Curse of the FTF #8 (Wellington) Ngauranga, North Island, New Zealand
By mud-wiggle on 22-Feb-11. Waypoint GC2P4YW

Didn't have much trouble with the puzzle, it just came to me quickly. Coordinates made sense, but no luck with the cache itself.

I wrestled with this puzzle for several months, trying different ideas and getting nowhere. At last, I went back to basics, tried a simple strategy that amazingly (annoyingly) worked. With rule applied, the coordinates were soon resolved, and looked very good. However, a hunt at GZ threw up a similar result to that of brucewwnz: no sign of a cache. I think this one requires investigation by the CO.

This geocacher reported that the cache might be missing.

I thought I had looked at all the puzzles in the Wellington region but I recently noticed the existence of this one that had managed to escape my attention until then. I quickly arrived at a solution that indicated a spot that seemed to (mostly) fit with comments in finders' logs. I visited the site but couldn't find an item that fitted with the hint, let alone the cache. Aware that there was a possibility of alternative solutions, I checked with a previous finder and confirmed we had the same coordinates. I returned today with added determination and even tried accessing ground zero from a different approach. I do wonder if there has been some erosion and some material (including the cache) have ended up in a ditch. If the container is a regular size, I really do think I would have found it. I have put this one on my watchlist to see how others fare.

Solved some time ago, and as I had recently solved another puzzle that was in the same area chose today to try and collect. Arrived at the coordinates and started the search. Took about five minutes, but eventually found the cache as described, all safe and dry. TFTC.

Tried this one at night, but probably not a good idea, as the area was much more rural than I expected. GZ matched hint, but searching by cell-phone torchlight proved a bit of a no-no. No luck - will make this a daylight search next time. My fourth DNF today - a bit disappointing.

Solved before I started drafting notes on work involved… looks easy enough now Quick find on a very obscure path today! TFTC mud-wiggle.

I'm a bit apprehensive about puzzles with no checker and you have to rely on whether it looks reasonable on a map. As I'd solved this a little while ago I'd forgotten that the coordinates were actually unverified when I was at GZ and I assumed the cache must be here somewhere without considering that I might not even be in the right place. After about 5 minutes I decided the GPS wasn't being much help so I paid closer attention to the hint instead. That strategy worked much better and the cache was revealed shortly after. How did you even discover this track and where does it go?! TFTC.

#2626 Had a spare hour up my sleeve so made a little detour to collect this one that I solved months ago. Found a perfect parking spot and then it was a straight forward walk to GZ and a quick find. The cache was in excellent condition. TFTC and another dot day filled in on my grid.

Enjoyed the slightly un-intuitive mathematics puzzle! The hint helped me find the cache quite easily However as many have found before it really pays to trust the coords Even where foliage interferes with GPS signals a pretty good pointer can often be obtained if the GPSr is held stationary at least 10 -15m away from GZ In this case the GPS/compass combination on my phone gave a very good indication after just a few minutes TFTC

I find puzzles like this either come very quickly or take an age to solve. This appeared to be one of the former, and my hunch was confirmed when I looked at the location on the map. An easy find at GZ thanks to the hint. Signed log, TFTC

TFTC
Quick find by me to day taybee was about 6 meters out
[?] Found with ***taybee*** [?] Sign log book

**taybee** is caching again with **taybee nz**
it was time to get this cache off the do list quick find by **taybee nz**
All in good order, sign log book as ***TAYBEE*** or ***TB*** TFTC Log by Gsak
Cache was find at **2016-04-19 17:06:00**

Think had solved this a while ago and lost the info. Resolved a few days ago and found today with Selesi who had a dot day. Start of track needs a CITO. Amazingly quick find but GPS out about 10m. TFTC

A quick find to cover off a dot day. This is a quiet spot at the weekend TFTC

After spending a few hours collecting caches along a busy motorway it was a pleasure to call round to the final this afternoon to have a good hunt in a forest for a decently sized cache. The search took me a good 10 minutes after arriving at GZ but I got there eventually after expanding the search somewhat and approaching things from a different perspective. A good puzzle and a nice spot for the final, thanks very much for the cache, well worth a favourite point.

