Lunch At The Beech (Nelson/Marlborough) Bainham, South Island, New Zealand
By magpiy on 11-Oct-09. Waypoint GC1ZQYM

This cache:Initially started searching around the tree on the 'down side' but after reading some logs it was clear the 'upper' one should be targeted. Tree has bent over somewhat but cache is still there well, tftc! It is beyond wet though. I planned to replace it on the way back, but ended up using both of my spares already, so maybe the next one can take a new container and fresh log paper, thanks.This trip:Planned to ride the Heaphy a few weeks ago but cancelled that because of huge downpour. Last chance this week before riding is banned for the summer. Weather was great this time! Track in good condition to ride, never too steep. Very much enjoyed the varying landscapes and views. Of course tried to find all caches along the way, which worked out! Even an FTF for a bonus cache. Ended up back at the car after 50 hours, 2 nights in a hut and a 'double Heaphy' out and back: so good!

Found, paper wet, couldn't sign.

The beech tree has taken a little tumble in the last couple of months, but the cache is still intact. Beautiful spot for a rest.

Well and truly looking in the wrong spot. Cheers mum for pointing me in the right direction. Good spot for a breather

Didn't stop for lunch on the way down fro. Perry Saddle but did find the cache. TFTC

A pre-lunch stop and a quick find here. TFTC.

We had an unpleasant surprise, as we uncovered what appeared to be an obvious cacher cairn covering a hole at the base of the tree, put a hand in and pulled out a rotting banana skin. We seriously wondered whether this had been done on purpose by someone who had muggled the cache, but eventually read through past logs and realised we had to _scramble up_ to get this one. So the cache was found, within 1-2 metres of where we had looked, just higher up. We removed all evidence of the rotting decoy so that other geocachers are not put off the scent in an unpleasant fashion. TFTC!

Yay ! Great start to hike

Thanks magpiy but I missed this cache

It was a rainy day and we were looking forward to escaping the wet weather so didn't consult the gps map until we had already passed this one and not keen to back-track.

Next time I hope!!!

Not quite lunch time but good spot for a cache, TFTC

#3663: Heaphy Smiley!
I came to this one with DieMannschaft on our Great Walk Adventure.
In the end, we were able to find them all. What an amazing walk!! The rain was letting up, and we were very happy!
SL/TFTC!

Together with 8ManAfter, I walked the Heaphy Track. We checked on all caches on the track and eventually found them all. On our way to the Perry Saddle Hut, this was our second cache after staying the night before in Collingwood. TFTC

Day 1 of 4 on the Heaphy Track.

Having been dropped off at the trailhead at 09:30 we made good progress here, arriving just after 10:30.

I'd warned by non-gaching walking partner that some stops would be part of my trip so while he ambled ahead I detours to check this one out.

Thanks magpiy
#2996

Day one of our heaphy adventure browns hut to gouland downs hut ...
It's been over 10 years since I first did the track which was my first nz great walk have done a few more now this time I'm bring the boys with me...
We new it would be a big day so we were up early and on the track by 7.30 having stayed at browns hut last night....
Only took us an hour to reach this one so only a quick stop..boys weren't to interested in retreving the cache so I had to drop my pack and scramble up for a quick find tftc

TFTC, really enjoyed this cache. On our first day of the Heaphy!

We did have lunch here, since it was exactly 12 noon and it had been an exciting morning. Mr D scrambled up and passed down the cache for signing. First spot with a view out to the valley - Mt Olympus! Fun to chat to other bikers and walkers as they passed our lunch spot. As we found out, the next corner up would have been a much better spot for lunch - just before the Shakespeare track junction - a bigger gap in the trees and a bench seat to make it official. The track was pretty much okay up to the Shakespeare junction... but after that Mrs D was off and walking all the way up the rough cobbly gradient.

Stayed at Brown Hut so this is more of a mid morning break. I grab the snacks as fanfan-77 grabs the cache. TFTC

We left Brown Hut just before 9. So by the time we got here it was more time for a snack. I grabbed the cache and signed it while sveppi found some fruit in my pack that I had left on the track.

