Curse of the FTF #22 (Wellington) Porirua Central, North Island, New Zealand
By banian on 23-Sep-11. Waypoint GC349N7

I no longer live in Tawa so won't be able to check if the cache is still here so time to archive it and free up the location for someone else.

Couldn't find. It's been a while since it was found, and the clue doesn't help. A tree has fallen right in the area, so it's likely damaged, or got washed away.

Out for a walk in the area finding a few today, unfortunately not this one. Looks like a tree has come down right where it's meant to be.

Thanks banian for placing this cache however I was not able to find it

It was difficult to know how far downhill on the old or new mtb tracks to go to equate to T3 so after a bit unenjoyable stick-in-eye and gorse bashing I gave up.

It's probably still there as others say it's well camouflaged-
so maybe its more like D3?

Unfortunately a dnf to end the day. After a longish walk up to this one and a long time searching, it was disappointing not to find it.

Persistence paid off for this one. Previous logs only confused the matter but eventually a systematic hunt uncovered the hide. Log in good condition. It was quite busy with muggles on such a lovely winter’s day. TFTC

30 mins of fruitless searching.

No luck

That is pretty good camouflage despite being so simple. Google helpfully labels the adjacent Grade 5 (Suicidal) MTB downhill NO WALKERS track as "Colonial Knob Walkway" but we weren't falling for it.

found quickly on my way down from Colonial Knob today, nice camo and hiding spot, TFTC

Out and about with Flowerydaze and doing the colonial nob for the first time. Well this one had me fooled for a while and even after removing the hint object I still had no idea that it was the cache it was so well camouflaged. A bit damp but all well here. TFTC

Found quite quickly by Talla64 who said it was so well hidden he had his hand on it before he realised it was the cache. I was too busy looking in the wrong spot. Oh well, it happens that way sometimes. Thanks for placing a cache here, a new area for us.

Signed Randalls

Sveppi and I have recently moved to the area from Rotorua. After a few months settling into new jobs and new house, it's now time to get fit! So we started coming up Colonial knob twice per week, grabbing a cache along the way on each trip. Coming down the farm road today, and it was this cache's turn. How Old School, hadn't seen one like that for a while. A bit damp inside unfortunately so could do with a bit of maintenance (its presence by a drain probably doesn't help!) and coordinates also a tad out so wasn't as straightforward a find as we thought it would be, but not too bad in the end. Thanks.

Grabbed on our way down from Colonial knob. Our twice a week walk picking up a geocache everytime. TFTC

Visit trackable.

Took longer than it should have as the GPS was taking us to the old farm gate on the uphill side of the road but ended up finding it on the downhill side. As mentioned by previous finders the log was a sodden pulp so we replaced it with a new waterproof log and plastic bag as it looks like the CO may have migrated to the South Island.

It's a real shame that this series was deemed to no longer be acceptable by the rule sticklers as it sounded like a fun concept.

Found but log was sodden so could not sign

Successful morning completing a loop over Colonial Knob nabbing a few caches along the way
This was the only one i couldnt find! Searched for awhile but then hunger got the better of me.

Nice hide, logbook sopping wet so couldn't sign. Tftc

Well camouflaged but differcult to find. Well done dad #102

In Wgtn catching up on family and friends. Sunday to myself so its a walk around Colonial Knob to keep me busy.
Another hunt here. Finally snagged to find wet inside. Log ok and tagged. Cheers

Spent a good few hours with The Wandering Dragons (doing a maintenance run), BruceWWNZ and TharnTheHulkan today starting from Rangituhi up to Colonial knob and down again to near Farm Road. Some of the areas were pretty treacherous and others were really dry. Thanks for all the caches.. Last cache of the day and afetr this one only 6 of the series left.

Found with Crystal Fairy. Tftc.

Bonus after nice walk. Thanks

A steady climb up to GZ from Raiha Street, and I was expecting an easy find. Not so. I checked a couple of possible places without success but then a helpful entry in the log pointed me at a location about a metre from where I was standing, in a location I was initially hesitant to visit. All is revealed at GZ!

