4x4-2 Hells Gate Gentle Annie, Victoria, Australia
By Team Crackers on 03-Jan-10. Waypoint GC22M23

Mrs Riddell is currently attending a mid week bushwalking Basecamp, based at Warragul and run by the Maroondah Bushwalking Club, of which Mrs Riddell is a member.Today we visited Labertouche and observed the cave entrance on the start of our 14.6km loop circuit walk. We had very pleasant weather and the tracks and trails varied between hard core rutted 4x4 WD, old timber tramways and regular dirt 2WD roads.All tracks were flanked with temperate native forests and even managed to see some magnificent purple/blue tall sun orchids.We picked a reasonably shady spot for lunch only about 100 m from ground zero.After lunch it was a very quick walk and grab. No issues with the cache, all good.TFTC

Enjoying the morning sun and lovely drive to grab some caches in the area. This one was a quick park and grab today. TFTC

Coordinates changed from:S 37 58.698 E 145 51.415Coordinates changed to:S 37 58.680 E 145 51.405Distance from original: 119.6 feet or 36.5 meters.This one has certainly become overgone since we placed it as the logs have stated. So we decided to move it closer to road to make it easier for people to find.

Out in the area training CrackerGirl in a bit of 4WD and took the opportunity to do some cache maintenance as well. As previous logs have stated this was now very hard to get to, so we have moved it closer to the road to make it a little more accessible once your reach GZ.

Now that was a fun drive in up that hill It was so over grown to find the cache, bit of a nightmare with prickles.Thanks for the cache

Due to unforeseen circumstances Mr Smokey Bear will no longer be a part of Team Smokey Bear and will continue his adventures as "SmokeyBearOG".

So I'm relogging all previous finds under my new account.
Unfortunately this log will not show the original logging date.

**Thanks to Team Crackers for this adventure, looking forward to many more.**

Adam
SmokeyBearOG

I didn’t like this one, hard navigating with a broken kneecap

we are finally making the push to finish off our d/t grid
we have got most of it ticked off
but, with a couple of troublesome holes, for many years we have had the attitude of ‘it’ll happen when it happens’

terrain five treasures are our main sticking point
not owning a kayak or a four-wheel-drive or climbing ropes adds significantly to that challenge
we are left to nibble on what scraps we can reach
often getting wet when others wouldn’t
or going for a long walk when others would just put their foot down

we are happy to tick this square off
it leaves us with only two to fill
almost there

OMG this cache lived up to it name...the walk to this point took about 3 hours. At GZ I put my faith in the GPS and the hint that I couldn't for the life of me see. I'm sure I mentioned that bush bashing wasn't on today's agenda. Well at GZ I had to dive in, I covered my self up and went in to do battle with the vines that were intent on stopping me from pushing forward, I had them entwined around both my feet and my waist, I couldn't break them so I had to essentially shimmy out of their grasp, then I had to vault a fallen tree and then as I circumnavigated another tree the hint revealed itself ahhhh... What a joyous moment...my first T5 another 2 years unloved claimed, happy early birthday to me.

Covid-19 restrictions are now off and geocaching is on again so time to enable again.

Due to the new Covid 19 restrictions Geo Caching is not a reason to be out so we are disabling our caches untill safe to enable again.
Please stay home and be Safe.

The undergrowth is super thick and bulldozer has pushed up a lot of rubbish making it impenetrable

**13/01/2020 09:54:00
Traditional Find #2707**

This was the prize I'd been wanting for a number of years. This D/T rating is one of only two that I need to complete my P81. Most other caches are either water caches or high up trees and therefore are not accessible by me.
A conversation last Saturday in which I was picking the local knowledge of MontsII in order to determine how close I might get in a Subaru Outback resulted in John offering to bring me out here in his Hilux. The 4x4 made easy work of all the obstacles we encountered until we got to within 80m of GZ. A deeply rutted section of very steep track lay before us and as we were on our own, we decided to park and walk. A steep climb but much easier than some I've done very recently. I arrived in the vicinity of GZ and looked in a few places. The undergrowth here was very dense. The fires of last March-April didn't come within cooee of GZ. I went for the hint and even then had to part a lot of foliage to see what really is a prominent hide. The cache was in perfect condition and now I need only one more find to complete my P81.
My thanks to MontsII for your invaluable assistance.

**Thank-you to Team Crackers for placing this geocache**

This are is now open, thanks to Biggles1024 for letting us know.

