A Really Sirius Tas Cache West Coast, Tasmania, Australia
By
2y'stassies on 02-May-13. Waypoint GA6299
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Traditional |
| Container: | Regular |
| Coordinates: | S41° 36.621' E145° 3.944' (WGS 84) |
| 55G 338831E 5391677N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 413 m |
| Local Government Area: | Circular Head |
/145.065733,-41.61035,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
This cache is placed as a tribute to one of North West Tasmania's iconic geocachers, Sirius Tas and his faithful companion Sirius Jr (aka 4 Paws)
Sirius Tas and Sirius Jr (aka 4 Paws) began their caching journey in 2006 and have found almost 2000 caches including many mountain top trig points found by few others. Sirius Tas, a retired forestry surveyor, has used his considerable skills and knowledge to find and place some of Tasmania's more challenging caches, mainly in the north of the state. His meticulous track marking, way pointing and detailed notes for many caches have been invaluable to all cachers. His directions have enabled many less experienced geocachers to safely reach caches in isolated, mountainous places over difficult terrain. He is a staunch supporter of Geocaching Australia and Sirius Tas' contribution has been a significant factor in Tasmania having the highest density of GA caches.
When in Tasmania, Liz and Bruce suggested we place a cache on the Wandering Heroes trail in South Australia as a tribute to a cacher who had assisted us on our caching journey. We immediately thought of Sirius Tas who has given us much valuable advice, support and encouragement since we started our geocaching journey in 2010. On reflection we felt a drive by cache on a power trail of over 200 caches with little or no view in South Australia would not be a fitting tribute to Sirius Tas as most of his caches we have found are at the end of beautiful but taxing walks through some of Tasmania's most spectacular country. With the aim of placing a Sirius Tas cache we have carried a regular cache with us on our recent treks. And besides, the Wandering Heroes series contains GC caches, not GA! (LOL!!)
Recently we found the ideal spot - on Mount Donaldson, just off the Western Explorer Road outside Corinna on Tasmania's West Coast. The cache is reached at the end of a 2 hour walk on a well maintained track (the Sirius Tas machete is not needed here) through beautiful myrtle and blackwood forest which gives way to bracken and eucalypt forest and finally to button grass on the slopes of Mount Donaldson. As you head towards the summit the majestic 360 degree view includes the Pieman River, West Coast mountains and the sea. We heard only bird calls, a few scurrying animals and the insects in the scrub.
This is the West Coast where the weather can change very quickly so be prepared with warm, water proof clothing, strong walking boots, sun screen and hat. Parts of the track will nearly always be wet and somewhat slippery. The track starts at S41 37.605 E145 04.674 near the bridge over the Savage River – there is parking on the opposite side of the road. The information at the start of the track suggests a 4 hour return trip. We took 3.5 hours including lunch and hiding this cache.
Thanks Sirius Tas for all you have contributed to caching in Tasmania and happy hunting.
Hints
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Decode |
Logs
As we travelled from Waratah the weather was showery and overcast, luckily the rain stayed away for the trek up the mountain. The steady gradient made for a comfortable ascent.
A fitting tribute to Sirius Tas - a well known cacher in the Tasmanian community whom we have had the pleasure to meet.
We always enjoy the places geocaching takes us and Sirius Tas caches were some of the first we found. Taking us on some memorable adventures.
Thanks 2y'stassies for placing this cache and bringing us to this location. A really Sirius cache indeed.
Arrived at the start of the trail and ate some lunch beside the lovely river, then started up. Beautiful walk on a really good, easy going track. The views opened up quite soon upon reaching the buttongrass plains, with a great vista of the surrounding mountains and river. The weather on the way up was a bit showery and a bit windy but otherwise okay. Close to the summit, however, it suddenly became VERY windy, and literally seconds after retrieving the cache, we were smashed by a horizontal wave of what felt like rain mixed with hail. Caught out in the open, all we could do was hunch down in the buttongrass and hope our coats were good enough to protect us (mine failed).
