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Talk:Gower
Note the openlevels parameter... this allows it to default to open to a pre-defined level e.g. openlevels=1
OK... so this is how I'm going to do this... I'm going to colour code the map for each different Main Area in the collapsible table on the left and supply a key. I'm going to re-arrange the menu so that items are listed west to east (i.e. as they appear on the map) Possibly have a North Gower menu and a South Gower menu (both reading down west to east) --Tim Hoddy 12:37, 3 June 2010 (UTC)
Something like this definitely needs doing, unless you are a seasoned local, the gower is a V tricky area to get your head around.--Alan rosier 08:41, 3 June 2011 (BST)
I'd say the same is true for Ogmore. We all know where to go but it must be a nightmare for a first timers visit. I'm sure plenty of people have been cut off by the tide. --Del 09:13, 3 June 2011 (BST)
- The old mapping extension that we used, allowed use of colour overlays on a map. That extension no longer works with the new servers version of PHP. I don't think that the current Maps extension allows overlays like this... I'll check. --Tim Hoddy 10:06, 3 June 2011 (BST)
- No, Maps does not do colour overlays. One idea is to use a static OSM map and put our own colour overlays onto it and configure it as an Image Map; i.e. a clickable map where clicking on a colour would take the user to the relevant area page, e.g. Hollow Top To Port Eynon.
- However, what we have already is pretty good compared with the old guide. The Gower Map should allow anyone with a modicum of intelligence to orient themselves and fix the location of crags and areas. The fact that we can edit the OSM database to add paths and crags is a big bonus. I suppose, however, there is more than 1 one way to this and the colour coding may help some. --Tim Hoddy 10:39, 3 June 2011 (BST)
Maps
Gower now uses the Maps extension. Currently it is not configured to use OpenLayers as our icons don't quite work as they should.
- Will as OpenLayers just as soon as I find time to edit the icons. --Tim Hoddy 14:55, 27 April 2011 (BST)
NEW ROUTES
Mewslade Bay, Cathedral Wall
Giant Potamus E3 5c **
18m. Just right of “Faint White Hope” is a sculpted cleft, from which a crack on the left leads to a hanging pod in the side-wall of the tower. Climb this crack strenuously, barnacled at first, with good protection to a desperate entry into the pod. Deceptively difficult, but a span to the wall behind you and use of a helmeted head as another point of contact may assist. After getting your breath back continue more easily up the crozzly wall above the pod. A great route - physical, technical and then bold. (F.A. Nick Taylor 25.5.09, belayed on several different occasions by Lesley Burgess)
Climbed ground up, with thwarted attempts over the previous 5 years due to tide encroaching and belayer going on strike, brownie-point depletion, sand movement causing large pool below the route, not to mention the fiendish crux. Initially I was convinced the grade would go at E4 6b. Finally victorious, one lovely sunny morning, we returned to the B+B in Middleton to watch the televised play-off final hoping for a Sheffield United victory and commemorative route name, but they played dismally (lost to Burnley) and it took me about another year to come up with a name.
Mewslade Bay, The Aisle
Barefoot Acrobat VS 4c *
12m. Go through the cave leading to “Sump it Up”. A steep hanging rib on the left (west) side of the arch is climbed on jugs to a strenuous exit over the cave entrance. (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight solo 29.8.04) Climbed again 2006, I now feel it warrants VS not HS as originally graded, and well worth a star.
