Capture the Flag (Wellington) Happy Valley, North Island, New Zealand
By beanadventures on 26-Nov-15. Waypoint GC66HRV

Logging with permission

This has been a great cache, but it goes missing too often, and I no longer live in the area. Archiving to free up the space for someone else.

Cache hasn't been found since Feb - just had a through look, lots of weed clearing near by so may have been moved significantly or muggled

Logging with permission from the CO as it appears to be missing

No joy today. Checked out around what little broom I could find but am logging as a dnf to remind me to have another crack sometime- off to a hockey match now!

Super fun! Enjpyed the excuse to have a spot of blackberrying while we were up here enjoying the sound of the cicadas and the views!

GPS seems to point into inaccessible bush. Spent a while trying to push through id find other locations, but no luck.

Thanks for the cache and greetings from Czechia

Had a fairly decent look but no go

Well this was all a bit unexpected! I ended up heading out to Island Bay with the Seagnoid in order to try for a newly published cache. As that turned out to be a bit of a mission, and with Wellington turning on a spectacularly wonderful day for us, it seemed like a great idea to pop up to look for this cache. The Seagnoid had already found it some time ago, but was happy enough with the exercise.

On approaching GZ, my co-ords were pointing to a location that didn't appear to make as much sense as perhaps some others close by, and in fact tS said "there it is" pointing to a more obvious spot nearby. As it turned out, what he had seen was a Bait Station for (presumably) rodents. But it did make me look around there and it wasn't long before I found an Ammo Can, lying on its side half buried. Hmmmm, I'm sure it wasn't supposed to be like that. I went to pick it up and the lid came away in my hand...oh this doesn't look good!!!

I picked up the can and took it to the obvious nearby flat surface where I was able to up-end it to empty out the contents (see photo) which also included one of the largest spiders I've ever encountered in NZ, as well as a few smaller examples of 8-legged guardians.

We worked our way through the puzzle as best we could but things weren't making sense so I resorted to calling the CO who confirmed that what I had found was the original cache, an object not seen for quite some time. I was asked to remove it from site to avoid future confusion, and was then able to find the current replacement cache. A quick solve later and I was able to add my name to the log.

All in all, this was a cache to remember for several reasons, and so by my own criteria it gets a FP from me. Thanks for keeping it going

Fun first find

GPS had me worried that I'd have to be in amongst the blackberry, thankfully not the case. Had cache in hand, solved and returned in quick time. Tftc

Managed to find the old one by mistake and couldn't get through lock box open, so read the comments and discovered there is a new one. Managed to find that one too and got it open! TFTC

More to follow.

Favourite given.

Finally got this one while doing weed control in the area. Fun little puzzle!!!!

Lol! Speaking with the CO and looks like I found the old one in an ammo tin. Streak day #86. TFTC

One of my favorite caches ever. Felt like I was on the amazing race.

Fixed up the container properly, secured the lock-box, replaced at GZ. All good to go.

All good to go. Enjoy!

Missed that this had been disabled, so walked all the way there and couldn't find anything (or if it is there it's really overgrown and lots of gorse). Disappointing after the walk to not have another smiley..

Disabling this cache while I carry out maintenance. I'll have it back in place as soon as I can.

Came to this one after finishing a lab cache. If I had seen the steps I would not have bothered. A surprise at gz. Had to Google a couple. Took longer to get it back together than crack it. Nice one. Thanks.

Great cache and fun puzzle with the lock box! Tftc!

After logging my DNF (below) I discovered I was way out of date and that the cache has been reworked - the listing in my phone was downloaded ages ago and had not been updated! So, I'll try again some time with the new information Thanks matagouri

I found this one easily enough but the only item inside was the secure box What's going on here? Can't imagine anyone removing just the small containers and neatly returning the main Systema
Sorry to report the cache has essentially been wrecked What a pity

This one has been on my todo list for some time, and finally today I was in the general area so headed off down the trail to have a look. Found the container after a sort search, but the code I had didn't work. After a quick check I see the code had changed since I had noted down the solution, so had to rework the answer, which was no problem and it opened with no problem. TFTC.