#1239 Took a few minutes to work out the puzzle then it was full steam ahead to solve all the equations. The result looked promising and from the aerial view the ground looked like it would match the hint.

Quick stop on the way to work this morning and the cache was in hand in no time. Paperwork completed and cache returned for the next suspect.

Thanks for this puzzle - it caused a couple of head scratches. Thanks also for my smilie today and enabling my streak to continue.

Found with Wafflekitties, TFTC

Only took a minute to figure out how to solve the puzzle and at GZ, coordinates were pretty good, maybe 5m off. Easy find TFTC

Had a bit of trouble with GPSr wandering, but found it in the end - just as the hint described. Interesting place. TFTC.

Interesting little track. Took the pooches and pattismith jr there today for a walk. We enjoyed spending time in the area, and located the cache after we expanded the search area a bit. TFTC and TFTP

Last summer the idea was born to visit [Green]'New Zealand'[/Green], together with [url=http://coord.info/PR3NXJG][red]'MimiNemo'[/red][/url]
After some important decisions regarding the beginning of our trip, the flights, the general route and the car were made, the most important question was still unanswered: which caches can we visit during our tour [?]
To get an answer for this topic I was fetching almost every cache from both islands [8)][:X]
[url=http://coord.info/PR3NXJG][red]'MimiNemo'[/red][/url] and I love [Teal]'Geo-Arts'[/Teal]...so we added all these cache series to our wish list
After this decision was made this list was more than 300 puzzle caches long...unsolved puzzle caches
Two weeks before Christmas it was getting time to start solving all these mystery caches
Even with the different language I could find almost every solution
In the case I was not so successful I was contacting some of the CO's...and was always getting help from them...many thanks for this support [:X]

During the following weeks our cache list was growing and growing...meanwhile more than 1000 caches long...too long for a simple bookmark list from GC
Time to get our route and caches in sync...time to save the PQ's to our Garmins...time to start this holiday:

Chapter 16: [red]Wellington[/red]
Yesterday we managed our first geo art: [navy]Zealandia Power Trail[/navy] [:X]
Today the next geo art was the mission of our day: [teal]KiwiGeotrail[/teal]

On our way we could also find some other caches...like this one

I would like to thank all the cache owners for showing us these great places and maintaining all these caches,
Dev46

Together with [url=http://coord.info/PR3BC8B][red]'Dev46'[/navy][/url][/red] I was on a 'sightseeing-tour' through lovely [Green]'New Zealand'[/Green]
During our great time we could see a lot of beautiful places and we also could find 'some' caches in the area...this was one them [:X]

Many thanks to all CO's for all these nice caches
Dev46

Solved this afternoon then it was off to grab the cache. Parked appropriately and headed up the track. Cache found after five minutes of going around in circles. I blame the trees, it certainly couldn't be me. Cache in hand. Another curse partially lifted. Thanks for the puzzle and thanks for the cache. Swapped out the TB and replaced with one that I have had for too long.

#191. Halfway through the puzzle streak (no.5) and halfway through the 100 day challenge (Day 50). Left Waddles the travelling penguin behind for someone else to take on an adventure. TFTC

I like these types of puzzles, so didn't take long to figure out. However, finding the cache at GZ was much more of a challenge. I spent quite a while searching without luck. It wasn't until I widened the search area and tried a different approach that I spotted it. I make the actual cache location 8 metres south east of the puzzle solution. TFTC.

Thanks for the puzzle. Solved it quite a while ago. Visited GZ last year but didn't manage to find the prize. The GPS was jumping about all over the place. I had time to call by for a second visit today and the GPS behaved itself. Managed to find it pretty quickly.
My first Curse of the FTF cache.
TFTC

All good.
Tftc.