This are is now open, thanks to Biggles1024 for letting us know.

We have been told this area is still out of bounds.
We will check it as soon as we can get in.

Due to the fires in this area we are disabling our caches

Over the years, geocaching has taken me on many adventures, including interesting destinations all over my home continent of Australia and many overseas as well. It has also introduced me to a diverse group of like-minded caching tragics, many of whom I now call close friends.

Today, I was lucky enough to be out and about searching for caches, something I do on almost a daily basis. This was one cache that was targeted and found.

Sorry for the late and generic log, something I am notorious for. Thank you Team Crackersfor adding to the adventure that is geocaching.

Found with Geoturtle37, The Tritonz, beckNmonts and micaparamedic. We had been eyeing off these caches for some time, so when we received an invite to join a small but intrepid band for the day we were all over it. The CO was set to join us as well, but a postponement due to rain unfortunately threw a spanner in that plan. The rain stayed away this time around and a great time was had by all rumbling around the Bunyip area. We tackled all but one track in our vehicles, that one was deemed too risky by unanimous vote. There was a bit of slipping here and there, but only one winch recovery required and everyone stayed shiny side up so that is just part of the fun. Thanks Team Crackers for bringing us out here for a great day out. We look forward to hitting the trail and sharing a cold one over a tall tale down the track somewhere.

We had spotted these series quite some time ago but didn't feel that we had enough experience to attempt them on our own. So when we got an invite to join in with others, we were very pleased. Unfortunately, due to the weather, it was called off.
Then we were told that another date had been set so it was on again. We had been watching the weather, and although it didn't seem to bad, we weren't sure if it would be called off again. It wasn't, YAY. We met up with two other vehicles at a fuel stop, struggled our way through Friday afternoon traffic and road words and were soon on the road to adventure. It was a shame that the 4th vehicle couldn't make it (but I'm sure the CO has done these tracks more than once.)
There were some awesome views and great tracks. There was only one that was undriveable, (in everyone's opinion) although an alternate route was chosen for another cache. Considering that there had apparently been rain only a couple of days earlier, we were lucky with the tracks. We only found one of them to be a little slippery but no worries.
A winch was needed in one place but nothing major and no damage or harm done so really doesn't count.
I had a fantastic afternoon out so a huge thank you to our awesome travelling companions for the invite and another huge thanks to the CO's for placing these caches.
Really hope that we can get out to do some more.

In the company of beckNmonts, micaparamedic, Geoturtle37 and Papi4506 in 3 capable 4WD's we finally knocked off these 2 4x4 series with little mishap. Mr. Weatherman had predicted much rain but beckNmonts convinced us that he was wrong as all previous days predictions had failed to produce said 50mm of rain that was supposed to hit Melbourne in a big way. Taking her word for it and lets face it, not wanting to have to cancel once again, we met up at a local servo and then made our way in convoy to enjoy a wonderful adventure with great mates testing our skills in the Bunyip State Park. The small amount of rain that had been through here on the Wednesday made one track slippery in spots but we managed to avoid most of it and still claim the hides. Good hints made for easy finds and our team names were all added to the logbooks held captive in their ammo can prisons.
We made it to Hells Gate without any demons to greet us thankfully
Thanks very much Team Crackers for the effort put into both series, for us and others to enjoy.

With rain forecast I was concerned that we would again, have to postpone our quest of these caches. However, I managed to convince people that there was not as much rain this way as the news was making out. So we met at the agreed time, minus just one of the parties... the co, of course! (I’m pretty sure they will know they were missing prior to reading my log). We managed to find all the caches, and didn’t have any car mishaps. A slight winching incident, but where there is no damage done, there is no issue, IMO! Thanks so much for placing this series Team Crackers, I had a great time finding the caches today.

We are aiming to fill some gaps in our D/T matrix this year, and this cache was today’s ultimate aim. Knew it would be a slog and we weren’t disappointed - 11kms across a little over 3 hours.

Also struggled once near the GZ. Missed the faint geo-Trail so slogged our way into the area. The regrowrh made it extra hard to find the cache til we were almost upon it but eventually we could sign the log. What a great adventure. thanks for bringing us out today - not so thankful for the leech though!

