+Simply Paul Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 It's that time again! Having recovered from my amazing trip to the UK's most northerly point at the far end of Shetland* in June, I'm now planning my next extreme cache event for June 2010. I'm running out of unexplored corners of Britain (Lowestoft really is going to have to wait) but a look at the map shows me there's a tidal island off the south coast of Jersey that's just about the most southerly point in Britain - It's certainly home to what claims to be Britain's most southerly cache. The only place beyond that is the Minquiers islands, which at low tide is 100 square miles of exposed rocks and high tide a small island (0.1 squ miles?) with some fishermen's shelters on it. Jersey Kayak Adventures have sea kayak trips out to it; not cheap though, and 12 miles from Jersey, not an easy paddle either. I'll look into cheaper/easier ways to get to the more remote island, but if nothing suitable is found, the event may be on (just off!) Jersey towards the end of June next year instead. I'll list the event when I can, and post news here as and when I have it. A hint of what the Minquiers have to offer... *For how amazing, have a look at my gallery. In 2008 it was St Agnes in the Isles of Scilly (UK's south point) and in 2007 it was St Kilda (UK/Britain's west point- bar Rockall!) Quote Link to comment
+ayepee Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 I have this one pencilled into my diary so hope to make it next year. The Scillies trip was good and as I have not been to Jersey this would be a good excuse. Quote Link to comment
+Bambography Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I'll be keeping my eyes on this one. However I have a holiday planned in April which will use a bulk of my annual leave so I might have to give this extreme a miss Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Latest update on this: My current plan is to take my bike to either Portsmouth, Poole or Weymouth by train, go across to Jersey by ferry, camp there while clearing the island of caches by bike, day trips to Sark, Herm and Alderney to clear them -hopefully with the bike, where possible- and a couple of days on Guernsey to try to clear it too before getting a ferry back to the mainland from there. I'm still hoping to get to the remote islands to the south (if there's enough interest we could charter a small boat and share costs?), Perhaps by sea kayak (rather hard work and pricey) or find a friendly cacher with a boat and a sense of adventure! Useful links: http://www.condorferries.co.uk/home.html http://www.jerseytravel.com/ http://www.directferries.co.uk/manche_iles_express.htm for inter-island/French routes. http://www.seat61.com/ChannelIslands.htm - Train/Ferry travel guide. Quote Link to comment
+Team Noodles Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Latest update on this: My current plan is to take my bike to either Portsmouth, Poole or Weymouth by train, go across to Jersey by ferry, camp there while clearing the island of caches by bike, day trips to Sark, Herm and Alderney to clear them -hopefully with the bike, where possible- and a couple of days on Guernsey to try to clear it too before getting a ferry back to the mainland from there. I'm still hoping to get to the remote islands to the south (if there's enough interest we could charter a small boat and share costs?), Perhaps by sea kayak (rather hard work and pricey) or find a friendly cacher with a boat and a sense of adventure! Useful links: http://www.condorferries.co.uk/home.html http://www.jerseytravel.com/ http://www.directferries.co.uk/manche_iles_express.htm for inter-island/French routes. http://www.seat61.com/ChannelIslands.htm - Train/Ferry travel guide. what kinda timescale are you looking at for the entire thing? Counting trad's/multi's only its >200 caches, add to this travel times between the island its not going to be a short affair me thinks? Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 I'm looking at ten days to two weeks for the five islands. Getting there is the pricey bit so I might as well have a long lazy holiday. I've been lucky with my extreme trip's weather until now..! Quote Link to comment
+Team Noodles Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 I'm looking at ten days to two weeks for the five islands. Getting there is the pricey bit so I might as well have a long lazy holiday. I've been lucky with my extreme trip's weather until now..! *glances over shoulder* perhaps the wife will let me off for that long, not sure yet, looks good tho Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 (edited) You'd only need to be on Jersey for the day of my Extreme Event to attend it; caching or clearing the island/s would just be a bonus In the past I've offered car/cost sharing but that didn't quite work out as planned last time, plus I'm much fitter now and can face a lot of cycling. Hence the format is a bit more open than previous years, at least for me as I'm not intending to 'tie' myself to others' plans, or vice-versa. That said, bumping into cachers in the area for my events have lead to some great joint ventures in the past, so it'd be nice to meet up with people on the islands. Either to cyclo-cache together, do a circular walk from mutual parking, or even getting a wee lift to the other end of the island... Edited October 28, 2009 by Simply Paul Quote Link to comment
