The Great Southern Sleepover (Canterbury) Mount Somers, South Island, New Zealand
By Kiwicaching - organised by Team Chelmo on 14-Nov-08. Waypoint GC1H9YR

Please remove geocoins and other TBs from the event, thank you.

Looking forward to the next one, Cheers GC.

Many of you may not have seen us, but we were there! Thanks.

With out a doubt this is the best event that I have attended, [^] There is even talk already about making it an annual event but at a different location each year. I do have a few apologise to make, firstly to everyone for not having the time to do the workshops (due to way too much fun caching) although we did manage to get in to Ashburton for the Wherigo. This being said, those that did have any question about any caching items did ask and were helped individually be some one who knew (which ment 1 on 1 ). Secondly to blen, who due to an unfortunate communication issue ened up on the other side of the river to us (sorry ) I hope that you and the kids still had a great weekend. Thanks to every one who helped with organising and making the weekend a fantastic success, it was an awesome buch of cachers [^] See you all (and more) next year.

It was great to meet up with everyone and find some new caches.

See you all next year, or up the top of Mt. Summers, what ever comes first. (no piking out this time)

Good to meet everyone on Friday night, even if we seemed to get separated from the main party after that.... great idea and well done to the organisers! Cheers

Well, the first event that we've attended was, in my opinion, bloody good thanks! Yes, we may have ended up on the wrong side of the river, in the backwards of nowhere, but it was still fantastic LOTR country and the kids watched "The Two Towers" during the trip back to Christchurch and easily picked out Edoras and Helms Deep. Thanks to the organisers and apologies for repeatedly turning up at midnight with my vino and delaying your sleep!

Excellent event. Thanks to those who shared their food tents and transport as well as eagle eyes .in finding caches. Got to meet new caches and get to know others better. Look forward to the next one.

This was my first event. Had heaps of fun meeting other cachers and doing the 4WD trip to Helm's deep, a cache I would never have done.

Noting the attendance of Kiwicaching at the event. Great to see the people and the response to this. Thanks to the organisers and keep on caching folks.
Check out www.kiwicaching.org for news and items.

An advantage of being one of the last to login is you get to read the logs which remind you of the cachers you met and the really neat time you have had. I can say ditto to all and can't wait till the next sleepover event. A big thanks to the organisers, the drivers on our trips out and everyone who participated making it an unforgetable event.

Fantastic time meeting and caching with like minded people. Learnt heaps from some very clever and experienced cachers. Especially enjoyed the night caching. Looking forward to the next one, Thanks heaps

# 650 (in our, what seems to be coincidental fashion, another event milestone).
Well its all over now. A huge effort from Mark. And the attendance of cachers (who are very amiable) did so much to make this an outstanding weekend. So many logs indicate "next year". Some challenging planning ahead to find a spot like this (importing the wind will be the big one...).
Great to meet the new and the old faces. The one thing with a week end like this is you get to spend more time with others and chat about other stuff than caches, like GPS's, walks to caches, views we have had from caches.... and even sometimes off topic stuff.
We feel we know more people a little better. Thanks to all those who attended for making it what it was - a credit really to the people who cache.
One thing we all share - a sense of humour.
We learnt a lot, and listened a lot - so now have some more caching to do
We do have available to anyone who is interested "HTML scripts to dressup your listings" workshop info on CD. Just flick us an email with your details.

Hey - where is everyone . . . . ? Turned up on Sunday with rchdlyn only to find the tents packed up and the campsite deserted. So headed up to a handy swimming hole(aka "Saving and Sharing") , where I was lucky to sniff out a couple of fellow cachers/attendees. Woof

Attending on Saturday and later on Sunday with rchdlyn. TFTE TNLN

Stopped in for a few hours after a great day caching in the area, great to catch up again.


Many Thanks Bitsprayer

[This entry was edited by Bitsprayer on Monday, November 17, 2008 at 12:26:48 AM.]

A great excuse to visit an area I have always been interested in. A friendly team thaat makes new cachers welcome. A few laughs such as the loudspeaker on the bike and a good opportunity to catch up on GPs units being used and abuse some of the cache owners.
Thanks
ernienz

Great day on Saturday doing Helm's Deep and all the others in between! It was awesome to finally meet some Canterbury cachers!

Oh and by the way - we got home safe and sound with not TOO much more oil leaking. We assuming it was a seal at this stage...

This was a thoroughly enjoyable event, and we're already looking forward to the next one. A great bunch of people to spend the long weekend with, and got to some caches that on our own would never have been able to log. The "middle earth" scenery was more spectacular in person and the ride in and out, complete with several river crossings pretty exciting at times!! Thanks to all of you or took in your 4-wheel drives, and a big thankyou to the organisers - excellent choice of location with many caches in the area "off the beaten track"

2322. Well this was a fantastic event. It is our second "sleepover" event - the first was at Te Kaha in the North Island when we were very new geocachers. We have never stopped talking about the great time we had there and I don't think we will stop talking about this one either. There is something very special about spending time like this with a group of geocachers. Many of you we met for the first time and it was great meeting you. For others it was an opportunity to renew friendships and that was fantastic as well. We are always amazed at the friendliness and camaraderie that exists amongst a group of geocachers and it is a wonderful feeling. Thank you all for such a great time and of course the special caches that we were able to do together - the wherigo experience on Friday night and the Helms Deep experience on Saturday. We are sorry that we had to leave early but that 3 year old birthday party was pretty important as well - and she did appreciate the effort we made to be home for her!!

