Hogwarts - Ron's Search (Auckland) Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
By SecretSquirrel2 (Adopted by avoyager) on 23-Sep-07. Waypoint GC164QZ

All WPs & Final have been removed.
The location of the WPs & Final are no longer desirable to cache at having changed for the worse over the years.

We thought this one had us beat, with a lot of help from the CO (Thanks!!) and over the course of many weekends we made repeated visits to this, and we finally had success. Truth be told we most likely walked past GZ on several occasions while collecting the waypoints, but that just added to the enjoyment.

As we approached GZ we knew we were on the right track as there were reasonably fresh marks in the sodden ground, we made our way further in, removed the item covering the cache and watched the myriad of bugs run for their lives, extracted log book, signed and returned and covered up. All in All a well done multi, thanks for the cache and the help!

This cache will be archived soon due to the WPs and Final no longer being located in pleasant or easily accessible places. The park is overgrown, poorly maintained and the locations of the WPs make for awful searching.

WP4 is missing (26 July 18) and I wont be replacing it. All other WPs and Final are in place.

Please contact me if you are part way through this multi and I will hold off archiving it. If you need WP4 info then contact me with the coords for WP4 and I will send you the info.

If no one makes contact then it will be archived by mid August.

Well, this has us beat, over the past month we have made 4 visits, one, by one found all the way-points after realising our mistakes at each one.

Finally had a set of co-ords that made sense and went hunting, bombed out big time.... found nothing!

*ProTip* Do not attend this cache in winter or on a rainy day without gumboots!!!
Came to Villa Ct and found that there was no path to the cache! Then we had to go along another way to the Posted Coordinates. Came to the spot & didn’t find anything. The description didn’t tell us anything! So DNF today!

Wow. We were out here a week earlier with Melot58 and we had attempted to get further than just WP1. Got to the second waypoint and were confident that we were in the right spot. Searched and searched. Lots of gorse prickles but no cache. In the end we decided we would log a s a DNF. In doing so Merlot58 ended up engaging in dialogue with the CO. CO offered to go and check and lo and behold the wP2 cache was nowhere to be found so CO replaced it. Hence our return today this time with Merlot 58 and Aiden29. Again got to WP2 but could not even find the new cache. Grrrrr. So rang CO and advised what to look for . Again searched Hi and Lo. Surprise surprise when some distance away from GZ we discovered the cache. Yay. But. It was in fact the the missing cache!!!!! Oh well. Headed off to the clues and again trusted that we had the correct projections in our GPS's. On both occasions we took the hard way. Turned a T2 into a T4.5, slipping and sliding and bush crashing our way to the caches. Two hours of perseverance and we had the answers we needed. so off to the final. Or so we thought. Just as we got to the final GZ, The CO appeared . All smiles and introductions all round. But wait, This was the penultimate WP. So using the info supplied at the cache we set about figuring out what we had to do.. With encouragement from the CO we turned our Phones, GPS's, and Brains into multiple separate computer's and identified very close to where the final was. With a proper computer, Maps, Compass, and printer it would have been a lot easier but we were not leaving without getting this one today. Thanked the CO and bid her farewell as we headed of to find the final. And then the heavens opened. Sent MrJag50 back to the car minus his coat while the others went on, rain protected to claim the final. YESSSSSSSSS. We had it. Wow . Hints to others. Search wider. Read the clues and rely more on the info and hints than the co-ords. Thanks to the CO for having adopted this cache and putting so much time and effort to keep it going.

Whew, what a mission but we did it! The Jag's log says it all, we were stymied at our first attempt when we couldn't find Hagrid! I contacted the CO who checked the next day and confirmed it was missing. As she checked all WPs and the final during the week we decided we would have another go today along with Aiden29's extra set of eyes . We couldn't believe it when we struggled to find Hagrid again!!! Aiden29 eventually spied something after widening our search area and lo and behold, it turned out to be the original Hagrid, but we still couldn't find the replacement. With the information we obtained we worked out what we needed to do, confirmed with the CO that we were interpreting it correctly and set off to find Harry and Hermione. Well we made our approach to Harry a T4.5 when we went the wrong way, but finally managed to get to GZ where Mrs Jag found him after once again widening our search area. Then off we went to find Hermione. Well, our projection had us bush bashing in a higher terrain rating than was needed and after once again consulting with the CO, we dropped back down to the track and Mrs Jag once again was the one to spy Hermione. Note, you do not need to go very far off the track to find her, though the hints says 20m. Yay, with those 2 WPs completed we headed off to what we thought was the final, and bumped into the CO who happened to be in the area and had popped down to check on our progress. Nice to meet you Sue. So, with her watching us we search and found Ron. Oh no! It's not the final, we now have to calculate where that is!! With 4 heads, 3 phones, and a watching CO we fumble our way through and I think if we hadn't lived so far away we would have headed home for computers! Eventually we make headway and the CO confirms we are on the right track. Just as well as the heavens open and Mrs Jag, Aiden and I make a dash for the final while Mr Jag sets off to get the car. It is so nice to get this multi completed. It's a fantastic concept but it's also easy to make mistakes. As the Jags say, widen your search and also use geosense. You don't need to go off track and make it harder to find each stage like we managed to do.

