Waterfall & weeds (Waikato) Maungatautari, North Island, New Zealand
By pbslost on 18-May-08. Waypoint GC1CBTZ

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Heading home after a few nights tenting at Lake Karapiro. Stopped at Waipuke Park to collect our daily cache. Failed to locate the hide in the car park so we headed off on foot to get this one. Did not get far due to the pathway ending and a river in the way. Should have checked the cache details a little better. No problems we have 2 kayaks sitting on the car roof just asking to get wet.

20 minutes later we were on the water enjoying our paddle around this arm of the lake. All quiet and peaceful. After a short paddle we slipped up another side channel and found ourselves at the base of a neat little waterfall. Photos taken and then on to find the cache.

Here things went a little pear shaped. Found the likely hint location and Kiwi climbed up to have a look. Brambles now growing on the bank making life a little interesting. The fallen log has all but rotted away and with Kiwis added weight it collapsed beneath him. Kiwi did manage to jump to safety and did not fall in the drink but a large amount of said rotten log did end up in his kayak which happened to be wedged below. All part of the fun. Spent a few more minutes checking out other possibilities but no good. Our 2nd DNF of the day. Maybe next time.....

Just reread the cache description and realised that there is another waterfall we could have visited. Another reason to one day return.

Set off from waipuke park in my inflatable kayak on a perfect late summer morning with the lake pancake flat and not another soul around. Went straight to the waterfall then to the cache on the way out, took a little while to figure out likely GZ then pulled myself out of the kayak and up to the cache without falling in the drink
Thanks for the adventure

With Gap (of Fap and Gap)...

We tried to reach this one on foot via the new Waipuke Park. The first few metres were an easy walk through grass, but the rest of the journey required some bush bashing against some steep terrain. We ascended to the river with a five metre drop into the water. The cache was still 15-20 metres off, and water levels (which were high and murky) became indeterminable. This was now outside our safety and comfort zones, so we pulled the plug...

This will be one to visit in the near future, once we have specialised equipment.

Came over with a scout group from Tauranga for the weekend and to enjoy a quiet kayak around the lake and to explore some of the streams. We found this one quite quickly as the lake levels must be up so did not need to climb to far.

The cache was a bit wet, but still managed to sign it. TFTC

Woo Hoo got it. Nahkins and I set out late morning as the gates to Waipuke Park didn't open and had to wait for security guy to open them. We were in my double kayak - a sit on. We headed towards the waterfall and as we were getting close to GZ we heard voices. A couple guys on body boards were coming out from seeing the waterfall. I have not seen body boards in this area before. So we carried on to the waterfall and then return to GZ. Stopped at one spot but no. Then docked at the other end of fallen log. I had to be the one to do the climbing as Nahkins has bad hips. She was full of instructions though. I was shaking as I am not a swimmer and not a real fan of cold water. I managed to climb hanging onto whatever was solid. Lucky the lake is full. I was able to be supported by a tree. Nahkins was hanging onto a small tree and kept the boat stable. Found cache. Signed log feeling relief but shaky as I had to get back into boat. The logbook was a bit damp but still could sign it using a pen. The instruction came as I was to get back in the boat. Step into the centre. then squat and move forward. I was clinging to the tree that Nahkins was using to anchor us. Got there. Whew. Set off to the next waterfall feeling relief and satisfaction. Yeah TFTC.

What a way to end 2017.
Refer to NZPatoto log. Couldn’t write it better if I tried.
On reflection (I guess I was being a bit bossy in how to get in and out of the kayak).
As the lake level was really high we were probably a metre closer to the cache to start off with. Didn't have to start off in the water for the climb.
I love adrenalin producing activities (bungee jumps, skydives) however my arthritic hips does not allow flexibility to manoeuvre in and out of a kayak easily, but I got her there and back (out and in the kayak) without her getting wet. Thank goodness my grip didn’t fail me otherwise I don’t think NZPatoto would trust me to do another cache that involves being on the water. Getting wet doesn’t worry me after all my star sign is Aquarius.
Felt really good to find it and mark it off the list of 'to dos'.
Was a good time spent on the water, we had a few laughs, saw some fish and got home DRY which was a plus. TFTC

just a note to all: You can now enter at Waipuke Park on Maungatatari Road (just south ( less than 500m) of Luck At Last Road. New Council Reserve opened in 2017, toilets also available.
You park you car and carry your Kayak (power boats not permitted up channel so no access) to the far right of reserve (looking at lake) and you are right beside the side channel you need to go up, or head straight down to the swimming area and paddle up the lake to the side channel. Saves having to cross the lake and dodge power boats, jet skies and/or water skiers.
Have fun and don't get wet

