What a landslide! Aokautere, North Island, New Zealand
By
geodatum on 18-Feb-13. Waypoint GC4681V
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This cache is currently listed as Archived in our database.
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Logs
We deeply regret having to make the decision to archive this cache, but 17 months have passed since we first disabled it and we are no closer to the track down to the site being reinstated.
We have regularly been given reassurances that the track would open again but these have still come to nothing and we now learn possibly never will. The major issue seems to be cost.
We will keep an eye on the situation and set up a new Earthcache if the site does ever become accessible again.
We have regularly been given reassurances that the track would open again but these have still come to nothing and we now learn possibly never will. The major issue seems to be cost.
We will keep an eye on the situation and set up a new Earthcache if the site does ever become accessible again.
The wheels grind slow, but they are still grinding...
We've been in touch with the DOC officer again. Re the geotechnical report: there has been a preliminary meeting about it and the full written report is due about now. This will be followed by a period of consideration of the findings, including meetings regarding aspects like costings, design and safety concerns.
We are to contact them again by the end of July when some decisions should have been made. Of course, as it's now winter any work is unlikely to get under way until spring/summer.
It is disappointing that it's all taking so long, but we are encouraged by the fact that they are still wanting to establish the track again and are still pursuing the best way to do this.
We've been in touch with the DOC officer again. Re the geotechnical report: there has been a preliminary meeting about it and the full written report is due about now. This will be followed by a period of consideration of the findings, including meetings regarding aspects like costings, design and safety concerns.
We are to contact them again by the end of July when some decisions should have been made. Of course, as it's now winter any work is unlikely to get under way until spring/summer.
It is disappointing that it's all taking so long, but we are encouraged by the fact that they are still wanting to establish the track again and are still pursuing the best way to do this.
Progress of a sort it seems. Today the DOC officer we are in touch with has informed us he has appointed a geotechnical engineer to assess the stability of the Big Slip area. The engineer has scheduled this work to be done by the end of April, with his report due to DOC by about mid May. Once this report is available the track restoration can be finalised. So, we remain optimistic. 
Just been in touch with DOC today.
Turns out there is a bit more to the restoration process still to be sorted. Because NZTA has withdrawn from any work on the Gorge road below, they will not be maintaining the slip either. DOC is now having to investigate the slip's stability, where best to site the new lookout etc. A final decision is likely to be 6-8 weeks away. They definitely want to get the walk down to the slip open again as they clearly recognise it is a popular and valued asset to the Gorge walk experience.
So we still wait and hope it won't be too much longer.
Turns out there is a bit more to the restoration process still to be sorted. Because NZTA has withdrawn from any work on the Gorge road below, they will not be maintaining the slip either. DOC is now having to investigate the slip's stability, where best to site the new lookout etc. A final decision is likely to be 6-8 weeks away. They definitely want to get the walk down to the slip open again as they clearly recognise it is a popular and valued asset to the Gorge walk experience.
So we still wait and hope it won't be too much longer.
The situation remains much the same. We are assured it is still hoped the track down to the cache will be repaired and re-opened, but a final decision is yet to be made. Council's move slowly! We are disappointed it is taking so long.
The particular person at the regional council we need to talk to is still on leave, but we hope to be able to follow that up very soon.
In the meantime there would seem to be no issue with holding this place - proximity doesn't apply and no one else could put an earthcache here for the same reason as ours is disabled. When it shows up on searches it will be clear it is disabled too.
The particular person at the regional council we need to talk to is still on leave, but we hope to be able to follow that up very soon.
In the meantime there would seem to be no issue with holding this place - proximity doesn't apply and no one else could put an earthcache here for the same reason as ours is disabled. When it shows up on searches it will be clear it is disabled too.
News Flash: We have just tried getting back to DOC (who originally sent us to the regional council) and managed this time to talk to someone who is dealing with the track situation. He tells us the track will be restored. DOC and the construction contractor are actually currently finalising details for restoration of the access to the Big Slip Lookout.
So there will be a track to the Big Slip and our Earthcache in the near future, but dates are still being finalised. We'll keep following up!
DOC and the construction contractor are actually currently finalising details for restoration of the access to the Big Slip Lookout. So there will be a track to the Big Slip and our Earthcache in the near future, but dates are still being finalised. We'll keep following up!
We have been in touch with Horizons Regional Council today and the news is not particularly good, but it's not without hope either:
For now, the status of this side track is "closed indefinitely". However, they recognise this is an important part of the Gorge Walking Track experience - a valuable asset to it. So in the future they do intend to reopen it if at all possible. Thus, we continue to wait and hope.
