Llanberis Slate

After years of neglect, the slate quarries of Llanberis have come alive again. A comprehensive re-equipping campaign, coupled with a frenzy of new routing activity has seen the once quiet levels of this vast rock playground buzzing with activity.

Over 200 routes have been added since the last guide was published. Crucially, much of this new development has occurred at accessible sport grades. Once upon a time, slate was reserved exclusively for the elite, but now it is open to all climbers, regardless of their ability or experience.

All tastes are catered for in the quarries, from classic traditional routes such as Comes the Dervish or the magnificent Quarryman Wall routes in Twll Mawr, through the full range of sport climbs running from friendly F4s right up to desperate F8bs.

• Over 200 new routes; many being low grade sport climbs
• 900 action-packed routes in total
• Dinorwig Quarries, Vivian Quarry and the Glyn Rhonwy Quarries
• Full colour topos
• Extensive area maps and individual crag approach maps
• In-depth history section
• Martin Crook's Diary of a Slatehead – the '80s slate scene revealed
• Atmospheric and inspiring action shots from the best climbing photographers
• Historical shots from Paul Williams' legendary 'Slate of the Art' slide show
• 5-page monster graded list

The main authors of this guidebook are seasoned slate aficionados Pete Robins and Mark Dicken, with Simon Panton pulling it all together as author/editor.

Valuable contributions came from a strong team of slate activists, including Jon Ratcliffe, Tim Neill, James McHaffie, Calum Muskett, Ian Lloyd-Jones, Chris Davies, Colin Goodey, Andy Scott, Noel Craine, Graham Desroy, Adam Wainwright, Dave Rudkin, Llion Morris and Dave Evans.

• 376 pages
• Publisher: Ground Up Productions Ltd
• Authors: Pete Robins, Mark Dicken, Martin Crook, Simon Panton
• Editor: Simon Panton
• August 2011