Mission Rendezvous Pinehill, North Island, New Zealand
By G-2 on 31-Dec-10. Waypoint GC2GRD5

Was a little nervous about finding this as hadn't been found for a while. Quickly discovered and back in place

Really enjoying this track. Thank you for bringing me here

This is my fourth geocaching excursion to **beautiful New Zealand**!
Had to wait for 3 long years to again return to Middle-Earth – due to Covid [xx(].
This time I’m on a road trip enduring for 26 days, covering both North- and South-Island.
The focus is on visiting old treasures and highly favourited caches [^], as well as rare D/T-combinations to complete the matrix .
This geo-treasure contributed to the finds of today. Cool! [^]
The one and only stump...
A big thanks [:X] to the owner G-2 for hiding and maintaining this cache [^] - and best regards from Germany !

Great trail made entertaining by locals. Once I got the compass working no problem here

Going for the last few to reach our 300 milestone by NY goal! TFTC

Moved the car across the road from the Fruit Bowl Multi coordinates, and headed down the trail to GZ. On the way it turned past 1100 so I spent one minutes silence on the trail in observation of Armistice Day. This cache was a revisit as I DNFd last time out, so good to un-blue the icon. Took my time with the search and once again checked the hint item before widening the search. Once I realised that the only other option was on the edge of a steep bank I retreated back to the first one and searched better. Gotcha, and the green smiley mini-frisbee in the container beamed up at me as I removed the cache lid. All good here. After this I headed down the path to the stream and along until I was 80 metres BELOW 'Possible Military Outpost'. Then I bush-bashed up until I was bluffed out, approx 8 metres from GZ. then I retreated under a startled daytime possum - WTF (it probably said) and headed along the path, back up past this cache again and a haphazard path to Tornado trails mate. After that I headed down the ridge-line again, then turned round and tried Possible Military outpost from above, once again no luck. Then I checked the cache page and noted the Trailhead, ah. I think I was Oliver Hardy's lesser known brother - 'Fool'. Next time.

Headed over Albany way during lunch today to grab a couple of local caches. Managed to finish of a Multi, redeem a previous DNF, find another and not find a fresh one. Great day to be out and worked up a sweat in the midday sun. Mad dogs and Englishmen and all that. Thanks to the COs for their caches.

In line with the NZ Geocache Reviewers guidance on what Covid Level 3, Part 1 looks like, geocaching IS permitted, but there are not to be any events or any new listings. It seems the NZ Covid website has failed to maintain pace with Lockdown level amendments and changes and is still lumping Geocaching in with Orienteering and other gathering type activities. Link from Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/NZGeocachingReviewers/ for further details.
Level 3.2 variations applied in Auckland region at 2359 09 Nov 21 allowing new listings to be published, still no Events though.

Cache was spot on for me, clue was clear. I really like what the locals have done in this bush and left all the debris from the tornado back in 2011. It makes for an enjoyable stroll. TFTC took tb

Tough search here though time was against me. I could not find a stump in the indicated range, but a fair bit of wind-fall around. Will be back!

Decided to hunt in this area, which is completely new for us.
A great walk our dog, thanks for placing cache here.
We were impressed with the tornado debris on the path in.

Found GZ quickly and after a quick search moved on to find similar objects. After about 20 minutes decide to go back to my first location and after a muse detailed inspection the cache was located! How I missed it the first time, don’t know. TFTC and a lovely walk around this wooded area.

Great place, thanks! I've never been here before. My girls thought I was dragging them on another boring Sunday morning bush walk (and to be honest, so did I)! People have spent a lot of time on interesting things for the kids to discover among the trees here. Left TB.

Wore my rose, carried a rolled newspaper and waited for the code word. I think I may have had outed.

Nice spot on this track.

Found with a friend on our geocaching celebration trip now exams are finally over. TFTC

Third and finally successful mission. This time the troops took the appropriate equipment (ie a compass) so we could determine the correct direction. Once again Geohound sniffed his way to GZ, dragging us behind him. Once again he tried to eat every stick and pine cone. And he used the technique of ploughing through the stream (courtesy of that rain this morning) in order to lose the enemy.
We will return with GeohoundandI when she's not sulking because we found this without her, although she has occupied the quartermaster's tent in our absence and is making some apple dumplings to build up our strength in anticipation of another mission.

Returned to the mission again today with GeohoundI as reinforcements. Unfortunately our canine sniffer was more interested in eating everything he found, so once again we had to abandon the mission. GeohoundandI has decided we should try again but not succeed lots of times because it is the best place in the world and why did I not tell her about it before!

