The Rockall Ho! 2003 picture gallery (Pub-friendly) [The Rockall Times]

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:

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.

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: a team member scales the yacht's 60-foot mast.

A splendid vista from the masthead.

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.