Hodg-Jo's 21st Birthday Condingup, Western Australia, Australia
By
Hodg-jo on 13-Nov-11. Waypoint GC37MPB
Cache Details
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Logs
We rode our bikes on the 4wd from the freecamp, the bonus of electric bikes but it is going to be a slog to get back. How did we manage to find this cache? Well it was a mission!!. It took us about 1 and 1/2 hours which is not a bad time.So we hid our bikes behind the pile of dirt at the start of the road where the gravel spot is. Then we looked for some pink ribbons but we could not see any, nor did we see any on the whole walk. I assessed it and thought there is a possibility of a very very faint track we decided to give it a go. We took our time picking our way though. We found some granite (possibly 33 56.406 and 122 33.608) and spied some cairns so we were on the right track. Then the cairns stopped right at the edge of the bush which looked quite thick we tried other places but no obvious way through. Back to the original place and we parted the bushes and there was a rock cairn so we continued on through. It was very dense we eventually made it out the other side in a very slow and zig zagged way and onto granite (possibly 33 55.501 and 122 34.129 i really should have named them). Yay I love this rock it makes for easy going. We made it up to the top of the dome following the rock cairns. With some great views from up here. We made our way to the cache which was a nice quick find. Now for the trip back. I had dropped some waypoints as we progressed up, so we had a bit of a guideline. However we went back a slightly different route. We went to the bottom of the granite which is approximately here ( s33 56.515 and 122 33.208 ) then headed into the scrub. Eventually made it the first granite rock and made our way back to the bikes and then onto the caravan. It was a bit of an adventure now that it's been found recently. How many others will give it a go. Thanks for the cache placement.
Spectacular cache location. Thanks so much for this cache. Was a decent hike up Mt Belches, but totally worth it. We parked at the gravel pit at the start Nares Island Rd as suggested. Thought we were on the right track, then lost it, then found it, then completely lost it and ended up following various kangaroo tracks until we reached the granite outcrops and were able to follow the piles of stones to the top. Plenty of bush bashing on the way up led us to choosing a different path down. This was not the right decision as we traversed some pretty steep rock faces with a toddler in carrier, dog and uber keen 7 year old geocacher. But we had an absolute blast. And topped the day off with a ripper sunset at Wharton's Beach.
Another day in paradise and another day of adventure... Today we headed to Wharton Beach & this cache was our main target for the day. I guess we are suckers for punishment & punishment is what we endured whilst heading up Mt Belcher 
We took the CO's advice & parked at the suggested WP, making our way along some kind of goat track... We spotted the remains of some old markers along the way but found that the trail of rocks placed was suitable enough to find our way to the base of the rock (even if we did lose the track along the way)
Heading up the rock was the easy part, especially with the rock cairns placed to guide us... Once at the top, we stopped at the cairn to take in the view before heading off to find the cache. Of course we found more scratchy bushes getting to the cache but really could have circled around to GZ 
Cache was found quickly, we took our time at the top stopping for a bit of a rest before the downward trek for some more pain & torture from the scratchy bushes that were waiting for us [:})]
TFTC Hodg-jo
Gotta wonder why this one doesn't get many visits, but then maybe not all of us are crazy hehehehe [^]
We took the CO's advice & parked at the suggested WP, making our way along some kind of goat track... We spotted the remains of some old markers along the way but found that the trail of rocks placed was suitable enough to find our way to the base of the rock (even if we did lose the track along the way)
Heading up the rock was the easy part, especially with the rock cairns placed to guide us... Once at the top, we stopped at the cairn to take in the view before heading off to find the cache. Of course we found more scratchy bushes getting to the cache but really could have circled around to GZ Cache was found quickly, we took our time at the top stopping for a bit of a rest before the downward trek for some more pain & torture from the scratchy bushes that were waiting for us [:})]
TFTC Hodg-jo
Gotta wonder why this one doesn't get many visits, but then maybe not all of us are crazy hehehehe [^]Foolishly left the attempt for this one with a bare 90 mins of daylight left. It seems not many travellers head up this way as the path was indistinct and the scrub quite thick. Emerged onto the granite sporting lots of scratches and minus one pair of sunglasses and then made quick work of locating the cache. Grateful for the backtrack feature on the GPS for the return journey through the scrub. Made it with a bit of twilight to spare.
