Colin Goodey adds more new slate routes
Colin Goodey making the first ascent of Quelle Surprise F4c, Serengeti, Dinorwig Quarry Photo: Si Panton
Veteran slate activist Colin Goodey has been busy again, adding a series of excellent new routes to the Dinorwig slate quarries.
First up was Titan F4c, a delightful line up the impressive blocky arête of The Carbon Stage face in the bay at the back of Never Never Land. Colin was joined by Mark Hellewell and Sue Trainer for the first ascent.
Next up was Zeus F6a/6a+, another brilliant addition taking a direct line up the wall between The Carbon Stage and Titan. The route features a daunting start with surprisingly good edges appearing just when you need them most. At ¾ height a tiny shelf is reached; access to the obvious mantle piece above is barred by a reachy stretch or a dynamic lunge.
“I had to jump for it!”
Explained Colin, before adding that he caught the ledge, but then fell. The first successful lead went to Mark Hellewell, but Colin did manage the dyno move when he seconded the line. (NB. there is a smeary layback method for shorter climbers spooked by Colin’s rather wild solution.)
Finally Colin and his wife, Sue completed an attractive ramp line immediately opposite the Seamstress slab. Quelle Surprise F4c was done just in time before the couple left to celebrate their Golden (that’ll be 50 years!) wedding anniversary in Prague.
