Kestor Rock Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A simple traditional cache close to Batworthy Corner.
Kestor Rock is of no great size but its position on the eastern extremity of the high moorland makes it a prominent landmark from a considerable distance.
A local antiquarian called G. W. Ormerod was investigating the tor/rock in 1856 when he discovered a large rock basin on the summit. The hole had been filled in with peat and stones in a presumable effort to stop sheep from falling into it. When he cleared the hole out it was found to be the largest rock basin in Dartmoor and according to Worth (1988) when empty it measured 6ft 8in wide, 8ft wide and 30in deep.
Rock basins are a product of localised weathering and are formed when weak feldspar crystals are split by the frost along their cleavages. This loosens small fragments which are later blown away by the wind thus leaving a small hollow. The process continues and gradually the hollow expands outwards and downwards. Water fills the hollow and then freezes, upon thawing more fragments are eroded which once again are blown away by the wind. Over time the hollow widens and deepens and eventually a rock basin is formed.
This cache has been sited in accordance with the DNPA Geocaching guidelines.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ghpxrq jryy onpx