UK Mega Event 2014 - Who pushed the Goat
Where?
GOATFELL SUMMIT
When?
Between 1pm and 1:45pm on Saturday 26th July.
With the UK Mega 2014 starting today, your week long Geocaching adventure can now begin.
As you approach Arran via the Ferry from Ardrossan, you can not help but to admire the majestic mountains to the north of the island. With Goatfell standing proud above Brodick Bay, and Brodick castle peering out from the forest below. It just beckons the hard line walkers amongst you to stand on top of Arran.
How can you come to Arran with out admiring the summit of the highest point on the island which is Goatfell, towering over Brodick Bay. Now is your chance to stand upon the top of Arran and admire what Ayrshire and beyond has to offer those fortunate enough to make it to the top, as long as the clear skies stay with us.
The event is at the summit and will take place between 13:00 -13:45. Due to safety and insurance complications, your walk to the summit is as an individual, but with the company of us all.
If you wish to join me on this walk to the event, I am planning on leaving the car park opposite the Brewery at 11:15. This will allow those travelling over on the 09:45 ferry to catch the bus from the Brodick terminal to this car park. Coordinates for here are on the waypoint 'Parking'. The bus will drop you off here at 11:05.
For those wishing to take a brisk walk to the car park, then follow the promenade to the golf course . Walk over the golf course following the path to the Brewery and the Goatfell Trail Head. arriving at the car park at app. 11:10.
Once at the summit we can solve the Multi Cache; GC1R25D - High isles. All the clues for this Multi can be found at the summit and I am led to believe the cache is close by.
If you have brought some sandwiches and beverages, then we can have a high noon Tea at 2,866 feet. Then as promised to the Arran Ranger Service, we will carry out a CITO to clear any rubbish from the walk, not just ours.
I am in talks with the Rangers to see if some will accompany us on the walk to show and tell what we will see on the route up to the summit, more will follow with announcements to those attending on this subject as the event approaches and I hear more from the Rangers.
When the event has finished, it is entirely up to the individual on which route you take to descend from the summit.
ROUTE 1 - Back the way you came via the tourist route, if you are intending to carry on with the weekends events then a bus service to Lochranza runs regular to the Ferry arrival times, I might be able to arrange some transport with cars from my parents to take you on to Lochranza.
ROUTE 2 - Head North of the summit, following the ridge to N55 38.325 W005 12.792. Take the descending path to your LEFT and descend into Glen Rosa.
ROUTE 3 - As Route 2, follow to coordinates this time take path to the RIGHT, dropping down the Saddle into Glen Sannox.
Once this event has finished and we are back to sea level. You have the choice to head back to the Ferry for the main land, or you can go onto Lochranza to meet other geocachers. Here we will be invited to a BBQ with food sourced locally from Arran along with the water of life which is made from the spring which flows down from Loch Ne Davie above Lochranza and aged to perfection in the Distillery and some spoils from the Brewery.
All I can add is wear good hiking gear and remember that the weather around these mountains can change in an instant, so as the boy scouts say "Be Prepared"