Challenge Variety Pack Challenge Ulster, Ireland
By
sgtzara on 23-Nov-14. Waypoint GC5BZVG
Cache Details
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By visiting the external cache listing you are leaving the Geocaching Australia website.
Geocaching Australia is not affiliated with the original listing site for this cache.
Please click here to view the caches listing.
If you wish to log this cache, you will need to log it on the external site.
This will require a separate user account on that site. (More Details)
Logs
Today was Loop-5 & Loop-6 DT hunting day with a range of targets in the collective cross-hairs of myself and GoldCircle.
What can be said about this cache...? How about: Holy Mother of God! [8]
SgtZara you are just unbelievable! [8]
The photo on the cache-page says it all... that is one big kick-ass tree
And the box is right at the top in the really really big "fork". And every step of the way up is just that little bit *too far*...
I reckon we were at GZ for an hour! Attempt 1, re-plan, attempt 2, re-plan, attempt 3, re-plan, etc etc --- all the while cursing the CO's name
At one point a message was even sent to the CO asking how much higher we had to go. Fortunately by that stage the climbing harness & ropes had been assembled and progress skywards was underway. But really big trees have really thick trunks & branches --- so you don't actually hold on to them - it's more like *hugging them from afar* 
It almost seems flippant to say: "Got there in the end"... as this was probably the most demanding tree-climb I have ever done --- both physically and mentally. But having the rope & harness made things safe & secure... so when I returned to terra firma it was a case of pure elation from the achievement rather than relief. Well - maybe - a bit of both
Awesome cache SgtZara - Favourite Point [^]
TFTC
QUALIFICATION - All 18 DT's
DIFFICULTY:
1.0 - 14.07.15 - GC53GPC - Mega Rare Challenge - The Kent Mega 2014
1.5 - 31.12.15 - GC5NH75 - Social Cacher Bronze Challenge - AbbeyAckbar
2.0 - 31.12.15 - GC5NKWF - Social Cacher Silver Challenge - AbbeyAckbar
2.5 - 24.10.15 - GC5EYGJ - A Family Challenge - Lulybelle
3.0 - 14.07.15 - GC4NHGZ - Numbers Challenge Cache #4 - BluePunch
3.5 - 14.07.15 - GC4NHFN - Numbers Challenge Cache #3 - BluePunch
4.0 - 17.01.14 - GC4R8Y3 - Jasmer Challenge Ireland Silver - tmsr
4.5 - 19.04.15 - GC4TTBF - Alternative Date Challenge Gold - freakycat
5.0 - 14.07.15 - GC3YPAF - Multi / Earth Challenge Cache - The Lion Man
TERRAIN
1.0 - 06.08.15 - GC4T2BC - Reviewing the Situation - samares seekers
1.5 - 06.08.15 - GC4T1ZY - 6 Icon Challenge Ireland - UlsterLatinos
2.0 - 14.07.15 - GC51N80 - 8 Icon Challenge Cache - The Kent Mega 2014
2.5 - 27.07.14 - GC3B7Z8 - Bring Back The Cache Challenge - freakycat
3.0 - 22.06.15 - GC2Q9BA - 100 Days of Caching Challenge - The QCs
3.5 - 14.07.15 - GC3CCH0 - Streaker Challenge #5: Centuplicate - RubyShoos
4.0 - 06.03.14 - GC4R8WC - Jasmer Challenge Ireland Gold - tmsr
4.5 - 14.07.15 - GC46W66 - Trains, Boats & Planes Challenge Cache - jazzyjessups
5.0 - 12.03.14 - GC3JZ81 - Wicklow Mountains Challenge Copper - kuceri
What can be said about this cache...? How about: Holy Mother of God! [8]
SgtZara you are just unbelievable! [8]
The photo on the cache-page says it all... that is one big kick-ass tree
And the box is right at the top in the really really big "fork". And every step of the way up is just that little bit *too far*...I reckon we were at GZ for an hour! Attempt 1, re-plan, attempt 2, re-plan, attempt 3, re-plan, etc etc --- all the while cursing the CO's name
At one point a message was even sent to the CO asking how much higher we had to go. Fortunately by that stage the climbing harness & ropes had been assembled and progress skywards was underway. But really big trees have really thick trunks & branches --- so you don't actually hold on to them - it's more like *hugging them from afar* It almost seems flippant to say: "Got there in the end"... as this was probably the most demanding tree-climb I have ever done --- both physically and mentally. But having the rope & harness made things safe & secure... so when I returned to terra firma it was a case of pure elation from the achievement rather than relief. Well - maybe - a bit of both
Awesome cache SgtZara - Favourite Point [^]
TFTC
