The Devils Gauntlet D - Black Beauty Guildford, Tasmania, Australia
By
sirius Tas on 01-Nov-08. Waypoint GA1259
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Traditional |
| Container: | Regular |
| Coordinates: | S41° 27.104' E145° 57.260' (WGS 84) |
| 55G 412660E 5410566N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 1323 m |
| Local Government Area: | Kentish |
/145.954333,-41.451733,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
As this cache belongs to a series...PLEASE NOTE conditions at cache.... geocaching.com.au/cache/ga1150
The fourth cache in the Devils Gauntlet series...don't forget to take a code printout or write down the # under the lid....as it's a long way to walk back.
The cache can be accessed in three ways...but I'll only describe the shortest and best access...as walked at time of placing.
Proceed towards the Winterbrook Falls car park as sign posted from Nietta travelling south. At the road junction 500m from car park...take the right
turn and travel to the end where it meets Winter Brook at S41 26.133 E145 59.200 The last section of road is a little rough...but taking it slowly you
should be ok in 2wd. Follow the pink tape leading across the creek and along the road for 3-400m.....turning left at the Winterbrook sign along Maxwells
track. The track is easy going with a steady climb until reaching Winter Brook and another junction at S41 27.282 E145 58.341
The left fork will take you to Winterbrook Falls lookout.....and cache 'A Load of old Bullocks'....which you may wish to visit on return. Take the right fork
which will lead to the next junction at S41 27.318 E145 58.112 which is the start of the 'Eye of the needle track' and track leading to cache 'Paddys
Revenge' and 'Black Beauty'. The left fork wil take you to the base of Winterbrook Falls. Refill water bottles before leaving here as the only water
available until return is at Paddys Lake. The track climbs steeply to the plateau edge...well marked...taking you underneath and through the rocky
outcrops. The cache...'Paddys Revenge'....just a short stroll....where you can catch your breath...take in the views before the last leg onto Black Bluff.
The track climbs steeply at first...then a more gradual grade...which will take you underneath and past the trig station...turning up through a rock
channel(marked with pink tape)....gaining access to the plateau. The cache is east of the trig.
On a good day the views are simply stunning...with an amazing number of mountains visible.....total 360 degree view.
The cache is a black 1.2lt sistema with logbook, pencil, swaps and 3 Tassie Devil badges for first 3 to find...no swap required.
The return time should be around 5-6 hrs....extra if visiting Winterbrook lookout on return.
Enjoy!
Hints
Haqrearngu fyno bs ebpx. |
|
Decode |
Logs
Walked the PCT from Taylors Flat, track is well worn and easy to follow. Good clear views today, but a hot walk up. Cache is in excellent condition.
After completing the cache down near the lake we continued on up to the Black Bluff summit. Cloud was coming and going and once at the top it was just a matter of waiting for a few minutes in order to get a great view. Barn Bluff and Cradle Mt and other peaks further south were at times completely visible for a little while before having their tops obscured by cloud. Great views all around from up here. We'd had great views also from the top of Mt Roland on another trip - it would be difficult for us to say which were better. Both are great and well worth the effort. Cache was an easy find and is in good condition. We had lunch at the top before heading back the way we came to Taylors Flat. Though we thought the Penguin Cradle trail access route was quite OK (about 5 and a half hours return), next time we might try the recommended route just for comparison. Plus there are a couple of other caches on that route. Excellent cache Sirius Tas.
Rated: for Overall Experience
What a great view. Perfect weather for a walk (and swim for some in Paddys Tarn). Up here as part of a group from the Launceston Walking Club we sat for quite a while pointing out the peaks and enjoying the sunshine. The third find in the series for me and I hope to be able to log a few more this summer.Rated: for Overall Experience
Thought we better nip up and log this cache before it disappears behind a pay-wall. 
Seriously though, we chose this one for our anniversary cache. Twelve months since our first cache (Quazy for Quamby, thanks Dippy). Weather didn't look promising, having deteriorated from "late rain" to "rain developing" so our expectations were to simply have a go, the cloud cover wasn't encouraging.
We chose to walk in on the Maxwell Track but hedged our bets by locking a bike to a tree at the Tramway car-park. Maxwell Track is described as the quickest and easiest, but it isn't at the moment. Bit too much vegetation across the track for pleasant walking, although I wouldn't describe it as a major problem. Bit of TLC, and all will be good.