A nice little climb. Came up the back from Little Wharton/Hammerhead. Awesome views. Thank you.
I'm guessing that you didn't have your birthday party at the top Hodg-Jo, phew what a climb.
Mr ILT tackled this climb on his own during the latter half of the day. When he left the sun was shining and the skies were blue, it was a perfect balmy spring day and there was no hint of the pouring rain and gale force winds that hit him full blast on his way back down again.
He started his climb close to the suggested starting spot, but emerged battered, bloody and wet in the car park at Little Wharton some 1 ¾ hours later.
While at the top he couldn't resist looking for the nearby TrigPoint and scored a FTF there.
Mr ILT tackled this climb on his own during the latter half of the day. When he left the sun was shining and the skies were blue, it was a perfect balmy spring day and there was no hint of the pouring rain and gale force winds that hit him full blast on his way back down again.
He started his climb close to the suggested starting spot, but emerged battered, bloody and wet in the car park at Little Wharton some 1 ¾ hours later.
While at the top he couldn't resist looking for the nearby TrigPoint and scored a FTF there.
We always enjoy the view from this spot. One of the party poppers and the rubber duck are still in there
Thanks
Thanks
Found it on the fifth day of our holiday in Esperance.
Walked up straight from Little Wharton, well it was a tad steep at places. World class views from the top.
TFTH
Walked up straight from Little Wharton, well it was a tad steep at places. World class views from the top.
TFTH
Out and about with pprass on our travels across the west.
We were determined to do this cache and after reading the description we knew we had a challenge to start with. Follow the pink ribbons and its easy" Well let me tell you that apart from one white faded ribbon right at the start, there aren't any pink ribbons to follow. We made the mistake of skirting around to higher ground thinking that the track was running along the ridge, but found nothing, so we just bush bashed from one clear patch to another until we hit the rocky platform and from there we followed the rock cairns which helped a lot, but by then the hard work had been already done. It became surprisingly cool as we climbed and the kangaroos were scattering in all directions. Our reward came after 45 minutes when suddenly we were presented with fantastic views all around us. We took many pictures, wondered why there was a rock wall and then headed over to get the cache.
Our return trip was very easy except for one thick part of wattle/malaleuca and we even picked up the original track for most of the way All up it took us 1.15 hrs to complete and a very rewarding cache it was,
Thanks fr the challenge Hodg-jo.
We were determined to do this cache and after reading the description we knew we had a challenge to start with. Follow the pink ribbons and its easy" Well let me tell you that apart from one white faded ribbon right at the start, there aren't any pink ribbons to follow. We made the mistake of skirting around to higher ground thinking that the track was running along the ridge, but found nothing, so we just bush bashed from one clear patch to another until we hit the rocky platform and from there we followed the rock cairns which helped a lot, but by then the hard work had been already done. It became surprisingly cool as we climbed and the kangaroos were scattering in all directions. Our reward came after 45 minutes when suddenly we were presented with fantastic views all around us. We took many pictures, wondered why there was a rock wall and then headed over to get the cache.
Our return trip was very easy except for one thick part of wattle/malaleuca and we even picked up the original track for most of the way All up it took us 1.15 hrs to complete and a very rewarding cache it was,
Thanks fr the challenge Hodg-jo.
Found at 3:14 PM GAFF2 in the company of xambo4u.
We were determined to do this cache and after reading the description we thought that it would be quite easy - "... follow the pink ribbons and its easy" Well let me tell you that apart from one white faded ribbon right at the start, there aren't any pink ribbons to follow. We made the mistake of skirting around to higher ground thinking that the track was running along the ridge, but found nothing, so we just bush bashed from one clear patch to another until we hit the rocky platform and from there we followed the rock cairns which helped a bit, but by then the hard work had been already done. It became surprisingly cool as we climbed and the kangaroos were scattering in all directions. Our reward came after 45 minutes when suddenly we were presented with fantastic views all around us. We took many pictures, wondered why there was a rock wall and then headed over to get the cache.
