OO's Mt Matthews Extreme (Wellington) Wharekauhau, North Island, New Zealand
By OrongorongoRoverScoutCrew, Morriskiwi, RoamingKiwi on 19-Apr-08. Waypoint GC1BKN4

I am archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in a prior reviewer note.

Hi morriskiwiThis geocache was brought to my attention as being in need of an owner maintenance visit and after my previous reviewer note, there has been no owner response. The cache owner needs to check on this cache ASAP and either replace it or archive it, after picking up any geo-litter. See the [maintenance section of the Geocache Listing Requirements/Guidelines](http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#listingmaintenance).I've added this cache to my watchlist, and I will check back in four weeks to be sure that the maintenance has been done. In the meantime, I have temporarily disabled this listing. When the maintenance is completed, the owner can enable the listing by clicking on the link below the cache name to return it to active status.Whatever your intentions, please **post a note** here on the cache page (not email) to let us know that you are still active and maintaining the cache. If a month passes without seeing a response, then I'll assume that this listing should be archived.Please note, that if a cache is archived due to lack of owner maintenance, the cache is unable to be unarchived.RegardsTheCoddiwompler

Shame to have not found the prize at the top of the rainbow. Spent most of our time on the summit searching instead of relaxing.

Spent quite a while looking for the cache but it's nowhere to be found. Referenced previous photos and definitely not where it used to be. Photo for proof of summiting

Unlucky! Had a great climb up Mt Matthews and was looking forward to finding this cache. It is quite exposed at the top but we stuck around for a fair bit of time to try and locate the ammo can.

Glad to have come up here, after staring across at Mt Matthews from our house opposite at karaka bays. Definitely satisfying to know we've been to the top.
So disappointing not having found the cache, definitely was not at the hint position, and from previous comments sounds like it was placed in a pretty easy place to spot. We tented at the base then up the next morning and back to carpark.

This geocacher reported that the container is damaged.

A spooky climb up through the damp goblin forest, no view beyond the low cloud. A challenging climb - roots make great handholds (think about that!) (But as Wicm Jnr says, they also cause a lot of the problems!) Nice to be on the top - surprisingly there is not a breath of wind. Shame it's a bit damp!

Unfortunately the cache is well overdue for some maintenance due to it not being weathertight. The flag is manky and the logs are soggy. It needs more than a new plastic bag and replacement sheet of paper - while a sealed inside container might to the job, it really needs a good clean out and it probably needs to be replaced, particularly as it's in such an open place.

Finally managed to conquer Mt Matthews after many years of staring at it from a Wellington office window. I walked in to the base of the mountain on Monday afternoon, found a nice spot beside Matthews stream, and pitched my tent for the night. Up nice and early the next morning for the 4-hour return trip to the summit. Weather was typical for this time of year - sunburnt on the way up, and a hail storm at the top!

Cache is sitting at the summit. As others have reported, the container is damaged and the contents are sodden. No chance of recording my name here, but the stunning views more than made up for any disappointment. Magical spot, thanks for bringing me here!!

The mist cleared for a few seconds so we saw Lake Onoke the spit and a small part of Palliser Bay The old ammo can is still in reasonable nick although the lid clamp is now missing The log is damp but quite writeable Great to get this remote cache during a trip as part of a group of six friends TFTC

Found on an exploratory trip up to South Saddle via Goat Stream spur. Sketchy markers near top, bit of a Bush bash.

Tftc! Great location and easy find

Always love finding a cache when I'm not actually looking for one said to my friend "have I come off track again?" Then "Ooh, that looks like a geocache!" Nice surprise after a long climb!

Found. T4TC.

Was "muggled" by a man I know slightly while solving a crossword for clues to another cache. He asked me about the crossword so I explained about caching, and it turned out he had accidentally found the present cache years ago, signed the log and replaced the cache. I told him he could sign up and log it online if he could recall the date but unfortunately he is unable to remember it.
Feeling a bit sore when a muggle has found a T5 I am unlikely to ever get to lol.

With St James Venturers on Silver practice tramp

Made it to the top 5 hours after setting off from Catchpool car park. Weather held for a beautiful view and turned into a stunning evening. Was worth nabbing the cache while we were here. Thanks for it!

We returned to this route in fine weather after turning back due to poor weather a year earlier.

Found this impressive cache with JackMulheron and party after an arduous climb on a beautiful summer's day!

Thanks for the cache and smiley peak experience

Awesome easy find.