Well this morning started off well, Out with The HOUND wanting a few smilies and a decent hike.....
Well STUFF ME !! Last for the morning but when I saw the name of the track ‘Hells Gate’ I was NOT IMPRESSED ! I thought it would be tough and yep the thighs were pounding by the time we rolled up to another good container. But overall 4 caches grabbed and VERY SATISFYING 11.5km round trip hike.
Really cool spot but boy I was calling for a 4BY at times.
TFTC !!!!

I had been looking at this series for a long time wondering whose 4wd vehicle I could borrow, or if I should just hike it. With my wife off on a long run, I had some time to hike it. Knowing Toolman was training for a long hike, I yelled out and he was in. Took us about 3.5 hours to hike the 11km to collect these 4 caches.

Bit of bush to find this one, and every time we touched a plant, the water would pour down onto us. It was very misty and wet in this area. Found this cache at 9.45am. Another for Toolman, think that was 3 to 1 - he wins.

Thanks for the cache Team Crackers
Hunter

BUSH BASHIN.. Out and about with the kids in tow for a spot of bush bashin and a few cache finds for mum Super excited.

I completed the 4x4-1 series a fair while ago and have been waiting to get back out here for this series, It did not disappoint. We approached this cache slowly, scratched the car up a fair bit and broke the arial. Its all part of the fun, even if its not your car, right?

Cache was found after a little hunt while the kids made wombat stew in a puddle on the road.

Thanks for placing this cache for us to find

Not really meant for pedestrians I guess, but driving here today would have been a very rough trip. We saw lots of 4WD parts which had been torn from vehicles in the past! Very slippery and steep tracks! The regrowth surrounding the cache has gotten very thick since the fires, and wading through even a few meters off the road makes you invisible. Slow going... Finally saw the item mentioned in the hint, and from there it was easy. All in good condition. Took the trackable and managed to translate the french page about the trackable using Google! Then it was equally steep tracks down the hill!

#1223 - Great cache. thanks for the find, sorry for late log

Came out today to do Underworld II for my 500th find with The Welder.
Who can resist a good and needed D/T while in the area so off we went.
Now obviously the tracks are still closed and it's raining, and I have highway tyres at full pressure, and I have no recovery gear so of course I would never, even if I could, try to drive to this cache at this time of year.
Anyway after a long steep slippery walk the cache was soon found and log signed. Great to have another one off the grid. Thanks Team Crackers
Dropped a TB that I picked up in Tasmania

Woohoo, my 4th for today!

Out for a solo ride on my dirt bike, thanks for bringing me here! Stupidly I didn't bring a pen so I couldn't sign the log.

Wow few trees have been cut down and left to rot, was worried at first thinking it was underneath but used one of the fallen trees as a bridge and walked straight to GZ.

TFTC

Today tackled the 4x4 series 1 & 2 and enjoyed the journey to this cache. We would not like to tackle this one in the wet, but no dramas reaching GZ today, but went in reverse to achieve the goal of reaching the cache. We enjoyed this series challeging our Geo 4x4. Cache and contents are in good condition.

Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache for our enjoyment.

I got close to this cache on foot back in summer. On that occasion I finally conceded, maybe a kilometre or so away, that I had earlier done something horrible to my wrist and that further stumbling around on these hopelessly rutted slopes perhaps shouldn't be my highest priority at that time. Presently these tracks are closed to vehicles and they looked slightly less ****** today. A pleasing realisation and likely no mere coincidence.

What did worry me though is that every major tree had recently been systematically felled to maybe 10 metres deep on each side of the track. The likelihood of my finding the cache in place suddenly seemed, well, rather less than certain upon making this discovery on turning on to Robertson Creek Fireline from the east. Every tree is now horizontal as though the mountain itself had taken an immense comb and given itself a centre parting. Upon arriving at what was likely once GZ and climbing over tangled logs the seeming futility of the task at least induced a chuckle. But, amazingly, the feature described in the hint was found to be quite uncrushed, the felled trees having fallen either side of it, sparing it from oblivion like a humble-but-virtuous figure in a religious fable. And the cache was in good condition and quite extractable! Just! Yowsah! Thanks Team Crackers!

Found 12:52:00 PM, whilst out with Muzza on our December caching expedition, to Bunyip State forest. A 4WD expedition this time, so the Wrangler could do what it does best

TNLN, thanks Team Crackers (F=17447 H=129).