Weather was getting a bit breezy by the time we got to the Eye of the Needle but Black Bluff was clear when we got to Paddys Lake so we pushed on for the summit.
It was very pleasant when we got into the lee of the summit so we made the error of stopping for a chocolate break. Whilst we were there, enjoying the views of Cradle and Barn bluff, the first grey wisps appeared. By the time we got to the summit the view had gone. Ten minutes too late!
Quick find of the cache, a couple of images (we've added another happy girl to the gallery) and we beat a retreat. Weather was definitely going downhill and I had no desire to experience just how nasty it could get up there. We'd noted some snow patches on the way up so were under no illusions that Black Bluff was still in summer mood.
Retraced steps to Winter Brook and headed back along the Tramway Track, longer but easier. Emerged at the car-park and after a quick 2.5km bike ride, we were heading for home just as the rain started.
Good day out. Thanks Sirius!
Seriously though, we chose this one for our anniversary cache. Twelve months since our first cache (Quazy for Quamby, thanks Dippy). Weather didn't look promising, having deteriorated from "late rain" to "rain developing" so our expectations were to simply have a go, the cloud cover wasn't encouraging.
We chose to walk in on the Maxwell Track but hedged our bets by locking a bike to a tree at the Tramway car-park. Maxwell Track is described as the quickest and easiest, but it isn't at the moment. Bit too much vegetation across the track for pleasant walking, although I wouldn't describe it as a major problem. Bit of TLC, and all will be good.
Weather was getting a bit breezy by the time we got to the Eye of the Needle but Black Bluff was clear when we got to Paddys Lake so we pushed on for the summit.
It was very pleasant when we got into the lee of the summit so we made the error of stopping for a chocolate break. Whilst we were there, enjoying the views of Cradle and Barn bluff, the first grey wisps appeared. By the time we got to the summit the view had gone. Ten minutes too late!
Quick find of the cache, a couple of images (we've added another happy girl to the gallery) and we beat a retreat. Weather was definitely going downhill and I had no desire to experience just how nasty it could get up there. We'd noted some snow patches on the way up so were under no illusions that Black Bluff was still in summer mood.
Retraced steps to Winter Brook and headed back along the Tramway Track, longer but easier. Emerged at the car-park and after a quick 2.5km bike ride, we were heading for home just as the rain started.
Good day out. Thanks Sirius!
Rated: for Overall Experience
Our 150th GA logged cache and of course it would have to be another great Sirius Tas cache. Light breeze blowing on top in brilliant sunny and clear conditions but not to hot. Some haze out to sea but nice and clear in most other directions. Great views of Cradle area and Roland and and and, so many peaks in view and I have climbed quite a few of them now that I can see from here. We both had another great day.
Another great Gauntlet and we can now go back to Ironstone and collect the last one we need to complete all those that are currently available in the series.
Thanks Sirius for all your hard work on this series and so many other great caches we have done. Another 'green box' against us.
Another great Gauntlet and we can now go back to Ironstone and collect the last one we need to complete all those that are currently available in the series.
Thanks Sirius for all your hard work on this series and so many other great caches we have done. Another 'green box' against us.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Now we are not doing this series in any particular order other than that dictated by convenience but we must just be lucky or something. Each one is better than the last!
We enjoyed this one so much. Being able to see Black Bluff from our top paddock it has always been there and often covered in snow when nothing else is. It was kind of daunting in a way but how wrong were we.
Coming up Winterbrooks falls track this was one of the easiest walks in a long time and yet the rewards of reaching the top were unsurpassed. The weather was a little cool and windy but it was clear and the 360 degree views are the best we have seen in Tassie so far. You can see everything from up there even my mother’s house and she lives in the UK, well perhaps not that far but almost. Sheltering in the rock enclosure at the northern end we spent a long time up there just identifying all the places we have been so far and the ones we have yet to go. I don’t know perhaps there is better to come but they will have to be pretty spectacular to beat the day we had up on Black Bluff.
We thank you Sirius for the cache and the series, the motivation and purpose to go and visit some of these incredible locations and to marvel at the place we are fortunate enough to live in.
Thank you.
We enjoyed this one so much. Being able to see Black Bluff from our top paddock it has always been there and often covered in snow when nothing else is. It was kind of daunting in a way but how wrong were we.
