Monk's Hill Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Great George Fort on the top of Monk's Hill, overlooking Falmouth Harbour in Antigua.
Although Shirley Heights is probably the most famous view from Antigua, it is probably not the best. In our opinion, the view from Great George Fort on Monk’s Hill is even better.
But it is less famous probably because it is rather less accessible. The track to the top of Monk’s Hill is rough and steep. It can be driven up but requires a 4 by 4 and 4 wheel drive helps. A taxi would almost certainly not try it. Motor bikes and quad bikes can get up. It can be walked up, but expected to get hot and dry. Don’t try it in the midday sun!
From the top you can see most of Antigua, being 60 metres higher than Shirley Heights. But the best views are over Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour. On a clear day you can see Montserrat and Guadeloupe. Be careful at the south edge of the top. There is a rock platform that gives the best views but which overlooks a near sheer drop. Do not let children roam free.
To get to the top, what used to be the best track starts at Cobbs Cross, just north of English Harbour. But recently the road has been blocked by some piles of earth from house building. You can still go this way but have to park at the earth piles. Take the road towards Willoughby Bay, then take the first track on the left. After the first quarter mile, there should only be two or three forks. Do not take the left one if it goes sharply down. If it does not then take the left in each case.
There is an alternative route as follows. Take to main north south road through Liberta. In Liberta, at the junction ( 17° 2.227'N 61° 47.368'W) with a brightly coloured pedestal, turn north east. Keep to forward road until an open playing area on the right (17° 2.683'N 61° 46.780'W). Turn right and up the hill onto gravel tracks. Go on up hill on tracks towards an old sugar mill (17° 2.356'N 61° 46.752'W) . Keep on the main track until a turn on the right at 17° 2.010'N 61° 46.504'W. There is a tree at this junction and you should be able to see two masts on hill tops. You are going to the right mast. Turn right at the next junction - which now brings you on to the other route.
The track now becomes much rockier and steeper. This should take you through an archway in the ruined fort near the top. At the top is an antenna and remains of the fort. The co-ordinates lead to a ruined building near the top. The cache is outside the building. Mind prickles.
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Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n ybbfr ebpx va ubyr va jnyy va fbhgu rnfg pbeare bs gur ehvarq ohvyqvat.
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