Thank you very much to the organisers - Mark, Catherine, Richard & Lyn - you did a wonderful job and we will never forget this great weekend.

Iris & Rodney

Delighted to come TFTC

Will be caching with Bitsprayer so will catch up on Sat avo/evening
ernienz

We managed to drop by for a flying visited and spent a couple of very enjoyable hours with the local cachers that were there this afternoon. Thank you for the great opportunity to do so it was much appreciated. Look forward to seeing all the cachers in Wellington. TFTC TNLNSL (298)

[This entry was edited by Yeetrees on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 7:27:10 AM.]

Planning to arrive about midday Friday. Hope to find a few caches on the way. Will be happy to go out again in the afternoon with anyone who would like company. Dropping in TBs and geocoins

We are aiming to drive down on Friday and probably stay one night and throughout the day on Saturday.

Have every intention of being there for Saturday at least.

really looking forward to this one (and since I'm hosting I guess I should attend

-Dates attending
Sat
-Number attending
2
-What (if anything) you would like to learn more about - none
-Skills or knowledge you would like to share - none
-Any caches in the area you would like to "Find"
Any and all
-If you have a 4WD vehicle
Yes, 2 free seats if we turn up.
-What type of GPS (or GPS's) you run and what paperless tools you use.
Garmin GPS76
Treo 600

Dropping a couple of travellers picked up in the last couple of days. see you tomorrow

Another coin drop.

And also just noticed that I should get my 300th find this weekend, well if all goes to plan. I have 295 at the moment

coin drop

dropping in coins

Just a reminder

Friday: Free Time for meeting up and caching in the area. Showing off tools and caching methods.
Saturday: Depart for Helm's Deep NLT 10am, returning for tea.
Sunday: Depart for "Mount Somers" etc NLT 9.30am.

Evening Workshops:
Rchdlyn- "Dressing up Cache Listings"
Team Chelmo- "Intro to Wherigo"
Kiwi Nomad- "Projecting WPs/Bearings"
Hello Mrs- "GSAK"
and anything else anyone wants or can share

Just confirming that I will be attending with rebeckingham palace.

I will be there on both sat and sun but will return to ashburton each night after the activities are finished. I'll drop the travel bugs I currently have off into the cache too as I will bring them with me.

See you all on saturday.

Coming with Sam (simpsonsrgr8).
Will definately be there on saturday, not too sure about sunday at the moment.

All going to plan will cache in the area, and drop in a for a few hours in the evening.

Bitsprayer

Hi Everyone watching I'm just letting you know I have booked 3 powered sites in a row (just inside the gate) the caretaker has said we can squeeze as many as we like in there, altho there is plenty of room for those wanting space to pitch tents elsewhere. You can pay camp fees to me and I will pass them on, thanks. There is no cooking utensils on site so you will need to bring your own pots etc, the bar does do meals but it is suggested that we pre order.

As for timings...
Friday: Free Time for meeting up and caching in the area. Showing off tools and caching methods.
Saturday: Depart for Helm's Deep NLT 10am, returning for tea.
Sunday: Depart for "Mount Somers" etc NLT 9.30am.

Evening Workshops:
Rchdlyn- "Dressing up Cache Listings"
Team Chelmo- "Intro to Wherigo"
Kiwi Nomad- "Projecting WPs/Bearings"
Hello Mrs- "GSAK"
and anything else anyone wants or can share

See you all there

I am likely to be there for the day only on saturday. Possibly going up to Lake Heron with a boat. Cheers Karen

Dates attending - 3 days
Number attending - just me
What (if anything) you would like to learn more about - paperless caching
Skills or knowledge you would like to share - will bring my laptop with gsak programme loaded as requested.
Any caches in the area you would like to "Find" - out of the way ones as mentioned in the logs but not up to long or difficult climbs
If you have a 4WD vehicle - Yes but not up to the rough stuff
What type of GPS (or GPS's) you run and what paperless tools you use. Garmin GPSmap 60CSx
Shoe size (this is optional) a little on the small side

Just confirming both of us will be there - arriving later Friday afternoon
We use Etrex Legend with laptop and Garmin Mapsource, nRoute, Topomap and GSAK

Dropping in the bulk of my coin collection (50 at this stage) for anyone interested to "Discover" at the event. There are more to come and several to travel as well

Just me
Will attend Friday & Sat
Have 4WD
Helms Deep
CU

The following is a (Flexible) programme of events for the event.