North Edge Direct E1 5a
12m. The arête on the landward (north) end of the aisle is climbed direct. (The original at VS 4c would appear to climb the right hand side of the arête swinging left at about half height). (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight solo 29.8.04)
Sixteen Hooves E1 5b*
Start right of “Zoom Zoom Doris”, underneath the arched roof. Pull strenuously through bulges to the roof (thread & good wedged rest). Resume battle exiting leftwards to finish up the easier corner (past another thread). (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight 10.6.06)
Mewslade Bay, Trident Gully
Jiggler’s Chimney S
12m. This is the squeeze chimney in the back of the left hand side of the gully (left of “Balm”). Not as difficult as Wriggler - but again challenging for those of large stature - exit through a hole to find yourself in the Catacomb gully area (at the start of ”Attack the Ghost” described below). (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight solo 9.6.06)
Wriggler’s Chimney HS *
12m. Definitely not for the stout! This route has been inserted into the guide in the wrong place, it is the chimney right of “Malm”, in the back of the right hand side of the gully. (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight solo 13.6.03)
Mewslade Bay, Catacomb Gully
Attack the Ghost HVS 5a
12m. About 4m down and left of “Celtic Uprising” is a hole in the floor (the exit of “Jiggler’s Chimney”). Above this, climb the dark drainage streak/ crack line. Short, sharp and steep. (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight 24.5.09)
Thurba West
Plastic Wings E1 5b
10m. Left of “Amuseland” and 3m right of “Nogolo”, climb a short V-groove and a steep corner above. (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight 9.6.06)
Three Tors area, West Tor
Guy Fawking of the Legs E1 5a
8m. Climbs the left side of the compact central section of slab, right of “Right Crack”. Direct at first, then trending leftwards at about 2/3rds height. Un-protected. (F.A. Nick Taylor, solo 26.5.09, inspected for loose rock first)
Three Tors area, Little Tor
Dark Star E1 5b
11m. An eliminate between Scout Crack and Super-direct; although squeezed in at the beginning, these routes diverge and finish 5m apart. Excellent climbing on perfect rock, another worthwhile challenge whilst visiting this super little wall. (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight 14.6.03)
Three Tors area, Great Tor
The route “The Cramps in the Cold” appears to be in the wrong place in the guide, it is just right of “The Ramp with no Holds” (the description is ambiguous, the arête referred to is further right, next to the route “Terms of Office”, not immediately right of the black corner)
Love Bump HS 4a
10m. The arête between “training for Ogmore” and “South Crack”. (F.A. Nick Taylor, o/s solo 26.5.09)
Three Tors area, Great Tor East
Cave and Balcony Blow-hole VD
9m. Right of “central Pillar” climb damp cracks into the back of a cave (mentioned in the guide, pg.161) and a balcony ledge. Step across and take an exposed exit through the blow-hole. (F.A. Nick Taylor, o/s solo 23.5.09)
Pobbles Bay East
Nearly Dropped Me Brolly E2 5c *
12m. On the east wall of the cove three parallel cracks slant up to a large conglomerate overhang. Follow the left-hand crack direct to below the overhang, then a steep sequence of moves on undercuts and jams lead rightwards and up to an urgent exit. Interesting climbing with good protection. (F.A. Nick Taylor, on-sight 30.8.04)
Heatherslade Bay
The following two routes are in the back of the zawn which is mentioned in the approach section of the guidebook (just east of and next to the other described routes).
Leany Back Back VS 4b
10m. In the back of the zawn the roof closes overhead to form a cave with an exit between huge chock-stones. Starting beneath this, climb the steep, juggy but greasy left wall of the cave direct, until it is possible to chimney through the innermost skylight between the jammed chock-stones. (F.A. Nick Taylor, o/s solo 1.8.10)
Leany Back VS 4b
9m. Start just outside the entrance to the cave, on the right wall. Climb on good holds through an overlap then direct to the right hand side of a small roof. Blind moves but more good holds lead over this then up a small black wall. Low in grade. (F.A. Nick Taylor, o/s solo 1.8.10)
Maps Extension
Had a word with the Maps developer and he said he hopes to be able to fix the problem we have with the maps in that we cannot use OpenLayers AND our own custom icons. This would make our maps much clearer. --Tim Hoddy 23:50, 2 June 2011 (BST)
Is that for Google maps or all of them? I ask as i'm reading about how legal it is it print OSM maps in a guide. As far as I can decipher OSM is fine and free! You don't even have to ask for permission. --Del 00:16, 3 June 2011 (BST)
No, no one needs permission for OSM. The OpenLayers problem is a problem with the Maps extension. We cannot use custom icons when we have OpenLayers defined in our maps. This is a bug in the extension and not a legal requirement. --Tim Hoddy 05:38, 3 June 2011 (BST)
New Gower Guide
Just a heads up in case you didn't know. I just saw on facebook that someone is making a Gower guide. No idea who the authors are yet. --Del 10:18, 19 December 2011 (GMT)
KML
We can do this now!
Here's the KML gower.kml
