Cold Cragging at Porth Clais

The reality that Welsh rock climbing maybe isn't a year round pursuit has started to dawn on Tom and myself. It was freezing at Craig Caerfai this morning. With half the crag dripping wet and a gale whipping across the rest of it we took just one look before heading back to the car. Our plan made the evening before had been sound, it's just that it all hinged on the weather forecast being absolutely spot on. A little more West than North West in the wind direction and we were scuppered. Pembrokeshire is a long way to travel for nothing so careful pawing over the map provided a second option, the small sandstone cliff of Porth Clais.  Although optimism was on the wain the wind was at our backs on the short walk in hinting that the rock itself might be sheltered. Aside from cold hands our first climb up Red Wall (Sev,4a) all went pretty well encouraging us to get straight on with it's equally fine companion, Red Wall Right Hand (HS,4b). A significantly sized swell was rising and falling beneath the Grey Coloured Slab where we went next. This didn't affect our abseil approach to the block come island at the base of the slab. Regaining the mainland however required no small amount of careful timing. With a weak winter sun occasionally breaking through the climbing on Harbour Crack (V Diff) and Porth Clais Crack (HS,4b) was all very enjoyable but by the time we started up Glaze Crack (HS,4b) the temperature had dipped again. Packing up at the top of the crag wearing all the layers we'd brought it was satisfying to have snatched another days cragging. As we approach mid-winter the opportunities will surely become more fleeting.