We did find a message in the rocks on the way there...............

Nice easy find

Geohound and I accepted the mission, but this time we failed. We were close, the minion told us so. Alas Geohound had eaten something dodgy and we needed to remove all traces of him from the bush as quick as possible. We will return soon with reinforcements.

We did see the failed operative who didn't make it to GZ............didn't even make it the ground.

This cache has been on my list to do for awhile and now that there is a new track that goes straight past it it was a much easier mission.

Headed out along the Tornado trail with Merlot58 to collect the newish caches in the bush. We noticed there were some new trails in the bush, so followed one of them to gz where the cache was soon in hand thanks to the hint. Love the creativity of the locals in the area with the signage and fairy houses.

Had this on my To Do list for years....but have never got here...
Today I found the two newish caches up the top...and looked at my phone map and noticed this was just a bit further down the track....and really near the track!
Had no ideas about all the tracks here...really enjoyed it thanks .
Beautiful birdsong today...and lots of cute signs.
Plus all the pink ribbons mean you can't get lost!
Many thanks....

Not a DNF, but a DNA (attempt). Out for a walk with Miss Six to stop us going stir crazy during the lock down. Spotted this cache was nearby, but further inspection revealed the stream between us. Think we'll try this from the other side another day.

Came to the Shore today for a game of Glow Mini Putt Golf. We visited the beach so Master Seth and his brother could swim a while. We came to this park primarily to hide and find painted rocks and it had a few so we left a lot for others. TFTC G2. This is a nice place to walk

Out for some specific caches to some challenges. This one was on my list. It was a calm day so zero killed. All good with the container and logbook.
TFTC
Picture: Creek crossing place, wild waters. And climbing start point

Out on a family walk and decided to tick this one off the list tftc

Too complicate for me today.

Couldn't find the stump :'(

**Sitrep Report:** dated 24-7-17
**Officer in charge:** General Gorby Gorbachov
**Squad:** Superior Armed Russian Forces 12-6678/99
I have been in this area a few times in the last year doing recon missions on trads, multis, pretending to be a local geocacher and each time I have avoided this cache due to the highly dangerous and sensitive nature of the surroundings. But I’m doing a challenge cache (GC3EPMQ) whereby I need 100/100 T ratings/D ratings. So at the moment I need some higher T ratings than D ratings to balance out what I’m doing.
So today I had some time and thought I’d clock up a few caches that need a bit of a workout inc this one. My initial intel of this showed me there is no bridge over to the other side of the creek at the moment (probably destroyed in enemy warfare I’d say). So it’s either a full on bush-bash from the east, west or north or jump in the stream for the quick approach (which is what alunb did) (naaah not for me) or the high wire approach across the trees over the stream (which is what Cats&Dragons did) (naah not for me) so I looked on the map provided and chose the bush-bash operation from the north.

I parked up the tank-mobile at the nth end of Pigeonwood Lne and with great stealth trotted in from there. I wanted to try out a kind of bush survival technique which I have seen before but not tried myself. I bought myself a roll of danger tape and cut it up in 600mm lengths and as I navigated down towards GZ I left a piece of tape about every 8m or less so I could use these to make my way back. I thought when I started it was a bit of overkill but later I found myself in a bit of a ditch and the GPS didn’t know where the heck it was going, so I had to get up on a hill of sorts to get better reception. This sorted the flamin’ thing out and soon I was within about 20m of GZ after going around matters in a round-about sort of manner as you do.

Then I found myself at GZ, time to put down everything and make a search for the cache all the while keeping an eye out for mines, and enemy retaliation. Happily I sorted out where East was in the hint (and the fallen tree) and it took me less than a minute to find the stump. But was it the right stump? Didn’t think so for a while until I unearthed the top secret cache which has been hidden for 15 months and 6 days! Time for it to see some air! I was so glad to find this, it took me a few hours to make this all happen. So took some photos to show I had been here, a few I’ll share with the C.O. The log paper is all good Glyn btw.

Then I thought I’d shut down all communications with the outside world just in case I might get compromised and navigated myself back using the tape I had provided. Well that proved harder than you would think. I thought I must have come ‘that way’ a few times but the tape proved otherwise. But eventually I found my way back to civilisation and I was off like blue lightning. Thanks G for the cache and a FP from me for all the coolness.

