Florabella Forest Blaxland, New South Wales, Australia
By
Rikki on 06-Jun-10. Waypoint GC29TPJ
Cache Details
This cache is listed on an external listing site.
By visiting the external cache listing you are leaving the Geocaching Australia website.
Geocaching Australia is not affiliated with the original listing site for this cache.
Please click here to view the caches listing.
If you wish to log this cache, you will need to log it on the external site.
This will require a separate user account on that site. (More Details)
By visiting the external cache listing you are leaving the Geocaching Australia website.
Geocaching Australia is not affiliated with the original listing site for this cache.
Please click here to view the caches listing.
If you wish to log this cache, you will need to log it on the external site.
This will require a separate user account on that site. (More Details)
Logs
#3 Lower Blues hike OCW with BEJJM. Thanks to the COs for placing these cache #2434
Love this Florabella Track. So many beautiful and interesting rock formations, and nice mossy rocks. SL as BEJJM. TFTC Rikki
Signed my name under the previous log as I am a bit behind the rest of the group.
Out caching with Everesthigh, Brewmaker, JG9172 and Jackscruff this morning. The weather got quite hot and humid, but we had a great day with lots of geochat and laughs.We all spread out here and Everest quickly made the find. Thanks for the cache Rikki tnln replaced as found sl
After meeting the group. BEJJM at Macca's at Blaxland we drove to Plateau Road to start the Florabella Pass walk.We headed down the track in reasonable temperatures. The walk was fairly shady but it was incredibly humid.We enjoyed the bushland which despite it being a week of high temperatures still looked fresh and lush green and flannel flowers along the way were a nice bonus.The walk along the creek was nice. It's healthy too as we found a large deposit of frog spawn in one area. At GZ the group spread out and attacked the structure from various angles.EverestHigh was first to the cache. TFTC # 5764
230m from the car ended up being close to a km walk. Climbed up the boulders too early but was able to spot the container from here, thanks for the hide
Afternoon walk to burn off all the Xmas eating! Easy find thanks for the clue! TFTC
So easy to find if you tack the wrong ledge first. Aonother without a scribble stick TFTC
Lock down, bur fortunately we can walk to this one from our back yard. All 5 clift hangers out for the adventure together.
TFTC
TFTC
#7852 (3 of 14 today - including 5 Adventure Labs)
Yet another day in April where my calendar finds are low, so headed up the Blue Mountains for some numbers.
Problem is, when up here quality over quantity always takes hold, and today was no exception. Did three bush caches in Warrimoo, one of which was unfound in almost 2 years - where is everyone?
The day ended badly, though with a DNF and a bad calc on a multi - still not sure where I went wrong there, but I'm confident some person's bedroom is not GZ.
On the bright side, I made my 100th Virtual find! HUZZAH!
###END OF CUT AND PASTE SECTION###
And now to test my fitness (well lack thereof) with a cache unfound for 8 months.
I have to admit walking down was actually harder for me today. Some of those stairs were a real test on my knees. But got to the bottom and headed to GZ. Yep, pretty much what I expected to see.
Checked the obvious area first. Nope, nope and nope. Then stepped back and asked myself where I'd put it. Yep there.
So next question - how to get there in one piece?
With route and method chosen I got there easier than I expected, and made an immediate find. So glad I didn't get here for nothing.
Completed signing duties and replaced. Now, how to get back? Took a route that I couldn't do the other way, and was soon back on the trail.
Now to get back up - and yes i know there are other caches down here...
Pleased I only stopped once - at the foot of the steepest staircase. Maybe my fitness is starting to return.
Gets a favourite for the location and the adventure. But that's the only one like this I'm doing today.
SLTNLN
TFTC
Yet another day in April where my calendar finds are low, so headed up the Blue Mountains for some numbers.
Problem is, when up here quality over quantity always takes hold, and today was no exception. Did three bush caches in Warrimoo, one of which was unfound in almost 2 years - where is everyone?
The day ended badly, though with a DNF and a bad calc on a multi - still not sure where I went wrong there, but I'm confident some person's bedroom is not GZ.
On the bright side, I made my 100th Virtual find! HUZZAH!
###END OF CUT AND PASTE SECTION###
And now to test my fitness (well lack thereof) with a cache unfound for 8 months.
I have to admit walking down was actually harder for me today. Some of those stairs were a real test on my knees. But got to the bottom and headed to GZ. Yep, pretty much what I expected to see.
Checked the obvious area first. Nope, nope and nope. Then stepped back and asked myself where I'd put it. Yep there.
So next question - how to get there in one piece?
With route and method chosen I got there easier than I expected, and made an immediate find. So glad I didn't get here for nothing.
Completed signing duties and replaced. Now, how to get back? Took a route that I couldn't do the other way, and was soon back on the trail.
Now to get back up - and yes i know there are other caches down here...
Pleased I only stopped once - at the foot of the steepest staircase. Maybe my fitness is starting to return.
Gets a favourite for the location and the adventure. But that's the only one like this I'm doing today.
SLTNLN
TFTC
Beautiful down in the valley here. A scramble across the rocks and a long reach soon had it in hand. TFTC
Came down from Blaxland School. Quick find when on correct level. Signed and replaced. Probably would have been easier to come down all the stairs starting at Florabella Street, when coming to get all the caches down here. Fav point. Tftc
A perfect spot for a cache... nice one. And very well hidden and tricky to get at... nice one again!
Fortunately my cache-sense was working well (this time) and I was able to locate GZ quite quickly. TFTC!
Fortunately my cache-sense was working well (this time) and I was able to locate GZ quite quickly. TFTC!
This was "one of those caches" that I dramatically underestimated, after all the map said less than 300m, no worries, will leave my water bottle in the car... Hint: do not do that. Ever. Especially not here because if you're running down stairs you're sure going to have to struggle back up them too! When I got to GZ (did I mention I somehow managed to wander off the trail for a bit?) I thought I would have to return another time to actually get my hands on this cache. Thankfully, I scrambled around for a bit and had the cache in hand much quicker than I expected. TFTC and a great morning adventure whilst waiting for my son.
