Freshwater Bay - Smuggler's Passage Traditional Geocache
Freshwater Bay - Smuggler's Passage
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This ain't no cache n'dash!
A simple traditional cache in a beautiful hidden spot that'll require effort to get to safely. IT IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE BEACH.
Disclaimer
This cache is rated because of the route you need to take in order to reach gz. Due to the nature of the rocks and proximity of the sea i would suggest the minimum age to be 8 years old. I have taken smaller ones but would not recommend it.
If you do not take notice of the tides, weather or sea state it would be very easy to get cut off, knocked off or worse. Nature takes no prisoners, people have died near here. However if you are sensible you will get to a secret cove via some sea caves without putting yourself in danger.
Obviously i accept no responsibility for anyone getting hurt, it's your neck so look after it!
Do NOT attempt to get to the cache from the top of the Bay. The cliff is chalk and will crumble if you climb it. You will definitely get down but are likely to require the Coastguard and Lifeboat to get you out!
Freshwater Bay is at the western end of the 'Back of the Wight' - a wild stretch of coastline that has a long history of wrecking and smuggling.
Around the corner from this Bay is a well hidden secret normally only accessible from the sea. Watcombe Bay also has it's own smuggling past with a tunnel carved through the chalk cliffs down to the beach. The top entrance has now been sealed off however the lower one remains. Also on both sides are some unusual sea caves, some of which you will have to clamber through to get to the Bay.
If visiting the cache by land (on foot) you will need to bear the following in mind;
1) Wear suitable strong footwear!
2) In order to get safely to Watcombe Bay you need to plan your visit for low tide springs (0.5mtr or less)
3) If there is any significant sea running or strong westerly winds forecast the route round is likely to be too dangerous even at low tide.
4) The window around low tide tends to be about an hour and it is the last corner of your return that is the critical point.
5) If it all goes wrong ensure you have told someone where you are going and when you expect to get back. At least that way you know someone will be looking for you if you have no phone signal.
6) If you cache on your mobile phone beware some have no signal here and some will switch to a french signal!!! Very expensive data charges without you even getting to enjoy the cheese.
7) Use the anchor to tell the true tide height, lots of things change which can make the forecast inaccurate.
8) From the anchor, it is a simple walk to the right, along the revetment down to the beach and around to the point.
9) It is this point, where you are already rock scrambling and have to move past the metal rail that is by the cut off corner on the way back.
10) There are several routes, inside or outside once you have gone around the corner, chose according to the tide.
11) Once in the centre of Watcombe Bay the lower entrance is fairly obvious (look to the right) however the climb to it is a little fun as the footing is not perfect due to erosion.
There are currently 2x caches in this tunnel. the first is the temporary "dummy" cache to satisfy muggles who have heard about it. The second is slightly further inside to keep it safer from the highest foul weather/ high seas and provide a better find for cachers.
Either count as a find however if you note one missing please let me know by log or pm.
Please replace the themed cache with particular care and a similar level of stoneflauge so it remains safe as i suspect it will prove a tempting treasure for some.
In order to safely decide what the actual water level is (forecasts are only forecasts) you will need to go to the anchor reference point. From the point of the Esplanade you can see an old anchor embedded in the sea bed. If the water is level or below the shaft of the anchor AND A FALLING TIDE you will be able to get along the tide line from the Bay via the rocks to gz and back. See photo.
For accurate tide information use this link :- (visit link) . (The time is GMT so add an hour in the summer!)
For accurate weather follow this link:- (visit link)
If you pitch up without this you can normally find some information on the wall of the Freshwater Lifeboat Station but it's not all ways updated. You can also get ice creams and postcards from the gift shop if it's open.
There is on street free parking if you don't want to use the Council's Pay and Display opposite the Bay and it's only around the corner. Alternatively there are several other convenient places to stop within 1/2 mile of the Bay that don't have charges.
Obviously if you are lucky enough to have your own maritime transport - yacht, boat, canoe etc this cache is a whole lot easier as tidal issues will have less influence.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ghaary. 12 cnprf sebz rqtr bs ragenapr. Ba gur sybbe, evtug fvqr haqre ebpxf. Qhzzl pnpur 5 cnprf ba evtug.