TFTC

Yay! Number 600 for me!!

Quick find once the muggles had carried on... although as they turned around just after this cache and walked back down, maybe they were cachers too...???

TFTC banian #600, 18 February 2017

Nice diversion on way up to The Knob. TFTC

#1700

I had an internet challenge where I had to find a cache hidden by an owner with the same first letter as myself. Not a problem in Wellington thanks to boxhill's extensive collection. However, a bonus point was in the offering if the cache owner's name was the same length as my own. As it turns out, this is the only cache in the Wellington region fitting the criteria (that I hadn't previously found). The next closest is in Palmerston North so this was the target, especially as I'm nearing the end of the cursed series as well, so doubling up the reasons.

Headed up the path and reached the fenced off section. I was worried that the cache might have been lost due to what looked like a recent dumping of dirt off the track. But with a bit of persistence I finally tracked it down. The container was almost half filled with water so tipped that out. The logbook was surprising only a little damp on the outside and the sheets themselves were still dry. Put it all back and headed back down to the car. TFTC

Not a problem today

Unfortunately this cache needs to be accessed from a now closed track. However it's only just beyond the fence (former gate) so not too bad.

Nice spot. Cache in good order. TFTC

Cache # 2,814 - This has been on my to-do list for a looooooooong time, partially because of its proximity to home, but also because it is the last in the Curse of the FTF series that I can find - this makes 28 out of 29. I never got CotFTF #25 before it was archived, but got all of the rest of the original 27, including the two sequels. A gorgeous day today, and tiredness overcame some fellow cachers (we were going to do a different cache together), so I set my sights on this one. Surprisingly easy to get to the GZ, and little trickier finding the cache. The GPS had me initially on the wrong side of the wrong track. Re-reading a few of the last logs and using instinct I quickly found the right spot, and knew it instantly when I spotted it. All well in the cache, and certainly in a spot that should last. TNLNSL. TFTC!

Over here visiting my sister in a rehab hospital nearby - and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get out and about for a bit of caching.
Last one for today - didn't quite make it to the top - but need to head back. QEF just off the main track. Did notice that this track is closed but still found cache ok - well hidden.
TFTC banian

Didn't find this at first but bijouxtoojnr found it for me. Thanks for placing the cache.

A quick find while walking the tracks this morning. Thanks for the cache.

Ooh, didn't realise there was a Curse of the FTF up here! I'm collecting those! Quick find - good accurate coordinates. TFTC.

First of the day on a lovely dog walk with Cassie 2010 after the (brief but torrential) rain had passed. Unbeknownst to us we were on the wrong side of the track broadly and the GPS wouldn't settle, so I had to use the hint. Myriad possibilities! But a step back to think about things, et voila! Cache in hand TFTC

Found on trek up the hill with the geohound on a reasonably sunny but very windy afternoon. Relatively straightforward find. #838. TFTC.

Nice and easy for my kids. Number 22

Good hide!

Found it today on the loop track to Colonial Knob. Nice easy find.

Found with tink and Madmass on our way down from Colonial Knob

#473. Obviously a day for curses and hazards. Carried on up the track from the recipe cache. Gets a bit muddy in places but still quite easy in casual shoes. A short climb uphill at the end gave a nice view back down the valley. Had to hunt around for the hint objects by the road. Stopped and thought about where the cache could be and it was soon in hand. All a bit damp inside so dried things out with a tissue and double bagged the logbook which was only slightly damp. TFTC

Haven't been up this way for a few years which made a trip up here worthwhile, given all the new caches that have been placed since. Also making good use of a spare day and took advantage of a pleasant but cool day.

Last of 10 finds on a circuit that certainly got my heart pumping at times, this is one of the few in the series I still needed to get. TFTC banian, #7395

After a DNF elsewhere I was definitely cursing.... but this more than made up for that with an easy find exactly as described, and great views. 952 m car to cache in a straight line towards a challenge I'm working on... TFTC, another satisfied customer..