This was "one of those caches" that I dramatically underestimated, after all the map said less than 300m, no worries, will leave my water bottle in the car... Hint: do not do that. Ever. Especially not here because if you're running down stairs you're sure going to have to struggle back up them too! When I got to GZ (did I mention I somehow managed to wander off the trail for a bit?) I thought I would have to return another time to actually get my hands on this cache. Thankfully, I scrambled around for a bit and had the cache in hand much quicker than I expected. TFTC and a great morning adventure whilst waiting for my son.
With the first full day ive had off work in over a week i decided to head up to the lower mountains and grab a couple of caches.
After finding the nearby Quagmire i decided to bush bash across to the head of the Florabella Pass and make my way down to this cache. This proved more difficult than first expected and it wasnt until i noticed the track running below the cliff i was on that i realised that i hadnt gone far enough and was trying to do it the hard way.
Once on the track i was surprised at how far down it kept going. However after a nice walk i made it to the GZ.
Starting at the top i made a thorough search of every level and after about 15 mins: Eureka!
There it was, across from me. I still had to go around to actually get at it but it felt like a good find.
Its so peaceful down here in the valley.
Thanks.
#611
After finding the nearby Quagmire i decided to bush bash across to the head of the Florabella Pass and make my way down to this cache. This proved more difficult than first expected and it wasnt until i noticed the track running below the cliff i was on that i realised that i hadnt gone far enough and was trying to do it the hard way.
Once on the track i was surprised at how far down it kept going. However after a nice walk i made it to the GZ.
Starting at the top i made a thorough search of every level and after about 15 mins: Eureka!
There it was, across from me. I still had to go around to actually get at it but it felt like a good find.
Its so peaceful down here in the valley.
Thanks.
#611
**Total find count: 418**
After dropping the Geokids at the grandparents, Geowife and I had an afternoon to ourselves to go on a TB Rescue mission for my TB before we head off on holidays. We parked the car at the Trailhead before getting ourselves ready to go for a mini hike.
The start of the trail seemed reasonably good, but as we ventured further on, the path became steeper as we traversed down into the valley on the Florabella Pass hiking track. The travelling was going well, even after the rain of yesterday, the path was slightly moist under foot, but we kept our footing as we headed down, down, down.
Getting close to GZ, the location for the cache became apparent. Although our searching took us over every location that could possibly be the cache twice, some places thrice. After an almost hour of searching, and slowly giving up hope that this cache was there. I decided to make one last look in an area that I had already visited previously. Being slightly larger than the average person, and close to an edge didn't want to make the long fall down without and phone reception.
A peek slightly further than before revealed something that I hadn't seen before. Could it be the cache? Do I stick my hand back there? I took the plunge and soon had CIH.
With logging duties done, and TB retrieved, a few photos were taken and soon we were back on our way up the long, narrow slippery stairs back to the geomobile.
**TFTC**
---
The following TBs and Geocoins helped with the search to find the hidden cache:
* Miniature Itsonlybarney
* GeocachingNSW 2016 Geocoin
* GeocachingNSW 2017 Geocoin
* Geocache Talk Geocoin
* Planetary Pursuit Micro Geocoin
* Geocoin Club Jan 2015 - Rescue Coin
* Geocoin Club May 2018 - Blodeuwedd
* OzGeomuster 2018 Geocoin
* Col Miner HAVOC Geocoin
* Geocoin Club June 2018 - Illumination
* Caching Under the Moon
* Geocoin Club July 2018 - Dive Deep
* Geocache Talk Blackout Geocoin
After dropping the Geokids at the grandparents, Geowife and I had an afternoon to ourselves to go on a TB Rescue mission for my TB before we head off on holidays. We parked the car at the Trailhead before getting ourselves ready to go for a mini hike.
The start of the trail seemed reasonably good, but as we ventured further on, the path became steeper as we traversed down into the valley on the Florabella Pass hiking track. The travelling was going well, even after the rain of yesterday, the path was slightly moist under foot, but we kept our footing as we headed down, down, down.
Getting close to GZ, the location for the cache became apparent. Although our searching took us over every location that could possibly be the cache twice, some places thrice. After an almost hour of searching, and slowly giving up hope that this cache was there. I decided to make one last look in an area that I had already visited previously. Being slightly larger than the average person, and close to an edge didn't want to make the long fall down without and phone reception.
A peek slightly further than before revealed something that I hadn't seen before. Could it be the cache? Do I stick my hand back there? I took the plunge and soon had CIH.
With logging duties done, and TB retrieved, a few photos were taken and soon we were back on our way up the long, narrow slippery stairs back to the geomobile.
**TFTC**
---
The following TBs and Geocoins helped with the search to find the hidden cache:
* Miniature Itsonlybarney
* GeocachingNSW 2016 Geocoin
* GeocachingNSW 2017 Geocoin
* Geocache Talk Geocoin
* Planetary Pursuit Micro Geocoin
* Geocoin Club Jan 2015 - Rescue Coin
* Geocoin Club May 2018 - Blodeuwedd
* OzGeomuster 2018 Geocoin
* Col Miner HAVOC Geocoin
* Geocoin Club June 2018 - Illumination
* Caching Under the Moon
* Geocoin Club July 2018 - Dive Deep
* Geocache Talk Blackout Geocoin
We wanted to try and get “looking out the backdoor” and thought we would try the florabella pass way but we ran out of time in the end - so glad we managed to pick up this one along the way, we will be back another day to try for the other caches along this path - nice hide - geo hubby was proud of me for doing this walk as well, such a pretty place with a lot of stairs - TFTC Rikki, I really enjoyed it!
#5,294
After 3 days straight devoted to tech rehearsals, dance concerts & drama performances, I needed a relaxing break. So I suggested to bikerbuddy that it would be a good day to take a little stroll out for these caches. He tried to persuade me that I should just go by myself while he waited in the car. He even promised that he would call an ambulance for me for when I tripped on the slippery leaves on the track. But eventually he conceded to accompany me on the walk. He did have a point, at some points you really need to take care on these tracks at the moment, with the build up of leaves on the narrow steps.
