Navigation 1 (Manawatu) Hokowhitu, North Island, New Zealand
By geodatum on 03-Mar-10. Waypoint GC24H8Z

The cache was correctly in place a few weeks ago when checked by Mr G while out on a walk. We will check again asap.

We checked today and the cache is missing. As it should not have been visible we are at a loss to know how it was found and removed.
We have regretfully decided to archive as there have been issues over the years and indications are that this cache has now run it's course.

This seems to be becoming a bit of a nemesis cache for me! It was replaced shortly after my original DNF in September 2021, but hasn't been found for the last 5 months and was definitely not there when I visited this evening

A fun little one. Gets a FAV for being fun and interesting. Had me guestimating my distance in a couple places. Yep i was using strides without trying to look like it so adding on a few for not a full metre Good fun and worked out with z bit of deduction. Compass on phone is fine for this. Nice hidey spot for final, took a little bit of searching but hint helped. Not busy today. TFTC. I've hit a few different cache types today in the Esplanade.

Decided to travel down to Palmerston North for the Geocaching International Film Festival. Had the morning spare to collect some caches. Enjoyed a stroll round the park and arrived at the end with an appropriate item as reference. Sadly couldn’t find the cache but after meeting the CO at the event who confirmed we were in the right place and kindly added some detail. Returned for a second go and there it was staring at us. We were looking at the wrong level. Thanks geodatum for the chance to practise our navigation and for the smiley.
Some lovely flowers out at the moment.

New container placed today. Please be sure to tuck back in covering with some local camo material. Thank you.

Checked today and the cache certainly seems to be missing. We’ll get a new one in place within the next week.

I was in the area this afternoon so decided to have a look for this. It didn't take long to arrive at a very plausible spot for GZ, but unfortunately no sign of a cache. Checked with a previous finder that I was in the right place and yes I was. It hasn't been found for 18 months, perhaps a CO check is needed?

Please note:
No one should be geocaching during Level 4. This is because it involves touching items which others may also touch, and may possibly involve going beyond our neighbourhoods. It contravenes the Public Health measures at this time. Here is the official statement from our NZ Geocaching Reviewers: “ IN LEVEL 4 - YOU SHOULD NOT BE FINDING GEOCACHES, or PLACING GEOCACHES or ATTENDING EVENTS. No caches will be published at this time.”

Here is the link to read about the official geocaching guidance:

https://wiki.groundspeak.com/display/GEO/New+Zealand

We all hope we will be back geocaching soon.
Stay safe.

Bit hard without a compass

Bit of an adventure for our Saturday morning. Great hide!!

We have fully reviewed the cache and have decided to change the final by discarding the last two waypoints. Our previous final had come to be somewhat insecure, so we’ve ended the navigation exercise a little earlier. We hope the new final will be quite an easy find, but please be wary of muggles here.

Thanks Geodatum for this great adventure! Took me back to my school orienteering days! Favourite for me!

We checked this morning and the cache has gone awol again.
We need a little time to think whether we'll reinstate it there, or at a slightly different GZ, or archive it.

Searched at GZ for ages after a correction from CO but no luck today. Will come back and try again later

Today we have placed a new cache, as before. Should be all good to go again.

Cache appears to have gone AWOL! We’ll have to see what we can do to restore it.

Logging with permission from the CO (2nd April 2019).

Having posted a DNF on the day itself, the CO very kindly got in contact with me to ask where I had determined GZ to be, and after providing my answer and a description of my search I can claim this cache.

The walk itself through the park was very pleasant, and I was almost surprised that my rudimentary methodology was enough for me to find all the waypoints. I was using the compass on my smartphone and literally pacing out distances, but I've know for a while that a certain stride gives me almost exactly 1m so I have been able to put this to good use before.

Thank you for the cache, and the excuse to get to know this park better.

I had an interesting time doing Navigation 2 in Ashhurst last weekend and today I found myself in Palmy centre with a bit of time on my hands so thought I'd take a look at doing this one.