I wasn't present last weekend when Merlot58 and Jag50 first attempted this multi. However, I joined forces today, after receiving confirmation from the CO that all the WPs had been checked and confirmation was given. We arrived at the location of the Hagrid WP and searched high and low. Many muggles and geo-muggles passed by with a few of us hiding in bushes searching. I tried one last spot and spotted something, which didn't match what I thought I was looking for. Turned out I'd found the original cache container. From here we figured out where Harry and Hermione were located and went off to find Hermione first. Approached this WP from completely the wrong direction, and made the path a T4.5 (although we got the added benefit of stumbling on a little history on our way). Mrs Jag50 ventured a little further and located Hermione.

From here, we headed off in search of Harry. Our projection had us clambering up a bank in search of Harry. After much searching, we checked with the CO, who confirmed that we did not need to go up the bank to find Harry. Off to find the final. Happened to meet up with the CO, at what turned out not to be the final. We stumbled through our calculations, using a number of devices, while the CO watched on. Once we finally calculated the final, we headed off into the pouring rain. Mr Jag50 was sent back to retrieve the car, while the rest of us went to the final GZ. I explained the significance of the very fitting final location to merlot and Mrs Jag as we approached. After a short search, Mrs Jag50 had the container soon in hand.

Thank you avoyager for your assistance with this, and for checking and maintain this multi. I thoroughly enjoyed it (even when we made it harder on ourselves . This is a sure favourite.

Have checked & replaced all WPs as required. Final is in good condition.

Note:
This once beautiful park has become overgrown, weedy & messy in some places where the WPs are. I had to relocate a couple of WPs so they were accessible rather than being in a jungle. Their slight relocation doesnt affect their coordinates, but keep in mind +/- 1-2 metres when searching.
Please use your calculated coordinates at all times to complete the multi, rather than what each WP may read on your GPS when at their location on the ground.
The Final is in a slippery & very overgrown area so be careful. Locating the Final cache should be ok if you put your geocaching radar on.
Please also be careful on the paths around the reserve. Many have had a lot of erosion on them.

Going to disable this cache until I can decide on its future.

The park and paths havent been well maintained over the years and several of the WPs are now in very undesirable, overgrown and mucky areas.

Replaced final with new container and log sheet. All WPs have been checked, so this multi is all good to go.

Wow after far too many years, finally cracked it. Found Hagrid and Hermione a loong time ago, had a good go for Harry, searching all around, but never quite got there, then recently had another go (had to refind Hagrid, no mean feat even the second time around) and found a spot that started to make sense. But still no Harry, so I had to swallow my pride and ask CO for assistance, turns out I was in the right place, and had even searched the right spot, but Harry had gone to ground. A quick visit from CO rendered Harry findable again, and we were off, Ron was found quickly, then home for some calcs.

Finally The final was located, interestingly in one of the areas i was searching for Harry in previously, but not in a mindset that would have caused me to find GZ, good thing too because it would have been less of a challenge that way.

Log was damp, but I managed to sign it, and the backup paper. Left a pencil, and doublebagged the log sheet as there has obviously been water inside in the past.

Thanks Avoyager for your assistance.

Wow!

This cache took several attempts but we finally found it!

A team effort of Vamber, Uncle Sam, and KiwiFruitsNZ.

Enjoyed the challenge of all the waypoints and loved the final cache - particularly given we used our Harry Potter knowledge to zero in on the final GZ.

#3281

This has been on the to do list for a LONG time, especially since one of us is a huge Harry Potter fan (she even wore her Harry Potter shirt for the occassion/luck)! We ran into UncleSam after we attempted this a few weeks back, and he had mentioned that he had also found Hagrid awhile ago, so we invited him along to join us, along with KiwifruitsNZ, for tackling this epic multi.

This time we were better armed with some proper coordinates after a bit of the nudge from the CO, and thus, we managed to find Harry, Hermione and Ron quite quickly this time. Yes, we were getting closer!! After some calculations for the final, a few of us noticed something that seemed to fit with the theme of the cache, and after a rummage around, a-ha! The final!

