Hazel Findlay repeats Johnny Dawes classic The Quarryman

Britain’s Hazel Findlay has repeated one of the most famous multi-pitch rock climbs in Great Britain, The Quarryman in the Twll Mawr slate quarry above the village of Llanberris in North Wales. First ascended by Johnny Dawes in 1986 during the early slate climbing revolution, the four-pitch outing shot to fame thanks in part to the cult climbing film Stone Monkey in which Dawes masters his way up the uniquely smooth Groove pitch. Over the last 34 years the line has been repeated by only a handful of other climbers, including France’s Caroline Ciavaldini who made the first female ascent in 2018.

Findlay worked the route with climbing partner Angus Kille who repeated the line in mid-June, and made a no falls ascent herself today. In 2011 she became the first British woman to climb the dangerous trad grade E9, while in 2014 she was the first British woman to climb 8c. Last November she repeated Magic Line, one of the most difficult trad climbs in Yosemite Valley, where in the past she has repeated the likes of Golden Gate, Pre-Muir, Freerider and Salathé Wall. Although far smaller in size than these El Capitan big walls, The Quarryman is nevertheless and important tick in her impressive climbing curriculum.

Links: hazelfindlayclimbing.com, FB Hazel Findlay, IG Hazel Findlay, La Sportiva

Rock climbing in Wales - a choice selection
- Dinas Cromlech - some of the best extreme rock climbs in the entire UK.
- Cloggy - Clogwyn Du'r Arddu - the shrine of British rock climbing.
- Vivian Quarry - the most popular slate crag in Wales
- Rainbow Slab - arguably the jewel in the crown of Llanberis slate.
- Gogarth - one of the best sea cliffs in Britain. Fullstop.
- Lower Pen Trwyn - simply the best sport crag in North Wales.
- Huntsman's Leap - one of the most popular sea cliffs in Pembroke, South Wales.