Around Devoke Water Multi-Cache
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A short walk (3 miles or so) around one of the Lake District’s remotest and least visited tarns. Magnificent wild moorland scenery with stunning views to the coast, Eskdale and to the Scafell-Bowfell massif at the head of Eskdale. There are also some attractive rocky outcrops, ancient cairns and a couple of minor summits to ‘bag’.
The walking is generally on grassy paths with some marshy and muddy sections after rain. However caution is needed at Linbeck Gill (west end of the tarn) has to be crossed - there is no bridge or stepping stones and no easy crossing place (best to take a running jump) - so be careful if the tarn's water level is high.
The co-ordinates are for the recommended parking place, the road verges around a crossroads on the Birker Fell road, and are also very close to the first waypoint. This is a typical multi-cache - find the clues and work out the final co-ordinates.
Start your walk from the crossroads on the Birker Fell road, where many drivers stop to admire the views. There is an old signpost here at the junction (N 54 22.086 W 3 16.675). How many miles is it to Broughton ________ and to Eskdale ________?
Head west along a good track and you will soon come to a wooden gate (N 54 22.036 W 3 16.821). You really don’t need to use it, but you might like to note how many horizontal beams it has.________
Devoke Water, a surprisingly large tarn, comes into view with the craggy Seat How particularly prominent. As the track swings to the south-west, you will notice an old boathouse on the shore of the tarn (N 54 21.683 W 3 17.464). How many steps lead up to the door on its south side? ________
Continue in a clockwise direction around the tarn after leaving the boathouse track. The path is generally good but sometimes marshy. As you pass the western end of the tarn there is a prominent object by the left side of the path at N 54 21.574 W 3 18.409. What is it? _____________________
From here, turn north-west across an area of ancient cairns, which features a great view along the tarn towards Harter Fell. A narrow grassy trod should be seen heading towards Water Crag to the north of the tarn. Cross Linbeck Gill (awkward after lots of rain) and the marsh then ascend (grassy track) to the low summit of Water Crag which has superb views along Eskdale. A good place to work out the final co-ordinates:
N 54 deg 2A.BCD
W 3 deg 1E.FGH
A = number of miles to Broughton minus number of horizontal beams on gate
B - what was the object?
If it was a sheepfold, B=2
If it was a pointed rock, B=1
If it was a cairn, B=3
C = number of horizontal beams on gate plus 1
D = number of miles to Eskdale divided by number of steps to door of boathouse
E = number of miles to Broughton minus value of B
F = number of horizontal beams on gate minus 1
G = number of miles to Eskdale
H = number of steps to door of boathouse minus value of B
The remainder of the walk continues along the pleasant ridge to the summit of Rough Crag, before descending along a grassy path back to the good farm track leading to the boathouse and turn back for the car. The walk could easily be extended across the road, taking in the remote fells of Green Crag and Great Worm Crag, or Seat How above the boathouse.
The cache is a regular-sized clippable tub containing logbook, pencil and some small swaps. It is located in an area with several potential hiding places, hence the inclusion of a spoiler picture. Please ensure it remains hidden as you found it. If the day is clear the views from the cache area are magnificent. Happy hunting!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng gur sbbg bs n ybj pent, haqrearngu n obhyqre. Gur pnpur vf npprffvoyr va gur tnc orgjrra gur pent naq obhyqre, nsgre erzbivat n syng uvqvat fgbar.
Treasures
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