Nice little puzzle and interesting GZ

#790 Easy find at GZ. Excellent coords. TFTC

Find #2057. A random find while in the area and an attempt to convert ? to . I wonder where this track takes you - might be worth exploring one day. Good spot for a cache. SL TFTC

Tried to drive up the track.... got about 20m before deciding that in fact it would be much safer on foot. good GPS signal meant the cache was quickly in hand. cache in good order, signed the paperwork and back down the hill. TFTC

First of the day. Enjoyed the puzzle - not too easy or too hard. tftc

All good. Tftc

Firstly I pulled into the carpark thinking it was going to be a quick grab. Unfortunately my GPS told me still 25 metres away. So I re-read the listing and hint, rechecked the map and headed of up the track. A nice easy track with a bit of a climb at the end. TFTC.

found today and picked up my first TB and geocoin

Took a while to find but got there in the end. Dropped off a couple of TBs. TFTC

Was concerned at all the reports of GPS being out as I approached the GZ with my SIII mini. Samsung won the day as the co-ordinates were spot on. Did have a moment of "should I be doing this in my office clothes" but the ground today was dry so no problems. Cache is in good order. TFTC.

Cache # 1,280 - and another of the Curses done - not many to go now. Did this in the early morning, and used my head torch to assist. GZ ended up being at least 9 metres away from the coordinates, but got there in the end. TNLNSL. TFTC!

Sent the boys into look for this last time, but no result. If you want a job doing properly......

Thanks for the puzzle.

The case of the dancing GPS. Visited the GPS reseller on the way out. TFTC SL

My first unknown cache. Would like to take credit for solving, but unfortunately cannot. Thanks Ricardomceedee for solving and allowing me to 'tag' along. TFTC

Successfully solved the puzzle. Retrieved with Paula&PrincessEmily after completing Re-cycle or Recycle series 1-17 this morning.

Found during an afternoon of caching adventure.
We think we may have slightly miscalculated the coords, but not sufficiently so as to be unable to find it on a widened search area. Wasn't quite the quick and easy for us that other finders have reported. Found nonetheless, log signed, cache in order and safely rehidden, just as found.
TFTC found with team cacher Sweet P too
The Turtle strikes again!

Straight forward puzzle and find. TFTC.

Wandered up to grab after solved in winter.

Overshot GZ a little, but got it in short order.

TFTC

Day 4 of our road trip to Auckland for Christmas. Another collect of a puzzle solved at home. Thanks for the hide

Quiet evening, dot day - until now! TFTC

TFTC

TFTC

Solved the puzzle ages ago but it has taken a while to get out to GZ. Visited a couple of weeks ago but couldn't go for the find as I thought I had left the GPSr behind (in fact it was in another pocket of my caching bag all along!) Finally we were back today with a quick find. TFTC

Nice easy find after solving puzzle. Picked up "Discover Me" travel bug. TFTC.

Worked this out ages ago and fortunatly saved the updated co-ords as I can't remember how I worked it out! Finally got around to going and getting it. Overshot GZ while following the GPS, but then spotted container from about 10 metres away. All in good order, another of the "Cursed Caches" off the list. SL TFTC.

At GZ it was a bit of a puzzle on how to get the cache. But after widening our search the cache was quickly in hand. TFTC

Pleased the numbers worked out OK for us. Now to negotiate the traffic to get to the nearby railway station. TFTC

Did with CrystalFairy

Solved this curse a long time ago and today was the first time we attempted it. Last time we were here for another cache we walked the route, but today there was no metal bar at the bottom and could drive to within 5m of the cache. Thanks for the cache.. Did with MycroMan..

Solved this quite some time ago, so an easy grab while in the area today. TFTC

This one was solved ages ago but I just hadn't come to collect. Did a couple of loops and evenually spied the cache from a few meters away while above it.

WELL THAT WAS FUN
How many times did I go up and down the hill looking at the wood ! +/- 19m and then it was, crapola, I walked past that on the way up this track. My pen is somewhere on the hill in the gorse, twigs etc {let me know if you find a Tony's Tyre Service pen please} but, at last, there [ damn, walked past that at least 'n' times. Now, if all puzzles were as quick as this one was to work out it would be cool [as if, I do work at Centreport so there is limited chances] but at least I found it. Now, to the airport to head to Akld to see Mr Waters and THE WALL tomorrow night ! TFTC TNLNSL {thankfully there was a pencil as I lost my pen up the hill! }

Nice little track I didn't know about

Great cache love to work this one out so TFTC

The puzzle worked okay, but my GPSr let me down a bit. Eventually found the cache and picked up the TB coin. SL TFTC.

