Juniper
Gulf - 15th. December 2018
We all arrived keen ish
minus the weather and the incoming storm of Storm Deirdre, but being the
hardcore Red Rose we decided to still go via the Sell Side approach. We left
the car park at 10:00am sharp for the 1 hour walk in! The weather was not so
bad on the way up minus it being windy and cold ish
(Maybe for a southerner…).
We got to the top by 11:00 and Dave and Tom started
rigging. The rigging was swift and no major issues to report, for your
amusement! It was all going so well. I was 2nd last to get down using the micro
rack giving a really nice smooth ride and view of this impressive place! We all
had a look at the sump and ate some cake! It took about a hour for us to all
get out of the final pitch (50m).
Being the last one out and waiting for 5 people
before me to jump on rope to start climbing I was getting a bit cold. So I
started warming up with funny looks from Emma! The de-rig went so well, we only
had one minor issue when Emma let some of the rope exit the bag and start looping around rocks and other things in the rift below.
Did create some Type 2 fun for laughing at later on, but at the time it was
quite a problem and took about 15-20 mins to sort.From there on it was all smooth to the entrance. Maybe
worth noting that the rocks on the slope are loose and going to slide down. So
next time it’s worth being aware, because it will go as it’s only a medium size
rock holding it all up… It won’t create a issue or impact with any P-bolts when
it goes but it be better and safer then it is now.
Anyways we got to the top de rigging in about 1˝-2
hrs, to be greeted with Storm Deirdre. Instantly frozen on the slippery rocks,
unfortunately it seems I’m not tall enough to reach the last P-bolt so I had to
let Dave do that one. If you're 6ft and under the entrance pitch is a pain to
rig, it seems just one bolt high on the left. After we all got warm on surface
adding all our available layers, Down Jackets, coats, more fleeces, gloves and
hats we started to make out way down. It was going so smoothly till we hit the paths,
then we all started slipping around and falling over on the sheet ice. Walking
on the grass was the best way to get any sort of traction. After more slipping
over and being pushed around by the wind we got to the cars, but that wasn't
it. The trip continues and one more problem! All of our Cars were frozen, water
frozen to the Doors windows, roof racks, wing mirrors. Dave initially wasn't
able to get into his car! Which I believe we replayed “O shit, this is bad, I
said this could happen”. Although we all got into our cars, I think with a bit
of pulling Dave got into his car. We then all got changed and started battling
the frozen ice everywhere! Half the team drove back to the Farm and as always
to the most amazing bunch of people, our club is definitely the best!
Thank you Tom and Emma for a good day! Dave for helping
with bag issues and rigging and our maybe new members Rachel and Jon.
Jack Overhill