By Vicky Ward
Header Photo Credit: Callum
Trip Participants: Chris Craig, Vicky Ward, Kyle Stewart, Lisa Davison-Kernan, Paul Kelly, Peter Adamson, Josh Taujanskas, Callum Young, Mike McCracken, Rob Broome and Paul Grattage
The club’s now near annual pilgrimage to Gola Island just off the coast of Donegal is always a highly anticipated trip. With its gorgeous pink granite, beautiful scenery and general lack of people it’s always a much needed mental reset. However, this time the weather did not so much play ball. This was a triple dropper cloud forecast. Nevertheless with an “ok” weather forecast due on the first full day of the trip a group of the keener adventurers (or those with nothing better to do) decided to head off anyways.
Our party arrived in batches on Wednesday 12th with varying success in avoiding planned traffic jams - 1 participant even managed to squeeze in a mini-mountain race on the way. Those that arrived early managed to get in a successful afternoon of cragging at the inland crag ticking off such routes as Days of Wine & Roses (E1 5b), Weathered Window (VS 4b) and Corner Boy (HS 4b) with one of our party also successfully ticking of their first trad lead on Legislator (D). Climbing occurred before and after dinner. With the daylight beginning to come to an end Chris treated us all to a fire complete with professionally made dry stone walls.
Photo Credit: Callum
We woke up on the second day with a tiny bit more fear of our holiday coming to a premature end - all night we had heard the heavy rain on our tents - but miraculously we woke up to dry grass but more importantly dry rocks (for safety) and blue skies (for photos). With this in mind we all hurried our breakfast in order to make the most of the weather window but only after taking an appropriate amount of time to admire Paul K’s very heavy coolbox which was genuinely keeping his full-fat milk fridge cold. No UHT or milk powder for Paul K.
Josh on Pride of Gola. Photo Credit: Callum
The main goal for most of our party was to head to Gripple wall and conquer the classics of the Pride of Gola (S 4a) and Maid of Gola (HS 4b). These were ticked off efficiently and promptly which allowed the entire group to head off and congregate at main crag. At some stage Chris left the island. Utilising the rather “bold” abseil set up by Peter and Paul K as a group we climbed Run of the Arrow (VS 4b), Bull Root (HVS 5a), Snow Desert (HS 4b) and Kyle did some pumpy E4 (he didn’t log it on UKC so it wasn’t stalkable for this trip report).
Kyle on some E4. Photo Credit: Peter
While we were congratulating ourselves and Gola on its fine weather and the quantity of climbing done a sight was seen on the horizon - it was a catamaran skipping across the waves into the bay. Half an hour later a whatsapp message was received which announced the arrival of Paul G to the island complete with two kayaks and a heap of firewood. Mike and Callum headed back to the camp to meet Paul G in order to take him off for some evening climbing on Easter Crag.
Paul contemplating the bold step round to Run of the Arrow. Photo Credit: Peter
With everybody’s arms tired we all headed back to camp for an evening meal. However, the infamous Gola midges decided to join the party. As these party crashers arrived we all departed the central campsite to go kayaking in the bay (Paul G & Kyle), fetch water (Lisa & Vicky) or make FIRE (the rest).
Unfortunately the day before Chris had given us the ominous news that Sabba (the ferryman) had a wedding on Friday evening and thus had every intention of being out of action on Friday afternoon through to late Saturday. As a group we therefore had to make the bold decision between:
Leaving Gola 2 days earlier than planned - a lot of faff for 48 hours only!
Staying on Gola and potentially being trapped in a triple dropper weather forecast in a tent with no means of escape
With sadness, we did decide on Option A - we had had such an amazingly fantastic 2 days. This trip to Gola was very short but very sweet. We got possibly the only 2 dry days in July. That was also possibly the fastest ferry trip ever as Sabba gunned it back to the mainland to get back to his pre-wedding pint.
Photo Credit: Paul