Mission Bravo Two Zero--The Final Push. Pinehill, North Island, New Zealand
By G-2 on 31-Dec-10. Waypoint GC2GRCX

Will replace

Second DNF in a row which was a bugger but couldn't get past the first waypoint to make any further progress. Found a nice big pine tree with a nice low branch but that was as far as I got. Will try again another time.

Pazzabella, Bertie Blowfish and made this mission far harder than it was as we decided to take a higher terrain route to recon point 1 from the top. During our bush bash I sustained an injury to my shin, fortunately not by enemy gunfire. With enemy guard dogs barking nearby we bashed our way to wp1 and quickly found the information required to make our way to wp2. After admiring the views we got down to business and soon found what we needed to, signed the log and made our way back to base the easy way.

Our squad of 7 units ( 4 of which were geohounds) had some trouble on finding an entry point due to the fact that no plan of attack was decided. In fact no plan of anything was decided. After finally joining forces, and making our way through some lighter bush cover, we realised we had a man down. Our first casualty ( and fortunately our last) cried out as something struck her in the shin (where a previous war wound was).

All the while, we could hear the enemy along the top of the ridge line. First position was pinpointed reasonably quickly. We continued down the ridge line as the enemy continued to sound out and give away our position. With Merlot58 completing the second part of the operation we relaxed and marvelled at the view.

On our way back , we met face to face with the enemy. It turned out to be a teenager (still in her jim-jams at midday) and a highly strung (and so it should be) Blue Heeler! f/p

At a post mission de-briefing, it was unanimously agreed that the mission team could definitely have spent considerably more time on reconnaissance and target analysis, beforehand.
As direct a result of this elementary mistake, squad members seriously miscalculated the trailhead location, wasted valuable time negotiating some rather difficult terrain (from several disparate angles) and suffered one casualty enroute.

Fortunately, woefully inadequate preparations notwithstanding, Recon 1 was eventually reached - and the first stage completed without further misadventure.

Happily, stage two proved a lot less challenging for our brave squad. Progress was rapid, and with Merlot courageously displaying her advanced mountaineering skills, recovery of target was achieved.
Over and out!

When I came here I went in disguise: shorts, t-shirt and jandals. I'm sure I fit in with the local culture here, and it worked because no one approached me or tried to shoot me, so staying unrecognisable was the key. Made my way to the first check point and watched out for snipers as I fossicked around for the secret intel. Took a foto of the intel to share back with HQ for later discussion then moved down hill to the final checkpoint. Since I had my camera here for intel use I thought I might also take a foto of the local landscape just in case HQ might be planning some sort of recon. Then quietly, and with great stealth, I located the secret stash with the top secret intel. I took careful note of my surroundings while I opened the log book and signed myself in. Just in case that I get shot and killed, my family members would know then I didn't die for no reason. Looking to return the way I came, back up the hill, I took careful note of the path I took in case land mines were in full operation. Made it out into the open and walked down the grassy bank back to where I had hidden my vehicle. Thankfully it was still in one piece and not bombed while I was away and then I made a clean getaway back to HQ to report back for a debriefing.

Thanks G, for setting up this mission, one I was happy to complete!

Log later.

This was fun, found the first marker after a short search, but as I approached the second GZ, I noticed somone has left a spade nearby. I was worried this may mean some digging might be required, but was soon relieved to find the cache intact where described, and soon signed and replaced without to much trouble.
Now to find a way down off this hill, all good fun, TFTC

After finding the nearby Mission Rendezvous we headed over to Mission Bravo Two Zero. The hill climb we encountered was certainly worthy of the terrain ratings. Once at the top we found surprisingly we had a great view over Rosedale below. Followed the GPS to WP1 which Kiwiscot uncovered quickly. Armed with the co-ordinates we set off on the final push. Did not take to long before Kiwiscot was in the action again finding the larger than expected cache. Another interesting spot you have brought us to. Took the easier looking route back to the car. TFTAdventure

What an adventure! Glad I found this one. Spent a great deal of time at WP1 looking for the first cache (my expectations of what it was were off) and only found it while doing one final search.

For WP2 the GPS pointed me towards a very treacherous slope, so I decided to check the other side first and came up trumps.

This one is a definite favourite! TFTC!

