Whapweasel Burn
"Whapweasel" - I just love the name!. Some of you may think it's the name of a well known ceilidh band or perhaps a local real ale, but in fact the real origin is that of a small burn situated between Eshells Moor and Burntridge Moor in Hexhamshire, Northumberland. I'm not sure how it got its name, but a literal translation means "hit the weasel hard". I certainly didn't see any when I was there.
The cache is positioned in a small ravine and involves just over a mile of moorland walking from the recommended parking location in the lane near High Eshells. If you want a shorter walk, sturdy vehicles could go further up the track which leads to the open fell.
The most direct route is to follow the lane in a more or less westerly direction and through the gate which defines the boundary for open access to the fell. Follow the track and turn off at a marker post (Waypoint POST), after which it's a short walk to the cache. Take care in the ravine as the sides are steep and rough in places, and children should be closely supervised.
A more interesting route is to find your way to the lower reaches of the burn (Waypoint BURN) and follow upstream towards the cache. On the way you should pass a derelict weather station (an old hut and some discarded instruments).
Two other items of interest are worth a look if you have time;
- Whapweasel Well - a post-medieval well near the burn, which I think I located correctly. (Waypoint WELL).
- Prehistoric cairn - situated between Whapweasel Burn and Longrigg Sike. (Waypoint CAIRN).
For an alternative approach you could also park at the ford at Rowley Burn, take the track to the fell and turn right just after the gate marking the boundary of open access, and proceed to Waypoint BURN.