Thanks for a great multi, we have one happy geocaching Harry Potter fan over here! +1 favourite point.

Got a text from Vamber saying they were going to go try and finish this one, as we have both separately got to WP1 and stopped.

So I met up with them and KiwifruitsNZ and together we found all the WP and then the final cache.

Was glad to get this one off my "to do list".

Awesome cache.

Checked all WPs and the Final today. All present and in good condition.

After a few goes on this one, we enlisted on the help of KiwifruitsNZ to see if we were on the right track with this! Our intial projection was a bit off, so after some walking about, we finally managed to secure the first WP for this. Unfortunately, after a few more hours searching for the next 2 WPs to no luck, we decided to call it quits. We will not let this elude us though, as we plan to be back to make this find one day soon!

This was my first ever search and I did not find it. In fact, I didn't even get what I was supposed to do. However, I did give up and found 2 others near by so feel successful today on a beautiful November afternoon.

Coordinates changed from:
S 36° 52.706 E 174° 54.792

Coordinates changed to:
S 36° 52.706 E 174° 54.786

Distance from original: 29.2 feet or 8.9 meters.
Just a slight tweak in the published coordinates to ensure better accuracy for WP1. The alteration doesn't affect any other part of this multi.

1) Slight adjustment made to the published coordinates based on previous cacher feedback that WP1 was a little out. This change will affect WPs 2 and 3 if you are yet to find them, but the change would only be by the 8.9m the published coordinates were altered by. However if you haven't found WP1 yet, it would pay to recalculate it based on the updated published coordinates.

2) The hint for Hagrid has been updated due to changed ground conditions at WP1.

3) All WPs have been checked today and are still in place.

4) The Final container was completely buried, muddy, and waterlogged. The container has been cleaned up and repositioned to a less muddy area within 1m of its previous location. The log sheet has also been replaced.

We first attempted this cache a couple of years ago. Although we quickly worked out where Hagrid should be, we never managed to find him. A few weeks ago we noticed the cache had been adopted and all waypoints checked, so we decided to have another try. We found Hagrid very quickly this time, and also managed to find Hermione on the same visit. Harry remained elusive at that time, and proved to be the hardest to find.
Last Thursday, with a bit of time to spare before catching the Waiheke ferry, we made a brief visit and found Ron. Using the information he gave us, we soon had some likely looking co-ords for the Final. Today we arrived at the park in the rain, determined to find the cache. Our co-ords took us to a very promising spot, and we began to search. It took a bit of time, but eventually the hide was revealed just as we were beginning to despair. A great feeling to finally have the Hogwarts logbook in our hands.
This has been a great adventure. We really enjoy this kind of epic multi with a good theme and tricky hides, and which requires the cacher to use a variety of skills to figure out where waypoints are from the information provided. Many thanks for keeping this cache going. Definitely earns a favourite point.

# 5666

I was out this way with one of the Future Finders and couldn't resist plugging away at this monster of a multicache. I had managed to find Hagrid a few weeks back after an extensive search. The search wasn't added by the hint item getting covered up! Nor by two FFs running a muck. So, anyway, thought I would pop in on Hermione today since we were nearby. Found her after only some minor head scratching. Encouraged by this success I thought I would try to give Harry a visit also.

Yeah, well, that took a lot of head scratching to come up with. Not sure I was in the right spot I called the CO, who succeeded in confusing me even more! A second call confirmed I was in the right spot the first time around. Yet another look at the same objects at GZ finally produced Harry. Gee, but he was well hidden.

At this point I should have called it a day and gone home, but I felt tantalizingly close to a smile (I wrongly assumed Ron was the final) so I headed off to Ron. Ron presented no difficulty in finding, but a "shortcut" through the bush did result in a bit of a slide/tumble for our hero. Using the information that Ron provided I was able to produce some rough and ready calculations as to the location of the final. Did a quick geocheck (yet another call to the CO) to make sure I was right (otherwise it was most definitely home time!) Log book was signed shortly after that!

I'm glad to have completed this very challenging multicache. Great way to explore (and re-explore) this great park. Cheers for the adventure avoyager!

Drat, thought we'd finally got there.
after many years of searching, cursing, blaming everyone and evrything but me

Found Hagrid a few weeks ago, did the calcs and went out with Mrs HC yesterday, Found Hermione fairly easily, but Harry was still hiding too well.

However a magic path revealed itself (Hermione really is a clever witch) and with a bit of GeoMagic Ron was located suprisingly quickly, too quickly as it turned out, we'd found another cache that we'd previously found, but had changed shape and position.

Dang and other words!

Will have to continue in our search for Harry, maybe he will provide the elusive key.