QUALIFICATION - All 18 DT's
DIFFICULTY:
1.0 - 14.07.15 - GC53GPC - Mega Rare Challenge - The Kent Mega 2014
1.5 - 31.12.15 - GC5NH75 - Social Cacher Bronze Challenge - AbbeyAckbar
2.0 - 31.12.15 - GC5NKWF - Social Cacher Silver Challenge - AbbeyAckbar
2.5 - 24.10.15 - GC5EYGJ - A Family Challenge - Lulybelle
3.0 - 14.07.15 - GC4NHGZ - Numbers Challenge Cache #4 - BluePunch
3.5 - 14.07.15 - GC4NHFN - Numbers Challenge Cache #3 - BluePunch
4.0 - 17.01.14 - GC4R8Y3 - Jasmer Challenge Ireland Silver - tmsr
4.5 - 19.04.15 - GC4TTBF - Alternative Date Challenge Gold - freakycat
5.0 - 14.07.15 - GC3YPAF - Multi / Earth Challenge Cache - The Lion Man
TERRAIN
1.0 - 06.08.15 - GC4T2BC - Reviewing the Situation - samares seekers
1.5 - 06.08.15 - GC4T1ZY - 6 Icon Challenge Ireland - UlsterLatinos
2.0 - 14.07.15 - GC51N80 - 8 Icon Challenge Cache - The Kent Mega 2014
2.5 - 27.07.14 - GC3B7Z8 - Bring Back The Cache Challenge - freakycat
3.0 - 22.06.15 - GC2Q9BA - 100 Days of Caching Challenge - The QCs
3.5 - 14.07.15 - GC3CCH0 - Streaker Challenge #5: Centuplicate - RubyShoos
4.0 - 06.03.14 - GC4R8WC - Jasmer Challenge Ireland Gold - tmsr
4.5 - 14.07.15 - GC46W66 - Trains, Boats & Planes Challenge Cache - jazzyjessups
5.0 - 12.03.14 - GC3JZ81 - Wicklow Mountains Challenge Copper - kuceri
Cache No.2062 Found @ 1:48:00 PM - and a Fav Point awarded!
I spent the morning with Doug.G on Wednesday assaulting a bunch of trees in search of an FTF on a new 5/5 in Dublin; in the aftermath, we conspired to take another trip up to Ulster to pick off several caches that we both needed for one reason or another - a number of high complexity challenges, some '?s' with high D or T ratings and even one that dated back to 2002! And with day-passes sorted out with our significant others, we disappeared in to the grey rainy Dublin morning, safe in the knowledge that blistering sunshine would await us two hours north.
Or something like that.
To be fair we, we managed to dodge the worst of it, finding the rain mostly already lying on the ground, so this meant wellies were used rather than hiking boots in many places - and when mucking about in trees this didn't help much.
Track Day Toys 5/5 Challenge was first up; it was easily found in a nice hiding place. Since I posted my qualifying list with 28 x D5s in June I have managed to up that number to 42 - which is now too big to screenshot...
We then popped up the road to the Six Icon Challenge - 4 Days cache - which I failed to find on my last trip despite a thorough search... but today not only was it easily spotted (no leaves on the tree in January) it was also easily retrieved in a matter of seconds - and with the help of just the first rung on our extendible ladder!
We then made our way to the Old Coach Trail #13; being the proud possessor of a 366 day consecutive streak, I was contact by the CO when he first published this cache and it had been on my radar ever since. I passed by in the summer - and had no hope of retrieving it then as we were ill-equipped. Today, it was a much more straightforward matter with a ladder and my first grab came up trumps.
We then moved on to the Puzzle/Unknown Setters Mini Alphabet Challenge - a cache that evaded me in the summer. Probably because it was wet and I had no rope to secure myself (I don't have a death wish) - and there's an outside possibility I am also a wuss. After I scouted the area and designed a solid technical approach (aka - 'nah, you do this one...' ) Doug.G went up... and after some meditation he levitated to the correct spot and grabbed the cache.
Next up was the mother lode. Why it was only a T4.5, rather than 5.5 is beyond me... I'm naturally talking about the Challenge Variety Pack... wow that was some ascent...
After the first two 'natural hollows' came up empty, what we didn't say about the CO. [:(!] If anyone is looking at fulfilling this challenge, I suggest you look at the tree first. It is in that fork.
Yeah THAT fork.
Up there. 'nuff said. Epic assault - fully 45 mins with harnesses, two sets of ropes - and a ladder to boot. Awesome stuff!
With the heavy work done we headed back to the car which was conveniently parked 6m from The Project.
We then headed to Crawfordsburn - Doug.G fancied a look at seaview - an awesome 2002 cache that is clearly very well maintained. Alas, the only view was of mist...
