Dinas Cromlech facts for kids
Dinas Cromlech (also known as Dinas y Gromlech) is a really cool and famous rock formation in Snowdonia, Wales. It's located in the beautiful Llanberis Pass in an area called Gwynedd. This huge rock looks a bit like an "open book" when you see it. You can easily spot it from the main road (the A4086). For many years, climbers tried to conquer its steep corners. It became a very important place for new and exciting rock climbing adventures.
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Dinas Cromlech: A Climbing Legend
Dinas Cromlech is more than just a rock; it's a legendary spot for rock climbers. Its unique shape and challenging routes have attracted climbers from all over the world.
What Makes Dinas Cromlech Special?
This amazing rock formation stands out in the stunning landscape of Snowdonia. Its "open book" shape means it has two large, flat rock faces that meet at an angle, like an open book. This creates deep corners and cracks that are perfect for climbing. The rock is made of strong, ancient stone, making it a tough but rewarding challenge for climbers.
A Place for Brave Climbers
Dinas Cromlech became famous in the 1950s. This was a time when rock climbing was becoming more popular and climbers were looking for new, harder challenges. The rock offered many difficult routes that tested even the best climbers.
One of the most famous climbers to tackle Dinas Cromlech was Joe Brown. He was a true pioneer in the climbing world. Along with his climbing partners, he opened up some of the most iconic routes on the rock.
Famous Climbs at Dinas Cromlech
- Cenotaph Corner: This route was first climbed by Joe Brown and Doug Belshaw in 1952. It's known as an E1 climb, which means it's very difficult and requires a lot of skill and courage.
- Cemetery Gates: Another challenging route, first climbed by Joe Brown and Don Whillans in 1951. This was also an E1 climb, showing how tough these early routes were.
These climbs were a big deal in the climbing world. They pushed the limits of what climbers thought was possible.
A Writer's Adventure
Dinas Cromlech isn't just for expert climbers. The travel writer Eric Newby even wrote about his funny first climbing experience there. In his book, A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, he describes trying to climb a route called the Ivy Sepulchre. He was led by two very skilled waitresses from the inn where he was staying! It was one of his first and almost only times training for mountaineering. His story shows that even beginners can have an adventure at Dinas Cromlech, though perhaps not on the hardest routes!