Great hide. Out walking the City to Sea.

Love this cache

Loved this!!! Out for a lockdown walk, got lost in the bush and popped out here, great way to get found

Coordinates changed from:
S 41° 19.936 E 174° 45.975

Coordinates changed to:
S 41° 19.934 E 174° 45.981

Distance from original: 30.1 feet or 9.2 meters.

When I replaced the cache yesterday, I noticed that the given coordinates were some metres out. I've taken new bearings and updated the coordinates.

Oops, just realised that re-enabling the cache was not enough to satisfy the requirements of the Reviewer's note. This is the maintenance log for replacing the container and updating the coordinates.

After the last found log of the cache, I visited the hide only to find that the cache container had vanished completely. As it was an ammo container, this was no mean feat! I have now stripped down and reworked the puzzle, and devised a new container. Happy caching!

Found it. Everything was wet and unable to mark log book. Have taken the rubbish that has been left in there. Have tried out best to stand everything up and keep water out

Disabling until I can check this out.

Up first thing in the morning and after breakfast it's time to take Ash for a walk. I let her choose the route and she led me here - rather a big walk for a 6 month old puppy that doesn't even come up to my knees. Along the way I checked for caches, as I am working a streak. Alas I do not have my cache kit, or even a pen, so I wasn't worried if I could not claim it, will just come back later. However this here is a Large cache - maybe there is a pen in there? Yay - there is! Alas as no cache kit I could not drop in a trackable or path tag. Maybe I'll come back this way later. Nicely done cache, gets a favourite.

Today is one of those "funny" days. Funny peculiar, not funny ha ha.I am working a whole host of calendar projects, one of which is that simple streak, so I need a cache today. But it is not a puzzle cache dot day, similarly I don't need a micro, a small, an "odd" sized cache, or a traditional today. Normally that means I would go find a single lab cache, but today is not a lab cache dot day either. So I guess this traditional will do. Today is a "large" dot-day, but I have so many gaps in that there is no point chasing them down. Still, nice to get one ticked off. Many thanks.

I checked this out today. The hinge has indeed packed up, but the container is still operating pretty well for the moment. I don't see any reason to disable the cache right now. However, I will get a suitable new container as soon as possible.

Quick find of the main container and a relatively quick solve of the interesting puzzle, although many of the pieces looked the same which led to some initial confusion.

Gets a FP for an imaginative cache.

The lid hinge is about to give way as only one side is connected to the container.

Found with 10YO , 6YO and pup
Super windy and cold but we trekked up to the GZ anyway and met some lovely doggos on the way up. Mr 10yo solved the puzzle and had a big grin on his face when the lockbox clicked open. Decided to head back to the car to get out of the gale and warm up again.
TFTC

Ok, everything is all good and ready to go. Swag has been topped up, new flag containers, and logbook in place. Enjoy!

Capture the Flag (Wellington) was transferred from beanadventures to user matagouri

Capture the Flag needs some love. I will do it asap and get it back out there.
If anyone is interested in taking this one on, please let me know. I'll be dropping my premium membership soon and want this to stay a premium cache.

I'll check on this on this coming weekend and re-enable if its all in place

Five of us searched for half an hour.
First time for me on this walk....Morning tea stop now...

Really disappointing as my son is knowledgable on flags...

So happy!
Down here with family for 5 days..
This was on our adventure walk today....
After wandering through lots of blackberries and gorse I looked at the hint!
Easy find... thanks ... and had fun with the boys and their parents doing the solve ..Very cool idea..love it.
Favourite Point

Geocaching is not permitted in level 4 and level 3.
Be sensible and stay home.

We located a small number of caches in this part of town this afternoon but this wasn’t one of them. Walked all the way up here from Rhine St with the geohound and spent 20 minutes or so looking for it, without success. We saw more than one of the hint object but couldn’t find the cache at the bottom of, or near to, any of them. Rather disappointing because we were looking forward to trying our skills at solving this one. Presumably the cache is there somewhere but today wasn’t our day to locate it!