Had a rough idea where this one would be as I had passed it my way down from Misson Bravo Two Zero previously (but had written the co-ords down wrong so overshot...).

Anyway, went back and found this after work today. Parked down the bottom, and crossed the creek for a quick bush bash up and along the hill to the GZ. After approx 20 minutes checking around the area, and less than an hour until sunset, I was worried I would have to head back down and log a dnf.

However decided to try one more decent search, re-read the clue, re-checked position etc, and this time was successful. The cache was under an additional layer of fallen fern leaves and debries, which didn't help, but was able to find this once I got down and had a good rummage around. TFTC

Our mission today was to pick up some higher terrain caches for a geocaching licence challenge we are completing. Entered the reserve from Bushlands Park Drive. No trails apparent so we bush bashed the 300+ meters to gz. Scotty had some bad luck by somehow managing to put a foot deep into a hole which when removed was covered in thick sticky mud. Once at gz Kiwiscot quickly found the hide with help from the hint. Now to head over to Mission Bravo where on the journey across we really felt we earned the terrain rating. Would have struggled completing the climb if it was wet. TFTAdventure

Followed the similar route to many with the approach across the water proving I am not as nimble as I once was (especially coming back across) but Mission Orders were precise and the objective attained in prompt fashion. No injuries to report and off on the next Mission. TFTC

Did the mission back to front. After completing the final push, I tabbed to Mission Rendezvous and secured the cache within the expected mission parameters. There was a man down during evac due to an unstable bank, but apart from that the mission was a complete success.

Interior of the cache is in surprisingly good condition considering the state of the outside. Log book is slightly damp. TFTC

Message ends.

Not having a good day. 0/2

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 across the stream following a tigers crawl across a downed tree nearby, up the bank (plenty of toadstools about) and the cache was soon located all safe and dry.
A great spot and am sure that our approach made the terrain more of a challenge.
A Def fav for our approach


TFTC

After doing alot of urban finds, we decided to round the day off nicely with a couple of higher terrain cache finds. We decided to head over here for this trad and the multi closeby.
Headed down the ridge and through the vegetation and then bush bashed back up the other side to GZ. Cache quickly found. TFTC glyn, enjoyed this one!

Awesome Mega Day collecting all the smileys around the venue in company of a great team. Decided for the last hour of caching to increase the diff/terr by a bit. This one was a great bushwalk to the hide. TFTC

The urban park'n'grabs around the Mega venue were getting a bit tedious, so we decided to up the terrain a bit. We had a good time bush-bashing down the slope from the trailhead coords. Followed a pseudo-track halfway there, found the cache easily enough, then carried on the the Bravo Two Zero Multi, approaching it from the bottom, which was 'interesting' to say the least. TFTC.

Nice clue and wicked terrain, i remember i made half a bush track in this bush so that helped.
This cache got me motivated into doing more geocaching. Tz so much for this cache.

Today we are on a mission to complete 10 T4 caches in a day for the Only a Matter of Time Challenge. Because time was becoming an issue (after 6pm and still 3 T4's to go) we decided to leave the two multis for another day and headed straight(ish) for Mission Rendevous. Not sure if we chose the best possible route but apart from one steepish descent we made it to GZ in good time. The cache was found after a short search. Thanks for another important part of our Mission today.

I was in the general area today when I decided to do a spot of caching. Filtered out the low terrain caches and drove a KM or so to Clemow's Lane as this was the closest cache of interest. Well, the lane certainly meant for parking reletively close to GZ, but left with me needing to navigate the deep creek and a cliff like climb. Found three potential spots to cross and seetled on a favoured one rather quickly (I decided that the locals yellow rope was on the dicey side for sure). GPSr was surprisingly well behaved under the trees and I made the find in swift fashion. Dropped a TB. With this cache quickly secured I hit "find next closest" on the GPSr to continue the fun! Cheers for the awesome adventure in an urban setting Glyn!

I originally thought that this would be just another stroll along another bush path type of cache. Now I see why it has a four star terrain rating. I couldn't find any paths so to speak of, so it was just a matter of finding a place to cross the stream, then bush bashing all the way to the gz over some very difficult terrain. After finding the cache I realised that I had been wounded in some way, as there was a lot of "claret" all over my hand, it must have happened when I slipped down one of the steep banks nearby. It certainly lives up to its four star rating.

Took wrong approach in and encountered steep terrain which was duly negotiated. Had to do this sortie as a solo operation as my support crew were either on holiday or still in party mode. A good hide with nice camo. Mission completed successfully with only minor abrasion. Another favourite. TFTC.

