Thrunton Woods #2 ( Coe Crags ) Multi-Cache
Thrunton Woods #2 ( Coe Crags )
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The above Coordinates are not for the main cache site; they will take you to a place where you will find “Simon”. When you have found him, you will need to stand on him, facing NE. So remember to take a compass. The cache site and "Simon" are NOT suitable for small children.
You can approach this cache from several different directions. You could park at the main Thrunton Woods Car Park and Picnic Site:- N55 º 22.890 W001º 52.010 just off the A697 past the Alnwick – Rothbury cross roads, or park at Nº 55 21.538 Wº 001 51.429 this is one of the side gates into the Woods. It’s probably the best and easiest place to park.
Create a Waypoint for your parking place as you may need it on the way home, depending on your chosen route.
Follow the track through the gate and into the woods, on the left if its still there, there is a Christmas tree……………..
YES....... I know they are all Christmas Trees, but this one has been decorated.
Carry on up the track until you come to the place where the large electricity pylons pass over the track. There is a gate by the track, it’s usually locked open. Here you will need to create another waypoint for your route home. Nº 55 21.300 Wº 001 52.216
Follow the track; it’s a steady climb up. Watch out for the “Forest Art” on the left, they look like large green picnic tables to me, not been able to find out what they are.
( Edit.16/2/05 Many thanks to trailjunkie, apparently they are "shooting stations" for an air rifle range. )
From here there are several tracks you could take to the cache site, it depends on how fit you feel and whether you like BEES………
If you stay on the track you will come to 2 boundary stones, the first has N and S carved into it and the second S and A. I thought they were North and south markers but apparently not.
At the second stone you can see Simonside Hills at Rothbury to your left and the Cheviot Hills in front. Immediately in front is Thrunton Woods and the Vale of Whittingham, stretching out towards the North Sea. You can also see the brick works at Thrunton. Every so often you might have to “duck” for the low flying jets.
Now it’s up to you, head for your meeting with “Simon” who is 974ft high. When you find him you need to stand on tippy toes to see what you can see. You are looking for the coordinates of the main cache site.
I spent around 2 hours here checking and rechecking the co-ords, so I hope you find everything OK.
For the trip home you can either go back the way you came or walk along the ridge. If you decide to go this way you need to head for the cairn at 1009ft and then follow the orange arrow signposts, they used to be red but have faded to orange in the sun.
Follow the arrows until you get where the path meets the trees, N55 21.514 W 001 52.493 and turn right, in to the trees. Here you need the waypoint you created at the 2nd gate under the electricity pylons. Follow this waypoint, you will loose the signal now and again but you should be OK.
When you can see the gate on the path under the pylons, change waypoints to your car parking place waypoint and follow this back to the car.
The cache contains all the usual bits and bobs, nothing has been in another cache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Hfr n ornevat bs mreb fvk mreb qrterrf sebz Fvzba