#1104 Walked to the top of the hill this afternoon with a muggle friend. She was interested in the hides but not converted. Yet. Nice wee hide and a great first cache for the day- lovely views today! TFTC!

nice cache thanks

Easy find on way down from top.

Last one for the day find while out walking Colonial Knob with Belmont Scouts, Jax479, CaliguliaNZ & orrsum4sum TFTC

A quick find as we headed towards the completion of our Colonial Knob loop with a small group of Scouts & Leaders.

TFTC!
with Jax479, Metal-Art & Orsome4some

No need to check GPS as this one obvious to caching eyes. TFTC.

Hoped to do the whole loop but gps cut out. Remembered the hint and location and managed to log this one on the way down. Log dry. TFTC

Found it!

8 of 8 collected on a trip around the walkway, first time walking around this one, quite steep in places and very pleased to get to the top. Had to wait for a couple of muggles to continue on there way before collecting, ended up taking a wrong turn after this one and almost didn't make it back to the car. SL TFTC

Couldnt find this one but had a good look around. Maybe next time. Sherlock Hood.

Nicely hidden - well-camoed without being too elusive. Thanks.

Gotta be a first for everything. Cursed we were and there was no finding this one for us.
Wonder why there has been no find since November when other caches in the area have all had visits in recent weeks?
Will keep a watch on it.
DNF

Great, sensible hide. Found with my aunty (kiwigsp) on the way back down from Colonial Knob. Was fun to see her find her first cache.

My first find, with my niece kiwitab

Went for a walk through this area after dropping off green waste up the road. Cache quickly found and signed. TFTC

I thought this cache search was going to take me somewhere I had been before but not for a few years. I was pleased when the parking coordinates took me to an entrance I didn't know about and meant I was going to cover some new ground. It was a very pleasant hike this morning in weather conditions ideally suited to geocaching. There were plenty of others on the track today and I thought things could get tricky once I got to ground zero. However, I had no difficulties finding the sensibly placed and well protected container and I was soon on my way to the next cache. TFTC, banian.

The trail up was very wet. Going to find another way down! Found with Sproggles. TNLNSL, TFTC!

A great walk up here today! Nabbed the FTF on Walkin' with Willie, across to Strabismus on Colonial Knob and a little detour on the way down to get this one. Why I haven't done this cache before I really don't know - I'm sure I've even walked past it! A quick find, cache in good condition. TFTC!

Hi, I found it during nice Saturday's trip around Porirua. I like this a view. Thanks

Found with the help of WaffleKitties!

Found it in the rain, enjoyed a lovely view of white mist

A quick find in the dark on our way down the hill, TFTC

We hadn't intended to do this one today as we only had a limited time for a run before having to head back to the camp ground to pack up & leave, but took a wrong turn & ended up here. In hind sight, we should have checked the map better. Nice place for a cache though.
Left a pet rock - a dog. TFTC

We did this one on a morning run.
TFTC

Quick check while doing the loop walk today. Cache and log in good condition.

#907. A nice walk up. The container and contents are bone dry. SL, TFTC.

I have replaced the container with a screw top type, the sistema was just not very waterproof. I have also replaced the log as it was a bit damp!
I will see how the new container goes, if it leaks I may have to change GZ location by a few metres.
Cache is now in a camo bag.

Log book is sodden now. Managed to sign with red space pen. Tipped water out but had no replacement log. Tftc

Wet, wet, wet ! Tipped out a bit of water from the bottom of the cache, and did my best to keep the logbook elevated when I replaced the cache. The logbook was dry enough to sign, but it is suffering from the moisture a bit. TFTC and can see the finish line of my walk around Colonial Knob.

Out with the cache owner so he knows the log book is a bit damp.
Cache well hidden.
TFTC

A nice little evening stroll up to this one. Lots of other people about on the track too, rather surprising how popular it is. Took a few minutes to locate this one.

TFTC

With gale force Northerlies it was a stunning and invigurating day to do the Colonial Knoll circuit.
Last find on the loop from Elsdon Camp carpark.
A quick easy find, paperwork done, now back home for a soak in the spa after the gale and the 700 steps.