This entry was edited by HowickCandys on Sunday, 03 June 2012 at 04:58:58 UTC.

#516, Yipee, Hooray....at last After more attempts than we can count we have finally done it .
This Multi has been very challenging; needing us to revert back to lessons learnt many years ago at the wizardary college. This refresher has been enjoyable albeit frustrating at times. Some days we left the park soaring high on our broomsticks; other times sculked away our broomsticks between our legs.
Hagrid was an easy find. Hermoine proved difficult but eventually her invisiblity spell wore off. Harry was the hardest to find. Left park in dispair; only to awaken during the witching hour, prodding hubby "I know where it is" early morning visit confirmed my thoughts. Then on to Ron....first visit no joy...CO kindly confirmed that the cache was still there. So back again, daughter decided that some fairy magic was in order. So with wand in hand she waved her fairy magic all around GZ. It must have worked since she walked straight to the cache and those magic words...Found it Mum![^]
Watch for the evil wizard at GZ, he seemed to have his eye on us....I'm sure he must have cast some evil spells LOL.

Thanks Avoyager for saving this very enjoyable cache

Been hoping to complete this - we spent a lot of time about a year ago but didn't log a DNF. We really enjoy well thought out multis that stretch our ability. We loved the clue for Hagrid but had a lot of problem finding him the first time. Hermoine spilled her magic quite easily but Harry proved elusive. We decided to make sure Hagrid had no new secrets and liked the new container - much better and nicer placement. Using our GPS to project for Harry showed us to have been in the right place last time. Or at least it was close to where we'd been and sure seems right on many counts. However, we got no closer after a very long search.

All WPs and the Final for this cache have been renewed and replaced today. Only 2 small changes have been made to the overall cache: - the hints for both Hagrid and Hermione have been altered slightly. These changes have not affected any part of the multi cache.

Hogwarts - Ron's Search (Auckland) was transferred from TheWonderStuff to user avoyager

This entry was edited by avoyager on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 at 06:09:27 UTC.

Thanks to TheWonderStuff and Kiwileon for being the last adopted owners of this cache and allowing avoyager to adopt it.

This cache is undergoing maintenance, so it will be back up and running shortly.

Needs adoption as Im to far away

Back for another attempt at this. We managed to find Hermione really quickly. Buoyed by our success we flew on our broomsticks trying to chase Harry. However the GPS wasn't playing along and despite looking in nearly every possibility near where we thought GZ was we just couldn't locate him. Will have to think about this one a bit more and come back another day. - LOG edited at request of new cache owner

This entry was edited by mattandjax on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 at 05:49:19 UTC.

Just about to give up on Hagrid, literally turning back to the car when we spotted something and yes there he was!! Hopefully we will have Hermione and Harry bagged soon and then the big one Ron!! - LOG edited at request of new cache owner


This entry was edited by mattandjax on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 at 05:50:18 UTC.

This entry was edited by mattandjax on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 at 05:50:33 UTC.

Loved the final cache placement for this multi. Had an excellent time getting there and Ryan and Megan thought it was just great. TFTC

Cache de Resistance. Finally, finally “Found It”. Our 102nd cache. Yahoo.

Started this cache mid April, Hagrid, yes, Hermione, yes. Harry took 4 attempts, a lot of muttering, a lot of theories, a lot of dodging canines and muggles, a lot of excuses excusing our foraging behaviour to passers-by. Then came numerous rain delays, before Harry finally showed up, rather easily on the last search. Loved finding Harry, our favourite find.

On to Ron. Not knowing Ron had decided to go AWOL (probably not long before we started searching), we rummaged 15+ hours for him, weeks and weeks passed as we hunted when we could - again serving up now well-practised excuses to those walking through the park as to what we were doing. Finally had to wave our white-flagged wand by sending the cache owner an email asking if we were in the right area – but not asking for any help. We knew this was a 4-star cache for difficulty but when you have expanded Ron’s search area to 25m and poked in every crevice possible, covered every inch of ground, what other option was there? Owner says yes we were in the right area. Sigh, so where was Ron?

Then a log note comes through saying Ron had indeed taken a break and would be back soon. Utter relief at seeing this because Ron really was driving us crazy. And we didn’t want to give up since we had come so far!

Ron soon returns, and the next time we get to Ron, found in seconds. Almost unbelievable. Back later for the final find and eureka, found within 30mins. Completed mid September.

Although this cache was frustrating with so many emotional highs and lows, we really enjoyed it and in a lot of ways we will miss it. Au Revoir Macleans Park, Hagrid, Hermione, Harry and Ron. We now have other locations to walk to, to find more caches.......

I heard a rumor that Hermoine took off in the wrong direction, but this is NOT true.

