E.M.U. 2: Hard As Iron(bark) Jan Juc, Victoria, Australia
By Mr Emu on 13-Feb-09. Waypoint GC1K2YQ

I was originally planning to "Temporarily Disable" the caches in this series while I reconfigured each of the first four puzzles (E.M.U.s 0, 1, 2 & 3 were confirmed as within the boundaries of the Great Otway National Park) and moved the caches to acceptable nearby locations. As it turns out I've spent (wasted!) the last week of my holidays trying to do just that, but am not at all satisfied with the results. In many cases the point of the cache was a unique viewpoint that I wanted to share - not something that is easily substituted. The puzzle workarounds were starting to look a bit ridiculous, and although E.M.U.s 4, 5 & 6 were in the Anglesea Heath and could have stayed, the series is pretty-much "broken". I don't even want to talk about the cursed E.M.U. 7 !

I am very sorry to disappoint the cachers who had recently convinced me to keep this well-appreciated series alive. I tried, but after the last week's effort I've decided that it's time to retire this specific series. Don't worry, the unique containers will be cleaned and freshened-up. You never know when the "caching muse" will strike!

Thanks to all of the cachers who attempted the puzzles and made the trek to the caches. I really appreciated all of the generous comments in your logs.

*** If there are any cachers who found at least three (3) caches in this series and have not yet claimed their "pathtag bonus", please get in contact with me as soon as possible with your preferred mailing address. (Now that I've got the logbooks in hand, don't worry if you can't find the "verification codes" - I can verify claims.) ***


*One final comment: in the process of collecting all of the containers today I was once again disappointed to see all the signs from our fellow citizens who don't adhere to Parks Victoria rules e.g. multiple well-worn (and illegal) mountain bike single-track created in National Park, people walking German Shepherd dogs off-leash in bushland in National Park (where on-leash is acceptable), rubbish strewn through carparks and bushland etc. My faith-in-humanity meter is lying idle on the "0" mark at the moment...

At least I got some good exercise. Those caches weigh almost 7kg, and I think I covered quite a few km of bush tracks.

07 January 2011 16:19:00

Well this was certainly the straw that broke the camels back for me.

As I parked the car at what I thought would be the best position to head of little did I realise that it probably wasnt the best day to be walking 2.6km up and down hills in 35 degree weather. [:p]

The views are certainly spectacular from start to finish, at times I could have been on any desolate island, towards the end I felt like I was on Mars!!

However I did manage to get there in the end.

No escape from the heat.

On the return trip I was tempted to drop in for a dip but alas I still had 4 more Emu's to find.

I'm sure if you approach from the other side it would be a little easier, but hey I loved the challenge.

TFTC

Cache #146 for us, 4th in the series today and 5th overall, leaving us with 3 more to get before the final curtain falls this weekend.

Ironically enough, this puzzle wasn't hard for me at all...took a few rearrangement of the order after closer inspection to get the correct coordinates, but no outside assistance was required.

We continued on from #1, having tackled #3 from the Pt Addis road earlier in the afternoon, before a gnoming diversion was made to Anglesea.

I have lived near here for more than 25 years and have always wanted to walk through this area, but it has taken something like geocaching to force me to actually do it ! I have walked the beach from Southside to Pt Addis many times and used to fish behind the reef at "Jarosites" for years, before it became a marine park, but I never ventured inland till today. It was a most enjoyable walk through the bush, chattering away with juc_jr#2, who has decided one day he will ride his bike through there...I hope he changes his mind...I can't afford the inevitable medical expenses ! .

A huge thanks yet again Mr Emu !

Lucky last ????
great walk in and awesome views from gz.....Wow
thanks for this and all the others in the series......
cheers poister

Took badge
Left ball and padlock

02/01/2011 11:20 Found: #164 #4/23 Huge (for me) cache day with lochb and PrincessDiala. Enjoyed the puzzle and was able to work out the values needed in a reasonable time. This was to be the longest and as can be seen in lochb's log it was steep downhill and then up again to the bluff at GZ. I was quite surprised when my mobile phone rang and heard Eagle-Eye geo-son on the other end. That far out on the bluff must just be within sight of a tower as I lost reception as soon as I started back. Lucky for me I have been doing a fair bit of walking so I was able to endure the trek and recover quite well. Many thanks to Mr. EMU for the cache and lochb for the extensive map research.

Found today in the company of two others from the Vic puzzle solvers group - PrincessDiala and Landau351, before this series is being archived.