My god, what a climb! No view with cloud and rain, Blew my knee out on the way down. Happy to have visited though

Had no idea this was up there - pleasant surprise!! Signed book but left nothing / took nothing.

#1924 More to follow.

#7566. Great day to explore more of Rimutaka Forest Park that we had not been to before. Picked up by Yeetrees bright and early before dawn to drive to the top parking area in the Catchpool Valley to meet up with wb1116. By the time we got there, the sun had already risen, so we set off up the Orongorongo Track. When we reached the Turere Stream bridge, we had thought of carrying on to the Big Bend Track, but then considering the low water level today, decided to walk up the Orongorongo River bed instead.

After the break at Great Views Perhaps (there was no “perhaps” today), we made steady progress for the final ascent. After a few more ups and downs later, we finally made it to the top. What a great view from up here … with the wide expanse of Palliser Bay before us, and a clear sight of the South Island peaks across the strait in the distance. A slight pity that we could not see the Wellington Harbour from the summit.

The three other trampers we saw earlier were already resting on top, enjoying the views. One of them called out “There is no more up … I promise!” Great to meet them and had a good chat. The subject of geocaching came up, and one of the trampers had heard of it recently before coming to New Zealand. We mentioned that there was indeed a cache up here, and happened to be less than 10 metres away. A quick find later, we started examining the contents. Two of the trampers were pretty excited about the find, and signed up on the spot. One of them vowed to just focus on level 5 caches … to keep the grade point average up no doubt!

The cache was in good condition, all nice and relatively dry inside. Good to see Callum's flag was still inside. Took nothing, left nothing, signed log.

As mentioned in earlier logs, the ammo can’s locking bracket was missing, and the container could not be clamped shut. We closed the can as tight as we could and jammed it under the fallen tree. Considering the number of muggle signatures in the log book, there would be a fair chance that it might not always be closed tight though.

After staying on top a little longer, we made the steady descent from the tallest peak in the Rimutaka range, to start our way back to Wellington to complete a great tramp on a most enjoyable day.

.T h a n k s. .f o r. .t h e. .c a c h e.

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we didn't realise it was a geocache at first... Our first one and looks like we have a new hobby

OO - I made it! a bit less than 6hrs with a few short stops. Its a mean nasty track that isn't for the light hearted or weak ankles, knees or hips. Thank God for beech trees and their roots to help us up there (couldn't do it without them). By the time i was off the hill on the way back my right hip was playing up on on the Orongorongo track my right knee joined in. Its a long walk back to the car. Fortunately I had a muggle workmate who was very patient and kept in touch on the way. I believe this is my first T5 which is an added bonus. The cahe is still in good shape but has writing in the log book from just about everyone who has made it up there.

PS: My so's flag is still there, so can following cachers please keep an sys out for it? Just so he knows how long it lasted.

TFTC

found it accidentally with a school tramping trip

Final and destination of my walk up Mt Mathews today. I had this walk in mind for years but finally got around to do this today. Definitely one of the best view points around Wellington. getting up the hill especially the first 200 m height is a bit of work but well marked and trampled so no problems. The whole round took me 9 h including caching and 30 min break at the top. TFTC. Sherlock Hood

Did this one as a day trip from Boar Inn. 17.5 kms all up, 7.5 hrs, and over 800 m of up and down. Big day out. The last bit did seem to go on and on, then just when we were near the top, the track curved around a slip and we encountered lots of snow to plug our way across.

Once at the top, amazing views to be had in all directions. The container is in good condition, but as pointed out, the latch is gone. However everything inside is in good order.

Great day out, and glad to have sorted this one at last. Checked our three caches on the way down to find them all in good condition.

Worth noting that the stream has had serious flooding, and the way up (and down) is now very straightforward with gravel flattening the landscape. The orange triangles on the trees are now much nearer the ground level! TFTC

Came here with Yeetrees on a day walk from the Catchpool carpark. This is the first time I have been back here since finding this cache in early 2009 - great to see that it is in almost perfect condition despite the missing latch on the lid of the ammunition box container. Big plus point for using this container type in remote spots! I was also delighted to find that I have not lost any fitness in almost 6 years, in fact I found the walk today easier than on the previous occasion. Liked the Mt Matthews flag that was left at the summit marker. A great place to come to!

