Nelson's Mineral Belt Stoke, South Island, New Zealand
By Biggles and Co. on 10-Apr-10. Waypoint GC26J1J

Answers sent to CO. Today was a great day, although not very successful in terms of geocaching. I created a list and forgot to download it before leaving home. Then we walked and I thought we would go in to the mine (our goal), then come back the same way. I wanted to walk a bit further on the way back. As we started climbing to the mine, I noticed we didn't grab the cache at the junction. We found another cache on the way. But we didn't find the mine entry. We continued walking and then completed the loop through the saddle. We built a hut in the wood, well, started until it collapsed, it proved difficult to build a hut with little knowledge / planning. We also took the time to look at the rocks and notice the changes in vegetation. Thanks for all the info, we will come back to explore the mine!

I guess this must make it 10/10 for us today! Starting with the swing bridge and looping up the old Chromite Mine track, Mr and Mrs TEF grunted and then ambled for 3.5hrs, collecting all the caches on the track. A real joy considering most haven’t been found often! Included are a puzzle and now this Earth cache in our talley.
The track is really well maintained and seems easy enough as far as the Earthcache. We look forward to making it as far as the Hut next time.
Also appreciated the info on the old sign up at the disused mine. Amazing to think it’s been 150years since it was mined!
TFTC Biggles and Co.

I came out today to do a decent hike to see if I could metabolize some lockdown calories. I think I got some info for the answers and sent this to the CO. I did the Chromite Mine Loop and came home quite sore. TFTC.

Oops, I just noticed that I didn't log this one yet. We came here some weeks (months?) ago, answers sent and reply from owner received but for some reason I forgot to log.
But I remember we had a great day here, investigated the mine entrance, enjoyed the bush walk and found some nice caches.

Our target today was this earth cache. The story behind were interesting. At the outdoor part we had a very nice walk with sunshine which we didn‘t expected. To find all answers took us some time but we managed it. We enjoyed the 2,5 h walk and say thanks for the nice cache!

Started out with a chilly day in the valley to collect some caches up this way. Did a loop up to the Chromite mines and back down to this earthcache. Enjoyed the sun up there, but the frost was still hanging around down below. Picked up all the answers in our travels and emailed to CO who has given permission to log this cache. The geology on the origins of this mineral belt have always interested me with the connection to plate movement from earthquakes etc. tftc

Logged with CO's permission.

Visited with TregearP who has a keen interest in geology. We'd read the cache page in detail and the link to the accompanying reference before setting out so were keen with anticipation. The descriptions didn't disappoint. The changes in vegetation were stark, and around the GZ and on the way up to the mine which is a recommended side trip the colours in the stone from the different minerals were everywhere. Where some of the rocks in the stream have been worn smooth by the water the colours were quite vibrant.

We found a couple of lonely traditionals on the way which is always pleasing, but also a couple of DNFs - so some unfinished business for another day.

Thanks BigglesNZ for a thoroughly enjoyable and informative EarthCache.

SJT_NZ and I had a great walk in the area and grabbed some caches along the trail, our mission was to knock off an EC and a few caches with higher T & D ratings by particular cachers for the W2NSN challenge. Given I'm a very passionate but poor rock hound, we packed all we needed and my shiny new rock hammer was going out on its first adventure. Unfortunately, as we had a meeting prior, in the rush I forgot my hammer so ended up bringing some samples home. It was a lovely walk up the river, reminding me of Central Otago. The cache information was very interesting, some well travelled minerals. We got a little distracted on the return journey as we diverted off for a few caches but CO confirmed all was ok so logging and our NSN challenge is complete. Hard to limit it to 10 cachers as we have enjoyed so many and will continue to do so, TFTC.

What a great day we had. A walk up the river, clambering up the side tracks to get some caches, a mine visit, three stream crossings and lunch at the hut. Enjoyed the earthcache and discovered some interesting answers. Thank you Biggles for setting this up.

Returning from an overnight stay at Browning Hut, this EarthCache demanded some attention on the way back to the car, certainly as I'd had mixed caching success on the way in.

There are certainly some mixed landscapes that we passed through on our tramp and it was good to get back and read more about the reasons for this comparatively barren stretch of track.

Makes you wonder how Nelson's history would have differed had circumstances been different.

Thanks to BigglesNZ for taking the time to set this one up and fishing out the information to replace the missing local info board.