We will also continue to touch base with them from time to time.
For now, the status of this side track is "closed indefinitely". However, they recognise this is an important part of the Gorge Walking Track experience - a valuable asset to it. So in the future they do intend to reopen it if at all possible. Thus, we continue to wait and hope.
We will also continue to touch base with them from time to time.
Well, Spring has sprung and still no sign of work restarting on the track down to the Big Slip Lookout! 
They probably won't now do the maintenance on the slip (which the track was originally closed for) because the Gorge road is now to remain closed.
However, the walking tracks up here are fully open and accessible, except for this short side track - so we're still hopeful it will be restored as the view from the Lookout at the slip is spectacular, and where you need to be to do our Earthcache.
We're trying to see if we can get a definite answer about what will happen from various organisations concerned and we'll update here as soon as we can.
They probably won't now do the maintenance on the slip (which the track was originally closed for) because the Gorge road is now to remain closed.
However, the walking tracks up here are fully open and accessible, except for this short side track - so we're still hopeful it will be restored as the view from the Lookout at the slip is spectacular, and where you need to be to do our Earthcache.
We're trying to see if we can get a definite answer about what will happen from various organisations concerned and we'll update here as soon as we can.
Looks like the track to the Big Slip Lookout is going to be closed for longer than originally planned for - the work was due to be completed early April.
However, recent heavy rains and winds have meant it is too wet/dangerous for the heavy machinery to work from up here and **the whole area will remain closed off until possibly Spring!**
**The walking track/steps are all out of commission; the area is not safe to venture into for now.**
Latest information at 21.4.17 from the *Manawatu Standard*: http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/91778759/manawatu-gorge-lookout-to-remain-closed-until-december
However, recent heavy rains and winds have meant it is too wet/dangerous for the heavy machinery to work from up here and **the whole area will remain closed off until possibly Spring!**
**The walking track/steps are all out of commission; the area is not safe to venture into for now.**
Latest information at 21.4.17 from the *Manawatu Standard*: http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/91778759/manawatu-gorge-lookout-to-remain-closed-until-december
We have disabled this EarthCache temporarily because access to the site is barred while maintenance on the big slip benches takes place. This involves heavy machinery and is due to be completed by early April.
For further information see:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/ongoing-maintenance-for-manawatu-gorge-state-highway-3/
or visit teapiti.com and click on Updates.
For further information see:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/ongoing-maintenance-for-manawatu-gorge-state-highway-3/
or visit teapiti.com and click on Updates.
Thanks for an informative earthcache geodatum. I enjoyed learning new pieces of information through this process. I was here a few months back, and took the photo then, but have just completed the research in to the questions so am now able to log the cache online. I enjoyed the walk through the gorge but by this time my bubs had had enough and just needed to get home. A lot has changed here over the past few years and it is quite impressive seeing this landslide up close.
This cache capped off the great caches we encountered in this part of the gorge at the Ashhurst end. A good bush walk, fine weather and a great view from the lookout above the landslide showed us the amazing amount of work involved in stabilising it. Good QR information signs are provided about the project and the wildlife found in the bush. The CO's questions made us think about the geology and reasons behind the slide. Thank you M for setting this cache up. A definite FP.
What a fantastic view down to the road and what a great trail to get here so high tech with the QR codes on route Thanks geodatum for bring both my self and TT here and for the research we had to do for this great earth cache and some fine ones on the way up gets a fave TFTC
Fourth stop for the day on the Gorge track. We took the detour to have a look at the famous slip. Not surprisingly the face appears to still be moving, the path is all wonky, the steps uneven, and bit ruts all over the place. Thanks for the explanation of how this monumental task was tackled.
Found out the answers and send the answers to the CO on my and sveppi's behalf. Logging with permission.
Found out the answers and send the answers to the CO on my and sveppi's behalf. Logging with permission.
Cool another earth cache (I really like learning about the geology of the places we visit). A great place for one too. I have done the gorge walk years ago and today was keen to see what the area where the slip was looked like. We decided to leave the car at the Woodville end and hitch a ride back through the gorge (while we were still dry) and start at the Ashhurst end for the walk. There are some really good caches along this track and 3 informative earth caches. Thanks for setting this up and explaining the process of stabilising the slope. Logging with permission, thanks. TFTC
Logging with CO's permission. Thank you.
Enjoyed our visit to this site.