Find number 2786 Had the kayak still on the car so headed out to get this one. A hot day and Keeley Landing was full of boats and people enjoying it. I made my way across the lake in between water skiers. Once off the main lake it was so different. No motor powered boats allowed and it was a nice peaceful paddle. As I approached the waterfall I was greeted by singing coming out of the gorge. Another kayak was down there. I managed to get my Kayak stuck on a submerged log. Enjoyed the waterfall. Then it was back to GZ. Got out of the Kayak and sunk down to my calves in the mud losing a shoe. Took an effort to get up to cache but once there I uncovered the cache. Cache all good. Then it was back across the lake. Thank you for the placement and a Fav point from me.

Received an email the other day planning a trip down this river. There was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to collect these caches so after I got permission from the wife it was on.

The whole day was amazing and I had some great company. It was a lot longer than I was expecting by we were able to collect all the caches none the less. Check out the video of our day - http://youtu.be/qrc3qjHYZv0

This one was the last one for the day and we were starting to get tired arms. It was so beautiful this spot. thanks for bringing it here

Been eyeing up these kayak caches on Lake Karapiro for a long long time. Made some plans, and hired some kayaks, and along with CB, Nova and HPG, we set out this morning to tackle the lot. Left Epworth camp just after 10am and about 5 hours later we had found all seven caches.

Last cache of the day, and after the long paddle from Horahora domain was looking forward to getting out of the kayak. Water was like glass as we neared the cache, and after a quick look for the cache at GC, we continued up to have a look at the waterfall before heading back to GZ to continue the search. Had to stop the search and wait for some muggles to pass in their boat, who would of thought we would of been muggled here. We eventually found the cache, as it was buried quite deep under 2 years of leaf litter, in the first place we looked.

Great spot for a cache.

Plans had been hatched long ago to do these caches around Karapiro. With the holidays apon us what better time to attempt these. Hired kayaks from Boatshed Kayaks (great guy, loved hearing our caching tales) and just like that, we were off! Had the enjoyable company of HKCB and Novalightning.

Getting a little tired and sore by this point but the promise of a waterfall and a cache is just like hanging a carrot infront of a donkey. Powered on in and admired the waterfall, very cool hidden gem. Then on to business, it took a bit of hunting but soon found it in the likey spot, just very well hidden. Fav point for the amazing location!

4th kayak cache today. Paddled over from Keeley's Landing with 12 yr old son & Cats & Dragons. Have travelled up & down the main lake with the kids a few times but haven't explored this section before today. A great morning visiting the other kayak caches & I think this one has to rate as my favourite. Really beautiful scenery & loved paddling the gorge to the waterfall. Glad to have brought enthusiastic scramblers along for the cache as well! Thanks for bringing us here & for all the fun.

Final Cache of the day and 4yth for the kayaks with Kiwi69. Having lived in the general vacinity of the lake for many years I had never been exploring the other side.

We set out from Kelley's Landing, a quick paddle across (avoiding watercraft) and in we went. Amazing change in the lake from the main channel to these side channels and looking at the sides of the banks. Could see much work being done on local MaiMai's (some very "Grand Designs" for MaiMai's) so wouldn't like to be a Duck or Cacher looking like a duck next weekend.

had a great paddle up here to the GZ and then onto the waterfall. Junior Kiwis69 certainly can back paddle quickly as his mother is trying to dunk him into the waterfall .

Thanks pbslost for bringing us to such a great spot, and TFTC, deff favorite.

Went out with an inflatable watercraft, upon arriving close to GZ we could not get close enough due to lots of fallen branches.

Will be back another time with more suitable watercraft. Had fun all the same.

Definitely worth the kayak over!

yus great find and i did fall in

Cool cache, had to dig around, found it with duddyx5 and shaynejane

1733 Took the new sit on kayak for a blat, great fun. Found quickly at GZ having previously read the hint. Signed log and went around the corner to check out the falls. Well worth the effort TFTC

Took a whike to find as it was so well covered in leaves and dirt but all in good order.
Could not get the boat quite to water fall as wife told me off for getting to close to the rocks, will have to bring kayak over next time for a look.
TFTC.
- coin
+ fishing lure

First to find this coming summer season after the weather has finally been fine. All in good order and was well covered by leaves from winter. Very soft mud under foot so be careful when getting out of your kayak!

