This Multi-cache is the sister cache to the Pentland Ridge Multi-Cache. That
cache takes you on a walk along the 6 tops of the southern ridge of
the Pentlands. This cache is a slightly shorter walk (but still
fairly long!) that takes you along part of the northern ridge,
starting at Hillend. The posted coords are for parking, or
alternatively you could catch the No 4 Bus which terminates right
at the published coords! As with its sister cache, in order to find
the cache, all you have to do is find these 4 caches:
1) Caerketton East -
GC27X8C
2) Caerketton West -
GC27X8G
3) Allermuir Hill -
GC27X8Y
4) Castlelaw Hill -
GC27X8Q
Once you have found these caches, look on the underside of the
box and you will see a letter and the number that the letter
equals. You will need to record these so take a pen/pencil and
notebook or something with you.
The final cache can be found at:
N 55° (C+B)B.(D-A)(D+C)(D+A+B)'
W 003° (A)(D-C+B).(D+A)(C)(D+A-C).
As with the other ridge cache, take plenty of warm and windproof
clothing (even in summer - when we placed the cache in May it was
pretty cold!). The walk should take between 4 and 5 hours, so you
may want to take lunch with you. There are good paths all the
way.
The Walk:
Starting at Hillend carpark (next to the A702), take the path
heading up to Caerketton. After ~200m you will meet a signpost.
Follow the path for Caerketton. The path takes you up through the
trees, emerging on a grassy ridge, with views of Edinburgh to the
north. Follow the obvious path(s) to the gate before the steep
section. Go through the gate (heading SW) and follow th path until
you reach the top. This should take about 30 - 45 mins. The
distance from the beginning is about 1.5km. Once at the top, enjoy
the nice views, and pick up the first cache, Caerketton East. Read on the bottom
for the first number. Most of the climbing is done now!
A paraglider on Caerketton
Next it is off to Caerketton
West (the main Caerketton top). It is a simple, broad ridge,
with good views to Edinburgh to the north. It should only take
about 10 - 15 mins.
From Caerketton West, keep on the path to Allermuir. At the col
there is a nice sheltered spot for a rest. Keep walking on the
ridge path up to the summit of Allermuir, for the 3rd cache -
Allermuir Hill. From
Caerketton West to Allermuir Hill it should take about 20 - 30
mins. At 493m, Allermuir is the highest point ofthe ridge. While
you are here, you can quickly try GCTDZN (The Hills of Home) as
well!
Follow the path in a Southerly direction to follow the spur that
heads towards Castlelaw Hill: the heather-clad rounded hill that
sits to the north of Glencorse Reservoir. At the top, collect
Castlelaw Hill for the
final number.
The view looking back towards Allermuir and Caerketton
Re-tracing some of your steps by heading back N to the col
between Allermuir and Caplelaw, you can now calculate the final
cache coordinates! The final cache is somewhere on Capelaw hill,
but before you find it, you will want to go and collect GC27XAR (Capelaw Hill) first. Also,
don't forget to record the Bonus Cache coordinates from the
bottom of the box!
Once you have found the cache, head down to the path that runs
parrallel with Bonaly reservoir, heading NW. Once at the gate that
is above the woods at Bonaly, go through the gate and head N on the
path towards Howden Burn. the path should lead you down quite
easily. Once at the burn, you can collect GC117QB (beyond the city limits).
Take the path to Swanston, and then from Swanston Village (where
GC104PW is), take the track
heading due E to hit the A702 at the lothianburn Golf Clubhouse.
You are then 250m from where you started!
Good Luck and enjoy the Walk!!