The tree Ron was hiding in collapsed under his weight. He's hanging in there just fine now.

Hermoine is still in her hiding spot, working now on finding Ron.
Thanks LTD

ive found harry he was hiding under alot of debre

Are the missing returning anytime soon? On the last leg with this cache and wanting to finish it off. Ta.

Went out today and located Hagrid and Harry.

I'll ask Ron and Hemine to come back to the hiding places.

I'll see if I can go and have a look on Saturday.

Is it there???????????

ive been looking for harry and after a coupple of searches i'v been led to beleave hes been muggled or been washed away by the rain can someone please confirm he is still there
Thanks

Were keen to attempt this one as the weather was miserable and the Junior Cachers were getting restless so we headed off into the forest to find Hagrid. Think Nobby has thrown the invisibility cloak over him as he was veiled today. Will come back another day.

Found Hermine
now loking for harry

I Found Hagrad
Writ the clue on a bit of paper to do someother time

YAHOO!!!!!! Finally!!! After visiting this park more times than I can remember, its done!!

Hagrid, Hermione and Harry were all found with relative ease, albeit over a number of visits, in comparison with Ron. Im sure this should be a 6 or 8 star difficulty. I had a number of visits to unsuccessfully find Ron before I swallowed my pride and asked for a bit of a nudge from a previous finder. The hint confirmed that I was in the right place, but my interpretation of the hint confused me further and I even suggested that the hint he gave me was bogus and he was pulling my leg. So, public apology time. You were right. Thanks for the help, GT - even if I wasnt sure how or what to do with it. Thanks.

Started this one a few months ago and have been working my way up to the final. These have been some of the hardest hides I have come across since caching as I could not get the accuracy I was used too. Got there in the end even though a bit by chance as I was looking to place a cache nearby. TFTC

Woohoo! I found Hagrid! Finally!!

Put the clue into my ipod for later reference, then checked how far I had to go - decided to do the sums offline, and come back later.

Went back for another look. This time Hermione was quickly found. Harry must be wearing his invisibility cloak. I think I search every place that he could be without success. Well...obviously I didnt search every place otherwise I would have found him.

I thought this would be a good walk after the Christmas Pudding had settled. Found Hagrid almost immediately. I found what I thought was the wood in the hint for Harry, but there were enough trees around to keep a chainsaw demonstrator going for a year. I could see why Hermoine was lonely, how could anyone hang on to the the side of a cliff? Went back and checked Hagrid and yes, Id written all it down OK. So where to from here????

Swung by with OG and Blat boy. WP1 located after a small search.

Failed miserably to find even Hagrid - didn't think he'd be difficult to miss!

I mean, I mean, this was my first recon mission. Yeah, I planned it this way

will think about this one

Started this one today. Bring gumboots as it is incredibly muddy on the way to Hagrid. GPS was playing up, so didn't find hagrid, but got a good idea of the area. Will try again soon! This looks like a fun one!

With kitchen pass in hand. I donned the wet weather gear for testing and headed out.

Over the course of 2 after noons the final is now in hand. I must have crisscrossed the park checking everything several times each.

Decrypted clues were most definately required.

I struggled the most with Hagrid. There was a bit of scrambling up and down a couple banks and even cut corners to the final through bush. All of which was unnecessary.

A personal badge of honor as I have been afraid of this one.

+ Several glass gems
+ Koosh Ball
+ Wood Butterfly
-Butterfly pendant

I'll be happy if I don't have to visit this park for a while.

[;(] Poor work on our behalf but looked in most possible locations, will try again without the kids.

YES, YES, YES, YeeeeeHaaaa, WhoooooHoooo and YES again!!!!
Exactly one year to the day after logging my first DNF for this cache I can now, AT LONG LAST, log it as found . There have been a number of trips here over the past year, Hagrid revealed himself some time ago, but Hermione, Harry and Ron managed to remain hidden. Then today in a matter of mere hours all were found, the magic was with me.
Thanks for a great cache SecretSquirrrel2 and I'm sure TWS and KiwiLeon will be good guardians for the future.
TNLNSL

Hi All

This is all go again, thanks Kiwileon for replacing the final.

Uploading the old logbook into the gallery.

Now, can some of the "Watchers" come and find it.

Out with kiwileon and KiwiEric. 1.5 hours. This cache is a true classic, as a matter of fact, I like it so much I think I may adopt it.

Many thanks for the fun morning.

Hogwarts - Ron's Search (Auckland) was transferred from SecretSquirrel2 to user TheWonderStuff

Out in the morning with TWS and KiwiEric. I was here a couple of weeks ago looking for Hagrid but couldn't find it. I had an idea this time where to find him.

