Mermaid Wall Trip Report

by Chris Lyus

After the punctual arrival of the committee 4 cars set out towards Rhossili for a day of climbing on Mermaid wall. Arriving at the car park Matt decided to extend some generosity and pay for Hugo’s car parking however Hugo took a swift U-turn to the church car park up the road, students! So 3 cars have arrived the 4th can’t be far behind right? Lets head down and they can meet us at the crag 30-40 minutes later Mike turned up turns out he decided to park the far end of the beach. Good job Mike.

So as we were still waiting for the tide to go out we decided to get a climb in at shipwreck cove. I decide to show people how not to fall from the wall slicing up my hands, that out the way we headed round to mermaid wall for a afternoon of sunny gloomy climbing which paired well with the heat sponging properties of the rock giving you the challenge of trying to hold on to something you can’t feel.  The wall came complete with a moat that is perfect for catching ropes in giving in that lovely sandy wet feel.

Lunchtime (or breakfast for some) entertainment was Tim struggling on crux on scarfish whilst safe in the hands of the Hugo who was displaying his amazing attention span and completely pro belaying.  Knowing he was safe Tim went for a little wander at the top exploring the area before the lower off.  I enjoyed an overpriced cost cutter pasta that came with a fork that was kept with the pasta and so it was covered in sauce, amateurs!

Su and angel worked a route that Su bailed on and Su manage to get it on the second try. Excited and her lead and wanting to practice her threading she and Ramiro and some major faffing before Su finally managed to thread a screw gate karabiner. Whilst Brodie beasted his way up a juggy overhanging pillar before hitting a slight stumbling block in the form of two large seagulls which after an intense staring contest the gulls retreated.

The tide lapping at our feet Su and Angel felt this we be a good time to start a new climb whilst we thought it would be a far better idea to get the hell out of dodge because we were about to have to call Kenny Loggins because we would be in the danger zone! With nothing but sea behind us but sea we went back to cars (a significantly longer journey for Mike, Ramiro and Lewis). Due to all the sand and salt water the ropes had embraced everyone was instructed to shower with their rope and give it a nice scrub, Barry White and candles was optional.