#1394

With the unfortunate demise of the information sign, I have added a link to an online resource where you can find the required information.

I seem to be a little bit into challenges so I needed to find three caches today. I also needed one of them to be a non-standard type of cache that started with a J, an A, an N or - - - -so a walk up the Hackett seemed to be just the ticket. I had other commitments so wondered for a while if I was going to make it. Then on the way up the valley I came across some lads whose car had broken down. - - - So I took a couple of them out to where they could get cellphone reception so they could sort things. Finally got underway quite late in the day - - - thank goodness for daylight saving.
The story of Nelson's Mineral Belt is fascinating. Interesting that people were into mining anything that could make them money right from early settlement days. - - - Everything would have been so much harder without the machinery that would be available today. - - - The prospecting, road building, mining - - - . Fascinating to visit the area and learn about its history. Thanks!

In Richmond for a wee family holiday. Mr TG grew up here; staying with family.
Came up the valley for a walk and a swim on a very hot day. Mrs TG and the boys had turned back at the Swing Bridge to head back to the car park for a swim...I carried on to this point for the Earthcache and the Puzzle cache (which alas; I found I had information missing for and couldn't complete! poo!). Cool spot for an informative earthcache. Thanks for bringing me out this way....will have to return for the puzzle another day (and be more prepared!). Thanks for the effort in setting up the Earth. Cheers.

The sign has been thrown into the bushes not far from the start of the track - there is however another sign up near the top of the hill that will give you the required information. It was a beautiful day for being in the hills, thank you for bringing us to know more about this interesting area tftc

Went for a walk up the valley today and really enjoyed learning about our surroundings and findings the answers for this cache. Unfortunately the sign has been removed making it rather hard to find the answers, but CO said we were good to go. Hopefully I new sign will be put up soon.
Thanks for setting up this cache. Great information and thanks for bringing us to an amazing place. TFTC

Another day trip into the Nelson region with the Aniseed Valley trip through to Hackett Track top of my list of must do caching days, for now. Backed up with a trip to the Grampians up to the Lookout it had all the ingredients of a successful days caching; 2 Earthcaches, a few puzzles, 2 possible new D/T combos to try and advance the grid filling a bit more, and a smattering of Traditionals to keep the numbers ticking along nicely. Back in the co-pilots seat was the Seagnoid also hoping for a couple of unique D/T combos, we'll see later if he was successful or not. A nice early 0700 start as we've lost a bit of evening light already so making the most of daylight hours when they are about.
A really interesting walk up here today and nice to round it with an Earthcache which is always F P material
Very interesting and answers emailed to C O
T F T C BigglesNZ

[green] On a geocaching road trip with capperz, except that we spent most of the time walking . I love going bush!
Yay! First of two earthcaches today! And a walk in the bush! What an awesome caching day today is turning out to be (better than urban caching anytime!)
Will upload a photo this weekend, I have no upload facility here. As with just about any earthcache - favourite!

Write note as a placeholder for the find. Will convert to a found it when permission received.

Answers good, converted to Found it

This entry was edited by the Seagnoid on Tuesday, 14 April 2015 at 07:41:58 UTC.

Thanks for the earth cache! I found this with a bird of a feather. It took a while to work out that we needed to double back and return to the fork for number 4. Other than that, a simple and fun cache. TFTC and greetings from England!

Still having a bit of time and knowing the sun goes down late at this time of year we headed up the track to get the earth cache with the bonus of a few others on the way. We parked near the bridge at Hackets but did not go for the cache there as muggles were having a swim and jumping into the water from the bridge. Interesting to see how the landscape changes due to the fault. The solid shiny green rocks look nice which we saw along the way then a short walk to the earth cache and its various way points. Interesting to the history of the mining. TFTEC. Logged with permission

Nice One

Diese gigantischen Ausmaße hätten wir nie vermutet. Danke für die interessanten Informationen rund um diesen Cache und
Tftc from mauliz/Germany/Berlin

With Judithn and cwnn on a weekend walk. One of my favorite areas to walk. Cheers.

Interesting turn of events, great to learn about. Super interesting, and beautiful part of the world. TFTC

We had an enjoyable walk to the information board and learnt some interesting facts.

There are some magnificent rocks en route and I wish I knew more about geology - will have to bring son #2 here for my enlightenment, as he has studied the subject. At one point near the falls junction I dawdled while examining the rocks on the slip when StreetWalker made the comment that this would be a bad place to be in an earthquake. That soon got me moving fast!