Also brought little wizzard KiwiEric along as he is an HP insider. We didn't know that you almost can get lost in a local park. Luckely we had the GPSr.

This was a very injoyable cache and one of the better ones (maybe THE)

Thanks for the great cache.

Had a go at this one, I didn't find it but I'm sure I was in the right location. I failed to read the clue properly before leaving the motel and I think this resulted in the DNF. I will have another look the next time I'm in Auckland.

Another recon - still in the dark.

(1785)
“SUCCESSUS!!!â€

Our first visit was cut short by You-Know-Who, who shall not be named, who had cast the Atmospheric Charm over us, and dark clouds loomed over Hogwarts for what seemed like months.

Today on our second visit, we called upon our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Greenerus Blatimus, to assist us. Out of Hogwarts, pass the Quidditch Pitch, we headed into the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid quickly revealed himself, not far from where we searched last time, we then spent the next few hours searching… Ron finally revealed himself, obviously the Impervius Water Charm failed for him, for he was totally saturated. Dried him out as best we could, logbook damp but useable.

Glad we paid attention in all our magic classes. Did the prior research and all was quickly revealed when we approached GZ. If all else fails, bring along your own Professor, thanks Greenblat[^], for your expertise and good company.

Bonus Quidditch Points goes to Team SecretSquirrel2 for setting up this most enjoyable, and original multi. Ranks highly with the harder multi-caches by St.Ouens and Navigull that we have completed. Highly Recommended, many thanks.

TNLNSL, TFTC

Ron was very happy you visited WELL DONE.
I will drop by and help him with the housekeeping...sounds like the rising damp is back.

Finally after 6 pre-find reconnaissance missions! Got the call from team YuGeo4 that they were heading out this way so we teamed up for the search. WP1 came realtively quickly in an area I had searched thoroughly previously but not as widely as needed. The rest took a few hours but we were rewarded with the final in hand. Cache was soaking so took out some saturated cardboard and dried out. Thanks SecretSquirrel for hours of entertainment and thanks YuGeo4 for the teamwork!

DNF *** AGAIN *** Eight months after the first attempts and with a bit more experience finding other cleverly hidden caches we though we were in with a chance.

Yeh right!!!!!

One good thing about this cache is that there are no #$#% flax bushes in the area; assuming that is we are even in the right area!!

Can anybody suggest a decent wizard school that has part time tuition!

This is a tough one!
I have enlisted a few Harry Potter nuts, but no luck yet. Have many similar experiences as other logs, like mud, swampy ground etc.
But are determined to find as I have the perfect TB to drop off.
Will try again......

A few earlier visits and some brainstorming lead me to believe I knew where the final was.

And I was right.


Thanks for an amazingly awesome puzzle.


TFTC

I'm convinced Pooke was Harry Potter in his former life to sort this one out. Actually think it was more of an obsession for him. Mode of transport needed is to hitch a ride with Hermone on her broomstick to avoid the soggy terraine...or maybe we should not have been where we were! Showers & hunger pains (especially for Grobyc & Pooke) were taking their toll after traversing the park - but we were not to be beaten. Onward to the final destination...and it was not at Platform nine & three quarters! Thanks for an awesome cache.

#5 For the day, After having worked out a lot of this before from some research and previous visits we finally managed to make a sucessfull find, tho the woods closely resembled a swamp after all the rain.

Spent the best part of 2 hours just looking for Hagrid, but alas we left with nothing to show.
Lets just call it a "pre-find reconnaissance" we'll be back after having another think about this one.
Thanks for the fun time anyway.
Cheers M+S [:O)]

Also on pre-find reconnaissance, 2nd visit. Didn't find Hagrid or the.pud but may have spotted something of significance for a return visit not so late in the day

After a bit of gentle encouragement from the Sp8sm8's, and declining the kind offer of a vague hint, for reasons mentioned in previous logs, I had another search on my way past on a TB dropoff, far and wide up and down in and out.

Obviously the magic has deserted me again.

I do note however that there has been some work done in the area, and that may have confused things, but then maybe not seeing as its clear from the logs that the instructions to find hagrid are not what you might call exact! (Sour Grapes I Know).

Just another note - everything you need to find the start of this clever cache in ON the cache page. No resorting to other information is required. I personally have not aided others, just encouraged them.
If you want an enjoyable day's caching, this is one GREAT cache!

Just a comment on this Frustrating and challenging Cache.

It would appear that most finders of this cache have had to resort to extra help, from previous finders or the cache owner.

Which to my mind indicates that the instructions could be clearer.

If you want this cache to be visited regularly, maybe you should consider making it a bit more user friendly!

