UKC

What is the tidal access situation at North Stack Gogarth?

Next Saturday, high tide is at 1pm. What time would, for example, the route South Sea Bubble be accessible from?

Thanks for any info.

CB.

At that end of the crag I think you would need to wait for at least mid-tide for the boulders to clear. 
 

Andy

Can't really help with reliable info, however in June 1982 we climbed Nice'n sleazy and then South Sea Bubble. My partner then set off up Talking Heads. 

The clouds darkened, the wind got up, the swell strengthened, my partner slowed.

As the tide encroached I took refuge on a rocky promontory about three metres from the crag. When he reached the top and took the ropes in I was left with a tricky entry to the start.

A piece of driftwood came past so I made a (very) temporary bridge from the rock to the crag.

I rolled my trousers up and hung my chalk bag around my neck and set off with as much tight as the leader could manage across the bridge.

The bridge snapped, I fell in, I followed the route with a wet crotch and water oozing out of my ageing shoes. The crowd on the promontory including Dave Lee enjoyed the whole event.

So take care with the tides!

Low tide at North Stack next Saturday is 19:15. South Sea Bubble starts quite low, I would say 3 hours before low tide so 4pm? Access can also depend on the swell, having said that the wind forecast for Friday and Saturday is currently for easterlys so hopefully not a problem. As always watch it on the day. I kayaked past it on Friday near to low tide 

Thanks Andrew. Mid tide should be ok. Give the crag chance to dry out, if the weather is ok.

CB.

Ha! Great story. Tidal crags can be a mission.

On the Devonian at Sharpnose a few years ago, I was going a bit slow. My partner shouts up that he is starting to get a bit wet. Looking down I saw the water was up to his knees and he had the ropes around his shoulders. I scuttled right to easier ground, took a belay and saved him from a full dunking.

CB.

Thanks Kevin, that’s really helpful.

CB,

Me and my friend were climbing on Castell Hellen decades ago in midwinter. I was belayed at the bottom, he was 50 feet up. Looking left I saw one massive wave coming for me along the cliff, above my head height. It then went right over my head, putting me right under water and completely soaking me. Lucky I was well belayed. My friend was watching this closely and laughed his head off, can't blame him really