Thanks for bringing me here, well worth a visit.

(Oops, initially logged with wrong date, now fixed)

This entry was edited by Troodles on Sunday, 20 July 2014 at 04:13:37 UTC.

#7797. Our first visit to this interesting area. It had been a hard frost overnight, and some parts of the track were still frozen hard well in to the afternoon. Troodles sent in answers on behalf of both of us. TFTC.

Found With the Love of my life Sonia26642 and Sonia sent in the answers in.

20/04/2014 9:24:00 AM
4323
Our original easter plan since ages ago was to go hiking. Every night staying in a DOC hut. We had already planned out a route, and a backup in Mt Richmond Forrest park... however the weather sort of ruined that...

We instead kept on driving to Nelson, and decided to do various day and overnight trips - just to throw that DOC hut in the mix.

Headed back this way after a night at Hackett.

I had collected some of the info on the way in, and then got the remaining waypoint on the way out.
Even did the wee detour to the mine! However paths split up so many times - we spotted a mini mine thing, but the path was so badly marked after a point that we weren't sure if it continued or that was the end!!

Interesting area, and the landscape - though not the colour - reminded me of the nearby mine near Asbestos Cottage!

Consec caching day # 532

TFTC!!

-------------------------------
For info on the next NZ mega, and to pre- register, go to:
www.nzmega2015.com

logging with permission.
We had a great walk out there even though the storm and flooding had done some harm to the enviroments. We were told by a couple returning, that the track was closed because the bridge had come down, but that turned out to be the track to the Whispering Falls that was down.
We had no problems apart from a bit of rockfall and mud.
We took 2½ hours and had a great time.
Thanks a lot.

Logging with permission. I do love doing earthcaches, once again i have learnt something interesting. I never knew the reason behind the change in environment TFTC

#1852

Logged with owner's permission. Gathered the info for this one while on a mission up the Hacket to "Meares behind Malita". It was a long tiring day and committing some of the answers to memory on this Earthcache was a silly idea as the exertion almost cleared my memory banks on return. Really enjoyed the information and gaining a bit more knowledge about our beautiful area. Today I am a bit smarter, and sorer, than I was yesterday. Worth a Favourite. Edit Note - I have just read that this year is the tenth anniversary of the first ever Earthcache (GCHFT2) placed in Australia south of Sydney, and so I would like to record a special thanks here to Biggles and all those other cachers who have taken the time and trouble to research and inform us about our amazing planet.

This entry was edited by MuzzaL53 on Monday, 13 January 2014 at 19:19:44 UTC.

It was a hot morning on the stroll up here, we used to come up here every year or so when I grew up. I always thought the place was a bit stunted due to an old fire or something but it hasn't really improved since I was here. Now I understand why, a perfect example of what one should learn from earthcaches. Cheers

We really ebjoyed our day exporing Nelson's Mineral Belt. The stunted shrubbery in this area reminded us of the plant life in geothermal areas in the north island. Thanks for a very intersting earthcache. Logging with permission.

Visited the area today and we enjoyed reading the info on the cache page as we had observed the odd looking rocks in the valley. Didn't collect all the info required to claim a find though.

A worthy EarthCache to celebrate International EarthCache Day, logged with permission. It's always a pleasure to walk these tracks and to have geocaches along them enhances the experience, especially when they are educational as well. TFTC.

With permission. Always nice to visit the area. Learning some more about its history was a bonus. Well worth to log this cache on International EarthCache Day. TFTC

First time up this way. On the bike, heading for Whispering Falls. TFTC
Logged with permission

#1703 @1640
Information collected (and now submitted) while on a mission to find 'Belt, Belt, Belt'. Enjoyed re-visiting the area I've walked and cycled many times before. TFTC.

Logged with permission.
The 'weather bomb' bypassed us completely so where do we go. Had intended to go 'Up the Hackett' over the holidays but the closed road was a problem. The other problem is the swing bridge - Mrs SoBad does not do swing bridges - unless she must. And a puzzle long since solved plus an earthcache was at the other side so she plucked up courage - helped by SoBad refusing to let her go through the river - by threatening to go no further if she wouldn't 'face her fears'.
Found the first three pieces of information required without problems and carried on to the Hut Intersection for lunch. Sorted out the last piece on the return jouney, after an interesting time with the puzzle.
We really like puzzles - but we really like earthcaches and this, as usual was both informative and fun. Hmm... which gets the favourite. No problem to decide both.