On the way back we also logged The Archway - which had more magnets than CERN.
As the light was fading, and the weather closing in, it was time to head. We stopped briefly at Minnowburn Bridge, but here was severe flooding and fast water, so we gave up and kept heading for home. Next stop was the Travelling cacher 3-in-3 Challenge - it has been over two years since I posted my qualification, but only managed to get here today.
The last stop was the Super Chef Challenge - an unnerving drive in the pitch dark! I only spotted this challenge during the summer and it was fun going through all my finds looking for tasty morsels - so again, the qualifying list was posted on 17 June '15.
Today a very productive and very satisfying day. A big thanks to Doug.G for the company and derring-doo and to sgtzara for this cache!
TFTC
I spent the morning with Doug.G on Wednesday assaulting a bunch of trees in search of an FTF on a new 5/5 in Dublin; in the aftermath, we conspired to take another trip up to Ulster to pick off several caches that we both needed for one reason or another - a number of high complexity challenges, some '?s' with high D or T ratings and even one that dated back to 2002! And with day-passes sorted out with our significant others, we disappeared in to the grey rainy Dublin morning, safe in the knowledge that blistering sunshine would await us two hours north.
Or something like that.
To be fair we, we managed to dodge the worst of it, finding the rain mostly already lying on the ground, so this meant wellies were used rather than hiking boots in many places - and when mucking about in trees this didn't help much.
Track Day Toys 5/5 Challenge was first up; it was easily found in a nice hiding place. Since I posted my qualifying list with 28 x D5s in June I have managed to up that number to 42 - which is now too big to screenshot...
We then popped up the road to the Six Icon Challenge - 4 Days cache - which I failed to find on my last trip despite a thorough search... but today not only was it easily spotted (no leaves on the tree in January) it was also easily retrieved in a matter of seconds - and with the help of just the first rung on our extendible ladder!
We then made our way to the Old Coach Trail #13; being the proud possessor of a 366 day consecutive streak, I was contact by the CO when he first published this cache and it had been on my radar ever since. I passed by in the summer - and had no hope of retrieving it then as we were ill-equipped. Today, it was a much more straightforward matter with a ladder and my first grab came up trumps.
We then moved on to the Puzzle/Unknown Setters Mini Alphabet Challenge - a cache that evaded me in the summer. Probably because it was wet and I had no rope to secure myself (I don't have a death wish) - and there's an outside possibility I am also a wuss. After I scouted the area and designed a solid technical approach (aka - 'nah, you do this one...' ) Doug.G went up... and after some meditation he levitated to the correct spot and grabbed the cache.
Next up was the mother lode. Why it was only a T4.5, rather than 5.5 is beyond me... I'm naturally talking about the Challenge Variety Pack... wow that was some ascent...
After the first two 'natural hollows' came up empty, what we didn't say about the CO. [:(!] If anyone is looking at fulfilling this challenge, I suggest you look at the tree first. It is in that fork. Yeah THAT fork.
Up there. 'nuff said. Epic assault - fully 45 mins with harnesses, two sets of ropes - and a ladder to boot. Awesome stuff!
With the heavy work done we headed back to the car which was conveniently parked 6m from The Project.
We then headed to Crawfordsburn - Doug.G fancied a look at seaview - an awesome 2002 cache that is clearly very well maintained. Alas, the only view was of mist...
On the way back we also logged The Archway - which had more magnets than CERN.As the light was fading, and the weather closing in, it was time to head. We stopped briefly at Minnowburn Bridge, but here was severe flooding and fast water, so we gave up and kept heading for home. Next stop was the Travelling cacher 3-in-3 Challenge - it has been over two years since I posted my qualification, but only managed to get here today.
The last stop was the Super Chef Challenge - an unnerving drive in the pitch dark! I only spotted this challenge during the summer and it was fun going through all my finds looking for tasty morsels - so again, the qualifying list was posted on 17 June '15.
Today a very productive and very satisfying day. A big thanks to Doug.G for the company and derring-doo and to sgtzara for this cache!
TFTC
We're on a short holiday in Dublin and as we like to fill our Grid, came to find this one. The fact that it's up a tree further encouraged us to make the journey.
With a few other cache planned along the way, we got here a bit later than planned, and the light was just going as we got to the tree.
Back home we have equipment to get up just about any tree, but of course, we couldn't bring it all on the plane, so had to make do with one sling, and a home made etrier.
This worked a treat to get up to the cache, but I had to split the ascent into two stages. got up part way, then used a throw line to get the etrier high enough. As the cache has not been found for a while, i was a bit concerned that it might be missing, so got a huge sense of relief when I saw it.
