Kapakapanui Loop De loop Tararua Forest Park(Wtn) Reikorangi, North Island, New Zealand
By skeetinnz on 09-Jan-11. Waypoint GC2M8YP

I had a great time around the track today. I took the anti-clockwise route and it took me 7 hours including a 30 minute lunch stop.I spent some time looking beside the wrong hint object before making a quick find at the other one. Thanks very much for the cache.

Thanks to GSEL for the replacement sheets in a few of these today.Quick find today and back onto the descent

#669Good hint made the cache an easy find. TFTH

Quick find and cache is all good and dry. Thanks

Found during our tour

#12,004. Well today was one of mixed fortunes. The weather forecast was great with clear skies and light winds forecast. Been meaning to do the remaining caches on this circuit for ages and today seemed a good opportunity. Plan originally was to go anticlockwise up to the tops and pick up the remaining caches then return by the same route as I remembered the track going clockwise had a very steep section in the lower part. But best laid plans came unstuck on the top. A woman was camping in a tent near the summit with two highly aggressive dogs. They charged out of her tent and attacked me, biting me hard on the leg. I staggered off to bandage up the wounds. I had one more cache to get and did not want to go past her out of control dogs again so carried on with an injured leg all the way around the loop. Ended up being a 10 hour hike as I made my way gingerly off the mountain with blood leaking from the puncture wounds. Then a trip to A&E to get it cleaned up once back at home.

I stopped on the uphill slog and noticed the hint object was right beside me. Searched all around for ages. Thought the cache must have gone missing as its not been found for 2 years. Read some past logs and luckily one referred to two hint objects. So went looking further afield and yes there is a second one. Searched around that and success. There was the cache. Quite a few logs today were wet or tatty so I brought spare bags and rite in the rain paper. with me Added fresh logsheets where needed. Thanks skeetinnz for hiding it here.

One of two missed on the circuit.
To be fair had just swapped packs for the heaviest in the group, and didn’t want to remove it or flounder around too much on the upwards challenge.

Despite being an already treacherous descent to this cache the map advised me of an even steeper descent forthcoming. A rather auspicious find this- #2222. Just 1111 finds ago was my 1111th, and considering my caching activity over recent years probably just as many days (find #2000 was in 2018 [?!]) Two hint objects almost led me astray but the telltale signs of a hide (even if undisturbed for a year) saved hours of fruitless searching. Took a moment to appreciate the milestone and turned downhill again. TFTC

Finally found them all with kenny101

Well we finally did it! After years of living down the bottom of the track, we finally walked the whole thing as a family and ticked off all of the caches. Spent much of the day playing leapfrog with the parents who would pass us as we looked for/signed the caches and then be quickly overtaken again as we rushed to the next one. Was quite misty, cold and windy on the tops which was quite a surprise having been in sun at the bottom. Finished up in about 7.5 hours traveling anti-clockwise.

The Kapakapanui Loop Track attracted me because of the many caches with high terrain values.
It was a partly exhausting hike due to the steep slope, but also a very nice experience in the magical nature. Wading through the water at the beginning and end of the loop was a welcome change that we had prepared for with water sandals.
Many cans were easy to find, but we had to search for others for a long time. We didn't find four.
Unfortunately, many of the logbooks are wet and bad. A maintenance round would be appropriate here.
It took us about 10 hours to hike the track. Then we were happy and exhausted. Thanks for this cache round.

A good hint, so we found it quickly.

Found as a part of a previous group TanjackMüley, now WanderingSparrow. Now I'm continuing on my own. TFTC

Almost missed this one. Hint item want as obvious as expected. Quickly found here though and cache is good.

Thanks for the cache and the full log at the start of the trail.

Thanks for the cache skeetinnz
It took a while for me to realise there are 2 trees which match the hint...
Thanks for hiding this - I signed the second log not the new third one...

Today was a planned meet up between Gr33nslime, Stardust718 and myself in order to have a crack at doing the Kapakapanui track loop walk. So depending on the size of the logsheet found, we generally signed ourselves as either Team G.S.T or else simply G.S.T.

We knew today would be a challenge physically, although as a team we cracked Mt Egmont 5 weeks ago so we were pretty confident of being to do this loop, although my knees were certainly feeling it on the descent! The thing that really surprised me was just how many of these caches were in a sorry state with waterlogged logsheets etc. Luckily my 2 compadres were tooled up with spare sheets and new baggies so we were able to replace all the dud ones we found.

By this point of our walk, my knees were beginning to really dislike the downhill section, and I was having to descend much more slowly than my 2 companions with the upshot that I would arrive at GZ either as they had just found it, or occasionally I would get to join the hunt. This was one of the latter, although by the time I arrived one of my companions had just had an idea about where the cache might be, and she was right.

Once found however and in spite of the existing baggie and the double containers, the log was in no fit state to be signed so was replaced instead before we were back on our way again. Thank you for placing it and helping to give us a reason to make this trip.