Cache # 1,687 - and last cache of the day, on my trek up Matthews. I had been thwarted twice before in efforts to climb this mountain, and had planned this third attempt for nearly a year. Set aside 4 days for this trip, with three nights booked in Papatahi Hut, and planned to come over via the Papatahi Crossing to avoid being thwarted by the river again. That plan fizzled, and after 6 hours of tramping on the Wairarapa side came back out and entered via Catchpool on Day 2.

Fortunately I knew that Day 3 was going to be the one to do Matthews, and it proved right. Almost no wind at all, and mostly sunny. The trek is shaded nearly the entire way, so having the sun out kept the chill off the air. Did the three new caches on the way up the mountain, and saw no one all the way up, until I branched off to the saddle on the way down, where I ran into the first of two groups who had started too late to make it to the summit.

The times on the signs were pretty accurate. As with most high peaks I have done, the last half hour seems excruciating, as you are never quite "there". This one was worse than most, as you could not see the destination. Just as I thought I had cracked the last hurdle, the trail jolted back downwards, then ran around the east face of the mountain before climbing to the top. The trail to the Mukamuka sign was easy compared with what came after, but the forest up above was magical!

Cache was easily found at the top, and the lid was partially open. A couple of non-cachers had signed in early in the month in the logbook. Easy to see why the lid would be open, as the latch is missing from the cache, but with it being secured well the cache is not likely to go anywhere. I closed the lid fully, and everything inside was dry.

For others coming up the Matthews track, it might be helpful to have starting coordinates. The various descriptions of the track include a "poled route" across the river. Such a poled route no longer exists, so try these coordinates instead: S 41 19.681, E 175 00.494

TNLNSL. TFTC! Worth a favourite simply for the effort needed to get here, and for the inspiration it has provided to me for several years now.

Going tramping with the crew along with some new to replace the box. Over the years the old one has suffered a bit. The new one is bigger and stronger and will be placed next weekend (Saturday 7th of December) Long range forecast is for good weather.

Over and out
Morriskiwi

Out for a labour day tramp with Greenslime. Twin peak challenge completed at 4:15pm, having reached the top of Papatahi at 0930 this morning. Nice day, but the wind was a little strong and we were both really glad to get down into the valley for a good nights sleep. TFTC. Container still broken, but no moisture inside, log book dry.

#478 Out for a Labour Weekend tramp with JimmyNZ. TFTC!
0930 Papatahi
1600 Mt Mathews
Quite a day finished by a painful slog back down this hill to our campsite at the bottom

Heading into the Orongorongo Valley early next month, have a new box painted and ready for action. Will take it along with some locals up to replace the current one. Thanks for the support from fellow caches to keep this one going.

This one was a failed attempt due to bad weather, next date to try is now the 7th of December.

This entry was edited by morriskiwi on Wednesday, 27 November 2013 at 20:44:03 UTC.

Second try to get up the mountain, and second attempt thwarted even before we got to the official trail. 18 months ago it was drenching rain - two nights in Haurangi were pleasant, but disappointing not to make a go up the mountain. This time it was a river slightly too high to safely cross - and two nights in Turere. Am thinking about trying it from the Wairarapa side next time. Even had a replacement cache box for the summit. Ah well, at least the mountain isn't going anywhere!

Wow, that is a climb! No zig zagging to ease the way up the hill, I love it.

Great misty day which made the trees up high look fantastic as I was walking through them.

Got to the top and back to the carpark in 7 hours, including stopping by and picking up another cache on the way. I was traveling quite steadily though, and it was hard work.

Found the cache quite easily, and there is a rock currently holding the lid on as best it can with the broken catch.

This has been my favorite cache location so far, in an absolutely gorgeous location.

I found that cache last weekend after a four hour walk from catchpool valley.
Unfortunately the buckle and the lid is damaged and you can not close the cachebox appropriate. Therefore there were about 8 cm of rusty and mouldy water in it and all the items were swimming in the cache. The whole content was wet and stinky and almost destroyed. I dried the logbook, the new zealand flag, the scout scarf and the cachebox itself in the sun. I took all the other wet rubbish with me and threw it away. I tried to close the cache as goog as I can and hide it again at the place where it was. Maybe the owner will find the time to maintain the cache. Anyway, thank you very much for the cache at this nice place!

Thanks for the find. We found it on a very windy and cloudy day.

Stumbled onto this one, was not expecting to see one up there. a little out of the track near the summit pole. TFTC.

Great climb, legs didn't appreciate running back down but it was fun

Hey there, what an awesome feeling getting up the top on our second attempt - the kids are two years older now - it makes a difference .