Hope the beech (and the cache) hang in there when the next big storm passes through ! For geriatric amblers we would suggest adding another 1/4 hour each way to smell the flowers and mop the brows. Now we have walked each end of the Heaphy track and know that the whole journey is beyond our grasp.

TFTC. ️

Found on Anzac day, on my way out from MOW hut. Was too dark and drizzling to look on the way in!

I was out doing the Heaphy Track over 4 days and stopped to look for this cache on the first day of my hike, on the way to Perry Saddle Hut. Following the hint, this cache was quickly found. TFTC!

first Day on the Heaphy Log book is a damp TFTC

Day 1 on the Heaphy track with fully laden packs we were glad to stop here for a breather on this big uphill section. The cache was quickly found with the helpful hint.

A quick and welcome find as from the cache page it gives an indication as to distance to the end of the track - we were at the end of completing the track in 3 days and feet and shoulders were sore.

The weather has created a few changes here I think from cache placement, but I'll leave that to the CO to comment. I'll attach a photo when back home.

All in good order, thanks for the cache.

A quick find and nice break on the down hill leg, TFTC all in good order

quick find on tramp with tim grin and others great track

Easy find cache - we had lunch here also thanks for the cache

Beautiful track - well worth it

this was a quick find! We didn't know what a beech tree looked like, until after we found the cache!!! So now we know! The scenery and views are stunning! The smells of the lush bush and foliage are so rich, and the song of the bell bird is very melodic! A great tramping environment! Thanks for the cache!

Day five of our Abel Tasman & Heaphy through hike. TFTC

Thanks for bringing us here and Thanks for the cache

Found during my way back down to carpark. The tree is holding on the last of it roots, hope it will last. Hello from Slovakia

Cycling the Heaphy with 5 others, although I am the only geocacher. Stopped here for a nice little break from the uphill for a muesli bar and a drink. Nice easy find, great scenery!

Found on day 1 of the heaphy track last Tuesday . To my horror I discovered too late that I had forgotten to save caches while in reception but downloaded just before here!! Tftc but was too early for lunch for us!!

Took the title literally so passed several better spots for 3 of us to stop for lunch. Never mind, we had a good lunch, grabbed the cache and then onwards and upwards to Perry Saddle hut on the first of 4 days of great tramping.

Our normal searching stride was thrown off by giant packs! But I am proud to say I still managed it. Nice lil spot and lovely walk.

I was fortunate enough to be able to squeeze an 11 day holiday out of two leave days!! I headed out west to find some caches, see some sights, and relax before the madness of the semester hits. The weather was unbelievably good, only a bit of a storm over Arthur's Pass on the first day, otherwise hot and sunny. I found a great variety of caches, drive by's, walks, hikes, even a power trail. Thank you to all the CO's for their great hides!!!
Great start to the track, but wrong timing for lunch as I relied on bus transport to make it to the start. This was more like an afternoon tea for me!! TFTC!!

Together with a80 - and the bladder really sucked

Some month ago four people decided after some wine/beer at a pub quiz to tramp the Heaphy Track during the Christmas break. Plans were made and on the 24th was the day to start. We flew out from Karamea via airplane and were guided by our pilot Mit who explained us the whole trail from the air. Oh wow we need to walk all that!!! We had blue clear sky and sun all the way and a awesome time .
After a good night sleep at the Browns Hut we started after a good breaky early on the track. Our first break was at GZ and the geocache was quickly found. It was good that we made the stop as we did discover that one water bladder was leaking and we had to take action. TFTC

Today I started my 5 day Heaphy Track. Backpack packed, huts booked,I started walking with a small group of nice people. All muggels

Nice cache, thanks for it.
in/out: 2 czech crown/bookmark

Enjoyed hiking up to this one, gave my pack a rest and found the cache. TFTC

After lunch at Browns we headed for Heaphy Start and Lunch at the Beech. A good place to warm up on a cool but clear winter's day. A good "destination" cache. TFTC