# 1389 Team GST (Gr33nslime, Stardust 718 and TwigNZ) joined forces today to take on the Kapakapanui loop track. The date was set ages ago and we were hoping for good weather, which we got - today was not to be a drizzly walk in the Tararuas for once!

It was a long day out, car to car was 8 hours. We did a lot of cache maintenance along the way, replacing both logs and bags and it was unfortunate to see that even double containers plus plastic bags dont stop the insidious ingress of water. We managed to find all but two of the loop today so was a good haul and it is the highest total of caches i have gotten in one day. A good range of cache containers and d/t ratings too to boost my average terrain rating atleast.

All and all a good day out was had on a very well maintained track (but steep track), thanks DOC... in the back of our minds was the tragedgy that happened only yesterday, my thoughts are with those who have been affected by the events in Christchurch.. we stand with you

#25 of 32 today

Once again Team GST (Gr33nslime, stardust718 and TwigNZ) got together for a day hiking. This time it was in the Tararua Ranges to takle the Kapakapanui Loop Track. Having climbed Mt Egmont together 5 weeks ago we didn't think this track would cause too many problems. We work well together and it woudl appear we have adquate fitness for a full days walk.

We knew there was a decent climb involved of around 1000m though so some preparation was done with training walks and we made sure to pack plenty of food, water and clothing to accomodate the quickly changing weather conditions up here. We had cloud, mist and brilliant sunshine thoughout the day. Unfortunatley it was so clouded over when we got to the trig that there was no view.

Thanks to the various cache owners who have so many caches on this track that it became a target for us to complete. We did a lot of cache maintenance on our walk as abuot half the log sheets were too wet to write on. Fortunately Team GST were prepared with spare log paper and plastic bags.

#1632

found with youngest son on our way down from the summit, we did the loop clockwise, we had a great labour weekend trip, emptied a bit of water out of this cache, found in the second area we searched, TFTC

Cool hint but what does it mean?! Tftc

Tftc

Apologies to the cache owner for delay in completing the log.
I completed the Kapakapanui Loop Track on Wellington Anniversary Day - overcast and hot weather. Found all but three caches on the loop.
Thanks to the various cache owners for placing caches on this beautiful, though steep, track.

Found in the second area for searching, the 2nd log is still dry.

Liked the hint keen to get back to the car now so quick easy finds are great.
Done the loop walk with LCBuilder and the dogs. A cool winters day but luckily no rain and mostly clear skies so got to enjoy the views from the top. A very slow steep walk up, loved the gentle gradients of the ridge line and then a quick scurry down the other side made for a tough, long but enjoyable 7.5 hour long walk. The different sceneries were interesting and the dogs had a blast thanks for the caches!

Went on an adventure with Wafflekitties had a blast thanks for the memories! TFTC.

Hint made this one easy to find. TFTC

My annual trip to the North Island, looking for a good hill to climb. This loop seemed to fit the bill, lots of caches and promises of great views. Go to the start at 12:30 and went around clockwise, back to the car at 6:15. Pretty steep up and then rather steep down. Unfortunately it was low overcast by the time I go to the top there were no views. Really enjoyed the walk all the same - thanks for the caches.

#2871 Took a while to find this one. Thank TMann for replacing the logsheet.

Mtf

A cunning plan was hatched to complete the Kapakapanui Loop and a couple of other nearby caches. Two weeks out the weather looked perfect for today, and by some freak occurrence, it was actually a perfect, windless summmer day for the trip today.
A most enjoyable day out with Yeetrees, Boxhill and wb1116. We had a good few laughs on the way in a beautiful patch of bush, got some great views from the top, and found all the caches. Sounds like the perfect trip!
We were struggling with finding this one, so used our only PAF option for the day. Found ok after getting extra info, not quite where we expected it to be.
TFTC.

Making great progress on the down hill leg of the journey.
Had a think about what the clue could be referring to & found it on the second try. Then the cache was a quick find.
Thanks to Tmann421 for the replacement log, & a big thanks to skeetinnz for setting up the cache.
We left a pet rock - a lady bug.

Checked the weather forecast during the week and made the decision to complete the Kapakapanui Loop Track today with tmann421. Started out in sunshine, but soon clouded over as we reached the top. A great day out collecting caches with tmann.

On the downhill leg of the loop track and this was a quick find thanks to tmann. I think I may have struggled to find on my own. Log damp tmann added a dry log sheet.

TFTC

Initially looked in the wrong place, but re read the clue and soon had the cache. Log saturated, but hope my entry is readable. Unfortunately I didn't have anything else to write on. TFTC. Very enjoyable loop walk today.

Easy find but the container was half full of water and I could not sign the log.

No luck today. Knees are a little wobbly coming down...

On my Sunday walk up the hill a find after bit looking around. Nice walk. TFTC. Sherlock Hood.