Out and about with Biggles Bear #1 in the 4WD, we decided to take advantage of its capabilities and headed for the Bunyip State Forest to do both 4x4 series there. On advice from the CO, we attempted the second series first, then the first series in reverse order, although things didn't go as planned. Another out of order cache that was found easily, with help of the clue.

My thanks to Team Crackers for the cache.

Well that was challenging tyre pressure down to 18 and a whole lot of right foot took 20 min to get up the last climb , but no winchin need thanx Crackers your a champ

Traveling through with Rigger64 we took the opportunity to check all the caches were still in good nick.

Find # 1132 Found @10:30Hrs

Welll it has been a great day for some caching & 4W Driving this was the next cache on the list, After a faulse start where my GPSr was pointing the oppest way to where i should be heading the cache was soon found right where it should be.


TNLNSL
TFTH

Wandered around in circles for a bit but didn't find this time

Nearly lost a child down the location but with some pulling we got him out,not sure I could find anything to equal his value. Had to laugh we went and left sport at 11.00 this morning and bike rode at Rokeby then decided to catch some caches, Shocked to find our brother in Law and hockey mate at Gentle Annie in 4wd, you just dont know who youll meet and where caching takes you. TFTC

Must admit there were a couple of spots today where I scrunched me eyes shut, glad I wasn't driving! The name of this one had me a bit worried but it wasn't too bad after all. Our 9 year old loved every second of this, the little dare devil!

Out for a bit of fun geocaching with Earthbound Chief and Co. We decided to head towards Bunyip State Forest and a bit of 4x4 excitement. After a bite to eat at the nearby picnic grounds it was back to the serious stuff!! Cache was easily located and we were soon back on the track. Loving thr four wheel driving around here. TFTC

In the company of in the company of Team Crackers, Maccamob, Rebel Acts, Rabbitto, pprass and Alansee we worked our way along the tracks to this cache. With this name of the cache I envisaged the winch would be the only was along to the cache, however thanks to the dozer we could refer to this one as level 2 fountain gate.
The cache was found easy and it was fun to be completing this series with a group and in not time it was off for the next one.
Our thanks to Team Crackers for the cache, the captain would approve..lol
Regards
The "close the gate on the way past" Coffee's

Found in the company of Alansee, maccamob, Mr. Coffee, Rabbitto, Pprass and Team Crackers, on a little 4WD adventure. The dozer sure made life easier. The name on this one had me scared, thankfully I escaped. Thanks Spook for the cache and driving us around.

Found by Mary & David, in company with Team Crackers, Alansee, Rebel Acts, pprass, Rabbitto and The Coffees, at 1005. A great spot with amazing views all around. The pale skeletons of dead trees abound, and really stand out against the green of the new growth. The tracks are in very good condition today. Our thanks to Team Crackers.

Out for a days caching and some cache maintenance with Alansee, Maccamob, Pprass, Rabbitto, Rebel Acts and The Coffees. After they had found the cache we declared it safe and sound and right where it should have been, although a lot more over grown than when we placed it.

We found this cache today at 10:10am as the 5th of 18 on our 4x4-2 Bunyip Tour in company of Pprass, Maccamob, Team Crackers, The Coffee Clan, Alansee and Rebel Acts. On following through the best looking route from Timber Salvage, Pprass soon found that this road came to an abrupt halt for no known reason about 100m later. Makes's you wonder why it was so well made. Soon back to the correct track and we were on our way to Hell's Gate. I had seen this spot on maps many years ago and thought that the name of the place deserved a cache just by itself. I had also looked at this spot, being the most prominent hill in Bunyip many times from the highway below. It was not until arriving here today that I realised that they were one and the same place. Crossed two things on my list with the one visit. At the cache, I overshot the obvious spot and someone else nabbed the find here. Thanks from D & HA B-A.

Found at 10:05 AM GAFF1 in the company of Alansee, maccamob, Mr. Coffee, Rabbitto, Rebel Acts and Team Crackers.
We slowly and steadily made our way up without really thinking too much about "driving" and had time to observe the scenery around us. There was a lot of discussion going on in our vehicle with Rabbitto in the back seat providing a lot of humor.
Thanks Team Crackers.

Done today in the company of Team Crackers, Maccamob, Rebel Acts, Rabbitto, pprass, and Mr Coffee. They kept on throwing up some lame story about the track having been totally re-made since they were last here. I was not so sure. How long was that fish again?

