Not Just a Numbers Game (Dunedin) Leith Valley, South Island, New Zealand
By katie w on 19-Nov-09. Waypoint GC216HN

Archiving because it looks like the closure to the public is permanent. Will replace with a short multi nearby.

Access denied at this present time due to safety concerns

Logging operations closed the track, but the signs and hazard tape had not been removed when the clean up had been done, due to a breakdown in communication. So its all good to go again.

There is a NO ENTRY sign on the gate, authorised personnel only.
Will need to sort out access.

I brought mumkiwi along with me to do this! We parked by the footbridge, but it has a "keep out - authorised persons only" sign on it? Not wanting to jump over, I thought I'd leave it and head on up to the road to Go Fishing instead!

After I finished fishing, I saw that my phone battery was dying in front of my eyes, so I hadn't planned to go any further, however I did find a semi-marked track that didn't appear to be closed, so thought we could do some exploring and see where it goes.

Having memorised the notes for the waypoints.. I quietly kept my eyes peeled and came across a bunch of items that definitely look like Wpt 2.. yes! With 16% battery left and no wifi here, I didn't like my chances, but up we go looking for this broadleaf tree with small hope we may find it blind again.

Nope, no luck doing it blind. I grabbed my phone and ran back near the 'fish' to get a signal. I plugged the co-ords in, ran back down to Mum, and headed in the general direction of Wpt 3. At this point I could load the app and started reading through logs and clues. After a while we had a good idea where to look but there were so many broadleaf bits growing out of random trees, it took us AGES. Finally mum said "I think I found it!!!" We were very impressed, and she thorougly enjoyed finding that one - very cute!

I grabbed Mum's phone, installed the geocaching app on it and used that to plug in the final co-ords. Continued on up, the final was found easily.

Definitely worth a favourite point! Maybe double check that bridge for me though, it does look like we shouldn't be going in there?!!

YES, the Morrisons Burn track is DEFINITELY open to the public. And a lovely historic route it is - much more interesting than the 4WD road.

Luckily the "Keep Out" sign on the footbridge is an out of date notice, from the days when the DCC tried to keep people out of all water reserves.

See the DCC Rough Tracks pamphlet: [http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/165211/Rough-Tracks-A4-Web.pdf](http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/165211/Rough-Tracks-A4-Web.pdf)

and the popup box on the DCC Track map: [http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/webmaps/tracksmap](http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/webmaps/tracksmap):

"Morrisons Burn Track provides a way up from the Leith Valley to the southeastern end of the Power Line Track. Start on Leith Valley Road 280 m south of the bridge over the Water of Leith where the tarseal ends. There is a gated footbridge across the Water of Leith. Cross the footbridge. Follow the old benched track past two disused water intakes. About 500 m after leaving Leith Valley Road, reach a disused weir. A vague track leads up a steep bank to meet Morrisons Access Road, a vehicle track. When you reach this vehicle track, turn right and walk down it for 100 m to find a track that heads northeastwards up into the bush. Follow the track muddily up the steep hillside to emerge at the bottom of the Power Line Track."

Knowing that the CO had been out and made the waypoint legible, we set off to find the final two. I really like that area, though as it is still a bit damp we took the alternative route back down. Thanks Katiew for sorting it. Cool little multi.

The CO needed to go and check on some of the waypoints and let me take the lead. The first was quickly located and on we went through to the end. Some were a little difficult to read and with the CO's help they were deciphered and written over for future hunters. At the final the Co sat in the sun for morning tea and had hardly got started when I yelled my name, much to her surprise as to how quickly I nailed it. A great morning out as I managed to pick up the final for another one while here.

Waypoint 2 is only partially decipherable now. Had been very wet the day I was there, and some of the numbers are blurred. Decided not to proceed on guesswork. Have sent photo to CO.

The good news is that I found all the waypoints. Bad news is that I couldn't find the cache. I found the last two number for south in the final coordinates somewhat ambiguous but I think I ended up in the right spot. Probably just needed to have a bit more of a poke around.

Went round the track today, just to check on the wasp situation, and that all the wpts were still accessible after storms brought down rubble and trees on the lower pipeline track.
I didn't see any wasps today, but there may still be a nest there, so take care between wpts 1 and 2.
The track needs a lot of maintenance, but it is still possible to get along there, terrain rating reflects the state of the track.

Changed the hint for wpt 2.

Found it today. Used the correct hint this time for waypoint 3. Thanks

Couldn't find 3rd waypoint. I had trouble reading the adjustments to second waypoint but think I was in the right place.

Stopped for a check up at the final for this as we wandered past on our way to a puzzle cache and all is good. Log and cache are dry and safely hidden just as it was when we found it in 2013. As the CO says the Morrisons Burn Road has some tree fall over it in parts from recent logging, which requires a bit of a scramble but is relatively passable.

The cache is all go again with some updates. Please note that the area is still only open at the weekends. Logging has finished but there is a lot of cleanup work needed on the Morrisons Burn Road, which is impassable for a distance due to logging debris which has fallen all over it.
Retrace your steps and use the Creek track to return to your car, or else carry on up to Swampy for a round trip down the Swampy Ridge walkway or Nichols Creek.