TNLNSL TFTC

Checked cache while out on an evening hike to the top of the hill with the Tawa Scout troup. All in order.

Took a couple of moments to find as it had got a little buried. TFTC

TFTC
Buzzing from cache to cache

Walked up here from Recipe for Success and was happy to see this spot as it was one I recognised from pre-GC days. Wasn't sure we were on the right track until then. Easy find.
TFTC

This entry was edited by 1Grunta on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 11:58:29 AM UTC.

I've been meaning to visit this one for a while. This is on about the only track around Colonial Knob I haven't walked, and even then I came a different way today. I stopped by after reinstating the Recipe for Success cache near the Reservoir No. 2. It is quite close down the track that meets up with the 4WD road at GZ.

A good hide here and an easy find. The girls chose to head back down the 4WD track while I went back down past the reservoir to collect the car and pick them up along the road.
TFTC.

Been wanting to get this cache for a while - I think this is the last FTF series cache I hadn't found. Good walk up to site and found cache fairly quickly. SL -GC Left a TB TFTC

It was about time that got this one- I helped hide it! TFTC

Checked cache and dropped off Geocoin.

This entry was edited by banian on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 1:39:36 AM UTC.

FOUND IT

See taybee log [:D

easy found today the cache was wet,log book was dry Thanks for the cache

Got it today a few meters up the track from where the co-ords put me (near where two tracks met). Good spot for a cache though. TFTC

Nice day for caching. Only a few people walking off Christmas dinner.TFTC.

Felt like a bit of a walk this afternoon, so zoomed up the hill for this. Hadn't been on this section of the walkway before, so that was good to investigate. Nice little hide. TFTC

nice hide

Nice morning find today. No muggles about, must be all voting! TFTC

Find #867. This one has been close to home for a while now - but we figured we wouldn't make a separate trip out to grab it, instead we'd wait until we were in Colonial Knob Reserve to pick it up.

Today was just that day. After having completed our crossing of Spicer Forest from Colonial Knob to Ohariu Roud and back, we took a short 5 minute detour along the forest track to nab this one. The track was rockier and wetter than we expected, most likely when we experienced those heavy rains a while back the creek overflowed onto the track a bit. No problems though, as we were soon climbing out into the open and to GZ, where the cache was soon found.

Good views back along the Spicer Valley, and today was the first day that truly felt like summer. Thanks for the walk and the cache. SL TFTC.

An early morning walk before spending the rest of the day hanging onto the end of a paint brush. Some pleasant views from the cache location today. I have walked down this track a few times, but today was the first time I've gone up this way. Cache found without any problems. TNLN SL TFTC

Was in the area this afternoon so decided to go for a quick walk up the 4WD road from Raiha St. A nice fine day and was an easy 10 minutes to get to the cache. A quick find in the third place I looked, didn't even bother with the hint. The updated coordinates were good for me, very close. Signed log, TFTC!

It was a "cursed" day with three curse caches on the "shopping list". This one was Curse no. 3 accomplished, and last cache for me today.
A gentle and steady climb up from the road on a warm afternoon. Arrived at GZ according to GPSr and had a hunt about. Nothing located immediately so widened search. Found a hint item about 10m away (seems I might have had the old co-ord's loaded. Agree with Fozzmiester's updated figures) and thereafter soon had the cache to hand - after pausing for the passing muggles who seemed to be out in force this afternoon. Cache all good. Thanks for the walk and the cache.
(out Jeep TB)

I was sceptical whether we should be attempting this cache as a southerly was due and the clouds were starting to look ominous, but StreetWalker assured me that even though it was 900m walk, it was flattish! He obviously hadn't read the terrain rating as it was a steady climb the whole way.
I had the original co-ords loaded, and he had the more accurate ones, but I still found the cache (with help of the hint). A pleasant walk, with some good viewpoints, and we weren't caught out by the rain.
TFTC.

#2598. Bit more of a walk than planned but got there and back before the rain arrived. TFTC.