Well, that would make my day! Can you tell me the last 4 digits/numbers of my operator ID that's printed on the drone? If you can, I'll be happy to send you some money upfront to your Paypal or bank account that will make it worth your while posting it back to me :-).
Started seeing some of your videos popping up in my feed (I am a regular hiker of mountains in Snowdonia myself so maybe that's why?) and have watched a few of your vids. This one in particular was quite interesting to watch (not saying the others weren't, of course) but I had to admire your dedication in trying to retrieve the drone! I often film days of footage on my GoPro whilst up and down there so I completely feel your anguish about potentially losing all that footage. I read in the comments you got it back from another hiker, so I'm really pleased for you.
Another great video, on the edge of my seat watching you. Bad news about the drone, as you say, you now have more knowledge about any recovery in the future, but I bet you won't lose another. The lost of the card is tragic. I admire your solo'ing that rappell, you must a big pair mate. Cheers, Tony.
Fellow drone operator here, but also an experienced climber. You're anchor looked fine to me, although maybe have slightly better protection for the cord itself where is passed over and could have rubbed against the rock. Your first time abseiling for years must have been pretty nerve-wracking so well done for keeping it together. No harm in double and triple checking everything, even the back-up screw-gate I can understand, better one too many than one too few! Looks like scrambler Matt has saved your bacon, so good luck with that. FYI, I've twice crashed my drone , both while filming friends climbing, but have been lucky in that I could retrieve it and only minimal damage had been done. But I'm super-careful now with the DJI Mini 2 .... and its lack of obstacle avoidance sensors!
Yes, I agree. I struggled a bit to find a suitable anchor as most of the rock up there was suspect and loose, even the larger boulders were cracked and shearing. I'll buy more rope and also a rope protector and chuck it all in the boot of the car with the rest of the gear so I'll have more options should this happen again.
pleased to hear some positive reports about potentially getting the drone & memory card back. hope they turn out to be true. don't beat yourself up about it. these things are sent to try us. must have been a very frustrating experience...so tantalising in the extreme. the drone footage adds soooo much to the videos. it's like the equivalent of Wainwrights 3D drawings on the fells that made them so much easier to follow than just maps, where you get paths on the map that aren't on the ground and vice versa. your recent vid up Porcupine ridge was a similar type thing....guidebooks with vague descriptions.
I agree, being able to see the route, or at least the crux, from a wide angle, really makes a difference. Hopefully I can get back out there soon and get more footage for you all.
Some things I noticed about your abseil technique, no need to use two screwgates at the top, usually the rule is 1 screwgate or two opposed snapgates (although no harm in having 2 screwgates I guess), and also i've been told its better to attach prussik to the belay loop rather than the leg loop, as if its on the leg loop and you slip, it can cause you to twist when it catches you. I'm not an instructor though, just a bog standard climber
Thanks, I wasn't sure if one or two was best so just went with the safest option. I'll attach the prussik to the loop next time, the extender I used would still keep it far enough away from the belay device.
No happy ending but impressed by your efforts to retrieve your drone, I used to be a climber and your belay setup looked fine to me. Maybe back the memory card up between outings (sort of thing I say to myself after losing data in a PC crash 🙄).
I was thinking that. I'm going to take my old laptop next time I go on a multi-day scrambling trip so I can back up the files each night rather than waiting til I get home. Doing those routes again and re-filming everything would be such a pain.
Nightmare, I’ve watched to the end now. Gutted for you. Just a thought, have you asked on Snowdonia lost and found Facebook page, in case someone found it? 👍
I second this, the climbing community is usually pretty good with returning lost and found gear if its worth a few bob. Worth investing in a few tough tags so people know how to get hold of you if they find your lost gear as well.
out of adversity you at least got an interesting video and extra experience. my only critic of the absiel set up was the thin cord anchor which ultimately was all that held you up. I might have used thicker rope or climbing straps and put my jumper underneath to get the gear off the rock edge.
Agreed. I did run my finger all along the cord to make sure it wasn't pressing on any sharp edges but yes, it wouldn't take much abrasion to get through 6mm cord.
Experience can be a great teacher, of course. Some comments appear to offer hope for the drone's return, so there might be a happy ending, after all. Still, it resulted in an interesting video 👍
I certainly was an interesting couple of days, I've got some footage of Crib Lem in and out of low cloud that I hope to recover from the drone so that will be next week's vid, if I get it back.