I was able to follow every stage to get to where I believe the final GZ to be, but in spite of spending 10-odd minutes searching every conceivable hiding location I could think of, I still drew a blank. This was the 3rd DNF in a row for me today, and I was beginning to wonder if it was going to be one of 'those' days!

I'll add this to my list of caches to try again for at some stage.

This one has been work in progress during a couple of previous visits to the area. I took the opportunity whilst being in the area again today to complete the required navigation. The retrieval required a bit of timing as it was a busy spot on and off. Navigation 2 remains work in progress and is proving a bit trickier, but one day hopefully

TFTC

Because of concerns expressed in the last log, we checked some of the cache information today. The sign that was mentioned at 3. is indeed missing.
We have therefore made amendments to the instructions and it should be now straightforward to proceed along the journey to the final.

I have been looking forward to doing this for several years, but never had a good opportunity on any of our previous trips up from Wellington. This morning was different, as we had beautiful weather and a couple of hours to possibly use. First point, the tree, was a very easy find. Second point, however, appeared to not exist as described. Three times we went to the tree, calculated out where the second point would be, and ended up within a few metres each time. No sign close to the spot - a couple both about 15 metres away, but even trying to extrapolate the next step failed as well. Wonder if the sign that used to be there is now gone. Will watch cache and see who finds it next - and if they follow the directions or take lucky shortcuts as the last several finders seem to have.

My navigation skills obviously need a bit of work. I started strong and managed to get to the tree but apparently went the wrong direction and ended up in the wrong place. After looking around for a bit I managed to find serendipity and navigated properly from there. After arriving at gz I looked in a few obvious spots to but to no avail, I looked around some more and then went back to some of the places I had already searched and soon had the cache in hand, apparently I missed it during my first look. All in all it was a great afternoon to do this cache as there was no one in the esplanade and it was nice and sunny. TFTC Geodatum

I am not sure why I haven’t tried this cache before, maybe it just seemed a bit like hard work. However after two days painting the exterior of my house, I decided that today was the day to tackle it.

So after clean up, I headed into Palmerston North and the Esplanade. I had a head start on this route as I was aware of where one of the way points is so I started there at about the mid point. It was lovely and cool underneath the canopy of trees and I enjoyed the walk around the park to the GZ. Cache was discovered after a short search, however I discovered that in the course of wandering around, my pencil tip had snapped off and I couldn’t sign the log. Walked back to the car for a pen, however none was in residence so tried to scratch my name in the log using the remnants of the pencil tip but wasn’t terribly successful. Hopefully the CO will accept my efforts Enjoyed the cache and giving it an fp. TFTC

Had a lot of fun fun finding it was very beautiful

We were out for a walk in The Esplanade this morning and, as we were passing by near the cache, decided to do a maintenance check. As it was spontaneous we didn't have any geo-gear with us.
We located and **removed the extra container so there is just the one there now.** All log sheets were saturated so we've removed them. The **geocaching explanation note is waterproof and all that remains** and we are happy for the **back to be used as a log, but pencil or a suitable pen will be needed** to write on it. We will put in a waterproof log sheet next time we're here.

Great geocache

No compass but still able to complete successfully. Lovely to go through part of the Esplanade that I've never been through before. TFTC.

After completing Navigation 2 the other day it was good to get this one completed while spending the morning in the area with family. Found both containers. Signed both containers. Replaced both containers side by side. Thanks for the cache.

This was one of three lengthy searches I had today. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of finding my way around the park. It took me quite a while to find the cache itself although it need not have as the hiding place is a good one. The problem was that I didn't gauge the distance very well and concentrated my search a bit too far away from the previous checkpoint. Thanks very much for an enjoyable caching experience. I will try to make a point of having a go at number 2 next time I am up this way.

