[andy popp]

I have to drive Merseyside to Aberystwyth next Monday and had hoped to go via the Pass or Ogwen but the weather is looking showery, at best. Ysgo might be better but I'll only have one pad and I know landings are dodgy from my one brief visit.

What's amenable with one pad (and no spot)? I've done almost nothing there, would probably like to get on things up to low 7s.

How about Cae Ddu?

[tomtom]

cae du has much much friendlier landings than Ysgo..
Checked the tides?

[andy popp]

But I'd really love to go back to Ysgo!

Nope, haven't checked tides yet. D'oh!

[SA Chris]

I've only been once, but did quite a lot of stuff round Higginson's Arm / Shaking Man area with a single large pad. But then I'm used to Portlethen and the landings seemed great by comparison.

[tomtom]

The bouldering up around Blaenau Ffestiniog is on fantastic rock IIRC - can't rememner the name though...

[Johnny Brown]

Ysgo isn't too bad with one pad, but that's partly because some of the landings aren't that easily padded out, even with three. It's hardly on the way too Aberystwyth though, it's a right trek getting round there from Lleyn.

[Rocksteady]

I went to Porth Ysgo with one pad and one non-climbing spotter and had an amazing time. However, I was just pottering around on easier stuff.

Really Cool Toys SDS went at allegedly 7A but seemed more like 6B to me. Otherwise did Truth, Justice, and some of the easy highballs. To be honest I just went and sort of 'played' on stuff that didn't seem too high and scary, and had a great time.

[Luke Owens]

Cae Du is OK if your after very easy stuff but nothing much above 6A really I wouldn't go out of my way to climb there. There is a video of a few of the problems there on my Vimeo.

If you're after the best weather Ysgo is probably best but out of the way of where you're going, not sure what goes with just one pad.

As Tomtom said Tanygrisiau (Blaenau Ffestiniog) is awesome, we went there on a damp day and it was dry. It's home to one of the best 7A's I've done. "Tempest" is incredible I did it with a few pads though. Can you sneak another pad in?

Topo here: http://www.anturstiniog.com/Downloads/1/BoulderingGuide.pdf

Vid of mine of some of the problems:

[andy popp]

Thanks everyone. I know Ysgo is well out of the way (and really I want to go to the Pass/Ogwen) but I have the whole day at my disposal.

Luke, I remember Tempest from when you did it and it looks superb ... but high. Trouble is I only actually own one pad at the moment.

[SA Chris]

BBS? (Beg, Borrow, Steal).

[tomtom]

BBS? (Beg, Borrow, Steal).

I have mats you may borrow... Hoping to get out at some point over the weekend too..

[Falling Down]

That's a proper detour Andy, waddage for keenness!

[fatneck]

Was just writing a post saying you'd be fine Andy and realised I was well late! How was it?