 SINCE the Reverend Thomas Bingley invented the sport of rock climbing by dangling off a Snowdonia cliff in a foolhardy attempt to gather rare flowers, North Wales has been an irresistible magnet for climbers. They are drawn for the simple reason that North Wales has an incredible variety of climbing locations and is arguably the best place in the British Isles to enjoy the sport. From the towering sea cliffs of Anglesey to the little limestone crags of Llangollen, from the brooding splendour of the Llanberis pass to the sun-dappled cliffs of the Great Orme - it is impossible for any climber to become bored with the region. There is always somewhere new to discover, and another climb to do. Not only do climbers flock to visit the region, but many have made North Wales their home over the years - unable to bear being away from Welsh rock for too long. Pride of place, of course, goes to Snowdonia (Eryri) itself. Hundreds of granite cliffs of all shapes and sizes are dotted around the beautiful valleys which are, to an extent, segregated according to climbing ability.
 Novices and the less ambitious have traditionally favoured Ogwen - with its long and gentle mountaineering routes. But experts tend to operate around the Llanberis pass, especially Clogwyn du'r Arddu - probably the most famous cliff in the British Isles. But this stereotype is becoming dated and the young, super-fit rock gymnast is far more likely to climb on the limestone around Llandudno, the defunct slate quarries above Llanberis, or indoors - at one of the many climbing walls. | 
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