I've never walked this track before, even though I've dropped off kids at one end & collected them from the other end several times, for grey wolf hikes with Cubs. We parked at the Florabella Street end. The owners of the last house before the track have two large dogs who really don't like anyone walking past! I think I vaguely remember them from when I found a cache at the beginning of the track in the past.
This was the first of the three caches, and by far the quickest to find. I spotted a likely area and an easy way to access it, gave it a go and made an instant find.
I rejoined bikerbuddy back at the track and off we set for cache #2.
Thanks
After 3 days straight devoted to tech rehearsals, dance concerts & drama performances, I needed a relaxing break. So I suggested to bikerbuddy that it would be a good day to take a little stroll out for these caches. He tried to persuade me that I should just go by myself while he waited in the car. He even promised that he would call an ambulance for me for when I tripped on the slippery leaves on the track. But eventually he conceded to accompany me on the walk. He did have a point, at some points you really need to take care on these tracks at the moment, with the build up of leaves on the narrow steps.
I've never walked this track before, even though I've dropped off kids at one end & collected them from the other end several times, for grey wolf hikes with Cubs. We parked at the Florabella Street end. The owners of the last house before the track have two large dogs who really don't like anyone walking past! I think I vaguely remember them from when I found a cache at the beginning of the track in the past.
This was the first of the three caches, and by far the quickest to find. I spotted a likely area and an easy way to access it, gave it a go and made an instant find.
I rejoined bikerbuddy back at the track and off we set for cache #2.
Thanks
#6971 12:15
Today we planned a nice walk through Florabella Pass. After getting off the train at Warrimoo station we first walked a few hundred meters through the residential area before heading down into the bush. At the edge of the bush land a man warned us for snakes, so we decided not to let our dog off leash!
Walking down, we came across one brown snake but it quickly disappeared in the bushes next to the track.
At GZ my buddy climbed to the right level to grab the box. Great hide!
-----
[www.boswijkposse.nl](www.boswijkposse.nl)
Today we planned a nice walk through Florabella Pass. After getting off the train at Warrimoo station we first walked a few hundred meters through the residential area before heading down into the bush. At the edge of the bush land a man warned us for snakes, so we decided not to let our dog off leash!
Walking down, we came across one brown snake but it quickly disappeared in the bushes next to the track.
At GZ my buddy climbed to the right level to grab the box. Great hide!
-----
[www.boswijkposse.nl](www.boswijkposse.nl)
Wow! We are so happy we found it! 2 girls getting slightly upset at being maneuvered into crannies to look for it.
I will re iterate what others have said- we went straight past it after going directly to where we thought it would be based on the hint. So trust you are in the right spot.
Best cache we've ever found - so much fun. Heaps for the kids to swap out.
Tftc!
Now to hike out....
I will re iterate what others have said- we went straight past it after going directly to where we thought it would be based on the hint. So trust you are in the right spot.
Best cache we've ever found - so much fun. Heaps for the kids to swap out.
Tftc!
Now to hike out....
Thank goodness found that one and yes you have to be flexible to grab it!
Was in the first place suspected but missed it on the first run.
Lovely area ... feels like we are back on the Great North Walk.
TFTC
Was in the first place suspected but missed it on the first run.
Lovely area ... feels like we are back on the Great North Walk.
TFTC
It's a perfect day for geocaching .. in the bush !!!
On our way to an other cache we stopped to find this one. It was not easy. The first time we were not enough flexible. And after looked everywhere we came back to our first idea. It was the good place.
TFTC
On our way to an other cache we stopped to find this one. It was not easy. The first time we were not enough flexible. And after looked everywhere we came back to our first idea. It was the good place.
TFTC
Today was too much if a beautiful day to be indoors, so I turned off the wifi and took my son for a walk.
When he asked "Where are we going"
I responded with "Just down the road (and down Florabella Pass)"
After a nice walk he realised my true intentions. A cache I have had my eye on for sometime now. The prize was soon found and our return trek began.
TFTC
When he asked "Where are we going"
I responded with "Just down the road (and down Florabella Pass)"
After a nice walk he realised my true intentions. A cache I have had my eye on for sometime now. The prize was soon found and our return trek began.
TFTC
#1157 got a message did I want to go after some caches around Warrimoo haven't been there for a while so met up with teamMerlin and Splitty Miller JJCC at the end of Florabella Street. Our first stop was to look for this cache.
Taking note of the terrain rating, we spotted the most likely hide and on
closer inspection found the container. Signed the log and replaced as found. Both the cache and log are in good condition. Thanks for the cache Rikki
The following TBs visited for the distance - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016 phlphotos NSW geocoins, phlphotos' Spindoc Bob Memorial Geocoin & Rainbow Spirit’s Caching Dilemma's Geocoin,Help for Heroes Geocoin, Heart Strings, Matsi's First Geocoin, Jasmer Geocoin & Kitac 2
Taking note of the terrain rating, we spotted the most likely hide and on
closer inspection found the container. Signed the log and replaced as found. Both the cache and log are in good condition. Thanks for the cache Rikki
The following TBs visited for the distance - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016 phlphotos NSW geocoins, phlphotos' Spindoc Bob Memorial Geocoin & Rainbow Spirit’s Caching Dilemma's Geocoin,Help for Heroes Geocoin, Heart Strings, Matsi's First Geocoin, Jasmer Geocoin & Kitac 2
Out with Team Merlin and phlphotos to collect a few caches for the day.
Reletive quick find. After all signing the log we replaced as found. Both the cache and log are in good condition.
TFTC Rikki
Reletive quick find. After all signing the log we replaced as found. Both the cache and log are in good condition.
TFTC Rikki
With our target cache for this afternoon being the nearby Looking out the Backdoor, we meet up with JJCC and phlphotos and parked at the end Florabella Street. On our way out we stopped off and looked for this cache.
Taking note of the terrain rating, we spotted the most likely hide and on closer inspection found the container. After all signing the log we replaced as found. Both the cache and log are in good condition.
The following TBs came through for the mileage: Bob geoMinion, Dave geoMinion, Evil geoMinion, Jerry geoMinion, Larry geoMinion, Stuart geoMinion, teamMerlin's 7 Deadly Ducks Tag (Lust), The Hulk & Vanlith The Youngling.
