My Geocache counter has increased to 93 recently. Some say this is an infantile pursuit. Since it serves to give me a good walk twice a week I reckon it’s worthwhile, but...
...it became more serious a few days ago. A local guy has located three Geocaches on our shoreline crags, “...with the more adventurous cacher in mind.” I found the first one, but only after perilously ascending twenty feet erroneously, with even more peril on the descent. The correct location was still interesting.
The second was in an overhanging crack well above my head. I needed to rest in between attempts before grabbing it, fully extended, hanging on with one arm and grappling with the other hand.
The last was supposedly approachable from the cliff top, but I couldn’t find the way and ran out of time. Next time I retreated in a hailstorm, and thunder and lightning, long before I was anywhere near.
On the third attempt I found the cache. It was fifteen feet up an overhanging wall. I managed to get bridging footholds on the walls and one good handhold and could just reach to remove a stone. I could feel inside but couldn’t feel the container. I was two inches short of examining thoroughly. After several attempts I gave in.
I have corresponded with the originator, and perhaps the cache has disappeared. He is going to check - I guess he is probably forty years younger than me!
I sold all my climbing gear on Ebay thinking I would not need it again, so I don’t have the option of using a couple of large friends and slings, and I don’t think I can persuade anybody else to join me for “combined tactics.”
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My Thursday walk with Pete took us on a circuit of Newton Fell from Lindale.
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| Cartmel Priory. Cartmel village distinguished twice - the original sticky toffee pudding and the multi Michelin star L'Enclume |
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| World War 2 machine gun post. It does grip the mind when you see these and think what might have been |
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| I thought I'd found a new crag but... |
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| ...seen from a different angle you could walk up it. The colours, texture and ambiance of this pic sum up much of what I find attractive about The Lake District |
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| Interesting development of this water environment afoot here. Anybody know anything about it? Location SD 420 821, Sunny Green Farm - see map above, midway down eastern leg of walk |
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Monument to John Wilkinson in Lindale - an eccentric ironmaster. His history is worth a read. Here is a bit from Wikipedia: By 1796, when he was 68, he was producing about one-eighth of Britain's cast iron.[9] He became "a titan" - very wealthy, and somewhat eccentric. His "iron madness" reached a peak in the 1790s, when he had almost everything around him made of iron, even several coffins and a massive obelisk to mark his grave, which still stands in the village of Lindale-in-Cartmel in Lancashire (now part of Cumbria). He was appointed Sheriff of Denbighshire for 1799.[10] |
I can't even begin to think I could do what you've reported here! I am impressed with your courage, your stamina and determination, beyond words to do it justice.
ReplyDeleteMy virtual hall of heroes has a new member. Well done, Conrad!
Something's changed above. Have you polished up your boots and/or altered the colours of the landscape beyond? Or is it just my misfiring memory?
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether a geocacher would be liable in law if it were shown his instructions were thought inadequate and the searcher tumbled to his doom (both fellas you notice) despite the fact the searcher wasn't wearing Gore Tex.
Somehow I could never bring myself to sell my climbing gear - a lingering hope that my dodgy finger would still allow a decent grade of climbing and, I suppose, a link with past exciting times always made me draw back.
ReplyDeleteRopes, hardware and various rock climbing shoes, in various stages of decay, are still to found in deep recesses of wardrobes! Sentimental old fool.
Are there many machine gun posts in th lake district..... Think we would have had it as a country, if Jerry had made i that far.
ReplyDeleteThe Crow - Hey Martha. I think I must have overdramatised it. Good to hear from you.
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RR - I haven't touched a thing. Perhaps you have updated your monitor, or maybe dusted it?
I'm not sure of the answer. If you elect to place new Geocaches you have to submit details to an administrator for approval. Obviously private property without permission is out and so are dry stone walls. There are other restrictions, but I'm not sure if wearing Gore Tex is one of them.
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afoot - A major part of my decision to stop climbing was personal, but I do understand and empathise with what you say.
I couldn't believe how much people would pay for the gear on Ebay, especially old climbing ropes, even with my emphatic disclaimers.
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Mappiman - I have seen these things scattered all over the country. They are probably too solid to warrant the expense of demolition, but every time I see one the thought of them being used for real is like a nightmare of unbelief that we were so close. I was born in 1939 and have recollections of the war and its aftermath. I find it difficult to understand what perspective younger people have on this subject. Let's hope that something can be learned from history.
If combined tactics are necessary I'll stand on your shoulders! We'll give it a try after my toe op. By coincidence I found my first Geo Cache last week - by pure chance. Thought someone had thrown their lunchbox into the hedge, picked it out to de-litter only to find it was in fact planted there as a GC. Strange.
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