I needed a coupla Multis for the GIO LL Stage 3 Challenge and I thought this one hadn't been found in a while so would start here. Found a much better entry point to the bush well away from way was logged as the Trailhead (couldn't actually find that one) and was soon I the area. I had to laugh at the waypoint clue: find a large pine tree (the clue was five years old and they all looked large to me. ) Anyway, took a wee while but soon I had the final in hand (well actually it was more on ground and my feet were firmly rooted in on the slope) and then I sat down for a few minutes and enjoyed the beautiful view. Def an FP. TFTC

Found a suspiciously flat rectangular area of needles under some scrub but no luck.

Was up in Auckland collecting caches with a couple of mates. A great day but my legs were sore after all the walking.

Was up in Auckland collecting caches with a couple of mates. A great day but my legs were sore after all the walking.

Out early in the morning with a few caches on the list accompanied by Nova Lightning.

Approached from Mission Rendezvous across the stream following a tigers crawl across a downed tree nearby, up the bank (plenty of toadstools about), a spot of bush bashing and stealthily made our way up the ridge avoiding the enemy fire. great views across the savannah, a great place for a forward spotter.
The prize was soon in sight and retrieved, evacuated as per our approach but let the commander know of the "Spotters Point" for future incursions.

TFTC

Very pleased that we took note of the Trailhead co-ords to enter the bush, so we did not have to contend with the very steep terrain as per the logs of some of the previous finders. We reached the first waypoint without incident, and soon had uncovered the coords for the Final. Once we had reached GZ we needed to check the hint to confirm exactly where we needed to be to make the find. The braver one of us disappeared from view and managed to extract the cache pretty quickly. A great spot few would know about - wonderful views from GZ. Well worth a favourite.
Couldn't help thinking that a Push here would certainly be Final!

Certainly the most enjoyable find of the day! In the area with stretch.kerr and alpenmilch80 and after collecting the nearby trad, the decision was made to get this one while in the area too.
After finding the trad, we headed over to this one and realised when we hit the mega steep hill that we had possibly reached this from the wrong side of the bush. Not put off in anyway, we clambered up the hill, on all fours in places, pulling ourselves up and hanging onto roots and branches to stop us from sliding down.
A sigh of relief was had when we hit the top and after a quick breather to admire the view, we went about finding WP1. Punched the coords into the GPS for the final and off we went.
Final quickly found in an awesome spot and a nice sized cache container too nicely tucked away out of view. Another fav point added as this is an awesome multi! TFTC glyn, love your work!

Awesome Mega Day collecting all the smileys around the venue in company of a great team. Decided to go after the traditional for the multi. Ohh boy did we take the wrong way up the hill. It was a very steep climb with holding on to a lot off trees and whatever was in reach to help support. Breathless I admired the great view which was well worth the climb and this multi. Gets a fav from me... TFTC

Tackled this one with Mike-miss and alpenmilch80. We bush-bashed across from the nearby trad, which meant we approached this one from the bottom of the uber-steep hill. So steep we were on all fours for traction. Great views were admired before continuing up the track to the car. Thanks for the adventure. +1 Fav.

Alpha Foxtrot Alpha Victor!

Was in the LUP position when called upon CO to infiltrate and extract. Got to the FOB where the RSM ordered move on. Lots of AK 47's were going off (muggle people near the infiltration zone) but sounded more like AA guns. Used the GPS, avoided the barbed wire and located WP1. Got to the final RV and down the wrong path thought this private was going to end up like Bob Cosiglio. (IE we were that close to calling 111 for an extraction ...not sure how they would have but we got out in the end)

An awesome cache once again for many reasons, including many personal milestones today. We really enjoy these type of camo containers! and the effort for creating this multi and g8 cache page. SL -who dares wins knife. Cheers Glyn.

Out

This one has been on my 'to do' list for a wee while as I live fairly close by so decided to detour on my way home from the gym this afternoon to find my second one in this three part series. Really enjoyed the adventure and the great views over Rosedale. There are some steep drop-offs en-route so wouldn't recommend attempting this sortie at night. TFTC.

Just loved searching and finding this one, as the view from the gz is amazing. Had to watch my footing retrieving the final cache as it's pretty steep and a long way down. A certain favourite that's for sure. Thanks Glyn for the series, just one more to check out now, although it hasn't been found for a while.