The reason to extend your abseil is so you can attach your prussik to the belay loop of your harness, this makes the belay device far enough away that your prussik cant touch it. Attaching the prussik to the leg loop is a bit more old school and not as ideal for various reasons. Also don't know if you did this but put a knot in the ends of your rope every time before you abseil, plenty of people have dies by abseiling off the ends of their rope, so it's good practice to do it every time as it means you wont forget the one time when it matters. JB Mountain skills has a video that shows everything you'd need to know how to set up a retrievable abseil, and for all the other scramblers out there its really a must know skill so you can more easily escape if you are in a spot of bother. Can't stress enough that you should practice at home before heading out. th-cam.com/video/WPrcUv3mc8M/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for the advice, it's appreciated. Yes, I did tie knots in the ends and scrambled down to check the rope reached the floor and wasn't tangled before I went down. I wasn't sure if the leg strap or belay loop would be best so I went with what I did 12 years ago. I did practice a bit in my garden before I set off, much to the amusement of my neighbours ;-).
Was really hoping it would be a good news story at the end of the vid, comments below look like it will turn out well in the end though fingers crossed thanks to Matt. Still another good video, looking forward to seeing the footage that hopefully will be retrieved
Could say the same for every pebble you've knocked off a scramble or any piece of climbing gear that's ever been fumbled and dropped in a moment of weakness. We don't climb in the mountains planning to lob stuff off the top, but at the same time stuff does happen and its part of the reason wearing a helmet on this type of terrain is encouraged.
It's a 249 gram drone, it's not going to kill anyone, it weighs less than the rocks that hikers, scramblers and climbers accidently knock off routes everyday. The only reason I was flying it sideways and was less careful than I normally am is because there was no one else around, I had the entire side of that mountain to myself. If I'm filming a popular route, I always go mid-week, early or late to avoid the crowds as I don't like flying over people and I don't want a video taken off TH-cam due to a privacy complaint.
Hiya! I was the scrambler, and grabbed it when on my descent.
How can I get it back to you??
Really?
Well, that would make my day! Can you tell me the last 4 digits/numbers of my operator ID that's printed on the drone? If you can, I'll be happy to send you some money upfront to your Paypal or bank account that will make it worth your while posting it back to me :-).
@@thebaldscrambler of course! Is there a way I can contact you directly?
You'll find my email address here: thebaldscrambler.co.uk/temp-page/ thanks!
@@thebaldscrambler email sent!
Glad you've found out where it is, looking forward to seejng the footage!
Started seeing some of your videos popping up in my feed (I am a regular hiker of mountains in Snowdonia myself so maybe that's why?) and have watched a few of your vids. This one in particular was quite interesting to watch (not saying the others weren't, of course) but I had to admire your dedication in trying to retrieve the drone! I often film days of footage on my GoPro whilst up and down there so I completely feel your anguish about potentially losing all that footage. I read in the comments you got it back from another hiker, so I'm really pleased for you.
Another great video, on the edge of my seat watching you.
Bad news about the drone, as you say, you now have more knowledge about any recovery in the future, but I bet you won't lose another. The lost of the card is tragic.
I admire your solo'ing that rappell, you must a big pair mate.
Cheers,
Tony.
Thanks, I got the drone back as a scrambler found it posted it back to me, I'll do a follow up video when I have the time but it all ended well!
Tough day at the office. At least you're safe, that's what really matters.
Had to happen on a really hot day, I was going up and down that route, sweating all over the place. Good workout though, and I've topped up my tan.
Fellow drone operator here, but also an experienced climber. You're anchor looked fine to me, although maybe have slightly better protection for the cord itself where is passed over and could have rubbed against the rock. Your first time abseiling for years must have been pretty nerve-wracking so well done for keeping it together. No harm in double and triple checking everything, even the back-up screw-gate I can understand, better one too many than one too few! Looks like scrambler Matt has saved your bacon, so good luck with that. FYI, I've twice crashed my drone , both while filming friends climbing, but have been lucky in that I could retrieve it and only minimal damage had been done. But I'm super-careful now with the DJI Mini 2 .... and its lack of obstacle avoidance sensors!
Yes, I agree. I struggled a bit to find a suitable anchor as most of the rock up there was suspect and loose, even the larger boulders were cracked and shearing. I'll buy more rope and also a rope protector and chuck it all in the boot of the car with the rest of the gear so I'll have more options should this happen again.
Big fan of your videos Daniel, I'm another bald scrambler
Always impressed with your videos and your safety conscience approach. I climb regularly in the mountains up here in Snowdonia
pleased to hear some positive reports about potentially getting the drone & memory card back. hope they turn out to be true. don't beat yourself up about it. these things are sent to try us. must have been a very frustrating experience...so tantalising in the extreme. the drone footage adds soooo much to the videos. it's like the equivalent of Wainwrights 3D drawings on the fells that made them so much easier to follow than just maps, where you get paths on the map that aren't on the ground and vice versa. your recent vid up Porcupine ridge was a similar type thing....guidebooks with vague descriptions.
I agree, being able to see the route, or at least the crux, from a wide angle, really makes a difference. Hopefully I can get back out there soon and get more footage for you all.
