Pilgrimage | 8B+/9a Boulder problem at Parisellas Cave

A very long boulder problem. Around 8c+ to 9a as a sport route depending on how many knee bars you find.

Chrish Doyle:

Pilgrimage (or The Big Link as it was always referred to) is a historic piece of Welsh climbing. In the early 90s long before the Cave was a popular and recognised bouldering destination an in-form Ben Moon got close to making the FA. The problem was written up in the first Northern Soul despite being a project and its legend grew in Cave circles. In 2004 legendary strong man Malcolm Smith invested considerable time and money (1000 pounds worth of fuel driving down from Scotland) and made the first ascent of the link at 8b+ or F9a.


Pics + Vids

Alex Barrows
Added at 09:04 on 03 April 2022
Mike Hart
Added at 09:04 on 03 April 2022
Jack Palmieri
Added at 19:02 on 06 February 2021
Pete Dawson
View this post on Instagram

Added at 12:02 on 10 February 2021

Ascents

7 recorded ascents.

Climber Style FA Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Malcolm Smith Boulder (Worked) 2004 9a
Alex Barrows Boulder (Worked) 5th March 2013 8c+

Second ascent.

In the process of working the problem Alex found a lot of knee bars that were not used on the first ascent and which make the problem easier.

References

[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,10607.msg398399.html#msg398399

[2] https://chrislockyer.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/pilgrimage/

[3] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2013/03/alex_barrows_repeats_pilgrimage_8b+-67887

[4] https://alexbarrowsclimbing.blogspot.com/2013/03/pilgrimage-2nd-ascent.html

[5] https://vimeo.com/61373541

Mike Hart Boulder (Worked) July 2016

Third ascent.

https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2016/07/third_ascent_of_pilgrimage_8b+_for_mike_hart-70558

https://vimeo.com/173281478

Jack Palmieri Boulder (Worked) 1st November 2017 8B+

https://vimeo.com/240900140

Pete Dawson Boulder (Worked) 12th August 2019 8B+ (soft)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1GLynZD8Ll/

Kieran Forrest Boulder (Worked) August 2020 8B+

https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2020/08/kieran_forrest_ticks_pilgrimage_font_8b+9a-72426

Ben Moon Boulder (Did not finish)

Before Malcolm Smith made the first ascent Ben came close to doing it, falling off near the end.