TFTC Rikki
Taking note of the terrain rating, we spotted the most likely hide and on closer inspection found the container. After all signing the log we replaced as found. Both the cache and log are in good condition.
The following TBs came through for the mileage: Bob geoMinion, Dave geoMinion, Evil geoMinion, Jerry geoMinion, Larry geoMinion, Stuart geoMinion, teamMerlin's 7 Deadly Ducks Tag (Lust), The Hulk & Vanlith The Youngling.
TFTC Rikki
Found this morning while walking from Blaxland to Warrimoo. Beautiful trip, recommended to others. TFTC!
Fourth find today. I must be getting the hang of caching in these hills because after a tough 4 weeks caching along the rail line from Lapstone to Blaxland with almost as many DNFs as finds, I found all but one today and this one I even managed to find in the first location thaat I searched. Absolutely beautiful trail in this area, thanks for bringing me here. Greetings from Canada!
MrT was doing the walk along the Florabella Pass track on his own this morning. A track he frequents, and has been along it a few times from each direction. Having printed out the information sheets and entering the co-ords before he left home today, he headed in from the Blaxland end. After locating the other two Florabella caches "Forgotten Realm" and "Florabella Pass", he continued on to this one. Reading the information, and the hint, he found the cache without too much trouble. Retrieved the 2 TBs that were inside. Headed on to Warrimoo and then home. TFTC
Excellent series of caches along this track.
Cache was fund sad and sound.
SL TFTC
Cache was fund sad and sound.
SL TFTC
It had probably been 20 years since I was last down here.us local kids would often walk forabella pass down to the swimming hole behind blaxland.
Really enjoyed coming back down here.not much water in the creeks anymore.
TFTC
Really enjoyed coming back down here.not much water in the creeks anymore.
TFTC
A return after two years to redeem the previous dnf. Back at the GZ and with a tad more GeoCachers' nouse a better understanding of the cache location was apparent ... but for yttam's assistance this would again have been a dnf, for the 'mushroom alone could/would not have crossed the void. Thanks yttam! and thank you to Rikki for the (unnecessary) excuse to return to this lovely local walk. TFTC 
Having a small amount of time for a leg stretch we decided to go down the pass and also to see if we could get to Looking Out the Back Door after heading to Florabella Forest First. A nice sunny afternoon so temperatures in the valleys were ok. The pass certain has some steep parts which we felt on the way back up. Once done near the creek the bush was showing signs of recovering well from the bush fires. We noticed GZ was a short distance off the track so moved over to see what lay a head. The GPSr was suggesting one position a touch further and higher off the track but we had other ideas. A look in a few spots and we soon found the nice hide location. We completed the signing duties and re hid before heading off for a couple more near the track. TFTC.
We had initial planned to come in via the fire trail but ended up in the pass first to collect some other caches so on summing up the terrain decided to see how close the valley track got which turned out to be about 130m so up we went to Looking Out the Back Door. A few small drops to navigate around and was soon near GZ. While the fire had been through the area given the amount of rocks there was not a lot burnt material and rocks did not appear impacted at all. We searched a few spots until we found the nicely positioned hide. Despite being plastic it shows no sign of the fires and it in good condition. We picked up a travel bug, appropriately themed about hating nanos. We completed the signing duties and re hid. TFTC.
After Looking Out The Back Door we picked a different route down the hill and had a few more drops to avoid until we picked up the lower trail again to get to Florabella Pass. After a couple of hundred meters we where near GZ. We looked at the local features and thought about where the likely hiding spot might be and then saw a faint gel trail to head in the right direction and level to GZ where we looked the right way to make a quick find. We completed the signing duties and we hid. TFTC. Now for the slog bag up the track.
We had initial planned to come in via the fire trail but ended up in the pass first to collect some other caches so on summing up the terrain decided to see how close the valley track got which turned out to be about 130m so up we went to Looking Out the Back Door. A few small drops to navigate around and was soon near GZ. While the fire had been through the area given the amount of rocks there was not a lot burnt material and rocks did not appear impacted at all. We searched a few spots until we found the nicely positioned hide. Despite being plastic it shows no sign of the fires and it in good condition. We picked up a travel bug, appropriately themed about hating nanos. We completed the signing duties and re hid. TFTC.
After Looking Out The Back Door we picked a different route down the hill and had a few more drops to avoid until we picked up the lower trail again to get to Florabella Pass. After a couple of hundred meters we where near GZ. We looked at the local features and thought about where the likely hiding spot might be and then saw a faint gel trail to head in the right direction and level to GZ where we looked the right way to make a quick find. We completed the signing duties and we hid. TFTC. Now for the slog bag up the track.
Cache check OK. Cache itself was not effected by fires and is OK for finding. One side of the walking track from Florabella Ave was burnt, take care.
Lovely late afternoon walk with the family. Beautiful area well worth the walk down the many steps. At gz a quick search and the seven year old happily made the find. Tftc
After finding two caches a bit further up, we returned to the car and entered from the bottom of Florabella.
Spotted a few Liarbirds on the way down, and soon we were at the base of the river. Awesome spot. Nice to take in all the greenery, and quickly we'd spotted a familiar spot for cache hides. 5 minutes later iker made the climb and had the cache.
And then the climb back out... won't be the last time I do it either - seems there's two more to grab further in. Looking forward.
TFTC Rikki.
Spotted a few Liarbirds on the way down, and soon we were at the base of the river. Awesome spot. Nice to take in all the greenery, and quickly we'd spotted a familiar spot for cache hides. 5 minutes later iker made the climb and had the cache.
And then the climb back out... won't be the last time I do it either - seems there's two more to grab further in. Looking forward.
TFTC Rikki.
I never knew there was such a beautiful place so close to home. Took a while to find GZ but after plenty of scrambling, cache was in hand. Took TB
It was 4pm and I still had to find a cache to keep my streak going. Day #352.
I chose this track as there were a few caches close together I could find before dark. My mistake!
I took me a bit longer to reach gz at first, and then even find it!