Coming up Winterbrooks falls track this was one of the easiest walks in a long time and yet the rewards of reaching the top were unsurpassed. The weather was a little cool and windy but it was clear and the 360 degree views are the best we have seen in Tassie so far. You can see everything from up there even my mother’s house and she lives in the UK, well perhaps not that far but almost. Sheltering in the rock enclosure at the northern end we spent a long time up there just identifying all the places we have been so far and the ones we have yet to go. I don’t know perhaps there is better to come but they will have to be pretty spectacular to beat the day we had up on Black Bluff.
We thank you Sirius for the cache and the series, the motivation and purpose to go and visit some of these incredible locations and to marvel at the place we are fortunate enough to live in.
Thank you.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Amazing 360 degree views, Cradle and Mt Ossa views were very clear.
An eagle had 3 passes over head checking us out as we were nearing the mountain top which capped of a beutiful day.
An eagle had 3 passes over head checking us out as we were nearing the mountain top which capped of a beutiful day.
Rated: for Overall Experience
A beautiful day for a return trip to this majestic place. Our trip was via the tramway track and then up the track to the northern side of Winterbrook Falls. There was not much snow or ice around but enough to make the kids happy. The views were totally awesome, clear vision way out to see and way south to Mt Ossa. Thanks again Sirius for you great caches, they certainly motivate us to walk to impressive destinations.
Came to GZ last year but could not find the cache due to the amount of snow on the ground. Left Taylors Flats with the NWWC today and found the cache before having lunch nearby. TFTC
Yay sirius Tas ...another beauty (pardon the pun).
This one has been niggling me since Dippy and I had had a crack at it a few months ago but we were beaten by not having enough daylight so we had to turn around at Paddys lake.
Today I headed off earlier and being a little fitter now than I was then I was at the summit within 2 hrs.
I was prepared for the worst weather (and luckily I was) as at the top it was truly the strongest wind I've ever experienced. I sheltered in the little purpose built rock wall and unloaded my pack, then armed with just my GPS and a pen I went the last 60 mtrs to GZ.
Knowing sirius and his typically good coords I went straight to it and had it logged and replaced in not time at all and then it was back to the shelter.
After a quick bite to eat I was starting to feel the cold so it was time to get moving again to warm up.
Once I was back on the eastern side and out of the wind the realisation of what I had just done hit and while I stood there the sky magically cleared and I was rewarded with an amazing view of Paddys Lake.
This Gauntlet Series is without a doubt the most rewarding, exhilarating and satisfying bunch of caches. I still have Ironstone Mountain to redo and I really hope sirius Tas puts more out just like these.
This one has been niggling me since Dippy and I had had a crack at it a few months ago but we were beaten by not having enough daylight so we had to turn around at Paddys lake.
Today I headed off earlier and being a little fitter now than I was then I was at the summit within 2 hrs.
I was prepared for the worst weather (and luckily I was) as at the top it was truly the strongest wind I've ever experienced. I sheltered in the little purpose built rock wall and unloaded my pack, then armed with just my GPS and a pen I went the last 60 mtrs to GZ.
Knowing sirius and his typically good coords I went straight to it and had it logged and replaced in not time at all and then it was back to the shelter.
After a quick bite to eat I was starting to feel the cold so it was time to get moving again to warm up.
Once I was back on the eastern side and out of the wind the realisation of what I had just done hit and while I stood there the sky magically cleared and I was rewarded with an amazing view of Paddys Lake.
This Gauntlet Series is without a doubt the most rewarding, exhilarating and satisfying bunch of caches. I still have Ironstone Mountain to redo and I really hope sirius Tas puts more out just like these.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Ask a 7 year old girl who has walked for more than 3 hours up a 1300m high mountain, and was being buffeted by a howling gale if she was having a fun time and LilEyre will enthusiastically bob/nod her head and scream "This is the best fun". We had a great time finding this cache Sirius for lots of reasons, some being the fabulous company Dippy (well done for the big 800), ForthFeralz (thanks for taking it easy) and the Brizzyb3llas and their wonder pup Tilly. Other reasons for making this trek a great day were: the beautiful weather even though the peak was a bit breezy (Lil did take off a couple of times) and it was a tad chilly, the walk up with the range of vegetation and spectacular scenery and the awesome examples of fungi growing all over the forest floor. In many ways the journey was better than the destination as the cloud cover obscured the views and the bitter howling winds made a longer visit uncomfortable and there was no possibility of reading a map without the paper turning into a maddened origami disaster. We didn't write much in the log book because our hands were just too cold. The view was fabulous a mere 100m lower than the peak and from even lower down the mountain you could appreciate just how fast the wind was whisking the clouds over the top.
