you will buy this year!! The neighing of the Carneddau's wild horses was all that greeted us as we stumbled out of the darkness 
and into the cwm. Beautiful! From below, the crag looked quite black, but a quick glance down the hill below us gave a true feel for how much snow and rime we would find on the route. Plenty enough! Our chosen objective, Gallipoli, easily reached, looked thin on ice, but fat on turf. Climbing with Lofty is always good fun, although it's a while since we winter climbed together. Swinging leads we whooped our way up a sensational line of mega turf, with the odd crack to place a pick into. The crux pitch required the left hand line to be taken, well protected and with a great move back right into the main 
groove. Big Tim and Nick turned up just to the side of us on Yr Arianrhod. Good banter and more whooping! The clag hung around the cwm for the time that we were there, which didn't help too much with capturing the fun on camera. Once home I turned a few images into black and white, which seems to relay the atmosphere a bit better. Another great day, thanks to Tim and bring on the next freeze. Andy.
