The area known as Finchampstead Ridges was purchased by public subscription and presented to the National Trust in 1913. Many thanks go to the National Trust who have given their written permission for this cache to be based on their land. The next two paragraphs are adapted from the Trustâs own description of the area which can be read at http://tinyurl.com/FinchampsteadRidges.
Finchampstead Ridges lies on the south-facing scarp of the Blackwater Valley, with impressive views of the neighbouring counties of Hampshire and Surrey. The upper slopes are heather clad with pine clumps, while on the wetter lower slopes there are oak and holly.
The area includes fragments of the formerly extensive heaths of Hampshire and Berkshire presently being recreated through a policy of active management. The dry heath supports a wide range of invertebrates and lichens. Sphagnum moss, purple moor grass and marsh pennywort occur in the wetter areas with lesser wintergreen and broad-leaved helleborine in the more wooded parts of the area. Siskin and spotted fly catcher are common migrants and the increasing area of heath has prompted the return of the woodlark to the neighbouring area known as Simonâs Wood.
As you set out on this circular walk of a little over 1.5km its well worth taking a minor detour to N 51° 21.782 W° 000 50.356 for a marvellous view across the Blackwater Valley. From here onwards the going can be fairly tough on steep slopes with a loose surface which is not suitable for cycles. At the lowest point of the walk the paths can be quite muddy after heavy rain and depending on which path you choose to return to the start from the cache you may come close to the B3348 so please keep an eye on youngsters and dogs.
The route will take you alongside Spout Pond, a small acidic pond which overflows over the pathway when very full. Surrounded by reeds the pond can look dark and forbidding at dusk but is much more inviting when the sun shines through the surrounding trees.
This is the fourth of Toby Dogâs walks in and around the Yateley area and should be a straightforward find for anyone who has found any of the others.
The given reference for this multi-cache is referred to as Waypoint 1 where there is a commemorative stone celebrating the donation of the area to the National Trust. It is at:
N 51° 21.861 W 000° 50.348
Waypoint 1 is within 20 metres of the B3348 along which there is off road parking for several cars.
You need to look at the plaque on the top of the stone to see the height above sea level at this point. Do not rely on your GPS unit or the local OS map as the height recorded on the plaque may differ. The height is shown as ABC feet. You can now plot Waypoint 2 by substituting the correct numbers for the letters in the following:
N 51° 21.(A+B)(A+B)(A-C) W 000° 50.BC(A-C)
If you prefer to work out the plot Waypoint 2 is 372.95 metres from Waypoint 1 on a bearing of 175.12 degrees.
Waypoint 2 is a National Trust signpost. It gives a simple instruction and all you have to do is count the number of letters in the instruction. Do not include the letters at the top of the sign which read âThe National Trustâ! The number of letters in the instruction is D. You can now plot Waypoint 3 by substituting the correct numbers for the letters in the following:
N 51° 21.(A+B)(D+1)(B+C) W 000° 50.(A+B)(D+1)(A+B+1)
If you prefer to work out the plot Waypoint 3 is 441.32 metres from Waypoint2 on a bearing of 278.35 degrees.
At Waypoint 3 you will find another National Trust signpost with three separate information signs. You need to count the number of letters in the only word that is underlined on the lower of the three signs. This word has E letters. You can now plot Waypoint 4 - the cache location - by substituting the correct numbers for the appropriate letters in the following:
N 51° 21.D(A+E)(A+E) W 000° 50.(B+C)(A+E+1)(A-C)
If you prefer to work out the plot Waypoint 4 - the cache location - is 362.93 metres from Waypoint 3 on a bearing of 21.91 degrees.
The cache is a 45cl Tupperware type click-n-seal pot in a camo bag. It was well concealed when first placed as it is close to a popular path. Once youâve logged your visit please take the time to make sure that it is again concealed.
Original contents when placed: logbook and pencil, phone charm, finger monsters, key ring note book, punchball balloon, trolley token key ring, 50cm caching badge and two 25cm smiley badges.