This cache is for interpid wizards & witches only. More than happy to provide help & logs have plently of clues. But Hogwarts has high standards. Enjoy.

Oh boy, this is worth every star.

After failing twice before to locate Hagred, TT kindly gave us a clue as to what we were looking for. So taday with another new cache in the area, a return visit was in order. Hagred still took a while to reveal himself, but then Harry and Hermione were spotted very quickly. Soon ran into difficulty searching for Ron, thought we were looking for the final cache. A PAF option to TT, soon put us back on track, and once the focus was back onto looking for a micro, Ron was soon in hand.

Quite a search ensued for the final, which was finally located after a 10 minute search.

This certainly rates as one of the most difficult caches we have done, right up there with some of Navigulls finest.

TFTC

Pheww - finally knocked it off! One of the more challenging Auckland caches that took four separate visits and about 6 hours total to sort out. The searches at each waypoint reminded me a lot of the first LOR cache. Surprised to see Sp8sm8's log from earlier in the day. Probably means I can't give the Aucklanders a hard time about not finding this cache as the count is now 2 Waikato finders and 2 Auckland finders
It was about 5.15 pm when my daughter and I logged the cache and since it was such a warm afternoon we walked down the all too familiar paths to the beach for a well deserved swim.
Many thanks SecretSquirrel2.

We Found It!!!!!!!!!!!


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OMG! what a cache... I think we have spent more time and brain function on completing this one cache than all the previous put together!

It took the combined efforts of both myself and Kathy to get there.. with some much needed encouragement from butterfly lady and confirmation we were on track from SecretSquirrel2 (Thanks

Kathy found the first clue (Hagrid), I found the second (Hermione), Kathy again (Harry) and a joint effort to locate the final cache!

Located the first clue on the 3rd December 07 and we were determined to find the last before a new year

This was certainly no ordinary cache... thanks to SecretSquirrel2 for creating such a detailed and entertaining experience, the combination of story telling (and such close correlation to the books) with challenging puzzles made the many hours spent well worth it (I think :p )

TFTC

- DNF Geocoin
- Pooh bear stickers
+ jar of magic gold dust
+ Little green police car (arrived after the reported disturbance of car crash!)

Kathy & Andy ,

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Why did I even think to try this one????
A quick look at previous logs shows this is no walk in the park and great magic is required. At the time of starting the futile search for Ron, Hagrid, Hermione and Harry the total of all the finds of those who had previously failed totalled 7437 finds. So collectively, if 7437 finds were struggling, what did I think my 84 finds were going to do?
At least I’m in good company and I will be back.

[
ARGHHHH

Ok... so we have now spent far too many hours on this one... Saturday had us beat but was getting dark so came back Sunday for another look... Kathy armed with coffee thought we were in with a good chance

Maybe it would help to know what we are looking for but them again maybe we are in the wrong place?


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So the first point is 340m east of the start coords? or are we wrong there? looking out for a pipe I thought would make it simpler.. then the realisation that this area has more pipes then an oil rig!

I finally decide that it must be on the foot path down to the woods?... GPS shows the starting coords dead on west and 340m away.. standing over a pipe that runs under the footpath but could not find anything 1m away even then we could not figure out what the 'ouch who threw that' part of the clue fits in...

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Ended up searching every pipe and outlet in site [:o)]

Glad we didn't have to come as far as Hamilton to keep trying this one... but we will be back I'm sure

Thanks for the challenge!

Andy & Kathy ,
]

failed again, flowering Privet around cache site got to us in the end, both left with a bout of hayfever.

Yeeeeeehay!!!!

What a cache - yes, I have to admit it - seriously Gas'd on this one.
Competitive [?] Who me [?]
Yippee - bet the locals!

Stopped off and crafted a willow wand, added in some butterfly magic... and considered the options..... Not this way, but that way.

A highly recommended cache - it has so many components to keep you thinking - didn't think I could find time for this one, but a window of opportunity opened up today unexpectedly.
Difficulty rating is spot on - don't be put off by the terrain rating - that's just due to a badly eroded hilly track. It is not a huge uphill saga.

Butterfly was so excited by the find that when writing up the log, forgot to add the date!
Left DNF Troll geocoin, plus a owl for Ron to help take care of the cache.... can you hear him hooting.....
twit twoooooooo catch me if you can.....

[This entry was edited by Butterfly_lady on Saturday, November 03, 2007 at 10:18:59 PM.]

Returned from Hamilton, as we now knew where Ron was hiding... spent two hours searching for him, with no success. Area was protected with deadly gorse, slippery eel slopes, and spell debris.
Ron must have taken the invisibilty cloak with him, because he did not want to be found.
Use of the magic communications spell only confirmed Ron should be here.... But Butterfly witch novice could not recall the spell to make Ron reveal... and thought using the forest removal spell just a tad too extreme. Ron was well and truly hiding. Perhaps he had called upon the spiders to weave a web of disguise.