Found the cache today while doing the Mt Matthews day walk. Took my group about 11 hours overall, but was well worth it. Cache was easy to find - sitting on top of the fallen tree log (but still tied to it), but looked in good nick.

#361 T4TC. This was the 6th of 7 for the 3 days I spend away in the Orongoronga Valley. I throughly enjoyed this walk. This was an interesting cache for me as I forgot to enter it into my GPS as I was so busy reading the comments of other caches. Working on the theory that if a muggle had found it so could I with my limited caching knowledge but I agree there is a lot of muggle entries. I had walked up the river earlier in the day to do the cache above the start of this and started my climb for this one at mid day. Funny how you meet people in the middle of no where. I bumped into someone while I was going up to the top I wondered if he also had muggled the cache, which he hadn't. The views are amazing.

This is one of those "must do" caches, but definitely not a drive by! Staying in one of the huts cut down the walking time, and allowed us (with Waiiti20) to be at the cache by lunch, only to find a couple of muggles inspecting the contents! Some fantastic views on the way up and down. Some very interesting native bush, and a well marked track. Very satisfying to sign the logbook and noted it has been signed by more non cachers than cachers. Thanks Morriskiwi and co - definitely a favourite from us.

After having been staying in the valley for the past 14 years in the shadow of Mt Matthews it had always been my ambition to climb this mountain. Our introduction to Geocaching almost two years ago gave an added reason to realise this dream so a few days in the valley with Emvy_us was a great opportunity to 'get on up'.

Left the riverbed about 9am in warm clear conditions and stopped for a breather about half way up to the first signpost. Another rest on the grassy knoll which was also a great photo opportunity and then onward for the final ascent. Near the top we met a muggle mother and daughter who told us about the cache and then when we got there we found another muggle couple reading the logbook! Arrived around 12.30pm.

Great to have knocked this one off and have it smiling back at us, definitely a 'favourite' and good to have another well-earned T5. Descent was a wee bit quicker and back on the riverbed about 3pm.

Thanks heaps for the cache and the challenge.

Well I stayed back at the Hut for this one, sent the fit ones in, they saw a goat, got the cache and were back in time for tea. TFTC

Finally, a weekend day with suitable conditions to have a try for this cache. Took me the best part of 10 ¾ hours return. I slipped a couple of times on the way down which gave me bad leg cramps which I just couldn’t shake off, slowed my progress considerably. Lots of signatures in the log book from non-geocachers. A year to the day since the last find by agcnz. Thanks for the placement, certainly had me just out side my ‘comfort zone’ exertion wise a couple of time. TNLN SL 1316hr TFTC

Quick find at lunchtime today after a very energetic tramp up from the Catchpool carpark. Weather was a bit cloudier than expected and very windy at the summit - fortunately I got some good glimpses of the view during breaks in the cloud. This seems a popular place, there were three other tramping parties behind me but fortunately I had enough time to find the cache and sign the log before any of them arrived. Have released the Cache Cow TB from 9 months of solitary confinement, I'll turn her loose in a slightly more frequented cache in the region soon. There have been several other groups that have found the cache and signed the logbook over the last few months but I don't think any of them used GPS to locate it.. Fortunately the cache is sufficiently difficult to get to that I don't think any of the types that would vandalize it would come here. Cache itself is "as new" and in perfect condition, I have concealed it a little better as it was sitting out in the open. Signed log, TFTC and for helping me decide to do a fantastic day's tramping.


[This entry was edited by agcnz on Thursday, February 05, 2009 at 11:20:39 PM.]

A lovely day out in the hills. Really enjoyed this cache. The views were,... well... the inside of clouds have a certain kind of beauty... which I managed to appreciate in a white, wet sort of way. But i could sense the potential for a view - and it was pretty damn amazing .

Glad to finally get some free time for it, especially after missing FTF on McKerrow by one day!

Thanks for the FTF prize! I seemed to have overlooked that part of the description [^][^][^]
I swapped it for a Cache Cow TB - good deal I reckon!

A word of warning, the park gate is only open from 8am-6pm during winter (10hrs). So be quick or spend a night. This took me by suprise as I had planned to walk out in the dark . As it was, I did the return trip in 6h10m (3h30m up, 2h40m down) but I wont lie to you, I was hurrying!!! Best to plan around 9-10hrs.

Much thanks to those of you who set this up. And if you thought this was a bit tame, then I might have something coming up in the Tararuas...

Published