Found on a beautiful day.TFTC

GPS put us wrong trying to get to the correct area to start. As we had solved a puzzle to do this, we perservered. Once we got the car to the correct place, the rest was straightforward. Ground a bit damp but otherwise no problems. Dropped off a coin. Thanks.

Solved the puzzle a few weeks ago and did a drive by this afternoon. Interesting spot I'd never known about before. TFtc

Quick find (38th of the day) after a long day of caching TFTC mud-wiggle

Had been behind the computer all morning so decided ti get on the bike and go for a ride given it was such a beautiful day. Stayed just above GZ for a while and watched the world go by. TFTC

7346 Curse the cache or the GPS?… our co-ords were out by ~20m, eventually found it by checking all the likely hiding spots nearby, nice puzzle, TFTC.

Puzzle wasn't too hard - my first look had me confused, but another look soon had it sorted. Fairly quick cache find. SL TFTC

Easy find on the way back from town.
TFTC

Managed to solve the puzzle without too much trouble a while ago so decided to grab it tonight while passing. Another great cache in this series, TFTC!

#720. I was in the area so I decided to pick this one up. The updated coordinates from the puzzle led me straight to the cache, so all good there. An easy find and quick retrieval, SL, TFTC. -tb

Finally have broken the curse of the DNF.

All good with the coordinates now, though took me a few minutes before I struck plastic. Confirmed that I was using the correct method on my previous attempt, just the posted position error that threw me.

(It is unlikely in fact that clouds will significantly affect GPS reception, though a lot of moisture could possibly have some effect. Any errors are much more likely to be caused by satellite configuration, reflections from nearby objects and/or the accuracy of the GPSr. I noted that at one point while at the GZ my receiver also dropped to 20 metres accuracy but it went back to 7 metres. It is important to check the level of accuracy shown by your GPSr when measuring coordinates for a cache, and I find it helpful also to do a "dummy search" once you plant a cache to see if the GPS leads you back to the cache- though I still had trouble with a couple of mine where there is bush cover!)

Pleasant walk on a fine lunchtime though there was a definite autumn feel in the air.

A nicely presented and well stocked cache, with a bit of a mental and physical challenge, now the coords are fixed it goes on my favorites. Will have to relearn my maths though


TNLN, discovered the nice Delaware coin and will record on its page accordingly.

Noted a log from boxhill saying he handn't been cursed -yet- at the time- amusing in view of the fact he got cursed not long afterwards and it was lifted just last night
(it was only a matter of time before a frequent FTFer like him would get cursed....)
TFTC.

Re-visited to get another reading on the final, indeed it was out. I've updated the puzzle to reflect the new co-ordinates...hopefully these are a bit closer. Hint changed slightly too. Cheers!

A neat wee puzzle I hadn't come across before but managed to work it out with a bit of lateral thinking. Like others I found the co-ords about 20m out, but luckily I had read the logs and made the appropriate compensation. Managed to park within 2m of the cache, but at your own risk if you try this yourself
TFTC

Thankfully didn't have to go out on a limb for this one. Figured I had a 50/50 shot of getting the right tree first off given the +/- 20m error and ... wouldn't you know it.
Solved puzzle on the day #8 was published but haven't had a chance to go hunting till now. Even this afternoon's sudden downpour couldn't hold me back.

Based on logs I'll go back and check the final co-ords over the next week or so. T'was a dreary, cloudy day when I placed it. Cheers!

Fun puzzle.
Found after reading the previous logs about the coordinates being 20 metres out.
Bought my headlight from Trig Instruments.
Thanks.