Keri and robin’s first find. Well done. 4 TBs taken on their travels

Did the ridge walk up from Tawatawa Reserve with two young ones. Beware of the light brown horse, with a white stripe down it's head, when you go through the grazing areas. It bit my elbow as I protected my kids. That episode was quickly forgotten when they found the cache and flag puzzle. Awesome stash too. Tftc

Loved this one and thankfully had a flag expert with us so had the code cracked in no time. Absolutely stellar idea for a cache. Left one TB and moved two on. TFTC and a favourite point from us.

fun night hunt

Out for a walk in a park I've never visited before.
The GPS wanted me to be everywhere except where the cache was hidden.
After walking around in circles for a short time I made use of the water tank to provide a seat to have a read of the cache description. Now I knew where I should be looking and a quick find was made. Back with the container to the water tank to now use it as a table to spread out all the contents. All good fun with a few very close flags to the ones I was searching for.
The numbers were quickly established and the lock box opened.
Now out with the camera to collect all the trackable codes.
I see why this cache has so many Favourite Points. Great idea for a field puzzle.
Have another FP.
TFTC beanadvebtures

I've never come up here before and while I was aware this highly favourited cache was here I''d never gotten around to caching in this part of Wellington. The Cache Carnival gave me a excuse to come and seek out this cache. I got here relatively quickly passing some magnificent views along the way. Then it took me an absolute age to find the cache. How hard can it be to find a "large"?! Well part of the problem is that the cache is (now?) a regular and I wasn't searching with the right mindset. But I found it, quite well hidden.

Now, puzzle time. After doing the initial work at home I added a cache note to enable me to get the required info on my phone and solve this relatively easily in the field. But I wasn't prepared for the flags that look identical to others when turned "upside down". But thankfully that was resolved quickly and I had the code I needed. Always satisfying when a combo safe opens!

A unique cache and well deserving of all the FPs. TFTC.

Cache is back in place, looking almost as good as it did the day it was placed.
Enjoy and please help some of the travellers on their journeys.

Temporarily remove to sort the rust.

Out driving around a few caches with woolwood9 today.
Good weather and we enjoyed finding this cache - fun walk up and onsite puzzle that we soon had sorted.
SL TFTC

Heading south to pick up some caches today with tmann421
Enjoyed the walk up to this one, and had fun solving it

Just checked on this one. In place and waiting to be done!

DNF, upsetting

Didn't find this one on the way up.. gave up the search when muggles came down the hill. Tried again on my way down but a bunch of dog walkers we're around and not leaving. I'll be back!

Hmmm, a large, now that will have some room for TB's. Took a little long to find, but I got there in the end. COuntries didnt present any difficulties except of course for the ones that look identical if upside down.

Great idea for a field puzzle and a favourite point from me. Dumped 5 TB's that I picked up in the USA. (I didnt put them in the locked box of course!)

Found it. Solved it.
Nice twist at the end.
SLTNLN TFTC

That was so fun, I obviously don't know my flags as well as I thought, FP added

Fantastic cache. I love it. And such a great walk today on the C2C.

That was fun! We aren’t very good at guessing but Mr Google helped. Great cache. TFTC

All present and correct

Quick find on our little walk in this reserve today. Nice box. TFTC. Sherlock Hood and Squirrel.

Out for a bit of a romp round the tracks and hills in this part of the city. Fascinating, my first visit in this area. Really enjoyed it.
This cache was quite something. One has to appreciate the work that went into designing and equipping this in the way you have. Well done, gets a fave point from me.
After a bit of time sitting in the sun and fiddling around with things we had access to the log.
All in order, log signed and then safely re-hidden. Retrieved the TB in situ - hard to believe that we are the first visitors here since April!
I visited here with team cacher zboy wonder.
TFTC
The Turtle strikes again!

Great fun! Worth a FP... TFTC

This time!
Much quieter today and it turned out I had got very close to the cache last time but hadn't searched quite far enough or well enough.

