Eastern Okataina Walkway (Bay of Plenty) Lake Okataina, North Island, New Zealand
By sveppi on 14-May-16. Waypoint GC6HNTV

**#20,668**These two caches have been on the to do list for a Loooooooonggggg time, should have done them years ago but life got in the way, then when it didn't often easier ones were chosen, then when we were finally ready the track was closed and caches disabled.Today we were in the area finding a cache in the carpark and thought it worth investigating. The only part of the track actually closed is the short 50m, at most, section by the slip itself, there are multiple spots one can beach a water craft such as a SUP or a kayak to navigate around this feature, the rest of the track is as great as it has always been, albeit a little damp in places where the high lake level has taken back a bit of real estate...I believe you should be able to enable both these caches as the "danger" area does not affect GZ at either spots, your call but if I know what DOC is like it is unlikely to ever re-open in the spot you want.This cache hide took a bit of a scramble to get to, as mentioned in the cache description, I was weary of this area at this time of year as the German Wasps are usually prevalent, especially on these afternoon sun drenched slopes.I soon got to the top plateau and soon spotted a likely hide in single digits from the GPS location and the cache was found.The logbook was wet so didn't try to open the pages to preserve the names in it, I had a strip of waterproof paper I signed and put in with the logbook. On my way back down to the track in the sunlight I spotted a Wasp nest, the occupants were making their descent down towards the nest, making it quite obvious to see and avoid, now the jog back towards the Power Animal hide.

Stopped by in the holidays for a look.....

Still keeping an eye on the track status. Officially still closed for now but would like to reactivate the cache if it ever reopens!

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/bay-of-plenty/places/lake-okataina-scenic-reserve/things-to-do/eastern-okataina-walkway/

The Eastern Ōkataina Walkway is closed due to a large slip. It is dangerous due to the fractured and unstable slip face high above the walkway. There is a second slip further along the track and the area remains unstable followng recent rainfall events. There is an extreme probability of further rock falls.

First published on 26 January 2021. Last reviewed on 27 February 2023.

Checking the track status..

Eastern Ōkataina Walkway closed

The Eastern Ōkataina Walkway is closed due to a large slip. It is dangerous due to the fractured and unstable slip face high above the walkway. There is an extreme probability of further rock falls.

First published on 26 January 2021. Last reviewed on 23 February 2022.

Mmmm not much happening..

24 August 2021: Eastern Ōkataina Walkway closed

The Eastern Ōkataina Walkway is closed due to a large slip. It is dangerous due to the fractured and unstable slip face high above the walkway. There is an extreme probability of further rock falls.

First published on 26 January 2021. Last reviewed on 24 August 2021.

Keeping an eye on the track closure:

20 July 2021: Eastern Ōkataina Walkway closed

The Eastern Ōkataina Walkway is closed due to a large slip. It is dangerous due to the fractured and unstable slip face high above the walkway. There is an extreme probability of further rock falls.

First published on 26 January 2021. Last reviewed on 20 July 2021.

Still closed... but watching for updates...

2 June 2021: Eastern Ōkataina Walkway closed

The Eastern Ōkataina Walkway is closed due to a large slip. It is dangerous due to the fractured and unstable slip face high above the walkway. There is an extreme probability of further rock falls.

First published on 26 January 2021. Last reviewed on 2 June 2021.

Keeping an eye on the track closure.....

5 May 2021: Eastern Ōkataina Walkway closed

The Eastern Ōkataina Walkway is closed due to a large slip. It is dangerous due to the fractured and unstable slip face high above the walkway. There is an extreme probability of further rock falls.

First published on 26 January 2021. Last reviewed on 5 May 2021.

Temporarily disabling this cache as the track is closed due to a large slip:

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/bay-of-plenty/places/lake-okataina-scenic-reserve/things-to-do/eastern-okataina-walkway/

5 February 2021: Eastern Okataina Walkway closed

The Eastern Okataina Walkway is closed due to a large slip. It is dangerous due to the fractured and unstable slip face high above the walkway. There is an extreme probability of further rock falls.

First published on 26 January 2021. Last reviewed on 5 February 2021.

Will activate the cache again once the track is re-opened.

Bit of a climb

Short uphill scramble?!? Cache out in open, not matching hint. We re-placed it nearby in a place that matched the hint perfectly

Cool found. Good spot

What a great walk today to find this cache, bit of a scramble up the hill!