Decided to go for a lovely walk through the esplanade today as the sun was shining and the rain had gone away, after a little bit of ducking and diving around and under trees, we finally located the hidden cache and what a great spot it was thank-you for the puzzle and placing the cache here, cache in good condition signed log now off to find a multi in this lovely area. tftc

Very early start to the day, 4.30am wake up and leaving the house just after 6.30 fill the tank pick up sunju and we are off, our main goal today was to grab some multi's and ? caches that we both hadnt found, and a couple of standard ones finishing up around 5.30pm it made a very long day, we walked what felt like many kms getting lost/answers. - after about 1.5 hours we caved and emailed the co to confirm we were on the right track with what we were doing a fair few people around today and lot of kids playing pokemon go, after getting it confirmed managed it just on dark with sunju spotting it. tftc

Out with Marisa&Kaleb we decided we had to knock this one off. It turned out to be a real challenge. Backtracked a couple of times, felt unsure and lost. Went back to the start and tried again. Got a bit fed up and then stumbled into the information centre for a sit down. Looking at some leaflets gave us an "aha" moment and so back we went to step 5. From there it was much more straightforward and logical until the final. Having spent 1.5 hours traipsing around and around we sent a message for clarification from the CO and left (we needed a smiley fix to boost the energy to continue the day). Got the confirmation needed later in the day and returned very late afternoon and soon retraced out steps to the final area. After a short search had the cache in hand. This one felt rather difficult and took a good chunk of our caching day. Many thanks for taking what must have been a lot of time and effort to place this multi.

My husband insisted we did this one on our day off, it got dark before we started but he still wanted to do it. My cousin and I were terrified haha but it was well worth it

The current cache container is a mint tin, as mentioned on the cache page. It replaced a previously missing cache, which seemed to have turned up again (see previous log). Mrs G called by to remove it today, and once more it is missing! She could find no sign of it anywhere. Strange. [?]
However, the correct mint tin container is in place, exactly where it should be.

The easiest step by far in this navigation was #1. From there I was just bumbling along thinking how much I suck at navigation. Thankfully step 5 sounded familiar so after a frustrating 10mins I decided to go straight there & begin. It seemed pretty easy from there & thanks to a photo hint I knew where GZ was likely to be. But something wasn't right as the cache I found (with the name Navigation 1 on it) wasn't the same as the one in the photo & it was last signed in Dec 2015??!! Confused, I signed it & was about to leave when I thought to check around just in case. And hello....there's another cache....also named the same but this time matching the photo. So I signed this one too just to be safe.
Overall, enjoyed the peaceful walk & signing 2 logs - bonus! TFTC

Walk my dog around the esplanade often. Nice to walk in this part of the park, TFTC

Apleseed2 with Westend Scouts.

Found with the west end scouts

Took a while to find it but was great fun!

Nicely hidden. Took a while to find. ☺

Found it! Good fun to track

Thanks for the cache geodatum.

We had a B&B guest staying with us this week so this evening all 3 of us headed to the Esplande to attempt this one. We got a bit lost initially and had quiet a bit of confusion trying to find the right way to go (Im still not sure we went the right way!) But eventually we worked out where we were meant to be and continued on! The rest was easy enough to follow and we loved the walk around the Esplande! Great final location for the cache! Had no idea it was there! Thanks for the adventure and a fun introduction to Geocaching for our B&B guest

Loads of fun for the HH girls exploring palmerston north today. We had a couple of loose navigation steps, wish I had my real compass with me for practice! We hunted a while for the final and as usual Midi K came up trumps.

TFTC great to find with Father & Mother Christmas.

Opps have double up whilst trying to attach a photo

Found on a 12 hour caching trip from Wellington to Palmerston North and back, with Kjwx. Having eaten dinner we proceeded to explore the Victoria esplanade in the early evening, and it was beautiful. We managed to cuddle some ducklings next to the pond before starting this challenging cache.

I did orienteering as a kid and I recall it being much easier than with my somewhat dodgy iPhone compass! After initially struggling with the first few waypoints, we found our feet and from then everything fell into place. Happily the cache was just where it should have been!

A most enjoyable cache, and a favourite point for the ducklings alone. TFTC

Used my trusty old orienteering compass and instructions were spot on. Container in place and dry.

Enjoyed the walk around the esplanard some time ago and didn't find the cache. Back today for another look, I think I found the old cache, last log was 8-11-14. Thanks for the cache.

#715 Actually quite enjoyed the walk around the esplanade with JimmyNZ. A well thought out multi.