I thought I would be smart and go to a spot that I thought the clue was hinting at, but after a bit of a look around I had to backtrack and look in the areas I had neglected, and made the find.
Swapped travel bugs and then realising it was nearly dark already I made the climb back up.
My kind of favourite terrain! Thanks for the cache!
I chose this track as there were a few caches close together I could find before dark. My mistake!
I took me a bit longer to reach gz at first, and then even find it!
I thought I would be smart and go to a spot that I thought the clue was hinting at, but after a bit of a look around I had to backtrack and look in the areas I had neglected, and made the find.
Swapped travel bugs and then realising it was nearly dark already I made the climb back up.
My kind of favourite terrain! Thanks for the cache!
Found it with Raincatz. Just about to give up but decided take a second look. Took cat stamp, left skittle game. TFTC. Lovely part of the world.
Having the offer of a lift south (west) meant I was able to get a few caches I normally wouldn't be able to get to. An EARLY start to cache finding today. A beaut day for a nice walk.
All good with the cache.
TN; Left: a pen. Saw the Lego Man TB
TFTC Rikki
All good with the cache.
TN; Left: a pen. Saw the Lego Man TB
TFTC Rikki
0550 GAFF1 It was so windy last night that I left off going for it in the dark, so we set up camp, and then came down before sunrise, finding the cache just as the sun was striking the ridge above. There was a LOT of branches and litter down on the track, but once we were looking for the cache you couldn't notice it. So quiet now. Found a satin bower birds bower.
Saw a TB in the cache, and as the coordinates were almost spot on I left a Correct Site Marker - surgical marking pen in the cache. Am almost out of them so will have to go back to work soon
Brought through for mileage: Calvin The California Raisin, "Mineral Mountain (CO)" Green Jeep Travel Bug, 12-12-12 Event, 3 Bros, BEAGLE BIXBY, B 2 B ingot, BROWN BEAR 15, Coin of Danmark, DyerMkr's Copper Triple Dragon Geocoin, Fishing Bell TB, GeoCookie Geocoin, Iconic Bridges, land rover TB, Lil' Miss TB, cache critters Baa, Neigh Neddy, and Oink, NZ Mega 2013 GCookie Coin, PAP, Raban, Rienan TB, Spooky, steben6's DNF Duo - Super Cacher Geocoin, Trakabulldog geocoins, VIRGINia TAG, and trackable shirts.
TFTC Rikki, no sign of leeches by the way.
Saw a TB in the cache, and as the coordinates were almost spot on I left a Correct Site Marker - surgical marking pen in the cache. Am almost out of them so will have to go back to work soon
Brought through for mileage: Calvin The California Raisin, "Mineral Mountain (CO)" Green Jeep Travel Bug, 12-12-12 Event, 3 Bros, BEAGLE BIXBY, B 2 B ingot, BROWN BEAR 15, Coin of Danmark, DyerMkr's Copper Triple Dragon Geocoin, Fishing Bell TB, GeoCookie Geocoin, Iconic Bridges, land rover TB, Lil' Miss TB, cache critters Baa, Neigh Neddy, and Oink, NZ Mega 2013 GCookie Coin, PAP, Raban, Rienan TB, Spooky, steben6's DNF Duo - Super Cacher Geocoin, Trakabulldog geocoins, VIRGINia TAG, and trackable shirts.
TFTC Rikki, no sign of leeches by the way.
0550 GAFF1 It was so windy last night that I left off going for it in the dark, so we set up camp, and then came down before sunrise, finding the cache just as the sun was striking the ridge above. There was a LOT of branches and litter down on the track, but once we were looking for the cache you couldn't notice it. So quiet now. Found a satin bower birds bower.
Saw a TB in the cache, and as the coordinates were almost spot on I left a Correct Site Marker - surgical marking pen in the cache. Am almost out of them so will have to go back to work soon
Brought through for mileage: Calvin The California Raisin, "Mineral Mountain (CO)" Green Jeep Travel Bug, 12-12-12 Event, 3 Bros, BEAGLE BIXBY, B 2 B ingot, BROWN BEAR 15, Coin of Danmark, DyerMkr's Copper Triple Dragon Geocoin, Fishing Bell TB, GeoCookie Geocoin, Iconic Bridges, land rover TB, Lil' Miss TB, cache critters Baa, Neigh Neddy, and Oink, NZ Mega 2013 GCookie Coin, PAP, Raban, Rienan TB, Spooky, steben6's DNF Duo - Super Cacher Geocoin, Trakabulldog geocoins, VIRGINia TAG, and trackable shirts.
TFTC Rikki, no sign of leeches by the way.
Saw a TB in the cache, and as the coordinates were almost spot on I left a Correct Site Marker - surgical marking pen in the cache. Am almost out of them so will have to go back to work soon
Brought through for mileage: Calvin The California Raisin, "Mineral Mountain (CO)" Green Jeep Travel Bug, 12-12-12 Event, 3 Bros, BEAGLE BIXBY, B 2 B ingot, BROWN BEAR 15, Coin of Danmark, DyerMkr's Copper Triple Dragon Geocoin, Fishing Bell TB, GeoCookie Geocoin, Iconic Bridges, land rover TB, Lil' Miss TB, cache critters Baa, Neigh Neddy, and Oink, NZ Mega 2013 GCookie Coin, PAP, Raban, Rienan TB, Spooky, steben6's DNF Duo - Super Cacher Geocoin, Trakabulldog geocoins, VIRGINia TAG, and trackable shirts.
TFTC Rikki, no sign of leeches by the way.
As parks and reserves are now closed, regardless of where this is, disabled til conditions improve.
Wasn't too hard walking into Florabella Pass, or reaching the GZ.
Cache is hidden in an excellent spot and the most rewarding part was taking 2 minutes out to sign the log in this magnificent area.
TftC
Cache is hidden in an excellent spot and the most rewarding part was taking 2 minutes out to sign the log in this magnificent area.
TftC
Out caching with Dragonhaunt and SuperSuz. After stopping for a while to take pictures at giant turtle head rock we continued on to this quick and easy cache.