Solving the puzzle took longer than it should have, and I'm still unsure about one of the digits (but I had to be wrong or we would have ended up far away).

We planned our approach carefully - satellite pictures, OSMaps, mixed with topographical maps and Garmin maps. And we were prepared for a difficult walk. How surprised were we when we were passed by a family with two kids on bikes! Not much further, and we encountered the family again - it turned out they had had no idea what they were doing, and given up as soon as it got steeper! We ran into the same family again on the way back - they seemed to be riding back and forth along the top path. Much easier!

The walk to the cache was very enjoyable, and we found it quickly. What excellent views from here! TFTC and the puzzle, Mr Emu!

..And onto E.M.U 2...
It took me two attempts and some guidance from Mr Emu before I got the green light from the checker on this one.
(I was almost all there, just missing some numbers.)
We parked as close as we could and soon on a leisurely walk - but we knew from lochb's contour lines a harder walk was soon to come.
A sign at the entrance made of aware that the Park's was trying to keep cinnamon fungus under control and that we should stay on the tracks...
We bumped into a few of the locals going for their morning run or walk the dog and wondered if the houses on the way would have much of a view, or if it'd be just trees..
Some huffing and puffing we arrived at GZ which had a lovely breeze and great views which we stood around for a moment before taking them in before heading back downwards from which we came (phew).
Thanks again Mr Emu for the puzzle, the cache and the location!
(Now makes sense why your archiving this one...)

We solved this one early last year (actually two years ago now) and made a concerted effort to get around to finding the series before it has to go. We came from #3 and instinctively knew where the cache would be once the tree cover cleared and the scenic view presented itself. After a nice walk up the hill, the amazing view was beheld, we took some photos, then headed back via another route. All up, a great little puzzle and an even greater finding experience. TFTC Mr Emu.

Found today at 18.00 approx, again, Awesome puzzle, great walk, awesome hide and container. Flying muggles AGAIN. Please don't shut this series, it is TOO GOOD. GeoKid 2 wanted the marbles from this cache (because her brother took them from E.M.U.1) again we had nothing to swap. Sorry. Will make it up in numbers 3 and 4 in the next few days. TFTC.

My last one in this series. Having studied this topic at university you would have thought that I would have gotten it straight away. Nope! I knew how, but just couldn't get the numbers to satisfy the checker. Got there after a little help and still don't know where I went wrong.

If there is a shorter way to GZ I didn't find it and I was glad that it wasn't a 40° day!

Thanks Mr Emu and sorry that you have had to remove this series.

A quick note for anybody who may be interested in attempting the E.M.U. series. I have altered my recent archiving plans (at request) so that all eight of these caches (#'s 0-7) will remain active up to - and including - Saturday 08 January 2011. After that date, I have no option but to archive the caches permanently.

* I am quite happy to provide guidance/hints for those that need help, but you will still need to do some work (and walking!) in the end.

As of December 2009, Parks Victoria do not permit geocaching in the Otway National Park.

Although this puzzle cache has been enjoyed by geocachers for almost 2 years, I have independently considered the environmental impact of it's placement in light of the "Leave No Trace" ethic, and decided that it's due for retirement.

Collection and Archiving of this cache is planned within the next month.

Suscoe made the journey to locate this cache.
Very happy to arrive after a bit of bike riding and walking.
This is a magical place, so much to see and very happy to be brought here for this cache.
Took wombat, left elephant.
TFTC Mr Emu

After taking quite a while to solve EMU 1, this one was solved quite quickly. Beautiful walk to the cache except for the rather larger snake that was camped right on our path. After a little convincing we got him off the track and then some more convincing of the party we were able to proceed and find the hide. Even though this was the second cache in the series, we will still very impressed with the cache itself. Thanks again Mr.Emu

2010-07-03 10:01 We headed here from E.M.U. 1. We had done a little research into paths in this area and it turns out we did quite well. We found our way out here past some interesting features and really enjoyed the views not far from GZ. We then headed back for the car and relocated to make an attempt on E.M.U. 3. Thanks again Mr Emu.

Found with EuDes and Asume.
Thank-you for the late nights and finally a wonderful day day on the surf-coast and beyonds.
A Fantastic cache series.

Coming from E.M.U.1 it was just a simple matter of following the trail bike tracks when in the direction of GZ and some hairy dead reckoning by LZZ(f) when they weren't, taking care to avoid the cliff edges. Found with Alsume, EuDes and Joffa1970 around 11:20am. TNLN Thanks Mr Emu for some great views of Pt Addis.