A great little mystery tour to take with Greenslime. Very enjoyable nav cache.

Fun cache! The descriptions were helpful to confirm as my phone's compass was acting up a bit. Beautiful place, and good discrete hiding spot.

A nice day to visit the Esplanade and to spend some time sorting this one out..an enjoyable stroll..and a good hide at the end,all in good condition.TFTC!

Got back to find this one today after a bike in the esplanade. Easy find once we measured it right

Navigation points easily to follow (when you have an army boyfriend), lots of fun following the directions and a crafty spot!

DNF simply cause we suck at navigation. Least we have a starting point half way long for next time.

Cheers

Having had confirmation from the CO that the cache had been replaced this seemed like a good one to grab for today to keep our finding streak up. A reasonably quick find today between passing groups of muggles and great to have this one ticked off our list. TFTC.

One thing to note is that there is no longer a T-junction for step 7 due to recent changes, however it is reasonably obvious at the moment where to go.

In view of the DNF and that the last find involved a number of little muggles (not sure that that was such a good idea), we went to check the cache, and sure enough it had gone!! We have replaced it. Hopefully it doesn't disappear too.

Pretty certain that we found the final location but after a good search of where the Garmin GPS was indicating, and a few metres each way to make certain, the cache still hadn't been found. There are plenty of places to hide a cache in the area so perhaps we just missed it, but the cache might need to be checked...

On behalf on the Te Awe Awe Scouts TFTC. The Scouts found this cache after a 1/2 an hour course on how to follow bearings.
The Scouts have filled up the log but I added a standard log sheat.

This was a lovely walk -even if it turned into an extra long walk due to taking the wrong direction at one point. Luckily we found serendipity anyways and continued on to the cache.

Thanks for catch ILY trfc

Nice easy find.TFTC.

I really enjoyed tracking this cache down.

My gps doesn't have an 'easy to read' compass so I downloaded a compass app to help out. So with my smartphone running a compass app and a printout of the instructions in one hand, my gps in the other and a face full of concentration I set off hoping I could track down this cache.

At each step I was hoping I was 'doing this right'. I was pleased to find 'Serendipity' - this filled me with a bit of confidence.

Step 7 had me wondering if I had the right 'T junction' but I crossed the road as per the instructions so I must be in the right place I thought. Hoping I was right I continued down the path and found the karaka tree.

The gps got a bit sluggish under the trees for the rest of my journey so I overshot the top of the bank but I quickly realised this so backtracked. I thought I had overshot the rail crossing (gps saying 225m) but this couldn't be right as I hadn't come across the rail crossing. I continued and found the rail crossing. I'm still thinking 'I hope I'm on the right track' as the last couple of waypoints have been a bit sketchy.

Spotting a likely hiding spot I continued on my bearing of 80 deg and spotted the cache in the first place I looked - Yeeehaaaa

Thanks for a very interesting way to track down a cache. My favourite part was all of it but in particular walking through the bush and of course finding the cache .

TFTP +FP

Yay, found it!!!
Tried last week but failed, I think we may have had the chords/details wrong
A successful find in the end, although we were down the wrong end at one time!!
Found with capperz
Another great cache, thanks Geodatum
TFTC

Well this cache has been the bane of my caching experience for some time now. Just sitting there as a big blue question mark waiting for the day that I approach it and find the hidden treasure. A couple of weeks ago I tried, and failed, so that was not the day. Another attempt recently also saw a failed attempt and some wailing and gnashing of teeth. Got in contact wit the C O who was willing to provide some words of guidance and encouragement and armed with a decent hint today was the day chosen.
Following the expiration of the Geo mobile earlier this week, (that's what happens as soon as you put a trackable sticker on the back!) it was into Palmy to go around car sales yards seeking out the next geo mobile candidate. Halfway round and the call of an unfilled dot day became too much to resist so nightowl19 and I ventured towards the newly identified G Z. Armed with a fresh sheet of paper to put in the cache we reached down and a-ha, there it is. Not only a new container but a blank log book to add our names (in red ink no less)
Even got a wave from a passing personnel carrier whilst trying to look inconspicuous!
T F T C and the lesson in Navigation

Should be better now. We've removed the old container and placed a different style of one - still a micro.