Our return trip was very easy except for one thick part of wattle/malaleuca and we even picked up the original track for most of the way[^] All up it took us 1.15 hrs to complete and a very rewarding cache it was,
Thanks Hodg-jo.
We were determined to do this cache and after reading the description we thought that it would be quite easy - "... follow the pink ribbons and its easy" Well let me tell you that apart from one white faded ribbon right at the start, there aren't any pink ribbons to follow. We made the mistake of skirting around to higher ground thinking that the track was running along the ridge, but found nothing, so we just bush bashed from one clear patch to another until we hit the rocky platform and from there we followed the rock cairns which helped a bit, but by then the hard work had been already done. It became surprisingly cool as we climbed and the kangaroos were scattering in all directions. Our reward came after 45 minutes when suddenly we were presented with fantastic views all around us. We took many pictures, wondered why there was a rock wall and then headed over to get the cache.
Our return trip was very easy except for one thick part of wattle/malaleuca and we even picked up the original track for most of the way[^] All up it took us 1.15 hrs to complete and a very rewarding cache it was,
Thanks Hodg-jo.
A bit of a struggle with finding a pathway. There are traces of two old paths but both are now very overgrown due to lack of recent use. Once on the rock section there were no problems. The view from the top is fantastic. Thank you
A big climb wow! 1 hour and 40 minute round trip for us Mrs Wandella was a bit tired at the end ha ha. Track once you get to the rocky plateau is very hard to follow but just follow what is obvious, when at the top the track is quiet obvious. TFTC
Found whilst on a break with the camper over at the Duke and Esperance..just spectacular coast line..thanks for the cache...why do all the best caches have a climb 
Once we got to the first "boldery" out crop we did find the track a little hard to follow for approx 200 metres until you reached the open slopes of Mt Belches.
We took along our canine member and he had a ball..on the very top was a large rock pool full of fresh water and he went for a dip and cooled down..this cache has gained one of our favorites..thanks
Once we got to the first "boldery" out crop we did find the track a little hard to follow for approx 200 metres until you reached the open slopes of Mt Belches.
We took along our canine member and he had a ball..on the very top was a large rock pool full of fresh water and he went for a dip and cooled down..this cache has gained one of our favorites..thanks
We did three of the caches on this bay all in one go. Going to Wharton first, then across the top to Little Wharton. Then for the biggie of the day, up to Hodg-Jo's 21st Birthday. It was quite a day, full of climbing. I don't know why, but we didn't know that there was another cache in the area. (Buzz Box) So we missed out on that one.
We went straight up the Mountain from Little Wharton but followed the cairns and tapes (or what's left of them) on the way down.
Thanks Hodj-jo for bringing us to such a marvelous place and Happy 21st Birthday!.
We went straight up the Mountain from Little Wharton but followed the cairns and tapes (or what's left of them) on the way down.
Thanks Hodj-jo for bringing us to such a marvelous place and Happy 21st Birthday!.
We were camping at Orleans Bay so this was the start of our exploration of the area. A good walk even if the pink ribbon was a bit hard to follow. Still great views so TFTC.
Found with Kool Running. Last of the four Duke caches for the day on a very windy day and the most difficult. Found the first few faded ribbons, but then had to take the easiest way to the top. The rock piles did help and then found some more ribbons on the way down until they disappeared again. Magnificent views all round from the top, would be pure magic on a warm, calm, clear day. Placing new tape for the track markers would help future finders.
Spectacular views, well worth the climb. Good exercise getting there. Pink ribbons?!! The stone piles worked well coming down. Thanks. Brings memories of 1966. Left penny and cake of soap. Picked up TB VFR7FA . Cache in good condition.
Cheers to Stevie, Kye and Harps! Best present ever! enjoy my home beaches! you can see our farm from the top!
enjoy my home beaches! you can see our farm from the top! 