Check the tide before you go- Low tide will make this cache much
easier. High tide or big waves may cause it to be unsafe to
approach the cache. Use good judgment. The day I placed the cache
(-0.7 low tide) I didn't get my feet wet at all. You can check the
tide HERE.
The cliff face is about 150 feet from the top to the beach. The
bottom third is gradual enough to go unroped. At no point along the
route is the cliff vertical or overhanging. Footing is loose scree.
WEAR A HELMET!
The drop itself is broken into two pitches. Plan on bringing at
least two short ropes- You'll need to leave both in place to ascend
back up. The route could be done with just one long rope. If you go
that way, I would still recommend tying in at the second set of
anchors- Both for safety, and so your rope will be redirected the
right way.
The anchor for the top consists of three metal pipes (I didn't
place any of the anchors on the route, someone was here before me-
Double check them yourself before you trust them). I would
recommend rigging an equalized cordelette, low to the ground,
between the three pipes- Don't trust just one!
Halfway down the slope, you will come to a natural landing- and
a rebelay point. The second anchor involves two inline metal pipes-
Again, use both. The second pitch is fairly short, and you will
come to a point where it's safe to unclip. Proceed to the beach and
make your way to 'The Keep'. Watch for slippery or loose rocks! The
coastal mudstone is notoriously crumbly.
The cache is a small waterproof Lock-n-Lock container.
Coordinates were averaged over 400 times to a resolution of 8
feet.
Once you find the cache, explore! There is another secret beach
reachable by carefully traversing to the left from the second
anchor, and around the rock promontory.
Ascending up to the top can be made MUCH easier with a
mechanical ascender or prusik. Have fun, and play safe!
1/19/08- Kudos to mayela mingi for an attempt by Kayak!
1/20/08- Cache verified at coordinates. Accuracy of coordinates
improved. Hints updated.