Gutted for you, I'm sure it would have been great footage for us all to see. Good to hone your skills in I guess 😬
Oh no, gutted for you., hope you find it tomorrow. 👍
Some things I noticed about your abseil technique, no need to use two screwgates at the top, usually the rule is 1 screwgate or two opposed snapgates (although no harm in having 2 screwgates I guess), and also i've been told its better to attach prussik to the belay loop rather than the leg loop, as if its on the leg loop and you slip, it can cause you to twist when it catches you. I'm not an instructor though, just a bog standard climber
Thanks, I wasn't sure if one or two was best so just went with the safest option. I'll attach the prussik to the loop next time, the extender I used would still keep it far enough away from the belay device.
No happy ending but impressed by your efforts to retrieve your drone, I used to be a climber and your belay setup looked fine to me. Maybe back the memory card up between outings (sort of thing I say to myself after losing data in a PC crash 🙄).
I was thinking that. I'm going to take my old laptop next time I go on a multi-day scrambling trip so I can back up the files each night rather than waiting til I get home. Doing those routes again and re-filming everything would be such a pain.
Nightmare, I’ve watched to the end now. Gutted for you. Just a thought, have you asked on Snowdonia lost and found Facebook page, in case someone found it? 👍
I second this, the climbing community is usually pretty good with returning lost and found gear if its worth a few bob. Worth investing in a few tough tags so people know how to get hold of you if they find your lost gear as well.
It looks like someone may have found it. I'll post an update if I get the drone back but yes, was a nightmare!
out of adversity you at least got an interesting video and extra experience. my only critic of the absiel set up was the thin cord anchor which ultimately was all that held you up. I might have used thicker rope or climbing straps and put my jumper underneath to get the gear off the rock edge.
Agreed. I did run my finger all along the cord to make sure it wasn't pressing on any sharp edges but yes, it wouldn't take much abrasion to get through 6mm cord.
Experience can be a great teacher, of course. Some comments appear to offer hope for the drone's return, so there might be a happy ending, after all. Still, it resulted in an interesting video 👍
I certainly was an interesting couple of days, I've got some footage of Crib Lem in and out of low cloud that I hope to recover from the drone so that will be next week's vid, if I get it back.
Beautiful place
I think I have found a post related to your drone.
Feel free to share!
@@thebaldscramblerMatt has it. Remembered seeing his post last Monday. Look forward to your next videos when you retrieve your memory card.
Thank you!@@Delta19501
The reason to extend your abseil is so you can attach your prussik to the belay loop of your harness, this makes the belay device far enough away that your prussik cant touch it. Attaching the prussik to the leg loop is a bit more old school and not as ideal for various reasons. Also don't know if you did this but put a knot in the ends of your rope every time before you abseil, plenty of people have dies by abseiling off the ends of their rope, so it's good practice to do it every time as it means you wont forget the one time when it matters.
JB Mountain skills has a video that shows everything you'd need to know how to set up a retrievable abseil, and for all the other scramblers out there its really a must know skill so you can more easily escape if you are in a spot of bother. Can't stress enough that you should practice at home before heading out.
th-cam.com/video/WPrcUv3mc8M/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for the advice, it's appreciated. Yes, I did tie knots in the ends and scrambled down to check the rope reached the floor and wasn't tangled before I went down. I wasn't sure if the leg strap or belay loop would be best so I went with what I did 12 years ago. I did practice a bit in my garden before I set off, much to the amusement of my neighbours ;-).
Thats why I dont have a drone, in my history of flying things I have lost 3 kites, which are cheap, but losing an expensive drone ? I dont think so
Was really hoping it would be a good news story at the end of the vid, comments below look like it will turn out well in the end though fingers crossed thanks to Matt. Still another good video, looking forward to seeing the footage that hopefully will be retrieved
Will let you know how I get on but I've got plenty of Gopro footage to work with in the meantime. It will be interesting to see the crash footage!
At least the infernal machine didn't injure anyone! Daniel - how would you feel if that had hit and killed someone as it fell?
Could say the same for every pebble you've knocked off a scramble or any piece of climbing gear that's ever been fumbled and dropped in a moment of weakness. We don't climb in the mountains planning to lob stuff off the top, but at the same time stuff does happen and its part of the reason wearing a helmet on this type of terrain is encouraged.
It's a 249 gram drone, it's not going to kill anyone, it weighs less than the rocks that hikers, scramblers and climbers accidently knock off routes everyday. The only reason I was flying it sideways and was less careful than I normally am is because there was no one else around, I had the entire side of that mountain to myself. If I'm filming a popular route, I always go mid-week, early or late to avoid the crowds as I don't like flying over people and I don't want a video taken off TH-cam due to a privacy complaint.