After starting our walk at 12 noon it was quite a bit after lunch that we arrived at this place. Great view and worth a short stop. Great rock for a rest. Beech tree has a bad lean and I'm not sure it will survive the winter. Cache found safe and dry. Left magnetic bookmark. TFTC

And finally the much talked about trip for the Heaphy Track is underway. A few months ago the work sports committee decided this years adventure training trip would be New Zealand's longest of the Great walks; 78 kms from Collingwood end, emerging at Karamea somewhat older, more tired and wiser? We'll see.
Another day dawns and today is THE day we head onto the Track. But first, we need to get out of our accommodation and enjoy a hot shower for the last time for a few days at least, phew.
Into the transport and we're underway with our drivers taking the 19 walkers and their packs to this end of the track. Along the track for a little while and I went on ahead of my group to see if I could locate before they arrived. I found the cache-titled guardian at an alarming angle/tilt though it should continue to provide cover for quite a while still
T F T C magpiy, enjoying this walk so far!

[Red] 17 Mar 15. After weeks of training our preparation is about to pay dividends and the company I work for is sending 19 of us to spend four days and three nights on the Heaphy Track as part of a Team Building/Leadership/Get to know each other exercise. We start the track on the 18th of March, but as four of us are Geocachers it would be a shame not to make the most of this opportunity to indulge in our obsession. Over today and the next four days Capperz, GH6710, Kiwimykl and Raisinpig will jointly, individually or any other combination search for and log caches during our travels. In most cases the actual logs will be signed by one of us with our individual GC names, but we may just use our initials being C, G, K and R.

[Blue] 18 Mar 15. We are just warming up at the start of our four day adventure on the Heaphy when we come across capperz up the bank from the track having just discovered this cache. Of course he got here before us (did I tell you his legs are twelve feet long), so it was packs off for a timely break and log signing session. It was a bit early for lunch though but I'm sure some of the 'energy rations' distributed at breakfast time were consumed.

TFTC magpiy

This entry was edited by Kiwimykl on Sunday, 22 March 2015 at 20:02:17 UTC.

Cache No. 2 for me on this wonderful 4 day tramp of the Heaphy track.
Found with Capperz, Kiwimykl and GH6710
TFTC

Cache # 3 for our epic Heaphy track trip. A bit early for Lunch today, but still a nice spot for a quick rest on the way through. From here it's on to Shakespeare Flat then back up to Perry Saddle hut.
Awesome walk so far, with some light drizzle and cool temperatures making the walking nice. Pack still feels heavy with 4 days of food loaded up.
T F T C

Found with Vydra20. TFTC

We made here a nice stop. TFTC!

Caught up and passed tramping buddies , sorted out gps and found this cache while waiting for them. tftc

You know - it really depends on what direction you sit on the rock! But we found it! TFTC

Shinichi87 and I found this little one on our road trip around the south island. Our beloved Campervan Gimli took us in every little part of the South Island, so we could collect a lot of Caches
TFTC

Today KullerKeks90 and I started the Heaphy. Herewe had to wait for a couple of minutes because some other muggle trampers had a lunch at the beech. After they walked on it was easy to find. TFTC!

start to a long ang fun week .TFTC

Quick find on way through the Heaphy Track by MTB, good to have a quick rest. TFTC.

TFTC

Sehr schnell gefunden.

1st find on our Heaphy Track walk - and then the GPS froze and wouldn't restart!

Found during a bushwalk with members of the Essendon Bushwalking Club from Australia.
A wonderful walk in a wonderful country.
TFTC

Found it on our first day on the heaphy. Tftc.
#151

Excuse for a break while walking the Heaphy Track (North to South). TFTC

Found with a little help from a friend and cardiff_kiwi.

A bit of clambering from our friend (who will hopefully sign up on geocaching.com too!!) got us this cache.

Thanks for the very quick check on this cache.
Presently surprized to arrive home from holiday to find a note from maqpiy inviting me to log the find as they had put my name onto the new replaced cache - Wow Thanks again.

After reports of a DNF we checked the cache today and confirm that it has gone so we replaced it and its all good to go.