+Team Noodles Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 (edited) You'd only need to be on Jersey for the day of my Extreme Event to attend it; caching or clearing the island/s would just be a bonus In the past I've offered car/cost sharing but that didn't quite work out as planned last time, plus I'm much fitter now and can face a lot of cycling. Hence the format is a bit more open than previous years, at least for me as I'm not intending to 'tie' myself to others' plans, or vice-versa. That said, bumping into cachers in the area for my events have lead to some great joint ventures in the past, so it'd be nice to meet up with people on the islands. Either to cyclo-cache together, do a circular walk from mutual parking, or even getting a wee lift to the other end of the island... meh, i wouldn't go thru the £ effort just to attend the event, i'd rather follow the general idea and make an outing out of it might just hook up for the 'main' island session instead tho, dunno yet.. but ye, well up for some if not all of it! *glances over shoulder @ missus (and this time 4yr old) ps, i'd be bringing the bike for sure Edited October 28, 2009 by Ryuchan Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 (edited) Coast on BBC2 is an interesting one about the islands, and it's on right now! UK residents can see it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pd...lands_to_Dover/ Edited November 28, 2009 by Simply Paul Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 (edited) And so it begins! My thanks to Antheia for passing GC22370 - In The Unlikely Event... (Les Minquiers) - this morning. To quote from the cache page, "Be warned: This one WILL be hard to get to...! When: 2pm - Sunday 20th June 2010 (Weather permitting). Where: Les Minquiers islands (aka The Minkies), English Channel. Why: Because it's there! Except at high tide! Who: Those who take their extreme caching seriously. How to get there: That's up to you, but an Internet search will produce some suggestions." The meet will be at Britain's most southerly flag pole, beneath a fluttering Union Jack, I hope. Here's a taste: Hope to see you there, in the middle of the sea! Edited December 22, 2009 by Simply Paul Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 The softer/perhaps cheaper option than the above is a walk from Jersey to an off-shore tower on a tidal island for another cache event a couple of days later. My thanks to Antheia again for passing GC1WD50 - Britain's Fourth Most Remote Event Cache (Jersey) - this evening. Have a look at the near-by physical cache's gallery to get an idea of what's in store. Here's a small teaser... With thanks to rappaz for uploading some great shots. If you don't know about my extreme (in the geographical sense) events, there are links to them from both event's pages- Well worth a look for an idea of the adventures in store in June! Any questions? Quote Link to comment
IainLee Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I'll keep an eye on this event as another Summer trip to Jersey is extremely tempting my fwend. Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 Is there any way to get these events listed as 'of interest' to UK cachers? As the CI's are British but not part of the UK they're not going to appear on most people's PQs, 'latest caches' listings or on 'upcoming events' listings on weekly emails... Any suggestions appreciated! Quote Link to comment
+ayepee Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Is there any way to get these events listed as 'of interest' to UK cachers? As the CI's are British but not part of the UK they're not going to appear on most people's PQs, 'latest caches' listings or on 'upcoming events' listings on weekly emails... Any suggestions appreciated! Hi Paul, How about a "Pre" event and then link the extreme events to that? I know a lot (most?) of cachers do not follow the forums, but surely even if the CIs were mainland UK, PQs or new caches would only appear in latest cache listings if they were specifically requested. I omnly get events listed for areas that I run PQs for so may miss out on the chance to meet others because I do not receive the relevant information. Tony. ps, I still have the events pencilled in, but will not be able to say if I am attending until nearer to the time. Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share Posted December 30, 2009 Thanks Tony. I'd come to just about the same conclusion. Perhaps a 'welcome back' post-event event on the mainland- as happened in 08 with my Scilly event. Links from that to the CI events would then be simple. I'm going to add links to my emails and forum sig too, but that's hardly going to reach everyone... I suppose I could 'move' the events between the CI and UK periodically, and hope to turn up on lots of listings that way- if this is allowed? I know of several island caches (channel, IOM) which are listed as UK even though they're not... Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 Latest News: I've been in contact with Derek who runs Jersey Kayak Adventures with an eye to chartering a boat out to Les Minquiers, with the option of a sea kayak tour for those interested in something a bit more challenging. I should have conformation of date and prices soon. Please note, this is just one way to get to the islands and the event is open to anyone, no matter how they get there. Mate with a yacht? There's even a helicopter pad..! Derek also tells me that due to a Neap Tide (low amplitude) my date for Britain's Fourth Most Remote Event Cache (Jersey) may not be ideal. I'm looking to move it to the following weekend to give enough time to get there, look around, swap coins & TBs, talk caching and get back without getting wet. Please watch the cache page for the most up-to-date info. Neap Tides suit a trip to Les Minquiers so that's ok. Of additional interest? I see there's an organised 48 mile walk of the costal path around Jersey on June the 19th. It takes most people between 12-21 hours to complete the circuit which needless to say passes many cache locations... More info at www.itexwalk.je - Ignore the bit about 'Online Registration Closed' -that refers to last year's walk!- This year's opens in February. More news when I have it Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Info from Derek: "Hi Paul. Some good news: I can get you a boat; a RIB which can take 12. Probably a 12-ish departure time. If only foot passengers are going to Les Minquiers for the afternoon it'll be £55 each for 6 or more. Or min charge of £480.00 split x-ways for fewer (it can take 12 max). It could perhaps be possible for us to team up with a Kayaking group (£160) if you've less than 6 and charge £70 per foot passenger as they will be taking up kayaking places. Please give me an idea of numbers when you can. We can also arrange packed lunches for around £8 with cakes/rolls etc made by a local tea shop. We use them on our other trips. P.S. A good camp site is Rozel Farm" Remember, the event is open to all, no matter how they get to the island. I'm passing on the above information as this is the cheapest travel option I know of; you may have your own transport, a mate with a boat, a jet-pack... Quote Link to comment