After the initial onslaught had passed, I managed to sign the log book with freezing fingers and only got a couple of drops on the book. We waited a bit longer hoping the weather would pass over, but nope. Any great views there might have been from the summit were completely obliterated. Soaking wet and becoming more and more cold by the moment, we decided to go back down.
But not before fighting the wind the last few metres to the trigpoint and snapping off a hasty photo... THEN we beat a hasty retreat...
The weather gradually became better as we descended, so that by the time we reached the bottom the sun had come out and it was actually fairly warm. Go figure.
It was a shame not to have experienced the fully beauty of the view from the summit, but the views on the way up were really nice and we regret nothing. The walk reminded me of Sirius' Devil's Gauntlet series that we have such great memories of (we had better weather for those!!) Many thanks 2y'stassies for placing such a great tribute cache and especially Sirius Tas for your many fantastic GCA adventures that have made geocaching in Tassie so special!
Forecast temps were on the high side, so set off in the early hrs only to see a sign at the Fingerpost saying that the Western Explorer was closed. OMG....my heart sank...what now. Jumped on the Inet to find that a large section had subsided south of the Donaldson crossing. Surely you can still drive to at least the Savage River?
Pushed on to find that indeed the road was closed 8km in...well past the Savage River....a huge sigh of relief.
Found a lovely shady spot so 4paws...aka Sirius...would be ok while away, as sadly his mountain climbing days are over, so remains on guard back at the vehicle.
Set off at a leisurely pace at 0820, after selecting my weapon(walking pole) of choice and began the lovely meandering walk through lovely rainforest, flicking fallen branches and twigs off the track as I went. It wasn't long before entering the open button grass where a nice cool breeze was blowing. About halfway up the picturesque Pieman River came into view as well as lots of mountains in the distance. A thundering roar could also be heard, the sound of crashing surf way out on the coast.
3/4 of the way up the Trig beacon was firmly in sight and before I knew it I was approaching the cache GZ. Accurate co-ords had me spying the hide in advance. A huge sigh of relief to have finally made it and to bring back memories of my last visit here some 30 yrs or so ago....even though we cheated back then and drove up. Walk time up was 96 min.
The cache is still in tip top order and without doubt the most satisfying of all caches found so far. The views were superb with a 360 deg vista, a perfect day.
Looking across to the Trig brought back many memories of standing under the beacon reading many angles with the old T2 theodolite and measuring distances to old logging tracks now totally unseen as mother nature has taken its course.
After visiting the Trig, it was time to head down. The vehicle tracks from 30 yrs ago were still visible, so took the shortcut by following those down cutting off considerable distance before rejoining the walking track. Time down was just 45 min, making it back to car at 1105.
The memories of this cache will last for ever. Thanks ever so much to the 2y'stassies for making it all possible....many thanks...Cheers.
Our group quickly arranged a date we could all go and our adventure began.
We were well prepared and filled with enthusiasm and excitement.
Nothing was going to stop us, we were going to do this for Sirius, rain, hail or shine.
The walk was a nice constant easy climb and once at the summit we acknowledged the great man and made our way up to the trig. At the summit the skies cleared and the views left us breathless.
Thank you 2y'stassies for this amazing cache and thank you Sirius Tas for your amazing cachers, company on walks and friendship
red tag (Cathy)
After a fabulous night at Corinna, the Fab Four made this their first for the day - this cache was our main objective for the trip - to show our friend Sirius the regard and esteem with which he has in our group. I'm pleased to call him a friend and enjoy his company. Have done many of his caches and have enjoyed them all.
Starting at the Savage River, the walk was enjoyable even during the small period of rain. Low flying cloud cleared as predicted by Dippy after reaching the summit and the views were fantastic.
Honour was given to Sirius when we signed the log at 1104hrs.
The Fab Four had jointly achieved the *FTF* as recognition of Sirius' contribution to caching in Tasmania.
TFTc and cheers
OldSaint.