Nice hide. managed to find without getting wet! ... TFTC

Had a couple of attempts at this cache over the past 2 days due to GPS reception issues. Help from pbslost last night was great. Kayaked over early this morning and found easily. Our GPSr was still 15m out. Nice waterfall. Interesting dairy farm smell in the gorge as well!
Thanks for bringing us here.

Beautiful day for a cruise up the lake in Krypton2's boat. Had to hop into a kayak for the last little bit and took turns to go up and view the impressive waterfall. The kids also had a swim on getting back to the boat ramp.
Very pleasant day and highly recommended cache.

Nice day out with the Zorgon Family.
Nice waterfall if you go up passed GZ
T4TC

Looked hard - but not to be found yet!
Can see where others have been.
Blackberry & cutty grass slow things down.

Well, we truly did attempt this one... With Krypton2, who had been hetic all week getting the boat ready and with good weather and a trailer WoF finally, the trip was on.
Pity we had not checked the inflatable, until we ready to launch it.... what's that hissing.... hole found, grab the first aid kit, sticky plaster has holes, but there's some tape. All done, still some hissing, more tape, then Krypton2 remember the tool kit had some duct tape, so extra protection added....
All set, within 40m of the cache, ready to launch, lift the inflatable up and over the edge and WHAT! caught on the rail end and huge hole appears! Too large to repair there. Okay, RadioNut50 about to be launched over the side, check the depth and temperature... and he's suddenly okay to come back another day!
Jnr Geocooley on board had already voiced his disapproval of being in a pink lifejacket and the noise level of the motor, so we gave up and headed back, but wait.... two more caches on the lake.... maybe.....

Joint trip with the freezer mice. What a nice out of the way place TFTC

The Freezer Mice strike again!!!
Joint find with Boges, who had suggested a day out on the boat to find the Karapiro caches!
Definately needed to use the clue for this one, as initially the GPS had us looking to the true right side of the stream for the hide.
TNLNSL.
Thanks very much for the cache.

** Coordinates Changed From **
S 37° 57.015 E 175° 34.387
Distance From Old: 38.7 feet
Thanks to Psychrn for the more accurate coordinates than I could get on my GPS 60, only +/- 18m.

Quick find on second attempt. Bypassed the first log folly and surveyed possibilities from the water. One possibility matched all the stated requirements and bingo! Would suggest East co-ords are decimal 377 instead of 387?
I would also recommend looking at the falls first then start your hunt.
TNLN ,and thanks for taking me here pblost.

Went out with the cache owner this am to help him with getting the co-ords nearer the mark. Yes they were out quite a bit. We now estimate the co-ords are within 8 mtres accuracy- with the Garmin Colorado.
Was surprised to find we had beeen beaten by Quinella after what he mentioned in his last attempt.
His post will also be very helpful in your quest.
Nice morning for it and we launched at Keeleys landing this time which indicated as crow flies a trip of 988 mtrs.
Well done quinella on the FTF. We signed the logbook at around 1100 ish
Good to have a meet with the owner and exchange stories.
Owner should be updating co-ords later on today.

A FTF opportunity still there for someone else! Tried an early morning attempt today-at GZ in the dark and spent over an hour looking up down and over and under. Terrain is certainly tricky, as is exit from kayak (was easier once light).
Nice to be here as the dawn came, then took a look at the falls before heading back across the lake.

This was a real mission.
Did a 1.9 km kayak paddle each way and got to GZ.
mmmm how was I going to get up there.
I had visions of my last kayak trip that left me off work 6 weeks last year.
I had a good look round GZ and there is a rather large specimen but I looked to no avail.
Id say the difficulty woukld be higher than the stated one. The Terrain should prob be a 5 as well. As the guidelines state if you need to use special equipment then its autonmatically a 5.
There is certainly a bit of a drop at GZ.
The GPS was moving all over the place-perhaps the higher sensitivity of the Colorado didnt help. Seemed tomove from 1-5 meters away to 20 mtrs.
Either way I had a good look and came up empty handed.
Enjoyed the paddle in though and the weather was quite good.

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