+Bambography Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I've been watching with interest however having worked out my annual leave entitlement this year and the costs involved i'm regrettably counting myself out this yet. Its a shame as i've enjoyed the last two extremes and look forward to seeing what extremity you'll visit next year. Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 ...look forward to seeing what extremity you'll visit next year.Lowestoft awaits! Actually, 2011 will probably feature the Southern Outer Hebrides/Western Isles; Uists and Monarch Islands, perhaps the Small Isles... Nothing technically an Extreme so I'll be refocusing on the original Remote nature of these events. There's the Knoydart Peninsula to visit for a cache too... Sorry you can't make this one. Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 For hardy cachers interesting in a long, long walk the day before my summer Extreme event (GC1WD50 - Britain's Fourth Most Remote Event Cache-Jersey), the 48.1 mile (77.3Km) Round Island Walk is set for the 19th of June and you can sign up for it here: http://www.itexwalk.je/default.aspx - It costs £12 to enter, which includes a t-shirt and support at 13 points around the island (drinks, loos etc). If you're interested, please let me know. I've already signed up There is NO requirement or expectation to get sponsorship so this is not a c*****y post! Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) From the mundy family, about my GC1WD50 - Britain's Fourth Most Remote Event Cache (Jersey) event "Reliable tide times and heights are available to locals! Tuesday 15th June is your best time in the month to do Seymour Tower. Low water is at 15.55 height of 1.59m or 5.23 feet. The best weekend date is Sunday 13th June at 14.24 1.74m 5.71ft. You need to leave Seymour slip an hour before and follow the tide out. There is a locals route out which takes you around the gullies otherwise you run the risk of being caught in a gully with water up to your waist. You will have approx 30 to 40 mins at the tower before having to think about turning back. You can't take longer, even though it will look clear as the tide circles you in the gullies and cuts you off. Hope this helps." It did help- a lot. Finding reliable tide information was proving a big -and potentially dangerous- problem so I'm indebted to the mundy family. Does anyone have any strong feelings as to which day would suit them best? I'm open to suggestions now I have accurate info on both dates and times. Please note, I linked to the wrong event in the post above this one, and it won't let me edit it. The event on June the 20th is GC22370 - In The Unlikely Event... (Les Minquiers) Ta. Edited February 28, 2010 by Simply Paul Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 The new time and date for the GC1WD50 event on the tidal island just south of Jersey is the 13th of June at 2.10pm; low tide. Sorry for the change but it's been done for reasons of safety; the original date just wasn't suitable because of the neap tide. It's all very technical... Hope to see you on the island Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 An update on this. I'm booked to travel to Jersey on the 12th of June, crossing to Guernsey on the 23rd and coming back from there on the 30th, having hopefully cleared the small CIs of caches too. With about 3 months left to go it seems summer bookings are pretty healthy so I suggest if you're planning to come you sort your own travel out sharpish. Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted March 28, 2010 Author Share Posted March 28, 2010 To Jersey and beyond! I've had further Channel Island events published for the week following my Jersey events: Friday, June 25th - GC226KJ The Hunting of the Sark! Saturday, June 26th - GC229XC Herm is where the heart is! Sunday, June 27th - GC229YY Guernsey Gathering Monday, June 28th - GC229YB All the way to Alderney It would be great to meet some local cachers while I'm on the islands; perhaps an event might encourage a visit to one of the smaller isles; they all have caches on them. Hope to see you there! Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted May 21, 2010 Author Share Posted May 21, 2010 Bump for this. There's now less than a month to go (June 13th) until the walk out to the tidal island off Jersey's south-east coast. I'll be posting extra information to the cache page (link above) about where to meet and when. On June the 20th I'll be heading to Les Minquiers (aka The Minkies) to hide Britain's most southerly - and one of its most remote - cache, if plans go to... plan There has been a change of vessel (the RIB we were going to be using is out of service) but there should still be seats on the replacement boat free (my current info is if I get an extra shipmate the price drops from £70 to £55 each so I'm very keen to rope someone else in!) but of course the event is open to anyone who gets to the island, however they get there. Any questions? The following weekend has 4 events across the other Channel Islands, to give anyone who fancies it an extra excuse to jump on a boat and clear the them of caches. Quote Link to comment
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