In reply to maxsmith:
> So Steve, can you enlighten us on your favourite scramble in the book and the scariest?
Favourite is probably Bilberry Terrace on Lliwedd. Cunning route up a big, forbidding face. Almost alpine in feel.
Scariest experience on the included routes was being alone on Bilberry Terrace on a cold, damp and misty November night. Route finding by a dimming headtorch proved a little tricky...
Scariest overall experience was backing off an attempt at finding a direct approach to the ridge of Crib Lem via the crag of Llech Ddu - solo again - and having to retreat down a wall to a narrow ledge above a 300ft drop by lowering off a sprig of heather. You know, like you do. Still vivid.
> I'm also interested to know whether the majority of the routes are of your own creation, or historic routes you collated and graded.
A mix. Some were already popular ridge routes (eg Crib Goch, Bristly Ridge). Some were known as 'testing' rock climbing descent routes (eg. Jammed Boulder Gully). Others were long-neglected 'Easy' or 'Moderate' rock climbs from early 1900s - perhaps modified by finding a scrambling alternative to the crux moves (eg Tryfan East face routes) - and the rest made by exploring big but neglected rocky flanks of hills (eg. Braich tu du face). Most were resurrected old routes, though. I did explore numerous other new lines that proved to be too loose or discontinuous to bother including.
> Thanks for such a great guide, regards
You're welcome. It's odd to think of it still being used after 35 years.
Post edited at 18:01