Log bery wet. Needs some tlc

Nice walk through the park. Can't sign. Log is soaked.

This one took some finding... rain set In halfway round but perseverance paid off to collect the cache. Inside v.wet and not signable. Pic taken for evidence.

went there today, followed all the bearings got to the right spot , had to uncover it as has not been found for sometime . was damp may need new paper struggled to write on it

I was in the right spot last time, just useless searching!! TFTC, I didn't mind coming back for a second visit to this beautiful area.

Found with MAKESHlFT finally can tick this one off my list, having many thoughts on were this cache may be was good to finally Go to the GZ

I felt like I was in the right spot, but my searching didn't turn up any success. Fun cache though, I'll be back for another attempt to tick it off.

Found it TFTC. Cache was quite wet.

Good little walk. TFTC

Wasn't sure how successful we'd be with using a smartphone to navigate with but we gave it a go and it worked!! Nice little walk. TFTC. Found with Tommygun9.

This one was a lot of fun tftc

Glad there were a couple of places that you could ensure you were on the right path. We were scouring the GZ and about to give up when Endmosteye44 had a EUREKA moment and we were done! Paper is Very Very wet in all the rain, have put a separate piece of paper in a water tight bag inside it - hope this can be signed after the torrential rain we are having. TFTC

Went straight to this today, but did get a slight nudge from the CO. Interestingly we looked in this area the other day but we weren't confident that we in the right area. Couldn't see this but felt out- I don't think it would be smuggled.
Really looking forward to doing the Ashhurst Navigation 2 one now, if we have an opportunity.

In view of the two DNFs we checked the cache today. It is safe and sound. It was a bit wet, so dried it but the heavy rains later may have made it wet again. The log is waterproof paper.

Enjoyed this challenge. Pretty certain that we had arrived at the GZ but could not find cache.

This was more like we couldn't find.
Had a couple of goes but felt we had made an error around stage 6 or 7, but it looked good even though a distance was wrong. Then it poured with rain so suspended. Resumed the search and looked good- interestingly it took us back to where we had arrived before it had started raining (even though we had arrived from a different route!). However, still couldn't locate the elusive micro.

Finally found it on the second attempt. Turns out we had done it all correctly the first time but just didn't manage to locate the cache. It was a bit tricky today as there was a concert on in the esplanade and one of the stages had us go right to the front of the crowd but with some minor guessing and detours we managed to get to the next stage. It was a perfect day for a walk in the esplade. TFTC

Second time lucky, just needed a feminine eye to help me out

Struggled on my first attempt but picked it up fairly easily today. I wonder what the train drivers think of us.

It took a while to complete this one, we always seemed to be just a few meters out but close enough to do the required task at each location.

We did something wrong in figuring out the waypoint before the cache but come accross the likely spot so went from there and found the cache.

Nice to do some old school navigation.

In the Manawatu for a conference this week, but was able to spend some evening time collecting caches around Palmerston North. Decided that I really should give this one a go, even in the dark, to clean out all the puzzle caches in the city. Good fun wandering around the park at night, even if I had to take a project tenish WPs. The GPSr was having trouble with the final, so I just looked were I thought it would be and there is was. Cheers for the adventure and the cache!

really enjoyed the Nav exercise and the walk through the area. second time lucky and all co-ords were bang on. TFTC

Yay. Found it got a bit lost with first few coordinates.. The last ones were but easier. TFTC

TFTC

Was the last one for the day.

Found with Etherlord.
Darn. I was looking to place my own cache here!

Found while on a GC hunting day in the Esplanade with Seagnoid.
We enjoyed a ride on the train afterwards. T4TC

Really enjoyed the adventure.. thanks!

#2589. Interesting navigational exercise. Troodles found the cache while I was still wrangling the coords for the final. TFTC.

StreetWalker did all the projections on his GPSr as I still have my L plates on with the new Oregon. There were a few trains chugging around at the time, but we managed to dodge them.
TFTC.

Great find. Thanks for the stroll

Nice walk on a sunny winters day