Mother Cary's Kitchen. One of the best crags in Wales. A perfect Bank holiday venue.
Pilar and I took the last minute decision to take the Red Arrow to Pembroke for the early summer bank holiday. Having the flexibility of a little van to sleep in (the aforementioned "Red Arrow") meant not having to worry about accommodation but also finding quite spots far from the maddening bank holiday crowd. Loving the van life...
 |
| Early morning in the Red Arrow |
Inner Space (HVS, 45m) at Mother Cary's is a route that is definitely different to the norm. Whilst not much to look at (its a dark dingy cave) it makes up for it lack of aesthetics with heaps of character. In my view its a more memorable route than the overrated Rock Idol on the same cliff.
 |
| Me established across the slot of Inner Space |
|
|
The route starts on the rear wall of the cave behind Brazen Buttress. Steep climbing on massive hold take you up to the dark roof of the cave. Here it feels a little spooky as the darkness, some friable rock and the occasional growling Razorbill make the position feel a little unnerving. From here manoeuvre yourself so you can bridge across the void to the opposite wall (harder for the short) before repositioning, back against one side, feet the other. Now shuffle horizontally through the darkness placing cams for about 20 meters until the huge chockstone at the cave lip. Just brilliant!
|
 | | 30m of air below |
|
|
 | | Pilar barely tall enough to back and foot across |
|
 | Me at the Belay chock stone
|
|
Pilar dropped a no3 Camelot whilst seconding which landed in the drink (tide now almost in). This meant we were committed to return the following day.
We found the cam amazingly (in the sea!), and knocked off a couple of routes the best of which was Strait Gate (E1-2) - A pumpy route with excellent protection throughout, and Rock Idol (E1) - the crag classic with good holds and great moves all the way up.
|
 | On the head wall of The Strait Gate
|
|
 | | Me getting stuck into Rock Idol (E1) |
|
 | | Spot the jelly fish |
|