The last time I walked the Gorge track this was not a feature. The sights to be enjoyed from the top are both awesome and a little scary too. It's a long way down.
Photo to follow.
TFTC found with team cacher Sweet P too
The Turtle strikes again!
Enjoyed our visit to this site.
The last time I walked the Gorge track this was not a feature. The sights to be enjoyed from the top are both awesome and a little scary too. It's a long way down.
Photo to follow.
TFTC found with team cacher Sweet P too
The Turtle strikes again!
It is nice to see the slip that caused a major disruption to the country from a different viewpoint. Thanks for bringing me here.
Cheers for the cache.
Cheers for the cache.
Although we have driven past the repaired slip area a number of times, it was certainly interesting to see it from the top, and learn a bit about the geology of the gorge. TFTC
Vistra and I had headed down to to Manwatu for the weekend, we both wanted a high number weekend and I was looking forward to meeting some of the locals as well.
Thank you to all the CO's for their placements some nicely placed, clever and tricky hides, so a great variety. Emailed CO answers and photo is attached. TFTC
**For information on the 2016 New Zealand Geocaching Adventure being held in Turangi, go to...**
[2016 New Zealand Geocaching Adventure](http://www.nzgeocachingadventure.nz)
Thank you to all the CO's for their placements some nicely placed, clever and tricky hides, so a great variety. Emailed CO answers and photo is attached. TFTC
**For information on the 2016 New Zealand Geocaching Adventure being held in Turangi, go to...**
[2016 New Zealand Geocaching Adventure](http://www.nzgeocachingadventure.nz)
I traveled down to Palmerston North for a 3 day geocaching weekend to give my numbers a bit of a boost, as I head towards my next caching milestone. I decided to fly there and back and pick up a cheap rental car for the weekend. The weather was perfect and I had a great weekend down there.
I joined up with yorkshirekiwi83 again today for another day of caching, before our flight out this evening. We started the day picking up a few caches around the city, Bunnythorpe and Ashhurst, before spending the afternoon in the gorge. Completed the requirements for this Earthcache while in the area and YK83 has emailed the answers to the CO on our behalf. Photo also attached of my GPS at GZ. Thanks for the Earthcache and showing us this impressive slip!
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**For information on the 2016 New Zealand Geocaching Adventure being held in Turangi, go to...**
[2016 New Zealand Geocaching Adventure](http://www.nzgeocachingadventure.nz)
I joined up with yorkshirekiwi83 again today for another day of caching, before our flight out this evening. We started the day picking up a few caches around the city, Bunnythorpe and Ashhurst, before spending the afternoon in the gorge. Completed the requirements for this Earthcache while in the area and YK83 has emailed the answers to the CO on our behalf. Photo also attached of my GPS at GZ. Thanks for the Earthcache and showing us this impressive slip!
----------
**For information on the 2016 New Zealand Geocaching Adventure being held in Turangi, go to...**
[2016 New Zealand Geocaching Adventure](http://www.nzgeocachingadventure.nz)
Yay, my first earth cache! Enjoyed walking the Gorge track with Master 14mths & a little surprised I haven't visited here earlier considering I used to work for NZTA before the kids came along, and we bought our home in Ashhurst when the Gorge was closed. What a lot of work they had to do. TFTC 
#763 Had often run past the turn off to the look out but never taken the time to visit - glad i did today, a lovely view. Can understand more why they suffer slips here, the terrain was so muddy underfoot. In the attached photo, you can see how unstable the land is by the way the installed stair cases are becoming skewed. Thanks for putting a cache here - i learnt a little more about a completely random subject.!
We had a lovely walk on the Tawa loop this morning. Great day for it too! Thanks for this earth cache. We enjoyed it!
Just got back late last night from a caching trip to the far north and now I find myself some 8 hours later at 5am heading for Wanganui and Palmerston North for work for the week.
After a long day, (9 hours sleep over 4 days will do that to you), the body is starting to feel very weary, but then again can't show weakness as I have my local rep with me so dragged his sorry backside up here in the twilight. I don't think he was overly impressed and was certainly grateful to get back to the hotel so he could head out and grab some dinner.
Thanks for bringing us up here, it was amazing to feel the road traffic below us and as always its always a joy to walk the bush paths at night in the dark.
Logged with permission.
thanks for the placement
After a long day, (9 hours sleep over 4 days will do that to you), the body is starting to feel very weary, but then again can't show weakness as I have my local rep with me so dragged his sorry backside up here in the twilight. I don't think he was overly impressed and was certainly grateful to get back to the hotel so he could head out and grab some dinner.