Surprised myself by only getting one flag wrong but it helped that I had done some research beforehand and took a logical approach.

I had hoped for a while to do this one in order to drop off a flag themed TB which is now in the cache (don't panic CO it isn't in the log box!) I didn't notice that there are two other trackables logged into the cache and in view of the fact there was a CO check recently I guess they may still be there. I will probably be up this way again some time in the near future to do other caches in the Reserve, so if so and if they are still logged in there I will look a bit harder.

Nicely presented cache with a well thought out puzzle and thanks for the incentive to explore this wonderful reserve. Gets a FP.

There is a collection box by the notice board at the bottom of Manawa Karioi and I strongly recommend that cachers using these tracks use it to show their thanks to the Trust for looking after and making available such wonderful tracks for us to cache along.

Gets a FP.

TFTC.

We checked on this one for our Easter Sunday walk. It's all nicely in place waiting for you.

Second attempt up here, last time was Sunday afternoon and the place was swarming with muggles and (friendly) doggles meaning I couldn't even attempt a search. This time there were a few breaks in the "traffic" but unfortunately my GPS batteries which I thought were OK turned out to be flat, and my phone GPS was jumping everywhere.
Tried to look using the rather vague hint but didn't find anything at the place that fitted it best.
Still a pleasant walk up, relatively sheltered from the wind and saw a few birds and animals on the way up.
Hope to come back at a quieter time with a working GPS!

Was down in Wellington with Mrs Popmac for a few days. Second day here today and had a few spare hours so came out caching, of course. No problems locating the cache today. Thanks for the cache. Great views up here today. Favourite Point given.

4/3/17 - Started a Geocache adventure today. Aiming for a new personal best of number of caches in a single day. I donned my running gear, grabbed a backpack and got going the weather was awesome this afternoon. Managed to get 20 caches today, a new PB!

As for this cache, I'd seen it when looking for places to go geocaching before I chose my route, whatever happened this is the one I wanted to get and it didn't disappoint. I knew there would be a few tricky combos of flags but luckily I know them all off the top of my head (dont ask me why!) tftc

I've fixed the box, so its all good to go.
Please don't leave anything other than the log sheet in the coded lock-box. Other items can cause it to not close properly and jam. There was a trackable inside, which I thought I was going to have to cut out!
Enjoy!

The box with the log inside is broken. I'll fix it and get it back asap.

Cache was easy enough to find but the combination didn't work

Nice cache close to home - and I don't know how many times I've walked past this one before I started geocaching myself!
Sad to see the last visitor was my good friend Waiiti20.
Dropped of a TB, and a favourite point. *TFTC beanadventures #41*

Good to grab another target cache while in the area, and a well constructed one a t that - gets a favourite from us. *TFTC beanadventures, #9379*

Friends asking if we can go geocaching to kill a Sunday afternoon. What a bizarre feeling, it's usually the other way round. What better a cache for a vexillophile? Of course I left the other, less flag-obsessed members of the team to solve the puzzle. Loved a classic cache container, and a frustrating 'the log book is in my hands yet I can't sign it'. TFTC, certainly a favourite!

Easy to find near the water tank.

#178. What a brilliant cache! Can I give it 2 fave points? Took a wee bit of searching, as the GPS wasn't solid. But perseverance paid off in the end, just a hop & skip from first search points. Wasn't really very well covered up though. So after 2 false alarms for Romania & 1 for Netherlands, I had the code and was able to sign the log. Left 2 travel bugs and replaced cache in same place but with some foliage over it. Great fun, thanks beanadventures and geo-kids.

What a clever cache! FP from me, I love caches with that little bit extra!

TFTC #446 2 October 2016

Wow! Mere minutes after finding a brilliant innovative cache by the same CO, I found myself at another (although bearing no resemblance to the first). I reckon I know my flags and I set myself a challenge of only opening four containers. I couldn't quite do this as I needed five (understandable though as two were VERY similar and a 50:50 call did not go my way). Another favourite point happily awarded.