And enjoyable wander in and a nice earthcache too. Enjoyed the extra walk, although I'll have to leave those caches further in for another trip. Cheers Gav [10413]

Whilst I was in the area seeking the Yours or Mine cache I quickly gathered the data for this. Logged with permission.

Sorted this one out about a month ago as part of a trip that took me past about ten different caches. I've barely done anything since, I need to get out of the house more and up roaming around the mineral belt. As part of my trip I was up Mt Meares, the belt is extremely obvious from up there!

Logged with permission

Always interesting to come up here. Next time we will allow enough time to go to the mine.

TFTC

Logged with permission. I learned a lot with this earthcache thanks. I did try to walk up to the mine but only went as far as the DOC sign saying track not maintained and another information board the same as below so unsure if I actually got there or not. Another great day up the Hackett today thanks to the "b" team - biggles, belt and bum. TFTC #2106

6761 Logged with permission.

Many thanks for a very interesting historical and the geology lesson about the mineral belt. Great spot for some rock fossicking. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, TFTEC.

This cache made for a great little detour during our afternoon stroll today. Very interesting and well worth doing. TFTC. (Logged with permission).

Many thanks for the diversion, enjoyed running around after work collecting the info. Always nice to spend time out here. TFTC (Logged with permission)

Headed out with Ms M on the MTB's to collect this Earthcache for the Welcome to Nelson Challenge. Started heading to the mine to answer Q4. Got about two thirds of the way there before I realised that I was going the wrong way. Been to the mine previously to find a cache. There are enough new hills to climb without climbing old ones again. Once on the right track we decided to carry on to two other caches up the valley. Great day and really pleasant at Hackett hut.
I've never really thought about the significant change in vegetation before today. It is very clearly defined. It's great when Earthcaches serve there purpose of education.
TFTC
Logged with permission.

Had a great 1/2 days caching in this valley today and enjoyed each of the caches for its own reasons Didnt even know about the mineral belt till we saw this cache sitting here and learnt a few other things about it through this cache and also a few more tricks with the new GPS TFTC

Always like Earthcaches they end up teaching me things I didn't know and for me thats a good thing !!!! I didnt know this valley existed before the caches showing up on caching pages and google map and there being an Earthcache made a visit here a must interesting valley and the mineral belt and information on the mine was most interesting Thanks for the cache

Opps forgot to say "logged with Permission "

Logged with permission. A nice walk with Grandad and the dog. Some interesting info and history. The change in the landscape at the top end is very dramatic but a bit more subtle at the bottom end. TFTEC.

Logged with permission, Found along with Mr KE. Did not no that there is simular Ophiolite sites in Southland and Otago, I thought that Nelson was unique. Never to old to learn

An interesting thing is mother nature i would hate to try to do the things she does

Logged with permission. One of the reason I enjoy geocaching, you get to learn so much. Great to have all the nearby caches. Makes for an interesting day. TFTC

logged on with permission
great walk on good frosty morning met interesting people on the way.
interesting & informative.history.
what a lot of information you learn with geocaching wonderful.
thank you for putting out this amazing earthcache.
TFTC

Permission to log received. I joined dozens of others trying to shake cabin fever by coming to the Hackett. Plan A to place a cache failed, as I ran into a Private Land sign. Plan B to do the Chromite Mine cache failed, as I couldn't get over a swollen creek. Plan C, this Earth Cache, could also have failed were it not for the cache owner's kindness allowing me to estimate the other side of the mineral belt rather than measure it - swollen waterways were a constant feature after the weather we had. I've added a photo of some of the Mineral Belt outcrop. Have a look how many different kinds of rocks are present in such a small space. And they are all joined together - that's no loose pile. Thanks for the cache Biggles. I've left you a "thank you" cache a little further on.

Logging with permission. A surprisingly pleasant stroll in the rain today, autumn colours are all out

Nice One!!!!!!!!!!! FTF was very much a bonus. Answers e-mailed to owner. Great Earthcache area to visit on a beautiful cool, sunny autumn afternoon. One of favorite walks. Afternoon tea in a hidden spot along the river was magic. No worries with the suggested return time. Much fun. Thanks for the extra geography and history lesson. Well done. Thanks again.

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