Thanks for bringing us up here, it was amazing to feel the road traffic below us and as always its always a joy to walk the bush paths at night in the dark.
Logged with permission.
thanks for the placement
#6501. We remembered the closing of Napier Road for the extended period for more than a year. The State Highway 3 Manawatu Gorge was recently closed to traffic again due to a slip that occurred on 9 April 2015. Round-the-clock access was restored on 20 April 2015.
A good opportunity to get to the top of the landslide for a closer look. Enjoyed the walk, despite the rain. It was not too wet or slippery, but the weather must have deterred many people to come here today. While coming across many people walking or running the Manawatu Gorge Track, the Big Slip Lookout was all quiet when we visited.
After returning to the car park, we took a circuit drive through the Gorge and returned via the Saddle Road.
Logged with permission. Thanks for the earth cache.
A good opportunity to get to the top of the landslide for a closer look. Enjoyed the walk, despite the rain. It was not too wet or slippery, but the weather must have deterred many people to come here today. While coming across many people walking or running the Manawatu Gorge Track, the Big Slip Lookout was all quiet when we visited.
After returning to the car park, we took a circuit drive through the Gorge and returned via the Saddle Road.
Logged with permission. Thanks for the earth cache.
We had a great tramp along the Tawa Loop, and on the way visited this outlook, that gave an excellent impression of the forces of nature.
Thanks a lot for showing this place that gave room for thoughts.
answers are sent to CO.
Thanks a lot for showing this place that gave room for thoughts.
answers are sent to CO.
Found this very teaching earthcache on our way from Dannevirke to Turangi, we made a stop here to look at this large landslide that stopped traffic in many months, this shows how Little man is with all his technologi compaired to nature.
Thank's for teaching us about landslides and slips and showing us this area, answers sent.
Thank's for teaching us about landslides and slips and showing us this area, answers sent.
have just finished with kaleb learning about about the landsides, we really enjoyed the walk and were very surprised on how busy the tracks were even on the other side.
thanks for the cache enjoyed being able to see from above for a change
thanks for the cache enjoyed being able to see from above for a change
got some caches up this way before the slip happened, lots of new things to see this time so thanks for the return trip to this nice track. wow can you imagine riding this slip from top to bottom. gets a fav from me TFTC.
Over two years had passed since my last visit to this location and I was very surprised at the extent of the changes to the tracks. It is now possible to get a very good view of the landslide.
It was particularly pleasing to make my way to this site as it provided the opportunity to claim my eighth different type of cache find for the day, shattering my previous best of four. I very much doubt that I will ever have a chance to improve on this record.
While doing the research to answer the cache questions, I uncovered a lot of very interesting information. TFTC.
It was particularly pleasing to make my way to this site as it provided the opportunity to claim my eighth different type of cache find for the day, shattering my previous best of four. I very much doubt that I will ever have a chance to improve on this record.
While doing the research to answer the cache questions, I uncovered a lot of very interesting information. TFTC.
Logged with permission.
Great walk on a stunning day with half the Swissfamily team. Introduced a couple of friends to geocaching & we all learnt more about the area.
Fanatastic to see the slip from the top although pretty scary wondering if you're on stable ground!
Great walk on a stunning day with half the Swissfamily team. Introduced a couple of friends to geocaching & we all learnt more about the area.
Fanatastic to see the slip from the top although pretty scary wondering if you're on stable ground!
Logged with permission.
Loved the views and the amazing view.
Thanks so much for this amazing earthcache!!
I also really enjoyed the walk, it ha great views and also some stunning scenery.
The photo I have is on Capperz log, although it is me!!
TFTEC
Loved the views and the amazing view.
Thanks so much for this amazing earthcache!!
I also really enjoyed the walk, it ha great views and also some stunning scenery.
The photo I have is on Capperz log, although it is me!!
TFTEC
Logged with permission.
Came up here from the Ashhurst car par for a quick dash around Tawa Loop while mrs capperz filled in an hour and a quarter. Interesting search to get the info to log the find, good work by nightowl19 to find the answers.
A wonderfully unique place at GZ including QR codes to scan for bird song calls and further info on the slip. To techno-savvy for us but one day.....
Another great Earthcache, I do like this type of 'find'
TFTC and another capperz FP for your endeavours (Morse-style in-joke)
This entry was edited by capperz on Saturday, 03 May 2014 at 10:00:37 UTC.
