The A590 used to visit Lindale - lorries and buses would struggle slowly up the steep hill in the village. These days a cleverly engineered dual-carriageway speeds the traffic in a graceful curve up and around the end of the Newton Fell ridge. The road engineers have had to cut, fill and bridge to create a steady gradient. The result is a series of cuts into the hillside, exposing the layered rock. Good for geologists and a handy by-pass for Lindale.
The rock is Silurian mudstone, made of sedimentary fine grain silt and mud deposited in water. It's part of the Windermere Supergroup, which makes up most of South Lakeland. The central Lakes are made of more rugged Borrowdale Volcanic Group rocks, and nearby are the 'islands' of Carboniferous Limestone making up Hampsfell, Whitbarrow and Scout Scar.
Look for this cache only when heading east and coming down the hill - at the bottom is a layby to stop in. By the side is a mini-crag, very similar to the larger versions just up round the corner. So, a safe place to stop and get up close and personal with the beautiful layered rock.
As well as enjoying the exposed geology, the cache gives you a chance for some 'daring do'. If you think it's too risky to attempt - don't! It's only a cache. Not everyone will be able to access this (same as virtually every other cache). If you aren't up for it, make sure you visit with a tame mountain goat!
We hope you enjoy a brief lay-by adventure!
Take care pulling back out onto the road.