Mean, enjoyed that!!!

Awesome hide! Need good grip t scramble up. TFTC

I was here at cache placement, but I did not recognise the area as I walked past! Sveppi and I carried on to our lunch spot, and grabbed the cache on the way back instead. Now, you must have been feeling particularly fit when you placed that one! Scrambled up and found an easier way down. Cache nice and dry.

Mmmm... I must have been feeling fit I agree... but it's a good spot and the cache is nice and dry.

Yes it was a bit of a scramble up from the path! GPS on the phone was surprisingly good for this one today. Searched a few likely hiding places on the way up before spotting the area where the cache was. Cache in excellent condition. Nice hide in a beautiful area of the country

I am on holiday with my lovely but geocaching mad wife. We found your cache.

We had lunch before we searched. What a scramble! JDScout are making the most of a long weekend in Rotorua. It isn't the first time we've been in this beautiful area but it is the first time that we have been geocaching.

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Thanks. for putting in the effort to hide this geocache. This was find 4861 for me.

Oh just a quick scramble up the hill!!!! Just as well for the GPS as my phone had me out in the lake - almost preferable. Cache finally spotted as we reached new altitudes and then had to do a fine balancing act of signing the log without slipping back down. All good in the end. Onwards to Humphreys Bay and the group that didn't wait for us!. Thanks for the cache Sveppi.

Arrived at GZ on my way to Humpheries Bay and thought you're joking ....nobody in there right mind would put a cache there....they would place right at the top lol.....guided by the GPS up I went in pursuit of the the treasure Indiana Jones style and soon all the rocks stopped rolling down and a nice quick find and sign ...but I am not to sure about a three Terran ....rating maybe for young ones ...thanks sveppi for the great adventure

Found while botanising with Dad. Interesting little scramble up on the very dry forest floor. Saw a drymoanthus adversus (native perching orchid) on a nearby kamahi. TFTC

5.15am - 2 more caches needed for today so arranged to meet Squirrel Nutcase part way out to lake. Walking track is in great condition. Mrs Fap and I visited here a few years ago and at that time they had recently done a 1080 drop in area so there was no bird life around. Great to see Kingfishers Tuis and Kereres about.Bit of an uphill climb to cache. SLTFTC

With Gap (of Fap and Gap)...

This was seriously random... The iPhone gps recorded 2.4 kilometres in a straight line to the cache... We power walked this epic track, passing beautiful scenery and untold cache placement possibilities to arrive at this non descript hillside. But wait... there's more! Let's find our sense of adventure and climb 20+ metres up said hillside... Are you kidding me?

We enjoyed the hike... The walkway was fabulous - like a motorway in comparison to many others we've encountered... There is definitely room for a lot more placements out here. TFTC.

Out with the tramping group for a walk from Lake Okataina to Humphreys Bay. I managed to get ahead and head up for this one and then catch back up. Lucky it didn't take long to get this one and I was up and down fairly quickly. Didn't have time to do the first one but I can get that another day. This is a lovely walk TFTC

We came with jess 88 to find this one, got to Gc zone like the others we scrambled up the hill. Very good Coords for out here.TFTC

An awesome walk to the cache just a few trees down over the track. A nice little climb up to the top. Cache all good tftc.

Well that was further than I thought it would didn't look to far from the carpark but that's if you go in a straight line lol. I came out this afternoon after work the track was a but damp in places and there was trees and debris over part of the track but easily enough to get around I once near GZ I made my way straight up to the cache thanks to the good hint found it nice and quickly signed and replaced then retreated back to the Van. It was a very nice peaceful and relaxing afternoon walk which I really enjoyed. Tftc Sveppi I look forward to getting your Taniwha cache in the next few weeks.

The misty rain had set in for the afternoon, but not to be deterred. Arrived at GZ and after a bit of a scout around. Maybe that should be a stumble around, found a likely hide. Sure enough.

Thanks Sveppi, have a FAV but we have told you before, you will really have to consider the lunatic geriatrics who will always rise to your caches. Mr S rolled his zimmer frame a few times. Probably leaving a geotrail for others to follow.

Took a TB, which was exactly the same as one we had one only made it to Auckland International Airport, before being lost. This TB turned out to come from Czechoslovakia. Well done.

FTF I expected a wet walk but didn't use the raincoat at all. Always a nice walk along here so thanks for the encouragement. A bit of a scramble but not too hard. TFTC

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