Came up here from the Ashhurst car par for a quick dash around Tawa Loop while mrs capperz filled in an hour and a quarter. Interesting search to get the info to log the find, good work by nightowl19 to find the answers.
A wonderfully unique place at GZ including QR codes to scan for bird song calls and further info on the slip. To techno-savvy for us but one day.....
Another great Earthcache, I do like this type of 'find'
TFTC and another capperz FP for your endeavours (Morse-style in-joke)
This entry was edited by capperz on Saturday, 03 May 2014 at 10:00:37 UTC.
Completed the gorge walk with Tommygun9, Atoms7 and Stardust 718 on a nice and warm summers day. Luckily most of the walk is in the trees! This landslide looks a lot bigger from the top than from the road below. Thanks for bringing me here.
What a landslide alright! Very glad we put up with all the stairs to see this site and the info boards on site were very informative about all the work involved in clearing the site.
Found with Atoms7, Spudnz & Stardust718.
Found with Atoms7, Spudnz & Stardust718.
Saw the landslide up close and personal- as well as watching a kayaker trying to get up the rapids while building up the motivation to tackle the stairs back up Seen with Tommygun9, Spudnz and Stardust718
Seen with Tommygun9, Spudnz and Stardust718Decided to go for a walk ok this nice day and the gorge track it was. Wen better that there were some caches to get along the way enjoyed the walk and reading about how they stabilised the site. Was good to see my old work had an input as well (RST). TFTEC
enjoyed the walk and reading about how they stabilised the site. Was good to see my old work had an input as well (RST). TFTECVisited the slip lookout while walking the Tawa loop. Collected some information here and back home for some internet research. It took some time to gather the answers for these thoughtful questions, and I learned more interesting information about landslides and the geology of the Gorge. Knowing that there is geological expertise in the geodatum household I was keen to get the answers right. Relieved to get the tick from the owners and logged with permission. This huge landslide certainly deserves an earth cache, a favourite added, thanks geodatum!
An interesting Earth Cache. The geograndparents car was caught about 3/4 cars back when this fell so felt like a family history trip for us. Felt a bit spooky being up there having driving around it a few times. Well done to the team that fixed it! Answers emailed. First time we have ever done 2 earth caches in the same day! TFTC.
Visited this earthcache some time ago (okay, two months now - seemed like yesterday... [8)]) when on an excursion over the gorge walk with markhnz, wil677, Etherlord, Fiz & Taz, EnjayNZ, and the Seagnoid. Finally got around to doing the homework today, and learning all sorts of information about landslides to boot. 
Logged with permission, thanks geodatum for encouraging a visit to this interesting location.
Logged with permission, thanks geodatum for encouraging a visit to this interesting location.
We visited this Earthcache many months ago, back in May, but I have only just come across my notes taken at the time. Sent email to CO yesterday and am logging now with permission. This was a great Earthcache, requiring quite a lot of research to answer the questions, but was also a good cache to visit. You only get a good perspective of the extent of the slip and why it took so long to fix by going down the track to stand at the top of it. I think without this Earthcache we would not have visited it, so many thanks.
Great Earth cache, learnt more about the geology of the area. Love the gorge track and this new track is great. Thanks
On our beautiful trip from Auckland to Wellington and return we stopped at this nice spot and found this cache. We found many nicely hidden containers.
We would like to thanks everyone for showing us such nice locations and of course, the numerous caches.
Thanks and best regards from Germany
Team sissifalke
We would like to thanks everyone for showing us such nice locations and of course, the numerous caches.
Thanks and best regards from Germany
Team sissifalke
YEH! this is the 1000 find! a very fitting find..after a day walk up and over the gorge track- being well looked after by my fellow GCers. And the celebratery 1000th cake at the end was just the finishing touch! Thanks to all esp. Thomas and Tom!
Found on a caching trip through the gorge. Nice they put in a view from the top.
Found while on a walk with wil677, all7ofusnz, Etherlord, Fiz and Tas and the Seagnoid.
A great lookout and it was good to see the work that has been done on the slip up close.
Also interesting to learn a bit about landslips and the geology around the gorge.
Thanks.
A great lookout and it was good to see the work that has been done on the slip up close.
Also interesting to learn a bit about landslips and the geology around the gorge.
Thanks.
Lots of muggles out today as is was not too hot in the morning but we have never seen the bush looking so dry and thirsty. Learnt quite a bit answering the questions. TFTC.
