There’s fuc*k all on Rockall   57°35’48”N 13°41’19”W
Our list of illustrious sponsors in full Dramatic pictures of our 2003 assault on Rockall
  Monday 24th November 2003  Rockall Ho!   Powered by Yeast Logic
[E] [P] [I]

The Rockall Ho! 2003 picture gallery

Dramatic images of our attempt to land on the Sacred Rock
by De Management

Well, it's now a matter of record that our July 2003 attempt to land on the sacred islet of Rockall ended in failure.

Failure, that is, to set foot on the world's remotest outcrop. Given the immense distance between Rockall and the nearest bit of solid ground (230 nautical miles from North Uist), and the challenge of sailing there in the first place, the team are pretty well pleased to have taken on the North Atlantic and come out of it intact.

For the record, here's our route to and from Troon:

Our Rockall Ho! 2003 route in full

Yup, a round trip of 976 nautical miles — most of it undertaken in rain and a stiff breeze. Of course, this Hornblower-style pleasure cruise would never have happened without the support of our magnificent sponsors, and all those who gave generously to support the cause.

Yes indeed, it is in honour of those generous souls that we present a few snaps from our Rockall Ho! 2003 photo album. Enjoy and remember — if you think it looks a pretty simple prospect getting onto Rockall, then why not give it a go?


Click on the thumbnails for a full-size pic. These images are strictly copyright and must not be used for any purpose whatsoever without prior written permission.

A brief period of good weather

Two days out of Troon and the Atlantic favours us with a brief spell of sun. Clockwise from bottom: Lester Haines, Al Baker (at helm), Jamie Cambridge (partly hidden), Skipper Bob Johnston, Mark Alden.

Don't try this at home

Don't try this at home: a team member scales the yacht's 60-foot mast.

The view from the masthead

A splendid vista from the masthead.

The weather soon took a turn for the worse

Sadly, the weather soon took a turn for the worse...

Our first view of Rockall

... which did little to improve our first view of Rockall. The rapidly-deteriorating conditions raised serious doubts about the viability of a landing.

Jamie Cambridge ready to go

Despite concerns, Jamie Cambridge (seen here with climbing kit at the ready) and Al Baker decided to have a crack at the sacred rock.

A heavy swell made even approaching Rockall a dangerous prospect

As the intrepid pair approached Rockall, the size of the swell became apparent.

The rest of the team could do nothing but watch

Lester Haines (left, with video camera) and our two skippers could do nothing but watch as Al and Jamie circled Rockall looking for a possible landing site...

Finding a suitable landing site proved more challenging than the photos suggest

... which proved rather more challenging than the photos suggest.

The locals now became restless

The Rockall natives now became restless, ominously circling the rock in a highly irritated manner.

Rockall's vertical face

A lovely view showing Rockall's vertical — and in the conditions, unconquerable — face

Al and Jamie approach the one possible landing site

Finally, Al and Jamie decided to have a go at the only possible way onto Rockall — a small spur projecting into the Atlantic.

Jamie takes to the water

Unable to get the inflatable alongside Rockall, Jamie makes three semi-suicidal waterborne attempts on Rockall, all of which are thwarted by the swell. Despite coming within 15ft of the sacred rock, the conditions have doomed the assault to failure.

Lester consoles an exhausted Jamie

With the weather worstening, the team are forced to abandon their attempt. Lester consoles an exhausted Jamie while Rockall stands proudly defiant.

Battered but unbowed, the team vow to return to Rockall

Although battered and exhausted, Lester Haines, Jamie Cambridge and Mark Alden toast their efforts with a nice cup of cocoa. They will return to Rockall in 2005 for another poke at the world's remotest islet.
Click here for the Rockall Ho! 2005 t-shirt