Friday 14th:
ARVO
Meet and greet
Chill out, chit chat
Local caches in area (Individual or group as arranged on the day)
EVENING
Time to "Learn & Share"

Saturday 15th:
Helm's Deep 4x4 (GCKPpJ)
Forest Creek (GCTWD4)
7 fairly easy caches on way home
EVENING
"World Travels" DVD feat. Geocaching in NZ
More learning and Sharing (Perhaps at the Tavern over the road

Sunday 16th:
"Woolshed Creek" Cache Assult
inc Tussock and Tarns (GCZGZR) & Mount Somers (GCZG35) for those feeling energetic (or Up to Erewhon area for those who prefer to avoid climbing Mountains )

Participation on these Caching trips is up to each individual, with there being many caches in the area individuals are free to fill their day as they wish.

I Will bring the BBQ up for free use on both evenings. I hope to get up to the camp site tomorrow or Wednesday to book a few sites, I will also see if the Tavern does meals. There is a resturant in town (TBC if open)

- Attending all three days
- 2 plus child - Considering traveling daily
- Would like to learm more ablout projection of waypoints, logging and using tracks, contributing to free mapping systems, wherigos.
- Would like to share fun things you can do on your cache/tb listings
- Helm's Deep has been teasing us up there on it's own since we did the caches on the other side of the river. Love LOTR's, would love to visit the site.
- No we don't have a 4WD, but will assess the need to beg/borrow closer to the date.
- We run with an iQue 3600 PDA/GPS, Garmin Colorado, etrex Venture,
- Shoe size varies. Mr Boss is a 0.2 x 4!

We hope to be there..... we stayed at the camp last year and at that time the Tavern did meals, but I seem to remember having a bit of a wait....

Love to go, but I'll have to convince my hubby... is anyone else wanting to do some of the traditionals to the north whilst there?

We'll pencil this one in, thanks, and hope to make it...

Dates attending - Probably Staurday night only.
Number attending - Two kiddies, one adult.
Any caches in the area you would like to "Find" - Any caches easier than 3/3.
If you have a 4WD vehicle - Yes, a gas-guzzling Pajero!
What type of GPS (or GPS's) you run and what paperless tools you use - iQue M4 and Cachemate.

I hope to attend, will probably make an appearance on the 15th (the 14 is actually my 21st so I might me otherwise engaged [|)])

Number attending: 2 adults (me and rebeckingham palace)
4WD: Nope
GPS: Garman E-Trex, the good old basic unit
Shoesize? Not sure what you want that one for . . . . but big
Caches I'd like to do: "Tussock and Tarns" has been on the to do list for a long while (I was with Team Chelmo when we first found this location, but have never been back. This was a couple of years before either of us knew of caching, he subsequently went back and planted the cache)
(and if I were to go there "help I'm lost", "off the rails" and "saving and sharing" would be on the way too.

We will attend.
number 2
no 4wd
garmin gp360 and okta touch
want to learn more about gsak and cachemate.
size 10 feet ( thats one anyway)
Look forward to meeting other cachers

[This entry was edited by riga2007 on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 2:51:29 PM.]

We plan to attend -that means geocache has overshadowed Cup Day at the races this year!!
Number attending 4 (1 will be coming and going to do night shift on the sat and sun nights though).
Would like to learn more about the Garmen colorado GPS units and wherigo.
Don't have much to contribute yet as far as skills.knowledge goes, other than the attitude of "never give up", but if anyone gets sick/injured -we got you covered!!

All of the caches up the hill -got stuck at the boulder WP.
We have a 4WD stationwagon -OK, but not ideal for really rough off-roading
GPS : the very basic Garmen Etrex.
Shoe size : thats giving too much away

We are passing thought this area for a trip down South to a planned visit. Will look at trying to stop by on the Friday to catch up with some South Island cachers.

May spend a couple hours learning about tricks of the trade good camos etc

Look forward to seeing all

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Why did you have to schedule this whilst I'm caching in Oz? I would have loved to attend as I have some (a lot of ) unfinished caching to do near Mt Somers. Anyway, I hope you all have a great weekend of fun. Cheers.

Ditto to Team chelmo's comment : "I'm really looking forward to this one (and since I'm hosting I guess I should attend)"

-Dates attending
Hopefully all weekend, still to be negotiated
-Number attending
Hopefully 4
-What (if anything) you would like to learn more about
applying camo to sistema containers
-Any caches in the area you would like to "Find"
Helm's Deep
-If you have a 4WD vehicle
No
-What type of GPS (or GPS's) you run and what paperless tools you use.
Blue legend and HP iPAQ
-Shoe size (this is optional)
less than 11

Published

I'm really looking forward to this one (and since I'm hosting I guess I should attend

-Dates attending
All weekend
-Number attending
1
-What (if anything) you would like to learn more about
-Skills or knowledge you would like to share
"Wherigo"
-Any caches in the area you would like to "Find"
Helm's Deep
-If you have a 4WD vehicle
Yes 4 spare seats
-What type of GPS (or GPS's) you run and what paperless tools you use.
Oregon 300
-Shoe size (this is optional)
11

The strength of this event will also be the contribution of all that attend - come along willing to share. rchdlyn