The coordinates given for the cache are those of the Trig Point on White Hill. Number the towers 1, 2 and 3 starting with the most southerly.
Starting at the Cross of Greet (SD 682 608), follow the fence-line to the trig point. Note the “Snnnn” number on the side of the column. From here, continue SSE to Tower 1 and take a GPS reading from the front of the tower (i.e. the side with the opening). Return to Tower 2 (the one close to the trig point), and take a similar reading. Observe the heights of towers 1 and 2 (differences in height are obvious), together with any other significant features.
Add 0.489 to the North reading for Tower 1. Add 0.272 to the West reading for Tower 2. Proceed to these coordinates, where you should find Tower 3.
The coordinates of the cache are N54 01.abc W02 30.def, where:
a = 10 minus the number of the middle-sized tower
b = the number of the tower surrounded by water plus 4
c = the fourth digit of the “Snnnn” number plus 2
d = the number of the tallest tower
e = the square of the number of the smallest tower
f = the first digit of the “Snnnn” number
WARNING: White Hill is isolated, and you should be kitted-out in appropriate walking gear including decent walking boots and a change of socks! Only attempt this in good weather, and it’s recommended not to do it alone (you will not meet anyone else in the event of a mishap). Tell someone where you are going. Take a copy of the new OL41 map, which shows the boundaries of the access land and the approximate locations of the towers. Note that the whole of this walk is on previously-prohibited access land, with the exception of Tower 1 which is on United Utilities land where access was allowed prior to CRoW.
TOP TIP: Allow at least three hours. There are no footpaths or tracks on this cache, and the terrain is rough and VERY BOGGY. If you can attempt this cache on a cold, sunny day when the ground is frozen but the views are good, then these are probably the ideal conditions for doing the cache. Several other caches can be “seen” from the cache, namely Wolfhole Crag, Whernside, Pen-y-Gent, Ingleborough and (I think) Smearsett Scar.
NOTE: You shouldn’t need to go further South than Tower 1, further West than Tower 3, or further East than the fence from the Cross of Greet. Go outside this and you’ve gone wrong!
If anyone knows the original purpose of the towers, I would be very interested to know.
