If a modern gym climber could magically create a single boulder with about a dozen lines, it may well look not too dissimilar to the Drws y Coed Pop Bloc.
A steep wall with fierce pockets and reasonable feet (mostly), the Pop Bloc plays host to a range of problems in the high 7s. Even the walk in seems manufactured, being short and easy enough to carry plenty of pads in but far enough away from the road to be unnoticed by the many road cyclists attacking the hill climb up towards Rhyd Ddu.
Conditions too are as close to ideal as you can get, with the rock potentially drying out within an hour or two after rain. Granted the boulder still drips for a while but the holds for the routes dry very quick indeed. In reality, the Pop bloc stems from quarrying on the hillside and thus, the drilled bolt holes lend themselves as ideal climbing holds, albeit for those who like pockets. Be warned though: the name of the boulder and the routes stem from the risk to your tendons and pulleys...
The one downside is the lack of quantity of routes here, although there may well be potential for more along the hillside to join the COD bloc. Still, for a secluded short evening session, for the right climber, the Pop Bloc is certainly a good option in the sea of variety that is North Wales bouldering.
More information on the routes can be found in the North Wales Bouldering Guide.