The first target for our Saturday cache hike down Florabella walk, with SwiftThistle and SuperSuz.
After admiring the giant fossilised Bunyip skull on the way (or maybe it was afterwards - but you should totally keep an eye out for it while you are following the Florabella track) we soon arrived at GZ and our by our powers combined found the cache.
After admiring the giant fossilised Bunyip skull on the way (or maybe it was afterwards - but you should totally keep an eye out for it while you are following the Florabella track) we soon arrived at GZ and our by our powers combined found the cache.
Very nice hide, not giving the game away but you really need to have your cache spot awareness amped as it isn't easy to see. Found with BigLMurph after a long time out of the game for the both of us (work and study be damned). FINALLY (cannot stress that enough) dropped off the Moo Geocoin. Serving as a reminder as to why I shouldn't take them unless I plan on hitting up something very shortly after. TFTC.
Track is a tad rough and ready for the the first 30m, but then it settles to a lovely walk down (the steps) and onward to the creek. Lots of mossy rocks and logs. Made the way off the track to the GZ, and though a likely hide (and others) was seriously searched, a DNF was the result. Found only a few days earlier, so I need to try harder, it seems. I don't mind the result, the walk in more than satisfying.
TFTC Rikki, will try another day ...
TFTC Rikki, will try another day ...
Found @ 1325hrs. We've walked in Florabella many times, but never after a few days of rain. It was nice and wet, with a real genuine rainforest feel to it. The creek was even flowing a bit which sounded very peaceful. The GPSr was playing the usual tricks it will in a place like this, but we spied a good hiding spot from about 15M away and it turned out we were right! Benzito was bumbling around in all the wrong places, but MeerKat went straight to the right spot first go. We left the Christchurch Earthquake Geocoin. TNSL.
TFTC Rikki.
This entry was edited by Benzito & MeerKat on Saturday, 01 June 2013 at 11:35:20 UTC.
TFTC Rikki.
This entry was edited by Benzito & MeerKat on Saturday, 01 June 2013 at 11:35:20 UTC.
Nice walk in, geodog loved the creek. She stayed in the creek while I went off in search of the cache. Got eaten by thousands of mozzies (slight exageration) and was just about to give up on it, but finally found the cache! Nice hide. TFTC.
With a little more experience I found this one quite easily. I actually crawled past it last time but didn't look into the spot to do the find. Today was a different story. I asked a lot of PAF's about this cache but no one could remember exactly where it was. So today I felt good that I actually found it on my own. Then I went of to do the next cache in the area. TFTC.
Nice walk down, found GZ after the GPS took me for a little tour of the levels. It finally settled down. Looked extensively. Had to give up in the end as I have to pick up one of my sons from school. Will see if I can get a hint somehow and will be back. At least it will improve my climbing up stairs fitness.
I think I must have taken the same route as 'jonnosan' to this cache! It was eventually found in the first area that I had checked but dismissed too soon. What followed was lots of climbing up and down and up again. Eventually climbed up a certain section and glanced across to the original spot - and there it was! Certainly florabellaed my way to that one! TFTC x
One of those days when i should have just stayed at home, know what i mean?? Ignored weather forecast (possible thunderstorms in west), ignored the fact that driving to the mountains the only clouds (big anvil-shaped and dodgy-looking) were, yep, over the mountains. Ignored the rumbling thunder when i parked the car, ignored the fact that the humidity was close to unbearable and that i was gonna have to walk back up all those steps again at some point...
Got close to GZ,(by then it was so dark it was almost like night) and started climbing - climbed some more. Did some serious Florabellaring (see previous post for the verb to Florabella...) i.e., I got rather closer to falling down the rocks than i'd have liked - VERY silly as my backpack and phone were at the bottom of the climb where i'd dumped them thinking that climbing w/o would be easier. Hmmmm.... THEN, with the thunder still rumbling (closer by now) oh JOY, the batteries died on my GPS and yep, correct - the new ones were in the backpack!!!! WEll don't let it ever be said of me that i DON'T (eventually!!) know when to call it a day!!!
When i parked my car my handheld GPS said 250metres to GZ... YAY!! This (of course) translates to about 800 metres of rough steps, steps and more steps and lots of winding backwards and forwards down the valley side to the creek at the bottom. I have attached pics of the trail as per my other GPS and (just for fun!!) the traces of elevation and heartrate vs distance.
Thanks for the adventure, Rikki!! It's a gorgeous place, and I will definitely come back for another go sometime, but not till the weather has cooled off a bit as the humidity really IS a shocker at the moment. Oh yes, the thunderstorm finally put its money where its mouth was on my way back up and started to rain, 'Great!!' i thought, 'that should cool me down a bit!!' ONLY all it ever did was spit a few drops and only set in properly once i was back at the car; an overheated lump of leaky jelly!!!
Got close to GZ,(by then it was so dark it was almost like night) and started climbing - climbed some more. Did some serious Florabellaring (see previous post for the verb to Florabella...) i.e., I got rather closer to falling down the rocks than i'd have liked - VERY silly as my backpack and phone were at the bottom of the climb where i'd dumped them thinking that climbing w/o would be easier. Hmmmm.... THEN, with the thunder still rumbling (closer by now) oh JOY, the batteries died on my GPS and yep, correct - the new ones were in the backpack!!!! WEll don't let it ever be said of me that i DON'T (eventually!!) know when to call it a day!!!
When i parked my car my handheld GPS said 250metres to GZ... YAY!! This (of course) translates to about 800 metres of rough steps, steps and more steps and lots of winding backwards and forwards down the valley side to the creek at the bottom. I have attached pics of the trail as per my other GPS and (just for fun!!) the traces of elevation and heartrate vs distance.
Thanks for the adventure, Rikki!! It's a gorgeous place, and I will definitely come back for another go sometime, but not till the weather has cooled off a bit as the humidity really IS a shocker at the moment. Oh yes, the thunderstorm finally put its money where its mouth was on my way back up and started to rain, 'Great!!' i thought, 'that should cool me down a bit!!' ONLY all it ever did was spit a few drops and only set in properly once i was back at the car; an overheated lump of leaky jelly!!!
