This geocache is located up an obscure snow and ice gully I've decided to call the Welly Wanger's Gully. In late November, this gully was filled with snow and ice, which offered surprisingly enjoyable climbing with ice tools and crampons. Although it's nothing to write home about, I thought the gully made for a very fun and easy alpine-esque route. Please note that in the winter, this geocache represents an extreme challenge requiring specialized ice climbing skills and equipment.
Welly Wanger's Gully:
I became aware of this gully while researching for some potentially obscure or new ice climbing routes. This gully seemed to have potential, but a preliminary visit revealed the gully wasn't steep enough to harbour any serious ice climbing (requiring rope, ice screws, etc). Even still, the gully was in my mind and I returned one week later with ice tools and crampons in hand to climb it for what I have to assume is the first time! When I climbed it (keep in mind this was mid-late November), the gully offered several short and easy ice steps, split up by short walks through snow of varying hardness. The "crux" ice step was probably 3-4 body lengths of easy ice, mixed with a little rock and snow climbing. Just above the crux is where I decided to hide this geocache! Continuing higher up led to several more short ice steps, before I finally reached the top of the gully and walked off to the left along the ridge back to my car at Bear Pond. Although I did bring a rope, I didn't use it and I would suggest that a rope will probably do you no good. A lead climber would have minimal protection options available; the ice wasn't thick enough for screws and the rock is choss. Honestly it felt very tame as an easy ice scramble with only ice tools and crampons.
As for the approach, I parked at Bear Pond, hiked up the ridge behind the pond, dropped steeply down to a cutblock, then made my way over to the gully following up on a nice treed ridge before dropping down into the gully and starting my climb. If you come in the summer or any time other than late November, I'm not sure what you'll find in this gully. It's definitely possible that the cliffs will be too steep to climb up or descend down to the cache site safely. I'll leave that up to you to explore!
What the heck is Welly Wanging? I'm glad you asked! Welly Wanging is something new that I learnt about just recently - it's a sport with English heritage in which a competitor (the wanger) throws (wangs) a rubber boot (aka a Wellington or "Welly") the furthest distance possible. It's such a strange, fun looking sport that I figured the name matched this bizarrely fun gully. So there you go!
Welly Wanging:
Note that if you visit in late November / winter (which is the recommended adventure!), ice climbing gear is essential to reach this cache. You should be a confident ice climber on easy ice, and you should be aware of the risks. Make sure you wear a helmet as the rock around the gully is choss. If you have any doubts in your gear or your abilities, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS GEOCACHE as there's a good chance you will hurt yourself. Climb safely and have fun!
Looking Up the Gully:
One of the Short Ice Steps in the Gully - A Good Taste of the Difficulty of the Ice:
