Ballance Radar Station (Manawatu) Aokautere, North Island, New Zealand
By Skindo on 22-Dec-11. Waypoint GC39H32

Thanks to a locals knowledge and sturdy car I would never have got up this road.

Yay thanks

Xmas caching roadtrip time again, we left the motorhome at the camp in Dannevirke and set out in our Xmas decorated Jimny.No view today with the low cloud cover, no problems with the find, TFTC

A nice quick find here following the co-ords and hint. The plan was to following the road and windmill track to get all the caches in the area.A small group of us from Team SEAC consisting of Keylev, Stik-A-Crane, Uncle Sam and ourselves had come down from Auckland to spend the long weekend caching in the Manawatu area. The plan was to get as many as possible. Along the way we had some great adventures, many laughs, met some interesting people and found a wide selection of caches. TFTC.

Day #2 of the Team SEAC extra long weekend little road trip for Labour Weekend. Nice drive up here to see these super impressive windmills. Thanks for the cache.

Small group of caching buddies drove down from Auckland for the long weekend, and headed for Palmerston North area. Sorry for the generic posts, but we had so many caches to find.Had a great time, with so many laughs. Thanks to all the Cache owners who placed the caches.All logs signed "SEAC" or "Team Seac"

Got to this location with a plan to drive along the wind turbine trail and started to think this might be a long day. In the area with Keylev, UncleSamNZ, and HeMaLuDy looking for some good cache find numbers this weekend, and this is where we thought of starting, after having driven down yesterday.....Signed in as SEAC to save logbook space.TFTC.

Number two for the day. Maintenance done as container and log was very wet.

Quick lunch stop while out in a mission

Found but full of water TFTC

Was good to drive up to this cache the metal road was nice and dry. Tipped out what little water was inside, signed log and returned. Thank you for this cache.

Found it!! Log was wet inside the pill container so have taken a photo and sent to the cache owner as proof

After planning with Mr watcache to do this ride and for us to get the caches as he had already signed them off we headed off on a very windy day and the higher up we got the wind got stronger. It was a good day on the mt bikes but lots of very deep mud holes that we had to try an circumnavigate it was a very good enjoyable day

After work road trip! Got home, got changed and headed out to the hills. Let’s see how far up we can go!

Wow the sites are amazing! Bouncing bunnies, majestic deer and birds galore.

Cache a little damp but in pretty good condition.

Excellent drive up here. Thanks.

Often driven past this thing and contemplated what it might be, good excuse to stop! TFTC

Nice easy find. Lovely views from up here, but not that warm, even out of the wind. TFTC!

with being a long weekend we decided on another trip to the Manawatu.
we based ourselves in Ashurst. with lots of caches around the general area.
main idea was to complete the 20/20 series which we had all the solves for now, plus anything else.
we checked ourselves into local pub, arriving just with enough time to have a couple of beers.
plan today head up thr valley one side back down the other.
caches all in fairly good order.
thanks to the owners for the placements.

With Gap (of Fap and Gap)... Roaming around the wide open spaces of the Manawatu this weekend. We’ve had the caching brakes on for far too long, and it’s a weekend to cut loose.

We found ourselves chasing down an Adventure Lab and its stages brought us across the ranges. We knew we’d have to visit the Te Rere Hau Wind Farm which meant a trip along North Range Road… We’ve found similar radar installations whilst out caching. No problem finding this hide either. Thanks skindo and TFTC.

Been out for the day caching. Started by cycling the North Range road. Left the house in sunlight but on getting up here found everything in cloud/mist. Made the start rather cold and I was glad I brought my gloves. The tract was way-more rutted and muddy then I had anticipated. Had to frequently stop and walk round large puddles. Still it was fun and I was grateful that the caches were well placed and able to be found. Return trip took about 3 hours. On the way back the cloud lifted and the views improved. Met one other cyclist and 5 off-road trucks. They looked like they were having fun and I don’t think the ruts are going to get any smaller but I guess in summer it’s less muddy. Thanks skindo for this cache.

On a weekend road trip with Philip.Perry, McJandals and NZFlossy down to the Manawatu. Day 1 we are hitting the 20/20 series then not sure what we will be doing. Day 2 today we are geocaching around Palmerston North doing a few puzzles , lab caches and Traditional caches in between.
Signed logs TeamBOP.
Tftc

Off on another adventure with Team BOP to the Manawatu on a long weekend Great weather and company And lots of different types of caches Day two Using this template but will try to add add individual notes as we go Thanks to all the COs for providing the caches and fun

Team BOP back together after a 3 month hiatus - this time hitting the Manawatu with our sights set on some Labs, some geo-art & everything else that crosses our path

We’ve signed our logs as Team BOP to save time and log space and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey so far. Pleasantly surprised that very little maintenance has been required and that most caches have been found quickly & without fuss.

While I am cut&pasting these logs using the Cachly ‘text template’ I do genuinely appreciate the work put into these caches, particularly some of the puzzles. Cheers and TFTC

What to do on a long weekend. Organise a trip to the mighty Manawatu So here we are. Team BoP on a mission. Cheers for bringing me here. Day two of a great trip.

I am logging using the Cachly app template so please excuse generic logging along the way. It’s just my way of keeping track, but I do genuinely thank each and every one of you cache owners for taking the time and energy to place these cache. Many Thanks for bringing me here. Cheers.

I am intending on completing the new North Range Road series and thought I would make a reconnaissance trip up to a safe parking spot. Thanks to TwigNZ for his help with this.
Grabbed the caches along this part of the road and will hopefully attempt the rest on the weekend, weather permitting.
All was well here on a very misty morning.

Just a quick note to record the fact I found this geocache today. Day 274 and Emerald BadgeGen for my Streak of consecutive daily finds.
Sorry about the generic logs. Hopefully I’ll get back in the next day or so to amend and add pictures. Sure is windy up here today! TFTC

Generic Log for todays caching. Target today was the Stickman series with Barefoot Guru. We left early in the morning to head up to Palmy, with a focus on puzzle caches not too far off the road that we had solved. Enjoyed the day and got back well after 8pm. Most caches in good condition. Thanks for the caches.

We got the one up the top first, couldn't not grab this one too. I backed up the driveway, and lost my Ballance getting out, left foot slipped away in loose gravel, right hand with phone went down. Phone is good, body still in one piece, Searchwisely LHAO, and cache was quickly found.

We backed up a nearby gateway before exiting the vehicle, Tuitigger lost his Ballance as he was trying to get out of the car and did an ungraceful but side-splittingly hilarious slide on the gravel on his way out of the car. Best laugh I've had in ages! TFTC

The stickman series had been on my todo list for some time so after discussions with -gonefishing- this weekend was designated as it. Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best with a bitterly cold wind for most of the time but thankfully the impact of this was minimised by most of the caches being quick and easy finds. Drove from the Pahiatua track end rather rather than risk the direct approach
TFTC

Out for a drive with Fozzmiester with the mission of turning the Stickman into smilies. The rain mostly kept away, but the wind was bitterly cold. With the incentive to get them done quickly, it was all over in 3 hours, almost to the minute. Came in from the Paihiatua Track end for this one.
TFTC

I found this one on my way to get the Stickman series. TFTC.

I have a 3 month sabbatical mostly traveling around the planet. My goal is to find and log 1000 caches. New Zealand is my 4th station traveling from south Christchurch to north Auckland, my first visit here, its far away. This is my sabbatical-cache #789.

Quick find today on a ride up on the e-books.

The weather is threatening rain, but not yet. A nice quick find today with Ms_KR. Logs mostly signed MK+KR.

Christmas holiday road trip to Auckland. Day four, from Palmerston North to Napier.

Thanks to all CO's for publishing and maintaining their caches. Cheers.

Plenty of rabbits and hares. Tftc

We’ve got one of these in Wellington! TFTC

#6955. Heading north on a road trip for a family reunion. Have taken some extra days to pick up a few caches as I drive north. I was concerned to see recently that a bunch of caches in this area had been archived. So made sure I allowed some time to pick up a few today. Interesting looking radar station. Like a space ship parked on the hilltop. Nice quick find here. Signed the log and replaced the cache as found. Thanks skindo.

Back up this road to collect this smiley face, still no traffic but great to find the cache all dry, so signed and replaced as found. Thanks very much Skindo for placing this cache.

Very spy looking place here but apart from the odd rabbit or two I don't think anyone was watching. TFTC

Out and about up Pahiatua way locating and signing off solved puzzles and picking up some 2:2 trads to get the numbers.

Just a big golf ball.

Out: TB.

Cheers for the cache.

Found today while out with PJMacNZ, Haydn.seek, Etherlord Clan and TwigNZ. Quick easy find. Log signed as "Team PHETT" (PJMacNZ, Haydn.seek, Etherlord, TwigNZ, and myself)

Thanks For The Cache

Today my son (ThatWeirdGuy04) and I were lucky enough to be invited to tag along with PJMacNZ, Haydn.Seek and Etherlord Clan on a day trip around the Wairarapa.
We knew it was going to be a long day, but we were hopeful that we would get to find quite a few caches along the way, especially of the Mystery variety which we decided to concentrate mainly on getting.

The weather was kind to us, meaning we were able to spend time out of the car finding the caches and making running repairs to quite a few of them, mainly due to waterlogged log sheets and damaged plastic bags. Anyone finding these caches next in a good condition have EC and HS to thank for providing the requisite items.

My apologies for the generic log entry here, but the volume of caches found today makes it the best way to get everything done. With a small few exceptions, most of the caches were a relatively straightforward find, and in every case the logsheet was signed as Team PHETT for all 5 of us before the cache was replaced exactly where found.

Thank you for placing this cache, and giving us the excuse to have a grand day out.

In the Manawatu for the long weekend as Sunday will be spent heading up Rangiwahia Hut to get Ruahine for the Old School North Island Challenge. Saturday was spent exploring and collecting caches along the way. Had never been over the Saddle Rd so decided to go over the Saddle Rd and back to Palmerston North via the Pahiatua Track. A short diversion had the cache in hand. TFTC

Found it! TFTC

I decided that today was as good as any to go driving up to top of the Track and finally get around to locating this caches. It is quite a slow drive along this back road and i took it very slowly in case some one came the other way which thankfully they didn't. Both caches were very quickly located, signed and replaced although i had to walk through the wet grass as it had rained over night/
early morning. Thank you for these two caches and i am glad to finally tick them off and i knew i wouldn't have time on friday when i pass this way again enroute to visit ailing aunt in Pahiatua. etc

25 November 2017 12:58. No issues here for team ICE, TFTC.

Found as part of Team ICE (Infoferret, Zissas & EthNZ) on a cache gathering mission around the Northern Waiarapa. A few lupins beginning to flower heralding the onset of summer. TFTC

Very wet

We were planning a Wairarapa trip today (10.06.17) and realised we already had this 13.05.17). Our notes say it was an easy find and that the log was really soggy and gummed up so we put a new one in it. Wow up here. TFTC

Quick easy find

Good view of the wind turbines which were zipping around quickly today. Pity it is cloudy as I could've had some good views of the Manawatu plains. TFTC

Replace logbook

First time we have been up here so was a fun adventure. Log can not be signed as it is soaked. TFTC

Pretty chilly up on the hills today. Easy find. However log book saturated. Signed as best I could. TFTC

Not at the brace we expected it to be but right where GPS pointed. log in bag was full of water which meant not signable. back onto the gravel roads we go. Tftc

Nice hide thanks

Was visiting the school nearby and so went for a couple of close cache afterwards! Oops they weren't that close and it took longer than expected. We parked next to it but I searched every other hinted object first! TFTC.

#6875. We came by North Range Road to have a look at the Ballance Radar Station. Great views. GZ was all quiet when we visited. A quick find. The cache was in excellent condition, all nice and dry inside. Took nothing, left nothing, signed log.

| = = = = = T h a n k s _ f o r _ t h e _ c a c h e = = = = = |

Thanks for placing a cache here - I enjoyed the views today - and plenty of fresh air! last time I was up here it was clear skies all the way to Mt Egmont/Taranaki! Added a springbok.

Love all the windmills! Nice easy find - TFTC

Stopped in cloud and rain (it was clear lower down) today for a quick find in the first place checked. The cloud was so thick that I couldn't even see the radome. Signed log, TFTC

Down in the area for a caching week
Enjoying finding all these caches.
TFTC

One of many great caches found with Envy-Us and Waiiti20 on a 100 plus find caching day in the Wairarapa. Many thanks to the CO's for the cache placements, the many puzzle caches we found, the great journey we had around the many back country roads, and the many interesting places we visited. Sorry for the generic type log. TFTC.

An enjoyable day in the North Western Wairarapa with Waiiti20 and drawp. A generic log due to the many finds, but our thanks to those who have placed caches in this scenic area - both roadside and in the Tararua Forest Park. We enjoyed some fun finds and a few lonely caches but most of all an excuse to drive (on almost every road thanks skindo) through this part of the country. TFTC

Getting a bit later in the day now and it's a bit breezy up here! Completed the paperwork and moved on quickly, TFTC, #7189

Don't have any problem with the T rating myself. I love these roads. TFTC

I think the terrain rating shound be a bit higher here. even though the cache can be driven to, i found the road rather unfriendly to drive. the cache was not a problem to locate and sign. it was nice to find a reasonable parking area nearby.

A good find on our way to Palmy for the night

TFTC

No sign of the Ballance Radar Station today….. it was covered under a blanket of fast moving low cloud, TFTC.

Every cache that we did on this caching-on-a-Saturday-in-the-Wairarapa trip was a skindo cache. We named the day skindo Saturday. Ha!
Been here in another life.
Straightforward find, cache in order, log signed, and cache re-hidden safely.
TFTC found with team cacher Sweet P too
The Turtle strikes again!

Junior anv1l and I had to make a trip to Pahiatua to play rugby, so logged some caches on our way home TFTC

Based in Pahiatua for an ANZAC weekend of caching,, Nice quick find

Quick find on a trip into skindoland with Spudnz and Tommygun9. Love roads where you can just park in the middle and call out freely about what you are doing!

Nice mission today to the Wairarapa with AtomsNZ and SpudNZ.
Leaving early in the morning we managed 57 including one FTF and finishing with one published that day (we were however forth on that one).

Low cloud meant no view of pretty much anything here today.

I got a text from Tommygun9 asking if I wanted to partake in a trip into skindo country. How could I say no? About 250km's and 9hrs later, I found 61 with three DNF's. A big thanks to Atomsnz for solving most if not all of the puzzles we found today. A quick find here. Not much of a view with all the low cloud around.
Thanks for the cache and the smiley. Found with Tommygun9 and Atomsnz.

Cache 1. 27 km in. Tftc

#467 Easy find, thanks.

Quick find, on a lovely spring day. Thanks for the cache.

Collected on the way past to the wind farm. No issue with other vehicles at this time of the night

finally drove down this road and got. Tftc

Despite being in the middle of nowhere there were abseiling workmen parked nearby, but up on the radar so out of sight for the quick find
Nice one skindo

Mrs All7ofusNZ isn't too fond of bumpy gravel roads with sheer drops on one side and cliff walls on the other so it took a little longer to get to the GZ than one would have expected from seeing the radome just over the hill. Stopped in a likely looking spot and Jr Cacher #2 quickly found the cache.

#5261. We didn't manage to spot the radar station, but we did find the cache quickly (just as well as there was a stiff westerly blowing). TFTC.

As we drove along the road, the low cloud descended on us and it was pretty eerie driving through it. Have no idea where the station is as we couldn't see much!
I was a bit nervous about driving along here, so StreetWalker took over at this point, much to my relief.
No doubt there are great views from here, but we didn't see them. TFTC.

Stoked to have found it...nicely hidden!

Took a few minutes

Beautiful view TFTC

found, thanks for the hide

Quick,easy find.Just as well...running out of daylight!TFTC!

Very windy up here, must be the windmills. TFTC

Had not realized how big these structures were.Thanks.

A quick stop and onwards for a cuppa.

I think I need suspension on my bike!! It was a nice and quiet up here today with great views. TFTC

Quick find. No traffic here today, except for a mountain biker. TFTC and giving us a reason to explore another interesting area.

A quick park and grab.
Thanks

Found it with Etherlord and the Seagnoid. A nice and easy find

had planned to do a cycle trip to Pahiatua, cache around a bit and cyle back to PN. For that kind of distance I would be using the road bike, and these two caches were on that list. Glad Etherlord I and Ayjay took the car instead - this road with skinny tyres would have been HORRIBLE!! Wonderful views though.

quick find with The Seagnoid and AyJay on day two of our 60+ cache weekend.
Seagnoid had it in hand before I'd even turned the car off.
was looking for a micro, found a small

A quick easy find with a good view, which had been obscured by mist earlier in the day. TFTC