We will be climbing this hill another time as Boy Eyre missed out because he was sick and he and his caring mother are both quite disappointed about missing the adventure.
Thanks Sirius for fabulous cache, I am looking forward to doing the rest of them in the "Gauntlet"
We will be climbing this hill another time as Boy Eyre missed out because he was sick and he and his caring mother are both quite disappointed about missing the adventure.
Thanks Sirius for fabulous cache, I am looking forward to doing the rest of them in the "Gauntlet"
Rated: for Overall Experience
What a fabulous day. I really enjoyed the walk, the company and the conquering of the challenge! We went at a very comfortable pace so there was a real sense of "enjoying the journey" - and a great achievement too. The amazing thing above the level of the plateau was the wind. For a time, I felt more cold than I've felt on any walk in Tasmania. I've never needed all emergency clothing items in my pack on at the same time before!!! I think that sort of weather at the summit might not be too unusual though, judging by the writing in the logbook. We seemed unable to work our fingers properly to write, and a few of the logs look like they're written by pre-schoolers! Of course the cold and wind were most extreme at the top and we were really lucky to have it clear everywhere else but at the summit. I've really enjoyed getting up here (twice) and I sincerely thank Sirius for putting out the challenge which had us determined to reach this summit. And red tag, don't worry, I'll go back again if you like, it's such a great walk. Biggest accolades go to 7 y.o. Carrolleyrette though, her cheerful and chattering manner for the entire 8 hour walk was highly impressive!!!
Rated: for Overall Experience
Congratulations Dippy on 800 caches! This was a beauty indeed - a Sirius hike I have looked forward to for a while which did not dissapoint; even though the weather was not perfect the excitement was intense. My first real test since slipping a disc. Thanks a million to Dippy, the Brizzybella's and their superdog, and the Carrolleyres for the encouragement and cheerful company in the katabatic wind strong enough to blow me over 6 times and lift Lily the legend clean off her feet. I hope Dippy can share her 'summit slice' recipe in her log!
We took the maxwell track in as suggested and it is heaps drier and easier overall than the Tramway track.
Note for future seekers there is a great bunkhole on the summit if you want to try lugging the billy up there but otherwise there's not a bad little clearing just past the 'eye' to cache your gear in.
We took the maxwell track in as suggested and it is heaps drier and easier overall than the Tramway track.
Note for future seekers there is a great bunkhole on the summit if you want to try lugging the billy up there but otherwise there's not a bad little clearing just past the 'eye' to cache your gear in.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Finally got around to doing this cache, with still vivid memories of how it so inconveniently popped up less than a week after we'd already clambered all the way up here with Forthferalz. Hmmm. In any case, this time me and Indy (minus FF, unfortunately) went in via Maxwell's track, which indeed seemed to be somewhat shorter/quicker than the Tramway trail (unless you're going to Winterbrook, which we bypassed as already got that cache previously). Plodded up the steep bit (again), through the cool Eye of the Needle, bypassed Paddy's (already got it), all eyes on Black Bluff.
The weather up here was a lot better this time, with warm sun, blue sky, blue lake, wildflowers everywhere and much less wind. The climb up the bluff was very pleasant. Spectacular views from the top, even better than the ones from Paddy's Lake. Seems like you can see every mountain in NW Tassie from here!! Cache found quickly. Took an awesome little zombie car (swapped for a cute dino). Climbed back down leisurely to explore the lake a bit more closely. Relaxed there for quite a while before heading back down to find a campsite.
Thanks for another great cache, Sirius!
The weather up here was a lot better this time, with warm sun, blue sky, blue lake, wildflowers everywhere and much less wind. The climb up the bluff was very pleasant. Spectacular views from the top, even better than the ones from Paddy's Lake. Seems like you can see every mountain in NW Tassie from here!! Cache found quickly. Took an awesome little zombie car (swapped for a cute dino). Climbed back down leisurely to explore the lake a bit more closely. Relaxed there for quite a while before heading back down to find a campsite.
Thanks for another great cache, Sirius!
Rated: for Overall Experience
I think this one is the best so far. The views are staggering and it seems like you can see quite a bit of North Tassie from here.