Out on a motorbike ride for the first time in 18 months. Did this series in reverse since we were coming from the other direction and also heading back to where we parked the car and trailer.
This was another nice easy find except had to make it look like I was going to the toilet as a couple of other bike muggles stopped to ask if we'd seen their mates.
TFTC and my brother for stopping his motorbike ride to look for strange little boxes in the bush.

Great day,great drive,great views and TFTC

Found @ 9:10am, find # 1994.
Today was planned that we would do a bit of motorbike riding, so I made sure that finding the rest of the caches in this series was also on the too-do list.
After finding the previous cache we continued along the track a bit further until we reached this one.
After a walk into the bush, the cache was soon found and the log signed.
I went right past this one last time I was out here for a ride and didn't know at the time.
Thanks to Team Crackers for this cache and all the caching fun.

Another one found on a day out on the bike. Passed a family on the way up in a Navara. I think he was an experienced driver as he had dog boxes in the back. These tracks would be a handful in the wet. No problems today. TNLN. Thanks again for the hunt.

653 days

Nice day for a drive
beautiful part of the bush
some friends
and a geocache or two what a great day.....

tftc

This entry was edited by SKSJD on Saturday, 09 February 2013 at 04:34:38 UTC.

this one had a nice little geo tyrail going straight to it so one of the easier finds today so far we have been having a ball doing these 4x4 caches kids swapped some stuff love a well stocked cache tftc

Nary another person to be found anywhere along the drive to this one. I agree the views, in part, are good and the landscape quite a contrast of drama. Found this one with Dylan 7a in the driver's seat and me trying to juggle the GPSr in between ruts, rocks, bumps, lumps, tree branches, sips of soft drink, much chewing of bubble gum etc etc. "Go left [the track seemed to swing left a lot] Dylan 7a" was an oft repeated muttering or "Are we really going up there?". Whilst Dylan 7a would reply, "Oh, this would be fantastic in the wet!" You can tell who drives a Nissan Pulsar (it's got good tyres now, honest). I much enjoyed this series of 5 Caches presented by 'Team Crackers' and my appreciation is extended to them for their effort in locating and placing them. Next on the agenda (soon I hope) will be the '4X4 - 1' series. Doing these (with good company) is why Geocaching can be so interesting. TNLN.

Found with The Quiet Plodder. Thanks to Team Crackers for the great series of caches.

Had to leave mine at the bottom and pile into my brother-in-law's car for this one. Great ride up and great views. We didn't go any further because the parks guys who were up there said it's impassable at the moment.

Found with 3up on a day out in the area. I really enjoyed the drive up to this one. We came across quite a few dirt bike riders on the track too. Thanks Team Crackers.

Find # 1559 @ 14:40 with jaffnut.
Having completed the activities requiring me to be in the area, it was now time for a bit of caching. This series has been on the to do list for a while and today was the day to put some ticks in the boxes. Started off in 2 wheel drive and only decided to use low range at the last steep climb, bearing in mind it was dry. Plenty of trail bike riders and they were almost at gz coming up through the scub. Being within line of sight, we had to duck down to retreive the cache and signed the log behind a tree so as not to compromise the hide. TNLNSL Thanks to Team-Crackers for the series!

Found at 1320 on 06/04/2010. TNLNSL. TFTC
Davidman.
1 to go in this series.

Found at 1320 hours, Well what can I say the cache name says it all.
Well that what it was like to get here Walking.
At the end of the day this was my choice to do it this way.
But don't think it will happen to soon again.
Problem was they were here and I did the first series so I had to do the second series.
I know I'm a fool for a great series of caches.
I'm also glad I went the opposite way to how the caches were laid out.
When I got to GZ and saw the track to the next one I knew that there was no way I was going to walk up there.
Going down is always easier than up when walking.
I must say that the views from here were spectacular.
Found the cache easy.
Took the 2 TBs to move on
Left wondering why I was doing this and nothing else.
Then realised it had to be done, such an epic adventure had started an needed to be finished.
So that was enough of why am I here.
It was time to continue the epic journey that I began.
So at this point of the journey I had on traveled 5.81 kms.
So just a little further to go.
TFTC and the views on my epic adventure.
My sincere thanks to Tean Crackers for putting this out.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Saturday and Sunday are warm and DRY......Mmmm................

tb

***************** FTF **************************

great to see another 4x4 series


love these tracks in the wet

tn

left 2 tbs

sl tftc

forgot to log tbs

Published