Went for the cache, but aborted as we didn't have enough time to be back for the tree event.
Need to come back

To General G-2:
From Trooper BaldEd:
Mission Report, 16th August 2012:
Some time ago I received a call from 3rd Lieutenant "Bingo" Cache to rendezvous at a secret location in Auckland, equipped ready for another mission. Unfortunately, I was delayed in travelling from Fort Kaiapoi and only reached the outskirts of Auckland (Fort Tufty) this week. Knowing that the rendezvous was set down for 0800hrs, I was up well before bugle call and stealthily made my solo way northwards towards the rendezvous location in the dark. After 2 abortive attempts I was successful in locating a trail that appeared to head in the right direction. After many skirmishs with the somewhat damp defenders I reached the rendezvous point, soaking wet, at 0758hrs. I was a little surprised to find that nobody else joined me at the appointed hour. It became obvious that I would be wasting my time hanging around so I made my way back to Fort Tufty, eager to avoid being late for roll call & breakfast. After a prolonged skirmish with the local armoured brigade on the Great Northern Pass I just made it for reveille was heard as I entered the gates of Fort Tufty at 0900hrs.

After previouse mission failure squad proceded to Rendezvous. Request that sniffer dog is detailed for further training, after nearly causing another mission failure, by carrying large pieces of fallen branch equipment in mouth, while passing, from rear, at high speed within close prosimety to troops, causing near disablement. Also failure to obey a direct command not to attemp location of mini sub, dampening of troops equipment and camo clothing, and necesitating a scrub down of troop carrier on return to base camp.

Nice chance to re-sharpen the off-track navigation skills between an unsucessful attempt from the first multi and this cache. There's a distict terrace to follow (might have been a road once?) and an easy ridge so if you avoid the gullies then the terrain is actually quite gentle. Cache itself took a bit of groping for but was all good. T4TC

Mission accomplished. Took Ladybug TB and Squirmish TB.
TFTC

Marching on from our first sucessful mission we made it to the arranged rendezvoux point just in time to make the drop, another sucessful mission signed off, T4TC.

{ At 16:30 NZDT, a real slog for an 'oldie' over the terrain, wrong approach again, almost necessary to carry ropes !!!, A very good hide !! TFTC ]

6373 Straight lined it to the rendezvous point... Mrs YuGeo was not impressed... being attacked by a squadron of Mosquitos. Nice hide, TFTC.

left a spinning top and collected a travel bug

Quick recon and a fast find... by now the troop understood the mission and proceeded without trouble to the next GZ. Thanks.

On patrol with Corporal Chris, Private Ryan, Trooper Troutfly and Warrent Officer Welsh. Made our way swiftly from the last cache and hooked with the team at GZ.

On patrol with Corporal Cam, Private Ryan, Trooper Troutfly and Warrent Officer Welsh. Made our way swiftly from the last cache and hooked with the team at GZ.

Uplilfed Fox TB and deposited Dolphin TB for the next Delta Team.

T4TC.

Made the rendezvous point with little difficulty and once the head count was complete and members of the Mission squad accounted for it was off for the Final Push.

Managed to rehydrate here while waiting to rendezvous with the other squad. They finally arrived so it was on to the Final Push.

Left a Fox TB in the foxhole at the Rendezvous.

Cheers for the cache.

08-01-2011 at 10:06

#412: Found on a caching run with Kai_Gotti

TNLNSL. TFTC

3 squads made the rendezvous after a quick march direct from the drop zone.

TFTC

Mission completed Sir
Fun walk with Gyro27 and sp8sm8
TNLNSL TFTC

Rendezvoused with the sqaud, secured the area and completed the mission

Took the direct route-rendezvoused with the squad-secured the area then moved on to make the drop.(Great fun doing this -thanks)

Mission Report:
Adopted a lost tourist looking for the beach disguise (t-shirt, shorts, loose jandals) in order to fool enemy reconnaisance units. This, along with taking a fairly direct route (down and up some pretty steep and densely bushed terrain) seemed to do the trick and I got to the rendezvous point on time. The rendezvous point was secured quickly, although not before pretending to nearly slip down the 10m+ bank into the stream, also *ahem* intended to fool any enemy units nearby.

Awesome cache, love the theme and the execution of this series of caches. From here, I decided to tackle the final push cache next. FTF #605 . TFTC!!!

Published

TB insertion