The Two Towers — Geocache of the Week
- Traditional Cache
- GC3RJCY
- by Burrentracker
- Location:
- Ireland
- N 52° 56.694 W 009° 28.161
As much of the world prepares to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we reflect on the joys of geocaching in Ireland! Its gorgeous scenery and stunning natural wonders provide a backdrop for even the most seasoned explorer. Travel with us as we journey to Ireland’s majestic west coast in our Geocache of the Week: The Two Towers (GC3RJCY).
The most visited destination in the Republic of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher, are a series of breathtaking sea cliffs that attract more than 1.5 million visitors annually. The cliffs possess an inexplicable beauty that challenges even the most poetic writers to conjure words to describe their majestic nature. Even Hollywood has taken note of the cliffs’ stark and mystifying appearance. Blockbuster movies including The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince filmed scenes at these very cliffs.
A three hours drive from Dublin, the journey to the cliffs will provide ample time to sightsee, and geocache, across the Irish countryside. Follow your phone or GPS to the western-most edge of Ireland; keep a lookout on the horizon for the exact moment where the land ends and you can only see the crashing waves of the Atlantic. You arrived.
Look south for Burren Way, perhaps one of the most picturesque paths in all of Ireland. Each step on this walkway reveals a slightly different view, each worthy of the effort. As you walk, consider the generations of visitors who have come traveled from across the globe to spy these impressive formations. Along the path, keep a look out for Hag’s Head, a jutting peninsula which signals that your walk is nearly complete.
Before long, a dirt trail departs from the pebbled walkway and ventures below the tops of the cliffs. To earn a smiley on this daunting T4 cache, the steep descent requires precise and technical footwork; although you may be in a wondrous location, now is no time to reduce focus on each step. With each stride closer to the cache, you separate yourself from other visitors and inch closer to views of lore.
This sought-after destination includes two towers—one man-made, the other shaped by the elements—which inspired the name of this legendary cache. Moher Tower (left) is defined by its curved top and rich gray color. The natural tower (right) wows with its jagged edges, visible gradation, and irregular shape.
Images by Sperrinwalker (left) and sarahmcmur (right).
Without further ado, it’s time to find the cache! Hidden amongst the wind-swept grass lies the object of your search. As you track down the elusive container, the clouds part, and a ray of sunshine guides you to the cache’s devious home. Eureka! Its camouflaged cover increases the difficulty of the hunt, but your geo-senses finally hone in on its deceptive location.
With pen in hand, you can etch your name into the ledger of adventurers who tackled this challenge. Take a final moment to breathe as you admire the complex and captivating cliffs. As the sun slowly sets, the last of the warmth propels you back to the path and on to your next adventure.
Continue to explore some of the most amazing geocaches around the world. Check out all of the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog. If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, fill out this form.
Source: Geocaching
