Lanshaw Lad (Short Multi)
The cache, a small camo-taped pre-form tube, is hidden near this distinctive lone upright stone which is close to a major path junction on the moor where the north-south Dales Way / Millenium Way crosses the end of the west-east path coming from the western edge of the moor past the transmitter masts and Rombald's Moor summit beacon. It is 200m NW of the 12 Apostles stone circle, location of GC866BQ The 12 Apostles.
To reach the cache location (approx 40 minutes): park at the Cow and Calf parking area @ N 53 54.989 W 1 48.020 and make your way up the path heading straight up off the main flagged path towards the left of the rocky ridge. From here carry straight on to the stream crossing @ N 53 54.868 W 1 48.403. Then head straight across and up the slope to the top of Rocky Valley and onwards to the path junction @ N 53 54.796 W 1 48.800. Turn left (south) here and carry on across the moor to the cache location.
Step 1: on the east side of the stone is inscribed ILB and below this a year ABCD
Step 2: on the south side are clearly inscribed two letters the alphanumeric (A=1, B=2, C=3 etc) value of which is E and F respectively.
The cache is hidden at:
N 53 54.A(B-D)(C-7) W 1 48.(E-F+3)(A-1)B
This rectangular stone just over 1m high is known as the Lanshaw Lad and marks the early 19th century boundary between Burley and Ilkley Moors.
It has carved inscriptions on 3 sides. On the west side W.M refers to William Middleton, the Lord of the Manor (see here) and owner of the moor who was attempting to enclose it in 1842 (date partially eroded away).
On the south side are another two clear letters (meaning not known) and on the east side is carved ILB with a date - which refers to Ilkley Land Board and the year they bought Ilkley Moor from Francis Marmaduke Middleton for the then enormous sum of £13,500 so that 'Ilkley residents may enjoy it in perpetuity'. The reason for the purchase was the conflict between shooting interests (represented by Middleton) and the rights of the public to enjoy the moor.
See here for a fine short video of an evening walk on the moors passing this feature and the nearby 12 apostles.