Made my way over here from Mission Rendezvous taking the direct route up and down some steep terrain. Just when I was starting to feel cocky about how well things were going I triped on a low branch and whacked my shin--breaking the skin. Took a few minutes to find the WP as the GPSr was a little off to start and I wasn't interperting the hint right. Once the WP was secured it was off to GZ. GPSr was clearly playing up as it was pointing over the edge. Hint put me right, though it took two circuits to come up with the good sized, nicely themed cache. Climbing down the steep bank from here to get back to Clemow's Way was a bit hair raising and I had to resort to sliding down in places. Used a different spot--an earlier spotted possibility--to recross the creek at the bottom. If I wasn't running low on time I would have loved to have a go at the other one in the series. Cheers for the extended adventure Glyn!

Enjoyed the visit, the view is great. Thanks

There's a TB Rescue alert for "Catalunya Geocoin 2010" located in this cache - been 236 days since logged in.
Anyone watching able to retrieve it and get it moving again?

Great fun! Enjoyed the views from cache site. Good big cache. SL -TB Left GC TFTC

And now for the final battle! Although the troops were a little scared from the previous missions we made a bee line for the waypoint where we were briefed on the final mission. Seemed easy enough but we needed to take care to make sure all the troops were accounted for due to the nearby obstacles. After securing the site we located the mission log and dropped off some travellers before heading back to base. Thanks Sgt Glynn for a fun afternoon T4TC.

[ At 15:30 NZDT, a relatively easy find compared with the other two in the series, perhaps I had learnt what to expect. Great hide and yes! the pines are hugh !!! Recovered "Traveling M & J's Geodiamond Geocoin".... Have completed all three in the series now, fun but hard work for an 'oldie' Many thanks!! ]

6374 Took the shortest route between the rendezvous point and the final push... some interesting terrain, managed to avoid the discarded pine cone grenades and several trails of armies of soldier ants. Nice spot for a recon, and an even better spot for the final push. Many thanks for the fun.

Out and about with a platoon of mixed forces. What-ever rations Private Ryan had for breakfast, I want some. He sure made short work of the hill. I thought I'd be more benefit to the troop by staying well back and protecting our line of retreat, so I was a little late to GZ. Thanks.

On patrol with Corporal Chris, Private Ryan, Trooper Troutfly and Warrent Officer Welsh. Should have radioed an evac from the last cache and had then drop us off at the GZ. Instead we slogged it out up the ridge avoiding trip wires and the claymores in the trees.

Photos of mission uploaded

TFT THE FUN AND CACHES

On patrol with Corporal Cam, Private Ryan, Trooper Troutfly and Warrent Officer Welsh. Should have radioed an evac from the last cache and had then drop us off at the GZ. Instead we slogged it out up the ridge avoiding trip wires and the claymores in the trees.

In Diamond Studed Geocoin

Out: Compass Rose Geocoin.

T4TC.

Helicopter airlift to the final would of been great but no, we all slogged it up the hill apart from the Welsh Mountain goat (Private Ryan) who seemed to treat it as some sort of training run. The final push was rewarded with great views and great company. Thanks guys for the comradeship with this mission.

Having left some of the squad behind at RC1 to target the enemy posts below I took the rest of the squad down to RC2 to carry out a prisoner exchange.

I exchanged enemy agent MallorGeo with our agent Ladybird.

Cleared with HQ with a successful mission and retreated up the ridgeline back to the barracks.

Cheers for the cache.

08-01-2011 at 08:27

#410: Found on a caching run with Kai_Gotti

Out: GC
In: TB

TFTC

Moved out in the morning to do the Final Push, completed the mission with Gyro27.
Did the direct to route RECON.POINT 1 and 2.
Nice view from here
TNLNSL TFTC

The other troops had already made their final push so was on my own for this one. Bit of a climb from the rendezvous, will need some serious rehydration theapy back at barracks.

TFTC

Took the direct route up the ridge-had to retreat temporarily as enemy helicopter flew over-once all clear made a dash to the lookout point-no sign of enemy troops so retreated to the barracks for refreshments!
great series-thanks.

Mission Report:
Having reached the rendezvous point in record time, perhaps due to the lost tourist disguise (t-shirt, jandals and shorts), I headed off for the final push. What a push it was - had to ascend a very steep ridge with serious drops on each side, as it seemed the best way to avoid enemy activity. Had to remove the slippy footwear in a few places. Stayed low at GZ to avoid being spotted, and accomplished the mission. If I wasn't here for such an important military mission, then I might have admired the excellent view. Half way through, made contact with another unit of the division, mm1968, to bring supplies and assist with the other mission.

Awesome cache and great container to end this series - well, not quite end it for me, I still had some tanks to attend to. FTF #606 . TFTC!!!

Published

Found log shortly ftf

TB insertion