{"id":40500,"date":"2018-10-31T07:00:34","date_gmt":"2018-10-31T05:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-01.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/dmm-wales-visit\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T10:04:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T08:04:53","slug":"dmm-wales-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/dmm-wales-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"Alpine Trekkers visit DMM in Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well, here we are, on the banks of Llyn Padarn in the small village of Llanberis, which is located in the land of unpronounceable words and place names. A few minutes later, we\u2019re at a local climbing shop<\/strong> where we\u2019re greeted with a grin. \u201cHey team \u2018no shoes\u2019<\/strong>. How are you doin\u2019?” Good thing we can laugh again. Shortly thereafter, we\u2019re sat at the front door with our buddy Ben from DMM with three pairs of new climbing shoes<\/a>, eating fish & chips, as Hazel Findlay<\/strong> walks by. A few chips go around before we pack our backpacks and head off into the evening for some climbing.<\/p>\n

\"DMM<\/a>
There\u2019s no shortage of hardware at DMM!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why no shoes, you ask? Well, it all started a few hours ago: We arrive at the airport in Stuttgart, where we are forced to explain the unexplainable to airport security. Yes, the lump of metal<\/strong> in our duffle bags is for climbing. All we get is a look of disbelief. And yes, all the white powder<\/strong> in the little bags is for climbing, too! No, it\u2019s not coke and it\u2019s definitely not explosives! After making it through security, we board our plane to Manchester where we leaf through our Selective Guide for North Wales. Slate quarries, trad climbing, paying a visit to DMM and great weather – the next 4 days are looking good!<\/p>\n

Upon arrival, though, reality sets in. None of our three checked bags even boarded the aeroplane. So, we go to the counter to express our dismay, only to find a bunch of other distraught passengers looking for their\u00a0forgotten luggage<\/strong> as well.<\/p>\n

After informing the airline that the lost luggage contains climbing equipment worth several thousand euros, we are assured that not only can we buy the essentials (all at the expense of an Irish budget airline that shall remain nameless) but our belongings will be forwarded to us as quickly as possible. So far, so good. So, we grab our hired car, whiz over to Wales and buy the essentials: climbing shoes<\/strong> and sleeping bags<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The first climb on Welsh rock<\/h2>\n

Fortunately, because this is an official visit to DMM with a small group of Alpinetrek employees<\/strong>, we don\u2019t have to worry about there being a lack of quickdraws, cams and nuts.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
Following in the footsteps of Jerry Moffatt and others – the Llanberis Pass (here Dinas Mot) with all its cliffs brimming with climbing history.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They also let us rent some climbing harnesses<\/a>, half ropes, helmets and the like thanks to Ben. He had already got us a discount and told the local climbing shop about our arrival. Pretty sweet. Kitted out and ready to go, we set off to finally lay our hands on these wonderful Welsh rocks ourselves!<\/p>\n

For me personally, the first four pitches were my first in trad climbing<\/strong>, a great feeling – no bolts, no rules. Only one line among hundreds, as far as the natural structure goes. The only problem I have is that I don\u2019t really trust my brand-spanking-new shoes from Scarpa<\/a> yet, but that will come. So, there we stand, admiring the stunning view with a beautiful sunset at the edge of the valley.<\/p>\n

One moment of happiness follows another<\/h2>\n

The next day, a glorious Sunday. Early in the morning the temperature climbs<\/strong> above 20\u00b0C, forcing us to seek out some of the few shady places there are to climb. My first trad lead climb<\/strong> – Whoop whoop! And that before breakfast!<\/p>\n

\"In<\/a>
Not for everyone: the English Breakfast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a reward, we get an English Breakfast<\/strong> with bacon, beans, eggs and sausages in the open air. Not everyone’s thing, but I love it! The wonderful scenery with Snowdon (1,085 m)<\/strong> in the immediate background is the icing on the cake. In general, you could say that North Wales is a true El Dorado for outdoor enthusiasts<\/strong>… We see mountain bikers, road cyclists, backpackers and above us there\u2019s a single paraglider flying over the quarries. Oh, and the Atlantic is not far away either. There’s even supposed to be an artificial wave pool as well.<\/p>\n

You\u2019d think it\u2019d be easy to find a good spot to climb, considering how nice the weather is, but\u2019s just so hot. Beneath the clear sky in the famous dark grey slate quarries<\/strong>, you feel like you\u2019re melting. But here, in the quarries, time seems to have stood. The area is riddled with abandoned mining structures, rusty rail and cable systems…did I mention the scorching heat? Being here is like travelling back in time<\/strong>, especially when you consider the fact that the Dinorwic quarry (formerly the second largest slate quarry in the world) has been abandoned since 1969.<\/p>\n

Luckily, however, we have people with us who not only really know the area and its historical significance in climbing but also manage to find one of the few shady places to climb: the Serengeti<\/strong>. Here we spend the rest of the day with some of the rare bolted sport climbing routes<\/strong> and beautiful crack lines<\/strong> where we put almost the entire DMM line up of Dragon Cams, Wallnuts, Offset Nuts, Brass Offsets, Peenuts as well as I.M.P.\u2019s to the test. An intro to climbing hardware\u00a0at its finest!<\/p>\n