Miserable forecast pretty much everywhere – it shouldn’t be allowed to rain on your birthday! Luckily, there’s always Gogarth! Not that Jake and I were feeling too optimistic as we passed Bangor in a major deluge. Fear not, as soon as we were over the Menai Straits the sun was out and it was cracking the flags by the time we arrived at Holyhead.

Next to decide on a route… Something adventurous but not too desperate, haven’t done it before and ideally on some rock that is banned for the rest of the year… Flytrap fitted the bill. A 4-pitch E2 adventure into a huge sea cave and out again through a “skylight” in the roof.

Here’s the entrance to the sea cave

The fun first pitch (about Severe – would be 3* on its own!) 

The downwards traverse into the cave 

… to belay just above the swell… 

With just an inquisitive seal for company 

And the view down to the same spot having successfully negotiated the crux traverse up to the skylight window / chockstone. 

… and here’s the exciting traverse to get there

Made it! 

Obligatory selfie… 

And back out into the sunshine! Happy days 🙂