Three Peaks Challenge Earthcache

This Earthcache is not just at the above co-ords. The co-ords are for Whernside the highest of the three peaks if you wish to do it all in one day you might want to start Here. The Three peaks are the three heighest mountains in Yorkshire they are:

Whernside which is the highest at 736 meters high.

The Second highest is Inglebrough at 723 meters high.

And Finally the third highest Pen y Ghent at 694 meters high.

Your challenge is to climb all three of them and then complete the geological tasks below. If you have previously climbed the mountains you may still log the Earthcache however I do still expect pictures and earthcache answers!

The three peaks of Yorkshire are Whernside (736m), Ingleborough (723m) and Pen-y-Ghent (694m)).  All three are very similar, geologically although they are quite different in appearance. Pen-y-Ghent is perhaps the most striking with clear steps showing from the different layers of the Carboniferous rocks that form the three peaks.

These rocks were originally laid down as flat beds 350 and 320 million years ago when this part of the world was under the sea. They were formed in warm, shallow, tropical seas from shells and skeletons of millions of sea creatures. Some of the limestone was formed as coral reefs and the fossils of coral stems can sometimes be found in some of the limestone seen in the dry stone walls. Most of the limestone was formed in shallow lagoons behind the coral reefs and is made up of the crushed shells from sea creatures.

As you climb the peaks watch out for changes in the rocks underfoot, there are different types of limestone, 'Great Scar' Limestone on the lower slopes, the 'Yoredale Series' on top of that and Main Limestone just below the summit. There are also layers of sandstone between the Yoredale and Main limestone in places particualy on Inglebrough.

As you near the top of each peak you will notice a distinct change in the rock type as your boots begin to grip better on a different type of rock.

To log this cache you must.

1) Answer the questions, email the answers to me. Do not post it in your log!

i) Explain how the three peaks we see today were formed from the flat layers laid down beneath the sea.?

ii) What rock type caps all three peaks and how has it contributed to the formation of the peaks?

2) Tell us which route you took to each of the three peaks. And a brief or longer if you wish overview what the walk to each peak was like. Also please include the dates you climbed each peak and if you did them all in the same day how long it took. Please put this in your log for the cache.

3) Upload pictures of you at the top of each of the three peaks.

I reserve my right to delete your log if you do not do the above however I am not planning to delete anybody's log since if you cheat you are only cheating yourself!

Hope you enjoy the Earthcache and good luck with the challenge!