The walk up took 2hrs from the car to the summit but I slowed down comming back and did the little circuit past the falls lookout and back to the track, there was not much more than a dribble comming over the falls. The summit was obscured by cloud as I drove out but by the time I got up there it had lifted giving the 360 degree views.
Thanks again Sirius
The walk up took 2hrs from the car to the summit but I slowed down comming back and did the little circuit past the falls lookout and back to the track, there was not much more than a dribble comming over the falls. The summit was obscured by cloud as I drove out but by the time I got up there it had lifted giving the 360 degree views.
Thanks again Sirius
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found with the SW and Geoskid on a trip organised in the Bushwalk Tasmania forums. Was a great day despite the fierce wind that nearly blew us all off the mountain.
TFTC.
TFTC.
Rated: for Overall Experience
On from Paddys Revenge. Gps was showing 680m to go, all up, where the mist was swirling. Got to top and there were patchy views to the North, but bitterly cold. Cache was found easily enough and in good order. Standing still resembled imitating drunk due to the wind.
Officially 3rd to find and gave remaining Tassie devil badge to TT as SW and I already had one. Remembered to take a code printout.
Glad to have finally got up here, but was appreciative of the company in the conditions. We came up the Tramwy Track and out the Brookes track with aid of car shuffle. Tramway track definitely the nicer walk with its rainforest. Falls were quite spectacular.
Thanks for another Ball Tearer Sirius, Top cache.
Officially 3rd to find and gave remaining Tassie devil badge to TT as SW and I already had one. Remembered to take a code printout.
Glad to have finally got up here, but was appreciative of the company in the conditions. We came up the Tramwy Track and out the Brookes track with aid of car shuffle. Tramway track definitely the nicer walk with its rainforest. Falls were quite spectacular.
Thanks for another Ball Tearer Sirius, Top cache.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found today in the company of Geoskid, Team Tiges and a couple of other walkers. We went up via A Load of Old Bullocks, viewing Winterbrook Falls which had lots of water and was magnificent. We went on up past Paddy's Revenge, found with the wind and rain whipping past and on to the top of Black Bluff which had a wind chill factor of -10C and gusts of 80km/h. Due to the icy conditions and lack of a view, we didn't linger but hurried down the Brookes Track.
It was an enjoyable walk but unfortunately I'll have to go back for a 3rd time to try to see the view south.
Took lock, left car.
TFTEC Sirius
It was an enjoyable walk but unfortunately I'll have to go back for a 3rd time to try to see the view south.
Took lock, left car.
TFTEC Sirius
Rated: for Overall Experience
A first to find in the company of 3daygrowth who's log tells it all. I have been to Black Bluff a number of times with the North West Walking Club but never to look for a plastic container that someone has deliberately hidden for us to find. Always a good walk and especially if you have a reason. I suggest you try for better conditions than we had so you can enjoy the views. Thanks Sirius
Rated: for Overall Experience
Neriil and I started out bright and early. Very overcast and raining lightly. Easy going at first, but after the first junction the grade picked up. Went past the second junction to the base of the falls where the grade picked up again...and again until I thought it couldnt get any steeper....but it did.
Stopped off at Paddys revenge and couldnt see the tarn at all, so pressed on to the summit where the weather was foul - very exposed with the wind whipping across and no view at all.
Found the cache and beat a hasty retreat. Luckily within a few mins the sun broke through and the mist started to lift, treating us to fantastic views along the coast.
We turned at junction 2 and viewed the base of the falls, then carried on to find the "Bullocks" cache. Contined on the track along the creek and after 20 mins came out at junction 1 where we crossed the creek and got back onto the original track.
Easy stroll back to the car, and the round trip took us 5hrs 5mins.
Fantastic day trip - another one of Sirius's gems....highly recommended!
Stopped off at Paddys revenge and couldnt see the tarn at all, so pressed on to the summit where the weather was foul - very exposed with the wind whipping across and no view at all.
Found the cache and beat a hasty retreat. Luckily within a few mins the sun broke through and the mist started to lift, treating us to fantastic views along the coast.
We turned at junction 2 and viewed the base of the falls, then carried on to find the "Bullocks" cache. Contined on the track along the creek and after 20 mins came out at junction 1 where we crossed the creek and got back onto the original track.
Easy stroll back to the car, and the round trip took us 5hrs 5mins.
Fantastic day trip - another one of Sirius's gems....highly recommended!