The wizard members of the team did another thorough search in the dark....

Broomsticks were called upon and we departed home to Hamilton, sneaking back into the dormitory just before the magic midnight hour and halloween was about to begin....

Shorter wizards (closerby) are now called upon to find Ron and his unusual item....
This is one very enjoyable cache - all you need to find Hagrid is in the description. Thanks for all the effort in putting it together. We shall return when time allows and the broomsticks are recharged. More daylight might help.

[This entry was edited by Butterfly_lady on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 11:57:14 PM.]

Ditto to Butterfly_Lady's two previous logs. So close yet so far. This is starting to remind me of the many many hours spent hunting the LOR caches. Secret Squirrel isn't related to St Ouen's is he/she?

3 out of 4 ain't bad.
The butterfly and the nut teamed up with the mighty Zorgon, and quickly found Hagrid - admittedly the waypoint was more like butterfly steps's than Hagrid. (confirmed up arrow magic stick that Hagrid missed 5 or 6 numbers while counting.... Hagrid was never good at concentrating while counting!)
Harry and Herimone were then found lurking in dark spots... though wizards were watching from the haunted house! The cloak of darkness had to be engaged.
Zorgon and the butterfly then attempted to hunt out Ron simultaneously. The magic communications wand failed to produce the right spell. (It appears Zorgon slept through that class, and the butterfly was flittering elsewhere).

Then without warning a passing dragon produced huge black clouds above, adding to the darkening.....
Butterfly grew afraid of the many spider webs, all too many for comfort....
Ron will have to survive being lost in the woods for some time yet...
Don't fear Ron, the ministry has cast a spell to ensure you are safe from muggles.... hold on Ron, We'll head back to school and attend that frogtoad turning class (oops, have I said too much....) .... Vald......is coming. hide Ron, hide.... hide.... hide....

Along with Junior Ouenette spent 30 mins at WP1 (Hagrid) without success - quite perplexing~

Only had a few hours for caching in Auckland today and this one consumed close to two of them but it was most enjoyable. I like these caches that make you think a bit and keep you guessing at the same time.
After fluffing around for 30 mins trying to walk the circle to find Hagrid I sat down in a nice sheltered spot to do some pondering. Soon realised what had to be done and had it in hand pretty much straight away. Took the near vertical approach to Hermione but after hunting the obvious spot then the unlikely spots as well I had to concede defeat. Had another thought after getting back to the car and went back again but that idea failed too. Looking forward to having another go when next in town.

Not logging a FTF.
Out field testing this one for 'SecretSquirrel2'. Much interaction on the journey and a serious challenge.
Have left the FTF space for a more worthy find.
Talk about Muggles and Dogs.
TFTC TNLNSL
Cheers TT

Searched.... got wet and cold.... left.... came back.... searched some more but still no find damn it.

We will add our name to the DNF list.

Had two spots we were most interested in, one looked very unlikely the other we had a good search at. In case we had missed something in the clues, we then set off walking a circle around the starting point. Was very interested in one spot with an old tree house, but again a good search turned up nothing. On returning to the car spotted a couple rumaging in the bush around our initial search area. Nice to meet you Howick Candy's but alas they were having no more luck than we had had and soon decided to call it quits as well.

Rewalked Hagrids track in the hope that there was a clue on the way.

Then Mrs HC and I were sprung by the SP8SM8's while having another search in case I'd missed something, Admittedly we were not too concerned about being surreptitious and by then were getting persperitious and frustritious!

Nice to meet you SP8SM8's!

Might have to wait for Hagrid to come back and leave some giant sized footprints for guidance or maybe a spell at hogwarts to learn some magic might be wise.

Hagrid is doing fine, still hiding from the muggles by making himself very small and very well camoflaged. You may need to poke around with your wand to find him, but you dont need to step into the bush to find him.

Another frustrated searcher whose theory didn't pan out today. Needs a tad more in the hint department. Cheers.

Will check on Hagrid tomorrow, he was ok on Sunday, but these magical types can be tricky

I got all excited about an unfound cache within walking distance, so went for a stroll after work and in between rain showers.

Unfortunatly I had a similar experience to R&R.

Hagrid where are youuuu?

We would like to have written something else, but we did not even find Hagrid. Although we searched all possible and impossible locations of his whereabouts for more than 1 hour, there was no sign of him. Maybe he took us for real muggles and hid even deeper in the forest?
Maybe we should come back with a better disguise - and a better strategy.

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