Cache # 3,324 - happy to say that the second trip was much more successful than the first. Still took a few minutes, and then gobsmacked to find the cache less than a foot away from where I searched extensively last time. My preparation for the cache proved helpful, but not quite as much as I had hoped as some of those flags look pretty similar to each other! Code secured and log accessed. Had to hide from another dog-walking muggle this morning, but no real issues on a nice sunny day. TNLNSL. TFTC! And thanks tot he CO for trudging up here in the drizzle the other day to confirm the cache was still in place - very much appreciated!

Consecutive caching day # 1,207

Yay - its still in place!
I faced the drizzly rain and mud to check it out and was very relieved to find it in place. It does have some grass on top.
All good to go.

I have been looking forward to this one for quite a while. after prepping what I needed for the cache a couple of months back, I had a date several weekends ago to attempt. Then it started to pour with rain 10 minutes before we were to head up the hill. Scratch that. Was going to attempt it again a week or so again. Fortunately I saw the note from the CO that they had removed the cache for a couple of days. This morning the ground was not too wet and the cache was back in position - or is it? 20 minutes of searching at the coordinates turned up nothing. Checked the obvious spot nearest the GZ 3 times, the less obvious (and completely wrong type of) tree/shrub nearby twice, and expanded out 20 metres in all directions except up the steep hillside. No luck. Will watch the cache and see who finds it next.

So sorry to hear you couldn't find it Wanderting Dragons. I will check on it tomorrow and repost here with my findings (sorry I can't get up there sooner). I'm really really really hoping it hasn't grown legs, but it doesn't sound hopeful.

It's back, it's fun give it a go!
Sorry for the delay, but 48 hours of rain put me off coming up here!

I'm just taking this away for 48 hours to use in an Intro to Caching session for Brownies. It will be back on Friday morning.

I've swapped the container over for a better, more waterproof one. We've also replaced some of the flags that got a bit wet. I've taken one more away to replace, but it doesn't affect the puzzle for you.

Excellently put together! Tftc!

Quick find but it took a while to replace as we had a muggle convention arrive. Quite wet so dried out as best I could while I waited.

Quick find and fun to solve. Thanks!

Very cool cache. Such a lovely walk and a fun way to get to logbook. TFTC

#2390. I needed a couple of caches today so decided to head south to Island Bay. The dry mild June weather was perfect for a night walk up to this cache. Arriving at the GZ it didn't take too long to spot where the cache was hidden. It was a bit damp inside the container but the moisture was mostly caught by the tray. What a clever idea for a cache. I had done some homework so knew what flags to search for but the choices were trickier than I expected. However after a bit of sorting of options I soon had the needed codes. Great logbook container. I saw a few of these in Europe recently but its the first one I have seen used here in New Zealand. Soon had the logbook out and signed. Closed up the container and reset it for the next player. Mixed the flags and left cache as found but with a bit more grass to camo it from any curious muggles. Great to have another large container as it takes me to a new badge level. Favourite awarded for the clever concept and the large container. Thanks beans for the adventure.

Spotted from corner and quickly had log container open. Good to use the brain as well as the legs A great day for a waik TFTC

#2279 Chucked my bike in the car this morning with the hope of clearing out this reserve this afternoon. The weather was clouding over by the time I parked up but I figured I'd have a window before the forecast rain set in. Found the cache right away and got to work on finding the needed information- didn't take long to come up with the right goods. A few people passing by on the trail but not concerned in what I was up to- too busy trying to get out of the impending bad weather I think! Fantastic cache
I was torn as to whether I should continue or not- wanted to collect the other 2 caches but after being sick all week, I thought I'd better beat a hasty retreat and leave them for another day. TFTC! Well deserving of a favourite point.

I was very cunning - I read the description in advance and did the recommended homework! However I was thrown a bit by the selection of flags, i hadn't quite expected some of them, but it wasn't a problem - just a bit more checking. TFTC!

Seriously cool cache beanadventures!

Found with Wafflekitties TFTC