Locked IN at Mountain Quarry today.
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Ross.
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Stuart
Booked on Monday to climb in Mountain Quarry with DEC, left my details, got gate code, went today unlocked gate and went in,locked gate behind me.
Met Graham and his son (sorry for mistaking you for Ross) Had a nice day climbing by myself.
At around 4:45 I went to leave and the gate was locked, the code had been changed and I got locked in, after trying all the obvious options (phoning DEC etc) I moved one of the big lumps of rock next to the gate to make my get away. I now have 4 useless (expensive)slings due to towing said rock out of the way and I expect that if I don’t go back tomorrow and tow said rock back I will get a bill for it’s re-placement.
Given that I was seen by dog walkers and cyclists moving the rock I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr Plod wanted to have a word for wilful damage etc..
My questions are,
has anyone else been locked in before, having the code changed while you were in the quarry and what did you do?
Graham (white Subaru forrester or similar), did you lock the gate when you left (we both had to have the same code to get in and out) I’m trying to determine what time the code was changed.
Should I ask DEC to replace my slings?
Grrrr.
I will phone DEC in the morning, just felt like a rant.
Stuart
Richard
It is a failure by DEC not to check that people are in the quarry before changing the code. Being nasty may be within their rights. Still they could be locking in people dependant on transport or with medical conditions.
thanks for moving the rock.
Ross
Damn…bad luck. Clearly there has been a stuffup in the DEC system as checking for registered users before changing code would be a no-brainer. It would be helpful for all of us if you would call their office, discuss what happenned and then ask for a name and address to write a complaint to. As a govt dept they need to respond to written complaints, and it will decrease chance of this kind of thing happenning again, which is the reason to bother (rather than just venting). I would not presume malicious intent.
A note of caution…I wonder if it is possible for ANYONE to change the code, once the lock is open? So be a bit careful before accusing DEC….could be some malicious prat.
As for slings, I doubt they will pay. Neither should you need to replace boulder or pay from your side. Just inform them. If they created the problem, they should fix it….I think anyone can see the logic there.
Stuart
Spoke to DEC this morning and apparently they have been having trouble with this lock being sticky and have had complaints in the past, I spent a good 45 mins trying to unlock this sucker, although DEC have not changed the code.
*It is possible to change the code if the lock is left open so be wary of that.
Gavin from DEC is going out today to check the lock and they (DEC) will possibly change the locks on the quarries for new ones if it is found to be faulty.
The staff at DEC were very polite and appologetic and I would like to add that I wasn’t accusing DEC of being negligent, If it came across that way I appologise, I was/am just trying to find out how this happened and if it has happened in the past.
I would like to hear from Graham re locking the gate after him.*
Cheers
Graeme
Hey Stewart
I did lock the gate as I left , as I had to unlock when I was leaving, sorry mate I thought that you had it locked it when you entered (keep the Riff Raff out) whilst you were climbing , thought that was the right thing to do ! I obtained the code from DEC the same morning as they have a habit of changing without notice they gave me 8140 the same as 2 weeks ago ,hope this helps in someway to backup any possible blame towards you, If you need to contact me I am at Mountain Designs in the city ,
cheers Graeme
Stuart
Cheers Graeme, thank for replying.
Locking gate is definately way to go keeping the Riff Raff out.
I had the same number as you (got it from DEC on the Monday)and used it successfully on the way in, not to worry.
I did speak with DEC on Thurs and it appears the lock was just sticking (as it has in the past)
Stuart
Ross
I had no prob getting lock to work last Fri. (You could also drive around gate courtesy of shifted rock). Not sure if this is pertinent here but….these numerical locks can be slightly tricky. I have one on my garden gate and have received a couple of calls from tradies battling with it trying to get into my backyard to do a job….although it is dead easy to open with the right handling. So general procedure is:
(1) Dial correct number
(2) Press the lock bar INTO the lock and release it. It should pop out.
(3) If the bar does not go into the lock, you don’t have the dials in the right position. Redial the numbers as they may not be in exactly right spot, and repeat (2).
(4) Close lock behind you. If the lock is not left closed, anyone can change the code and lock you in. Plus riffraff can get in and make nuisance of themselves.
BTW keep cars locked while in the quarry. Stuff has been stolen from them in past.
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