In this clip from the forth coming film Welsh Connections we see British climbing legend Johnny Dawes do battle with pitch 4 of his girdle traverse of Scimitar Ridge, Llanberis Pass, North Wales.
Johnny's new route The Bolton Wanderer (E6) was climbed onsight, but Johnny had previously climbed many of the 'up routes' on the crag through which The Bolton Wanderer passes. His ascent was reported in the UKC News back in July:
It's difficult to decipher exactly where on the crag this pitch is due to the confusing nature of the rock at Scimitar Ridge, but it looks as though Johnny starts near the flying arête of King Wad (E6) and traverses through some steep and serious ground across Surgical Lust (E7) to pass through and clip the peg on Tufty Club Rebellion (E5) finishing by belaying in the safety of the large crack of Troy (E1).
On being confronted by the large pendulum potential and hard climbing when he comes to follow the pitch, Johnny's climbing partner thinks better of it and opts not to follow...
Interestingly enough, the "angry young man" that Franco comes across as, reminds me a lot of the young Johnny Dawes. I can remember him annoying various people in the Peak before he had climbed any significant... Mark Kemball - 18 Jan 2010
-) i remember thinking I was better, but never saying it out loud - until i met Johnny in wales where he demonstrated an affinity with the rock that i had never seen before. i was younger than you Franco and climbing... mark mcgowan01 - 18 Jan 2010
I don't think climbing ability should influence people's views, if you choose to not speak against said person then fine. If you start agreeing with people just because they climb E9 thats a bit sad. If however you... Dave Warburton - 17 Jan 2010
I'm amazed this debate has happened. Johnny climbs hard, says what he likes. So does Franco. So do I (except the climbs hard bit - I sort of climb squishy rather than hard) No skin off my back, or any of yours. It's no... bouldery bits - 17 Jan 2010
In relative terms though. Johnny Dawes has put up some amazing routes and been at the forefront of British climbing so Franco can't question his personality. Franco climbs a lot harder than me, has put up some very... melonmike - 17 Jan 2010
It's not about fitting in, it's about showing respect- a concept you obviously have no concept of. So you think he says some wild things, so what. He's Johnny Dawes, he's earned the right to say whatever the f*ck he... jdunnesbicep - 17 Jan 2010
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