Another great puzzle that gave up its secret after using every bit of information we could find. Its hardness ranked with the other puzzles! Fantastic walk to GZ, led by LZZ's navigational skills . We eventually got to GZ. What a fantastic spot & another work of art was found by the group at 11:20am.
TNLN
thanks Mr Emu - the locations are as good as the puzzles - we couldn't wait to get to the rest of them.

This was the second one on our multi-team attack on this sensational series after Alsume had so kindly (and brilliantly ) worked out the puzzles. We came here straight from E.M.U. 1, ably guided by LZZ(m) on what could be very loosely described as 'tracks' . A sensational walk, featuring some magnificent views on the way we approached, soon had us with the stash in hand at 11:20. At least the way back was a tad more conventional .

TNLNSL. Thanks Mr Emu.

Find # 3139 and 7th of the day at 10:36 am. Accompanied by Feathertop on our Great Ocean Road Trip. I was pretty puffed after this cache coz of the heat and also we went off the track but followed the track on the return trip, TNLN, left my mark in the log, Thanx MrEmu....

I had no real bother with solving this one as it was not as hard as the others in my opinion.
We continued our walk onto this one and even lthough it was getting stifling hot on the track we had a bit of a breeze at GZ.
Once again great work putting these together.
I notice less people do this one compared to the first in the series.
Thanks

Found with bucketeer
TFTC

Our second E.M.U. recovered @ 13:14, must have drained it's batteries quickly getting here.
5 year old Miss bucket girl made the walk without much of a problem, needing to carry her only occasionally (unfortunately it was usually uphill).
Otherwise no troubles despite some unusual signage on the way in.
Fantastic view from GZ and I loved this clever puzzle, that was fairly easily solved once the penny dropped!
Thanks again Mr Emu

11:30
It took the initiative of ppras to mobilise the forces of maccamob and Phetlern to launch the offensive. Knowing that is was six months since the demise of the navy vessel; we assumed we would be searching for the fused hard rocky masses of the former robots. Phetlern could not have joined the hunt without the invaluable contribution of CDNB as their brains trust.
This puzzle was a bit hard and had us scratching our heads until our brains trust quickly sorted out our problem. The end section of the plotted location did look formidable on Google Earth and from a distance, but once on scene it was much easier than expected. Great views from this location and another of the E.M.U.S. recovered.

TNLN .. SL .. TFTH Mr Emu.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Found by Mary & David at 1130, in company with pprass and Phetlern. David enjoyed this puzzle as well - not quite as easy as #3, but got it sorted after trying a few variations of the available data. We approached from E.M.U 3, stopping along the way to gather the numbers and do the projection for 'Troubles on the Track'. We were also noticing that the E.M.U. cache names reflected some aspect of their true location - another indication of the effort put into their planning and creation.

We surveyed our route up to the cache from the 'Troubles on the Track' waypoint, with some misgivings about the condition of the red earth track surface after last night's rain. The climb up wasn't as bad as we had feared, though, with most parts of the surface being covered in scoria-like gravel that afforded ample grip. Phetlern located the cache quickly, and we were soon making our way back. Our thanks to Mr Emu once more.

[This entry was edited by maccamob on Monday, July 13, 2009 at 10:44:07 PM.]

Found at 11.25am GAFF5 in the company of maccamob and Phetlern.

The group powered up the hill in very slippery conditions - but it was fun and the views along the way were quite a good excuse to stop for a while to gather ones breath - ours at least.

Never been here before and we are so glad that we were here with a great bunch of cachers who all enjoyed the scenery and the challenge.

This puzzle was very satisfying with a couple of tricky materials that had to be thought about.

Thanks Mr Emu - probably the best cache for the day.

Well, what a walk, what a view, and what a cache series! It was a perfect day for it - not too hot, light cloud cover and no wind. It was great to get out there, enjoy the bush and find another EMU.

Found this cache with saraci.jaee and RSF1010+SGGK after walking there from the previous cache. Lovely views from here, both out to sea and inland.
Am loving the series so far and the puzzles,
Indiana08

didn't expect such a walk, bust still a fantasic cache, im realing enjoying the series, tftc

Went on our Emu cache hunt with saraci.jaee and Indiana08. Loved the series including the puzzles, the walks, the clever cache containers, the views, the company we went with. Great adventure!
TNLN TFTC

09:53 Found on our Touring Tassie and Beyond 2009 Trip!

