My First Ascent of Dolmen Ridge (Grade 3 Scramble)

This is Dolman Ridge. Huge climb, although I think there's only like that bit that's actually dodgy, I think. So that rock face is that rock face over there and Dolman is the one that starts in that gully there and there's a platform which you can just see the end of there, beep beep, and then that's where the real like grade three climbing starts because it goes straight up. May as well make this a day of scrambling and wrecking and exploring because I've got all the time in the bloody world. Actually I don't, it's ten past five. Can't remember when it gets dark but I'd rather not be out having to use my head torch. I'd rather be back at the car before then. Great book, get this book, start ticking them off. I want to find the one that she's doing, that looks ace. I've seen those are pictures of people hanging off that. I think it's over there I think. Anyway, right, let's get down here and head over there and get up there. And I am about to start Dolman Ridge. Watched a couple of good videos on it, one from Paul from Beyond the Trail, another by Robert Johnson who then climbs up this and then flies off the top paragliding so that's pretty cool. I will not be doing that, I will just walk over the top. Such a beautiful day. Let's start at this quartz seam. I'll film a bit of this beginning bit but I think it's pretty simple stuff. Why I do believe, after coming up the side of this gully, this is the steep ramp that leads to the grade three park. Thought I'd start filming that. Narrow just to get onto the park. This is bit where I need a drone. Everyone else on their videos have a drone fly over here so you can get a really dramatic shot but alas I do not have. So instead you just have to make do with my big sweaty face. Oh yeah, okay, that's a cool view. That is a nice shot. Doesn't even look that bad yet. Famous last words, yes. 5.55, let's have a look. Yeah, it looks all right. Oh yeah, that's what we're talking about. I was like half expecting to run out of handles but no, they are pretty consistent. Just a bit better with that foot though. Oh yeah, boy. Let's see where we're going next. Right, definitely want to get my foot up on this. That is definitely not moving. Okay, nice. I'm not supposed to be going around there. Does look a bit more appealing but hard to get there. Anything good for me? That shoe isn't moving. Oh Jesus. Do I even want to go there? That's the question. That side, that side, yes I do. So push. Yes, that's a good handhold. That's what we like. Oh great. Okay, now what? Where's my foot going? That's a good handhold but I need more than that. I need something to push off with my foot. Oh yes. Is that it? That might be the crux. Look at that. That is a grade three everybody. No room for error if you were to slide off there. Absolutely none. Ah, sweet, sweet, easy path. There it is, that's the tomb. Let's get up to that. Let's get this camera off my head. Off we go. Ah, beauty. I've covered a little bit of ground today, it's ace. Down the Ogwen Valley. Very glacial. Okay, let's get this camera on. A little bit of an overhang here. Straddle the rock. Go up and over. Yeah, I guess we do. Is that just a slab dropping way down? I don't want to go over that. I'm not going to squeeze under that. Where does this lead? Okay. Bang my head. Shitting hell, this is a high step. Surely this isn't the proper route because that is an awkward move. Reaching back. Don't bang my head. Hold that. Oh yeah. I've got a feeling I'm going to be around on that side already. Nothing like walking along a steep slab. Hands taking nearly all the weight. This is a right little puzzle, this bit. I love it. It's good that the steep part after the ramp, that isn't just the only tricky bit. It just keeps going. It's very interesting. Ah, what a view. Ta-da! Top of Dorman Ridge, which is also the top of Gliddovach. That's the summit. There's the cantilever rock. There's Gliddovower. I could go to Gliddovower and get another Brian's Gully. Big circuit. But I'm not sure how I'm getting down yet. I might go down a different way and we'll look at my map. But first, I'm going to enjoy this. Not least having Gliddovach to myself. What is it? 6.20? Oh yeah. This is how you avoid the crowds. It's a Monday evening. Send a couple of messages and then work out how I'm getting back down to Clamparys Pass.