Replacing this weekend.

Logging is still taking place in the vicinity, and the area is out of bounds during the week, holding over replacement until activities have ceased.

Last 2 wpts and final removed for safe keeping until tree felling and associated activities finished.

Started this some time ago, but ran out of time and was unable to finish. Managed to bypass the last waypoint with some help from a fellow geocacher. Was very surprised to see how long the cache had lain undisturbed, is it just too far for the newbies to walk?

After 4 years, we finally got around to doing this cache today, in an area we have not previously visited. A deterrent to doing it earlier was the completely unknown distance/time, but earlier this year we obtained this information from someone who had done the cache. For the record, the return trip took us 1 hour 6 minutes. We took far longer than we should have to find the first waypoint. Fortunately at that stage we hadn't discovered the extra hints with the waypoints, as this one seemed only partly correct. From there on everything was straightforward, although the track was a bit wet and slippery in places. TFTC

First waypoint took a bit longer to find than it should. The hint proved very helpful and once we realized what we were looking for, we found the other waypoints quickly. Track in reasonable condition, not much mud and only a few small tree falls to negotiate. The waterfalls make the effort well worth it. Found with debsnz

Really enjoyed the walk to this one, even though it had started to rain and being in the bush we didn't realise how hard until we reached the edge of the bush but by then we were committed and just kept going. Ended up a bit wet but anything to gain that smiley Will be back to investigate this area further. Found with Aoraki Sheep on day 28 of 31 days of geocaching.

Found at 4:27:00 p.m. on 9/08/2013.

Out for a walk on a nice afternoon after work.
Off up a track I haven't been to before so on with the boots and off in search of the WPs. The track wasn't too bad, with only a few trees to duck under and damp but not too wet conditions underfoot.
The first two WPs took a bit of finding even with the hint because of the poor reception and relatively large error radius.
Nice to get a change in vegitation as I wandered up the track and it didn't take took long to eventually locate the final and sign the logbook

Even though the cache has not been found for a while everything is in order.

TFTC katie w

Walked the walk, the track has not weathered the winter well, and is in need of maintenance, so the current rating should be upped a bit. Still negotiable, but please take care, especially if really wet underfoot.

That was fun. I had been up most of this track before, or at least up both ends of it, and found all of the WP's with greater or lesser difficulty. A good torch would have helped though, even though it was a sunny day (bush cover). Thanks.

Decided to go for a multi for a change, and what a good choice this was! Reception was non-existent most of the time, plus my gps decided it will not give me any of the hints... took a while to find the waypoints, especially the first one, and by the time I got to no. 4 I was exhausted partially because looking for no. 3 made me go around in circles on the wrong side.... Totally worth it, great walk and a fun hunt, T heaps FTC!!!

This was a fun cache to do, don't know why I left it so long.-Bitsprayer

Quite an intriguing walk/challenge today, last for the day as we headed up the hill from the city.
Once successfully negotiating around the gate and across the bridge was a relatively flat walk through some brilliant bush, stopping along the way to locate the required waypoints. The fun began for me as we pointed uphill fom the small waterfall and it seemed it one step forward and two back for a while until with some relief I felt the gound level out. Onwards and upwards, at last the hunt began and after a few minutes the shout went up!
Thanks
erninz

Enjoyed our walk up the valley and the grunt up the steep hill. Great WP markers and all smiles when the final was found. Took the easier route back down to the road. TFTC

Thanks to the Owner for getting the Co-ord issue at WP3 sorted so readily.
Can't believe I missed the 4th WP! Obvious or what!
Signed the log and started out on way back and met the large beasts coming up the other way, bit of a staring match, shooing and hand clapping and they took off into the bush. The rest of the trip back to the car was uneventful.
Thanks again for a nice walk.

Replaced waypoint 3 roday with fully legible version. However, the format has changed slightly so that there is now no longer a clue to one of my other placements!
Large ominous-looking animal spoor and tracks up here.

This entry was edited by katie w on Friday, 22 July 2011 at 21:46:13 UTC.

Got WPs 1,2 & 3 easily enough but Cords in WP3 had been rubbed away.
I had a look in the area that the remaining Cords led to and the clue hinted at but no luck.
Still a pleasant enough amble through some peaceful bush and got a clue for another of COs unknowns. , so not a total blow out.
Cheers for the exercise.

Having read the description and warnings on the terrain Guwapo himself had to stay at home so Papa went for a stroll with Red Panda's friend in search of Jen-Luc. Very nice walk and interesting track. No trouble finding any of the waypoints although the final had us looking around a bit till it was finally found. Maraming Salamat.

-2 x TB

Nice walk in the bush, Terrain rating warranted.

New waypoint in place for wpt 2, note changed clue.

katie w sent me the co-ords for WP3.
Didn't take too long to track down the other WPs and cache.
I'm sure there used to be a cache up here at one point.. TFTC.