We were aiming to pick up 2 caches in one go, and with EMU 1 being muggled out with mourners spreading ashes, we continued on to this cache and returned there later.
A kept quiet about how far it was to GZ, with a couple of hundred metres lasting a very long time I didn't mind the walk, I just didn't realise it was so far. There were a couple of times when we had to make choices about which track to take, but thankfully we chose the right one each time.
Once near GZ we took a minute to figure out how to navigate to it, but in the end it was easy, and we were welcomed with a very well (and soon to be commonly sighted) cache. We were amazed at the effort gone into building these, let alone the effort required to lug 2 of them all the way out there!

Grabbed the TB, but with the rain starting to fall again we moved on quickly. Our second find of the series, which in the end only saw us missing out on one cache.

LNSL

09:53 Found on our Touring Tassie and Beyond 2009 Trip!

We were aiming to pick up 2 caches in one go, and with EMU 1 being muggled out with mourners spreading ashes, we continued on to this cache and returned there later.
A kept quiet about how far it was to GZ, with a couple of hundred metres lasting a very long time I didn't mind the walk, I just didn't realise it was so far. There were a couple of times when we had to make choices about which track to take, but thankfully we chose the right one each time.
Once near GZ we took a minute to figure out how to navigate to it, but in the end it was easy, and we were welcomed with a very well (and soon to be commonly sighted) cache. We were amazed at the effort gone into building these, let alone the effort required to lug 2 of them all the way out there!

Grabbed the TB, but with the rain starting to fall again we moved on quickly. Our second find of the series, which in the end only saw us missing out on one cache.

LNSL

I brought the mountain bike with me to attempt a round trip of caches here and while it was good for the majority, I grossly underestimated the terrain! I parked on the road 900m from this cache and rode in, a quick check of the signs indicated this was fine to do. I made it to within a few hundred metres before a large eroded section of track with semi-steps constructed presented itself. I slowly navigated my around a few of them but decided it was quicker just to carry my bike down!

After a while I made it to a fork in the track and wasn't sure which way to go. I took the wrong way first before doubling back and heading back up the hill. Again, I had to carry the bike at times because of fallen trees. Finally, I made it to the cache and was able to take in the magnificent views before the rain started to fall.

The trip down the other side of the hill required me to carry my bike again! Talk about tough terrain!

Fortunately the puzzle wasn't quite so difficult to navigate, but there was one curve ball thrown in that caught me off guard.

Very clever puzzle and a great location, many thanks again!

R - B

Phew! What a walk....What a VIEW! All worth it for the find. I cant get over the little E.M.U.'s ability to get to such hard to reach places. Fantastic! Found in the company of Bushfire, VKC1SR, and Pteranodon.

Found in the company of Bushfire, VKC1SR and Suitman on a very windy day. This is one spot in the area I hadn't been before. Really enjoyed solving this one which wasn't that hard and no-one can say that geocaching isn't a learning experience!

Took another wombat and left some sticky notes.

Thanks again for a nice little stroll and the wombats.

Well a team assault was in order for these tricky puzzle caches. Headed off with Bushfire, Suitman and Pteranodon.
A nice easy find at 1205. Well we made the long walk in, now to get back! Loved the container. Will log thoughts in E.M.U. 7
Took: Pathtags
Left: Rubik puzzle

Dropping in Bobby coin as this is more than a fair cache Guv!

This EMU cache was under attack from Pteranodon, VKC1SR, Bushfire and the Suitman in a combined attack. We found it at 12.05 after the long walk in and what a view, well worth the effort and somewhere that I have never been to before. The wind was so strong that it blew VKC's camera away as he was trying to take a group photograph.NI-NO thanks again for the cache.Did not know about all the different mines that were in the area.

What a long walk! Should have done this one the other day when doing number #3. Never the less RHPS and i made the trek into the bush! Great view from GZ and after all the 'bush bashing' and the massive droplets of rain it was all worth it!
TFTC

Twas quite a long walk/run to this cache but the view was worth it!! we got a little wet while we were walking it started to bucket down rain and the thunder was a little scary but all was good and soon had cache in hand!

TFTC

A very nice Hike to spectaculur views!!!!!
Another FTF for Snakecatcher and Geewok. Can see why not to do this cache at night.
TFTF NINO

Another FTF for myself and Snakecatcher. Great walk, can see why you say don't do this at night! Took us a little while to work this one out. We were on the right track, just had to change our thinking slightly to solve it. Again we had to double check we were on the right track, infact we got locked out of evince at one point!
TFTC Took 1 pathtag, left ammo can badge. Think you can up the difficulty on this one too!

Published