Synthetic Life F7a+, Gideon Quarry
Synthetic Life photo topo: Si Panton
Pete Harrison has been busy developing the impressive Bone People wall in Gideon Quarry above Llanberis. The first route to be pushed into the limelight is Synthetic Life F7a+, an exceptionally good, 14 bolt, sport route on perfect granite-esque dolerite with four distinct cruxes – a bit like a F7a+ version of The Plum at Tremadog.
The route starts at the base of a narrow ramp/groove behind the huge boulder to the left of Bone People. It then forges an intricate and technically sustained line upwards to reach an abseil station left of the upper section of Bone People. Take some long extenders for the lower section if climbing on a single rope (NB. the route is 42m long).
”Although I’m biased, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say it’s one of the best F7a+’s in North Wales.” Enthused Pete.
Access – abseil down the line of Bone People and swing into the base of the route. This requires a 60m rope.
NB. There are Choughs and Peregrines nesting in Gideon Quarry and it seems likely that a seasonal ban (March until end of June) will be imposed next year.
Pete has more lines on the go (one of which has been completed) – watch this space for more details soon.
Stop Press: Pete has been back and equipped Synthetic Life with an intermediate abseil anchor so it’s now possible to do it and abseil off with a single 50m rope. He also pointed out that all the routes in the Bone People area suffer from seepage and need two or three dry days to dry out, and they’ll most likely need a brush on the abseil in. The cliff gets evening sun from 5.30.