This was an impulse trek after finishing my Christmas shopping in penrith a little early. I think I have discovered the meaning of the verb "to florabella", which is "put yourself in increasingly more dangerous positions, until just as you are about to attempt a climb that will probably kill you, look over and see the thing you are looking for right in the first spot you started at but now can't easily get to".
Good fun though. I dropped a TB I rescued from Daylight. It only spent a day in that place, it may linger here a little longer which is a shame as this is a really lovely spot. Thanks for bringing me here Rikki!
This entry was edited by jonnosan on Sunday, 18 December 2011 at 09:13:32 UTC.
Good fun though. I dropped a TB I rescued from Daylight. It only spent a day in that place, it may linger here a little longer which is a shame as this is a really lovely spot. Thanks for bringing me here Rikki!
This entry was edited by jonnosan on Sunday, 18 December 2011 at 09:13:32 UTC.
Another 'window of opportunity' on a beautiful, springtime Blue Mountains afternoon led me to drive down the GWH from Leura to Warrimoo to descend the Florabella Pass trail.
My friend GazMag has spoken highly of this little-known track and I'd only been down it once before, as far as I can recall. But two Rikki caches in this vicinity had been on my to-do list for a very long time and I hoped to knock over at least one of them today.
Yes, there are a lot of steps down. A lot of steps. In fact, the first part of the trail is somewhat intimidating and probably puts off a lot of people. I met a young couple with two small children and it didn't look as though they were going to get too far.
However, once you're 'down' the trail becomes more level and the rain forest is really beautiful. It would be just what you want on a hot summer's day.
And not another soul was down in the Florabella Forest while I was there. I had the whole place to myself.
As others have written in their logs, when you get near GZ, you'll know it. There a confluence of two nice streams and some high ground. My first 'scramble' up from the trail was in the wrong place, but it gave me an excellent view of the hidden cache container, only a few metres away!
Don't worry about the bad GPS signals down in the gully. When you get about 12 metres from GZ on the main trail, you can pretty much see where you have to go. Take care with the geo-kids. The extraction of the cache isn't all that difficult, but it's possible for the unwary to take a fall here.
Anyhow, the cache container was in good shape and the contents were dry. TNLNSL.
Many thanks to Rikki for a wonderful, traditional-style geocache in a great place.
Very much recommended for geo-family outing. When you finish, you'll have your required exercise for the day!
My friend GazMag has spoken highly of this little-known track and I'd only been down it once before, as far as I can recall. But two Rikki caches in this vicinity had been on my to-do list for a very long time and I hoped to knock over at least one of them today.
Yes, there are a lot of steps down. A lot of steps. In fact, the first part of the trail is somewhat intimidating and probably puts off a lot of people. I met a young couple with two small children and it didn't look as though they were going to get too far.
However, once you're 'down' the trail becomes more level and the rain forest is really beautiful. It would be just what you want on a hot summer's day.
And not another soul was down in the Florabella Forest while I was there. I had the whole place to myself.
As others have written in their logs, when you get near GZ, you'll know it. There a confluence of two nice streams and some high ground. My first 'scramble' up from the trail was in the wrong place, but it gave me an excellent view of the hidden cache container, only a few metres away!
Don't worry about the bad GPS signals down in the gully. When you get about 12 metres from GZ on the main trail, you can pretty much see where you have to go. Take care with the geo-kids. The extraction of the cache isn't all that difficult, but it's possible for the unwary to take a fall here.
Anyhow, the cache container was in good shape and the contents were dry. TNLNSL.
Many thanks to Rikki for a wonderful, traditional-style geocache in a great place.
Very much recommended for geo-family outing. When you finish, you'll have your required exercise for the day!
I am one of those locals who have never walked this track. I just love geocaching as it takes me on adventures in my own backyard. Went with my brother Bruwstera and geonephews and had a blast. My brother uses a gps on his phone which is unreliable, but I have a Garmin which is fantastic. Unfortunately I bought a dud set of batteries and the gps kept dying. So we used his phone to get us in the general area and then my gps to hone in on the cache. This one took us a bit to find using this method, but worth the effort. Thanks Rikki for the cache. TNLN
Went on a School Holiday GeoCache/Bushwalk with my Wacky Sister (Wackydo) and my Geo Sons Stampy & Blizzard. Had a magnificent time finding all the caches associtated with this beautiful walk called Florabella Pass. I had travelled this road a few times as a kid and now some ? years later I have remembered what a special place it is. It felt really earie and spooky walking into GZ as the canopy blocks out a lot of the Sun. Had some GPS issues (probably due to the tree canopies), but were in the general area when we spotted a likely spot. After a bit of scurrying and crawling it was "Hey Presto". I really enjoyed this cache as It returned me to my younger years!! TNLN TFTC
and my Geo Sons Stampy & Blizzard. Had a magnificent time finding all the caches associtated with this beautiful walk called Florabella Pass. I had travelled this road a few times as a kid and now some ? years later I have remembered what a special place it is. It felt really earie and spooky walking into GZ as the canopy blocks out a lot of the Sun. Had some GPS issues (probably due to the tree canopies), but were in the general area when we spotted a likely spot. After a bit of scurrying and crawling it was "Hey Presto". I really enjoyed this cache as It returned me to my younger years!! TNLN TFTCI used to live nearby and have walked this track many times. It is such a beautiful track, and today was no inception. GPS signal was lost near the GZ but wasn't needed as the hiding area was quite clear as to where the cache will be. Found quickly and a neat hide it was too. Took helicopter, Left 2 magnets. TFTC
Great cache, kinda accidentally found this one as dick Johnson and I were searching for another in the area.
Crossed a couple of fellow cachers on the search for this one, whilst completing with a few others. Bit of a fail at the start since between us we plotted 2 different co-ordinates on our respective GPS's, so we were going round and round to find nothing! But once we got that straightened out we had the cache in hand. Great area, TFTC
On our first pass we found a small tribe of suspected geocachers combing the area. We decided to leave them to it and get this one on the way back. They stumbled across us on the next one... Got this one on the return trip. A nice easy find, pretty much exactly where you would expect it. Thanks for taking us down Florabella Pass. I grew up here, but I've never done this walk. TFTC
TFTC it was nice to revist this area after a long time away from this location. The start of the track didn't look promising but it soon improved. People don't seem to use these tracks much anymore.