No luck for me today and had 4 people looking. going on the other logs that suggest it was a very easy find it might pay to check this out. We all sat on the rock and looked at various beech trees - from the obvious one on the track edge to the one down the hill.

My first GPS-less rural cache mission. Headed off with my tatty list of local clues but hadn't downloaded coordinates for this one! But there it was just like the clue said about an hour up the track Good Vodaphone coverage at cache. Cheers magpiy.

First day, heavy pack (for 5 days on the Heaphy Track), muscles unresponsive, weather first hot - then rainy and wet: Not a good start of the track. The view was non-existent, but on the next days, the track made up for the weak start.
No problems finding the cache. All fine inside.
TNLNSl, TFTC

A welcome break on the way up. TNLN TFTC

So obvious, that I found the cache before the GPS was powered up.
TNLSNL TFTC #850

NIce! Swopt a mini-bell 4a keyring-jandal, which suits my pack perfectly!!!
TFTC

In fact dinner at the beech in this case. Left the carpark at 4.50pm and signed the log at 5.50pm Found the cache had been visited today by Marchwood. I wondered who that chap was strolling down the track without a pack as I was huffing up. Really beautiful spot and easy walk. TFTC.

The jury has come to a verdict. Mr M is totally addicted. After a 14km, 6&1/2 hour trek up Mt Stephen's he just had to get a smilie here. Otherwise it would nag away having missed one. A stroll to the Heaphy start cache and then plugged in "next closest" it was only 2.1km away (as the Tui flies). And the cache description says 45min return - doesn't it? I wish. Told Ms M that I'd be back in an hour. Made it back in an hour ten to the car park. I reckon I must have added another 9km all up to the days trekking.
Looked longingly at Haldane's walking sticks as we passed each other. Pity he didn't notice my only encumbrance - a GPS in hand. We could have had a chin wag. And I thought he must have been the fit one, probably heading to the hut five hours away at 5pm.
In full recovery mode now - ready for another lie down.
TFTC

Mr and Jr B (7) were slow out of the starting blocks this morning after a campout at Browns. Jr set the pace and it took 1h 50m to get to the site, luckily he picked up the pace a little and including the cache on the way out we made it an amazingly speedy 3 hour trip It was sunny and there was no wind - the birds were in good voice, and apart from not making much progress "as the crow flies", we enjoyed the steady climb to GZ. Why there wasn't a seat there was a hot debate. As we set off, Jr carrying nothing, and Mr only a day pack, some VERY concerned people watched us leave. "Are you really taking him?", a woman asked. I wasn't at my sharpest and said "of course! if he can make it to the top of Mt Stokes he can do this". Only later did it click that they thought we were off to Perry Hut. In fact, some of them caught us up along the way and checked that we were not being complete idiots - they were relieved to hear we planned to walk only a few hours, and what we were carrying was more than sufficient.

enjoyed the walk/run to the cache, got lots of comments as I passed people going up the track, like "wheres your pack" " Take my pack if you are so keen" and on the way back down " Did you forget something" great day for a trip, must do the whole track one day..

We were a little early for lunch but the location was good. Left a fridge magnet took nothing. TFTC

Easy to find!

Nice rest climbing the hill

On our way over the Heaphy Track to Karamea with Magpiy this cache was a good excuse for a rest going up the first hill....in fact I think this cache and the Heaphy Start had been planted to lure TFM#2 South to tackle the Track. A nice easy find and a well deserved rest. TFTC )

having planned a couple of weeks ago to camp at the start and go for a jog up the track, we then found a bonus of cache to visit. Knowing of several intended visits, we were surprised to find empty log book. Another enjoyable revisit to the area .thanks

Another joint second to find with Kiwi Explorer. Made it to the cache dead on mid day so a lunch time snack was in order. Suspect that this will not be may last time on this track looking for caches. TFTC, Biggles.

Enjoyed a nice walk to gz with Biggles. Mr KE was slightly better prepared so it made the cache retrieval easier for him than Biggles. A quick bite to eat and we headed back to the start and some more caches on the way home, a great day in Golden Bay. +/- coin TFTC.

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