Andrew Wilson
Member
not guilty
Gaping Gill: Documentary of the First Free Climb
- Thread starter JackH
- Start date
I guess trying to support an independent filmmaker by keeping some “content” off SM,( so it can add value to a film in the future) is an odd concept in these times of “Instant Gratification”.This is all weirdly cloak and dagger, for no discernable reason
If I was moderator I would hide your last post, seeing as a little before posting it you started a new thread with lots of photos about the action question.
You shouldn't be on the high horse supporting a local film maker if you are the one announcing the problematic episode.
You shouldn't be on the high horse supporting a local film maker if you are the one announcing the problematic episode.
Samouse1
Well-known member
TBF the filmmaker posted about the event before Ian posted that thread
Hi Ian
I understand this has got a bit complicated regarding timelines etc.
However, trust me, no horses are involved in this, High or Low.
“We” were trying to help Jack with his film and keep it off SM.
However, other events have taken place and with the agreement of said film producer, the photos from the climb have now been made “public”.
HTH
Ian
All the ascents pre the first free used points of aid - it was originally HVS/A2
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It must be testament to the film maker's idea and intentions, that so much interest has been generated in Gee Gee Rider. It is nearly 38 years since the first free climb by Dave Hetherington and Paul Eastwood and no one successfully seconded the route in all that time. Suddenly, on announcing a film about a second attempt with a couple of 'stars' of the rock climbing world there have been two successful climbs in a month - and both ahead of the planned second attempt. Clearly the film project has caught peoples attention. I've heard others talking about trying the route and there is a lot of interest in the film. The two successful attempts have only increased interest in the film. That can only be good for the film and I think that is great.
On the one hand it is a bit 'cheeky' to jump in ahead of the film maker's project, but then the climbs have only added to the interest so it turns out as no bad thing. Keeping these climbs off social media was always going to be near impossible. They've been on Facebook, Whatsapp groups, pub talk etc. There is no point in trying to maintain the secrecy on ukcaving once that cat is out of the bag and that point was reached. People who view ukcaving will probably have more interest in Gaping Ghyll and the climb than most others on social media so I am glad that Jack, Ian and others have shared the spectacular achievement and some great photos.
I reckon it is going to be a fabulous film and I look forward to seeing it, at KMF hopefully. I wish everyone involved the very best of luck with it.
On the one hand it is a bit 'cheeky' to jump in ahead of the film maker's project, but then the climbs have only added to the interest so it turns out as no bad thing. Keeping these climbs off social media was always going to be near impossible. They've been on Facebook, Whatsapp groups, pub talk etc. There is no point in trying to maintain the secrecy on ukcaving once that cat is out of the bag and that point was reached. People who view ukcaving will probably have more interest in Gaping Ghyll and the climb than most others on social media so I am glad that Jack, Ian and others have shared the spectacular achievement and some great photos.
I reckon it is going to be a fabulous film and I look forward to seeing it, at KMF hopefully. I wish everyone involved the very best of luck with it.
JackH
Member
Crowdfunder is here - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/insidethemountain for anyone who wishes to support.
Thanks!
Thanks!
bagpuss
Well-known member
Would have added interest to the film if the other attempts could also be added in if they were filmed. Either way it will be an interesting watch. Can't imagine climbing anything that green in climbing shoes!
Ey up, saw our ascent was getting some attention in here so thought Id put a wee message in.
Great to see the route getting the attention it deserves. Its a fantastic line and a great adventure. An impressive aid ascent back in the day too!
Myself Josh and Chris had known about the route for years and had eyes on giving it a go for ages as lovers of weird esoterica. The combination of dry weather and time off together never made it much of a prospect but the recent weather and talks with Dave Hetherington who works alongside both Chris and Josh had rekindled some psyche for it over the past year. We of course knew the film was happening as we were active in climbing circles but it wasn't the driving factor of giving it a go we just fancied trying it before any more was known about it. In dave's words 'it was good to just get on with it'. Also totally agree that more talk about the route will be great for the film's outreach when it comes along!
It certainly feels like a real adventure with no dammed stream and no lighting in the cave. Our hope of a dryish ascent was scuppered by some fairly significant rain the night before but it looked like we got it a bit less drippy than the guys in April!
We didnt have a look at the route beforehand but had some good recollections from dave. We ended up rigging barpot as an escape route just incase and one of our party met us at the bottom while we descended into the gill via the main shaft. We also tagged a haul line with spare clothes, SRT and food along with the tail attached to our ab rope so escape was pretty feasible at most points albeit a bit of faff especially due to having to pendulumn the bags through the main falls to get it over to the ledge on the big traverse pitch (which we stung with the pitch to the chockstone) without it getting stuck on the roofs below.
The climbing was absolutely fantastic though and quite straightforward despite looking pretty unlikely from below. I think we finished a bit more direct at the end than Andy and Pete and also strung pitches 1-2, 4-5 and 6-7 together which made it a lot faster and avoided the wetter belays!
It would be great to see the route get some more ascents as its genuinely brilliant with every pitch climbing well in its own right. Radios were absolutely essential for any communication on the route. We will be looking forward to seeing the film which we all expect to be fantastic! Hope it all goes well
Great to see the route getting the attention it deserves. Its a fantastic line and a great adventure. An impressive aid ascent back in the day too!
Myself Josh and Chris had known about the route for years and had eyes on giving it a go for ages as lovers of weird esoterica. The combination of dry weather and time off together never made it much of a prospect but the recent weather and talks with Dave Hetherington who works alongside both Chris and Josh had rekindled some psyche for it over the past year. We of course knew the film was happening as we were active in climbing circles but it wasn't the driving factor of giving it a go we just fancied trying it before any more was known about it. In dave's words 'it was good to just get on with it'. Also totally agree that more talk about the route will be great for the film's outreach when it comes along!
It certainly feels like a real adventure with no dammed stream and no lighting in the cave. Our hope of a dryish ascent was scuppered by some fairly significant rain the night before but it looked like we got it a bit less drippy than the guys in April!
We didnt have a look at the route beforehand but had some good recollections from dave. We ended up rigging barpot as an escape route just incase and one of our party met us at the bottom while we descended into the gill via the main shaft. We also tagged a haul line with spare clothes, SRT and food along with the tail attached to our ab rope so escape was pretty feasible at most points albeit a bit of faff especially due to having to pendulumn the bags through the main falls to get it over to the ledge on the big traverse pitch (which we stung with the pitch to the chockstone) without it getting stuck on the roofs below.
The climbing was absolutely fantastic though and quite straightforward despite looking pretty unlikely from below. I think we finished a bit more direct at the end than Andy and Pete and also strung pitches 1-2, 4-5 and 6-7 together which made it a lot faster and avoided the wetter belays!
It would be great to see the route get some more ascents as its genuinely brilliant with every pitch climbing well in its own right. Radios were absolutely essential for any communication on the route. We will be looking forward to seeing the film which we all expect to be fantastic! Hope it all goes well
A_Northerner
Well-known member
If anything, Kev's photos of the ascent under "normal" conditions might actually put would-be climbers off. Seeing a well-produced documentary of the route's condition while the beck is diverted might not convey how miserable the affair will be when the river is flowing, and convince climbers who have never visited to think "well how bad could it be?".
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