Needing to be up the mountains on the 26th I decided to come the previous night and grab a few caches along the way.
Normally a bushwalk like this is best left to the daylight hours but armed with a good headlamp and an additional torch I set off in search of this cache just on sunset.
By the time I reached GZ darkness had covered the area but surprisingly there are the ocassional markers that illuminate the track and really the track isnt that had to follow. Once at GZ a quick search of likely spots and soon came up with the loot.
My only dissappointed was not seeing this area by day, but it was a very enjoyable night cache. Thanks
Normally a bushwalk like this is best left to the daylight hours but armed with a good headlamp and an additional torch I set off in search of this cache just on sunset.
By the time I reached GZ darkness had covered the area but surprisingly there are the ocassional markers that illuminate the track and really the track isnt that had to follow. Once at GZ a quick search of likely spots and soon came up with the loot.
My only dissappointed was not seeing this area by day, but it was a very enjoyable night cache. Thanks
This is a wonderful cache location, congratulations Rikki on your selection. 
I parked in Florabella Street just near the Warimoo Public School and made the short walk to the end of the street where the Floarabella Pass track commences. You quickly loose the sight of houses as you proceed down this track and your senses are overtaken with the smell of bush flowers, the sight of just wonderful bush land and the sounds of many and varied bird varieties.
At the top of track I was about 250 meters from GZ. As I proceeded down into the valley at one point I was only 90 meters from GZ, however the track then took me away to about 200 meters and this was the way it continued closer then further away, closer then further away, until at last GZ was only meters away.
The hint says it all and the cache was located without too much trouble.
After taking a few pictures it was time to return, need I say too much about the trip back, I think the photographic evidence provided tells the story. Stairs, stairs and more stairs.
This is a first class cache location and well worth every step in climbing back up!!
TNLN
Tks …… Rikki ….. GazMag
#449
I parked in Florabella Street just near the Warimoo Public School and made the short walk to the end of the street where the Floarabella Pass track commences. You quickly loose the sight of houses as you proceed down this track and your senses are overtaken with the smell of bush flowers, the sight of just wonderful bush land and the sounds of many and varied bird varieties.
At the top of track I was about 250 meters from GZ. As I proceeded down into the valley at one point I was only 90 meters from GZ, however the track then took me away to about 200 meters and this was the way it continued closer then further away, closer then further away, until at last GZ was only meters away.
The hint says it all and the cache was located without too much trouble.
After taking a few pictures it was time to return, need I say too much about the trip back, I think the photographic evidence provided tells the story. Stairs, stairs and more stairs.
This is a first class cache location and well worth every step in climbing back up!!
TNLN
Tks …… Rikki ….. GazMag
#449
very nice walk kids loved it couldnt find this one until i had a look at the hint then it was easy
container in good condition only had a couple of bite marks in it
took- monkey ufo thing
left- 2 x stamps
container in good condition only had a couple of bite marks in it
took- monkey ufo thing
left- 2 x stamps
Coming down the steps to the two Florabella caches, I kept thinking 'I hope it isn't like this all the way, as I will be coming back this way soon!'
Once near GZ, the path was kinder to my creaky old knees, and it was an easy search to locate the cache.
Thanks for the chance to come this way.
Once near GZ, the path was kinder to my creaky old knees, and it was an easy search to locate the cache.
Thanks for the chance to come this way.
Back down this familiar old track again, and before long I arrived at GZ, it was not hard to spot as it looks like a herd of elephants have been through, just look for the fallen rocks, trodden area and disturded vegetation....which is all the more difficult for me to understand as only a handful of well rounded cachers have been here none of which would leave the area as I found it.
The cache was fine and I signed the log book, wasting no time to return it to it's spot. I sat for a moment and decided whether I should have a crack at the other nearby cache, if I didn't it would be a long long time before I returned to grab it, well what the hell.... I straightened things up a bit and tried to return it to some resemblance of normality. I still fear someone searched unsucessfully here and left the area in a mess but time will soon fix what I could not.
Thanks Rikki another quality cache TNLN
The cache was fine and I signed the log book, wasting no time to return it to it's spot. I sat for a moment and decided whether I should have a crack at the other nearby cache, if I didn't it would be a long long time before I returned to grab it, well what the hell.... I straightened things up a bit and tried to return it to some resemblance of normality. I still fear someone searched unsucessfully here and left the area in a mess but time will soon fix what I could not.
Thanks Rikki another quality cache TNLN
After completing some other lower mountains caches we arrived at the trail head just in time to see Webby & a couple of Webbettes arriving back at their car after completing the two Florabella caches we were about to attempt. Chatted for a while before we set off down the track on this lovely sunny but quite cool day. Certainly too cool to tarry long in the pretty but shady valley we passed through. At GZ we left the main path and spotted the likely hiding place straight away. Sometimes your luck is in. Soon had the caching duties completed and were on our way to the next. It's certainly a pleasant and easy stroll along an excellent track. Made no swaps.
11:38am
A really nice walk down a well built track into this cool, damp valley. A quick search found nothing, so then I looked and was onto it quickly. Took a TB
Cheers
A really nice walk down a well built track into this cool, damp valley. A quick search found nothing, so then I looked and was onto it quickly. Took a TB
Cheers
Teamed up with Corell Amboshler for this one. Parked at the Warrimoo end, and took the staircase down, down, down into the valley. GPS was extremely patchy, but we had our hands on it surprisingly quickly upon discovering a likely spot. Great walk, and great location! Thanks!
This is a great area for bushwalking and have been here many times. It's great that there are caches to bring others here but a negative side is that due to poor reception we have to trample the bush in our search to find them. Already there are numerous paths forming where others have been. I came down to take photos of some of the bush orchids that are in this area, Found one called the Mosquito orchid which is very small, the flower is only 3mm across, got some great photos. Anyway I eventually found the cache at 12:20 and after signing the logbook carried on to find the next one. TNLN