Clicked on the solution reasonably quickly and had it tucked away for a find later. Stopped off on the way home this morning from a night shift to seek the hidden spot. After spotting two geo trails tried the other one and then had to move in from the back to find the cache (should have taken the other trail). Found I was the second finder this morning. Nice hide and agree with the coordinates being a bit wide. TFTC

#1983. Interesting puzzle and final location. Went after dinner ... no muggles at all this Sunday evening.
+ Delaware Colonial 100 Geocoin
TNSL. TFTC.

Solved the puzzle quickly after the cache was published. Came here on a lunchtime excursion today and used "cacher's instinct" to find the cache after only a couple of minutes at exactly the offset expected from previous logs. Nice spot for a hide! Signed log, TFTC!

Didn't take too long to realise my first idea was wrong about this puzzle, then a solution quickly became apparent. Trotted off to GZ on the way home this evening, but found my solved coords were also 20m away in a tricky spot. However, the geo-trail soon helped me narrow the search down to a much more likely spot. Nice to find another in the rapidy expanding Curse of the FTF series.
TFTC.

Solved the puzzle without too much difficulty yesterday afternoon, although the first idea I tried had me heading down a blind alley.

Paid a visit to GZ this morning and found after a short search. If one of the previous finders would like their printout page and workings back, I picked them up off the path [:o]

On a personal note, a big thanks to everyone who has entered into the spirit of things with this curse series, its very pleasing to see its been well received, and who knows I may even become afflicted by my own curse one day
TNLN SL TFTC

After a bit of a search at the solved co-ordinates and not finding the cache, had to retreat and go home and do some thinking, sure I got the correct co-ordinates and double checked them and I was correct. Read the previous logs and realised my error, oh well, should have listened to Mrs Yeetrees, returned back to the scene and it was a quick find, another curse off the list, thanks for the brain twister, TFTC TNLNL (2712)

Thanks boxhill, oops that was me and I DIDN'T find it before I dashed off to catch a bus (I realised as I was about to catch the bus that the workings were missing, so I couldn't go back to retrieve them without missing it!) Was way too late for the FTF anyway, firstly I was in a meeting when it came out, and the alert I should have received didn't come through on my phone as it should have, which would have enabled me to get there earlier and take more time searching (and/or maybe muggle some of the other searchers...)
Glad that the workings were picked up by a cacher and not a muggle!
GPS was giving me some rather confusing directions so I was wondering if I had solved correctly, but in view of my notes having been found somewhere near I guess I must have been on the right track (literally.....) (Afterthought, I had not seen the log saying coords were 20 m or so out, that ties in with what I suspected because my GPS was taking me about 20 metres from anywhere likely, looks like a recheck might be needed and/or perhaps the finders could email the owner if they have better ones seeing they can't be put on this page?)

This entry was edited by robnzh on Sunday, 27 February 2011 at 19:07:48.

Solved the puzzle fairly quickly and then missed the first to find by half an hour.

StreetWalker was on-line when this was published and after a few false starts, got a solution that looked OK on google maps. When we got to GZ, it looked decidedly dodgy. Hmmm, was our solution correct? We decided to search nearby places which matched the clue. I spotted something that looked promising, and got the satisfying clunk when prodded with my walking pole. Problem was, I couldn't reach (mud-wiggle must be a giant). I claim first to find, even though StreetWalker had to retrieve.
Thanks for the puzzle and find.

Saw it published and solved it easily but couldn't go get it straight away. Dropped off Fido Dog Tag TB. SL TFTC

Solved easily on second attempt (after a minor brain explosion during my first) then called by on my way back out from town for an easy find. No need to look for new GPS nearby as that was where I recently got my current unit.
- TB
TFTC

#1985 (1/9 on a Saturday excursion). Tried out a few ideas, until I had one that gave believable coords. Funilly enough, we had been past GZ the previous weekend. When we got near GZ I wasn't so sure of my coords. I charged off uphill to my calculated GZ but that didn't look promising. Widened our search based on the hint, and eventually found the cache about 20m from my calculated coords. Not sure if the coords are a bit out, or whether my solution method was wrong. Either way, TFTC. No joint FSF's, so I'm STF on this one.

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