Wpt 2 has gone and hopped it with a muggle. Will fix as soon as I can.

found WP1 in the end... the proverbial needle in a haystack.
Think I found the object for WP2 gave it a good search but nothing..
Gave up.

I have replaced wpt 1 with 2 versions, hope at least one of them won't be muggled. You only need to find one of them to get the coordinates for wpt2.
Dropped off TB.

Wpt 4still there, have repositioned slightly and clue changed, should be easier to find.
Unable to contact possum hunter, so in the absence of visible traps I have decided to enable listing.

Woohoo! Yay! I found it! This was possibly one of my most enjoyable despite it involving multiple visits and frustrating searches, plus a few emails with the owner when in desperate need of help. I started some weeks ago with a couple of fruitless search for WP1 which turned out to have hopped off somewhere. Katie w kindly provided the coords for WP2 which turned out to be an easy find despite the poor GPS reception. On the same visit I quite easily found WP3 but then spent some time looking for the elusive WP4. I returned today, electing to avoid the mud and run up the vehicle track, with a fresh clue to WP4 and then the final if I had no success. Sad to report that I think WP4 has possibly hopped off with WP1...or perhaps the French have been visiting? My short little legs and lack of compass made a mess of the final clue I had been given so with some allowance for that and pondering the question "where would I hide the final?" I managed to find the cache with relative ease.

The area this cache is in is beautiful and I was very glad to have a reason to spend lots of time there. It is a very nice mix of being rugged but accessible and must be truly stunning in summer when the track is dry. As it was there wasn't much in the way of mud. I'll admit to being slightly disappointed that the cache finished where it did and didn't keep going - I would have liked the excuse to keep exploring this track! Perhaps I will just have to return with a cache of my own? I the meantime I think the rest of the Dunedin cachers should get out and have a go at this one - even if you don't get it the first time you won't be disappointed!

Thanks for the cache Katie w - I really enjoyed it!

Disabling until I can check out all the waypoints. There has been a possum trapper working in the area too.
Will have back up and running prob within 2 weeks.

Was in the area to do On Yer Bike and had intended making a start on this one with the hope of finishing but my little adventure at On Yer Bike decreased my time. Decided to get it underway but seriously heavy and low cloud cover meant there was absolutely no reception around WP1. Will return on another clear fine day!

Heaps of fun. Have always wondered what was on the other side of that gate and footbridge. Now I know. Found all the waypoints reasonably easily. WP4 took the longest and that was only a couple of minutes. Cache was quite exposed so returned it to where I am almost certain it is supposed to be. I see someone else made a similar comment in December and I suspect the same creature is responsible again. There seems to be two logbooks in the cache. There's the cutdown notebook I signed (and other finders) but also a logsheet and pencil inside a plastic screwtop container. Lots of arrows in aerosol paint on the ground along the latter part of the track. Seems to have been a race or something over here?

First one back home after three weeks caching in the North Island. Great to back! None of the caches I did up there were any better than this. All worked perfectly in an absolutely awesome on a lovely sunny afternoon. Thanks.

Waypt 4 still in place.

[A find- but could you check if WP4 is there? We couldn't find it....

Was waiting for katie w to put a cache in here! We had trouble finding the first WP- we found all the first three WPs were 15 m or so out and relied on the clues. Thank goodness I checked and got the updated clue, because even with that we had several places which might fit. ] Head height? Whose shoulders were you standing on? Definitely conjoined twins. [ We couldn't find WP4, and I think we investigated every clue object around. So we headed along the track a bit looking out for clue objects, until we reached the "I'm on call this week" turnaround limit. What a dry year- even those infamous mudholes are almost dried out. And on the return journey we investigated and - aha! A delightful cache for a warm afternoon. Better still- we note there is still room for "Weirly Interesting III" to be installed!]

The first two Way Points were located along a wonderful walk on a rough track (firm and slightly muddy) with moss covered rocks, surround by native plants and trees, with the noise of the water in the stream flowing through and over rocks competing with the constant bird calls. The uphill section was not that muddy, just a bit of mud on the soles of the boots, none up the sides.
Very little or No GPS coverage at Wpt1 & Wpt2 today but using the hints found them ok, no hint needed for the other Wpts as the co-ordinates were spot on. Enjoyed the Wpt “containers”!
The cache container was laying out in the open (not too visible from track), and judging by the “droppings” in its hiding place I think a well knowing "Furry Pest" pushed it out either to reclaim its sleeping spot or while trying to get at the “Catnip Mouse”!

Thanks “katie w” for another great walk.

Way points 1 and 2, the signal may be low if there is a lot of cloud overhead. I have further expanded the hints to make it easier to find these.

Seek and you shall find...I never found points one or two due to the rubbish reception and quantity of hint objects. Found the third point with what really was the last throw of the dice in terms of the time I had available. Once on track point four was found (another good one), quickly got the cache then 8 min from cache to car.

TFTC, a nice area, FTF at 7:50am.

Published

Dropped off Jo's Travel Book