Was a little tricky to find as was a little way away, but find it after going round in circles for a bit

On our way down from the Trig.
Everyone else walked past, but I took the opportunity for a quick breather and a cache search.
Thought I might have to leave it, but then cast my eye a little further and spotted it.
TFTC

My GPS pleeped in my backpack to tell me that I arrived at the cache, I raised my head and my eyes saw the cache. That was very easy, nearly dangerous, because the cache wasn't really hidden. Anyway, TFTC!

Even after all the dry weather the track down form the trig was still quite soft in places - I'm very glad I didtn't do this in the wet as I imagine it would be quite a grind. My knees were starting to let me know about the descent by the time that we got here. Unfortunately with still plenty more downhill to come they took quite a beating.

Out on a beautiful summer's day with simpsonsrgr8. We did the loop in a clockwise direction completing the circuit in 5 hours 20 including breaks. Not having been in here before I really enjopyed the walk and the scenery but I doubt that my knees would want me to return any time soon. TFTC

Found while completing the loop with Fozzmiester. We opted for the clockwise route and got around the full loop in 5:20, including our lunch break.

I almost carried on past the cache but thankfully the beep from the GPS woke me up to the need to hunt. Fozzmiester came up with it while I was hunting the near by object.

It was nice to have a break from the knee crushing decent

The physical effort was beginning to take a toll as I reached this location. It was therefore quite good that I took a few minutes to track down the treasure. It was just the sort of break I needed to get a second wind and carry on with the climb. I wasn't aware beforehand that this was a D/T rated cache that I hadn't found before so I was pleased to discover this.

Used the hint, but was thrown by the fact that there was more than one candidate. Checked the cache size, and had another look and it was obvious this time. Lovely walk, well worth the initial steep section. TFTC

Didn't find it - there were two trees with the letters on (in the clue). We searched quite a bit. Only the 2nd one we have looked for - so perhaps it was inexperience.....[;(]

1st trail on my hiking round today. After good climb up searched around a little bit but couldnt find the box. Hadnt no spolierf though, maybe another time. Sherlock Hood.

Getting cloudy now!

Another nice easy find with Chucky3, with the help of the hint - would be tricky without it, I think! Alas by this point the sunshine we'd started with had turned to cloud, which didn't bode well for our views at the next cache, at the trig... Thanks for the cache.

On our way up to the Trig. Track steep, but not as bad as we anticipated. Nice excuse for a stop after admiring the huge variety of ferns on the way up. Searched in entirely the wrong places before deciding to check the hint - duh!!! TFTC

Out for a day tramp/geocaching - a group of six of us. Read the wrong hint and foraged around unsuccessfully for a while. A neat hide and hint, once we had sorted ourselves out!

Had a bit of trouble finding the cache because we used the wrong clue.

The first 30mins or so on the decent down from the Trig were extremely boggy, making it that little bit more interesting and glad for the river crossings to clean off the boots at the bottom. The cache provided a good spot to give the knees a rest before the final assault back down to the junction. Relying on the hint the cache was a nice quick find, TFTC!

D'oh, I wish I'd looked at the spoiler!

Found this cache with agcnz, boxhill and Hurricane Luke on our way back down from the summit of the Kapakapanui Loop track, wow what a nice walk, very glad that I did it today and the company was great as well. Many thanks for agcnz and boxhill for guiding the way though this loop track, thanks for the great placements. TFTC TNLNSL (2572)

Fourth cache of the day on a very enjoyable hike with Boxhill, Hurricane Luke and Yeetrees. A steep descent from the Kapakapanui summit through very attractive forest, and the cache was a quick find.. Great company, great exercise, good weather and a few caches for good measure, all made for a great day. Signed log, TFTC and for giving us the incentive to do this fantastic walk!

Number 371. A quick find on the way down... in the company of Yeetrees, agcnz & boxhill. A quick find by agcnz - signed the log and continued rolling down hill. Very enjoyable day and great weather for it. The company was brilliant. Now, how about Elder View??? SL TFTC. Thank you agcnz for 1) waiting for us while you sped along & 2) for navigating us along the track, which varied from a walk in the park, to reasonably steep, and to various degrees of oblivion... A good walk, thanks skeetinnz for the placements.

Last cache of the day on a strenuous but most enjoyable day walk with agznz, Hurricane Luke and Yeetrees. A pretty relentless descent from the Trig summit through a mixture of bog and bush, the cache was found quickly by agcnz. Great company, and some caches thrown in as well, all made for a great day out. Thanks for placing the caches on this track, I would place this day trip right up there amongst the best I’ve done since starting Geocaching SL, TFTC

Just logging personal coins in and out.

*FTF* Hard work but nice to get the first find, also a difficulty / terrain combination that I hadn't found before. Track from trig down is quite challenging and in places hard to follow. Quick stop and an easy find as these 4 caches all have excellent listed co-ordinates - none more than a few metres away according to me. SL TFTC

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