Sadly though, the cache is totally ruined. It is full of water which is black and slimey!
As we could not sign the log, we have left a micro with a new logsheet, together with the cache.
We have taken a couple of photos, but cannot upload them from the camera as we do not have the wire with us. We will add then to this log next week when we get home.
Favorite point for the whole thing.
Our evidence is.......
D1 GC5KBKT Return 2 sender Challenge cache!....osaccip… 7 Aug 15
D1.5 GC5JZX1 Dorset Church Micro 50 Challenge…. Crujack…25 Jan 15
D2 GC4QNN0 TonyDev's Halloween Challenge….TonyDev…16 Feb 14
D2.5 GC3FG8B Virtual Cacher (a challenge cache) Hobo and Miss…28 Oct 13
D3 GC3CZFM Continents Challenge – Silver…. qrang… 15 Sep 12
D3.5 GC58KB5 5x5 Church Micro Challenge…. Team Hippo… 11 Aug 15
D4 GC3Z0PW Challenge : 6 countries with 100 caches.Smell the Roses 6 Apr 15
D4.5 GC388E5 The Challenge Cache Challenge : Platinum… Kitey..14 Jul 13
D5 GC4WEDK 147 Snooker Challenge…. Boddah666…23 Nov 14
T1 GC494AM Consecutive Church Micro Challenge… Mellers… 1 Sep 13
T1.5 GC2PQN1 1.5 Terrain Challenge… BaSHful…25 Jul 14
T2 GC519C9 BS94: Historic Caches Challenge …. Bloodsock… 16 Aug 15
T2.5 GC4X6YK Vital Statistics - 100% Cacher Challenge…. Mole125…16 Dec 14
T3 GC5KNE8 250 STAR CHALLENGE….Boer&Brit…8 Aug 15
T3.5 GC5M2JM The Mile High Club Challenge… TrainSPLOTer… 10 Jun 15
T4 GC56H69 ★ Soup Challenge Bonus…. RubyShoos… 30 Jul 15
T4.5 GC526Z7 D★★★★★ Challenge ★★★★★T… Heykes393..5 Apr 15
T5 GC5J1PK The Tree Climbers Challenge Cache (F81)…Fudgeman.. 24 Apr 15
TFTC
With a few other cache planned along the way, we got here a bit later than planned, and the light was just going as we got to the tree.
Back home we have equipment to get up just about any tree, but of course, we couldn't bring it all on the plane, so had to make do with one sling, and a home made etrier.
This worked a treat to get up to the cache, but I had to split the ascent into two stages. got up part way, then used a throw line to get the etrier high enough. As the cache has not been found for a while, i was a bit concerned that it might be missing, so got a huge sense of relief when I saw it.
Sadly though, the cache is totally ruined. It is full of water which is black and slimey!
As we could not sign the log, we have left a micro with a new logsheet, together with the cache.
We have taken a couple of photos, but cannot upload them from the camera as we do not have the wire with us. We will add then to this log next week when we get home.
Favorite point for the whole thing.
Our evidence is.......
D1 GC5KBKT Return 2 sender Challenge cache!....osaccip… 7 Aug 15
D1.5 GC5JZX1 Dorset Church Micro 50 Challenge…. Crujack…25 Jan 15
D2 GC4QNN0 TonyDev's Halloween Challenge….TonyDev…16 Feb 14
D2.5 GC3FG8B Virtual Cacher (a challenge cache) Hobo and Miss…28 Oct 13
D3 GC3CZFM Continents Challenge – Silver…. qrang… 15 Sep 12
D3.5 GC58KB5 5x5 Church Micro Challenge…. Team Hippo… 11 Aug 15
D4 GC3Z0PW Challenge : 6 countries with 100 caches.Smell the Roses 6 Apr 15
D4.5 GC388E5 The Challenge Cache Challenge : Platinum… Kitey..14 Jul 13
D5 GC4WEDK 147 Snooker Challenge…. Boddah666…23 Nov 14
T1 GC494AM Consecutive Church Micro Challenge… Mellers… 1 Sep 13
T1.5 GC2PQN1 1.5 Terrain Challenge… BaSHful…25 Jul 14
T2 GC519C9 BS94: Historic Caches Challenge …. Bloodsock… 16 Aug 15
T2.5 GC4X6YK Vital Statistics - 100% Cacher Challenge…. Mole125…16 Dec 14
T3 GC5KNE8 250 STAR CHALLENGE….Boer&Brit…8 Aug 15
T3.5 GC5M2JM The Mile High Club Challenge… TrainSPLOTer… 10 Jun 15
T4 GC56H69 ★ Soup Challenge Bonus…. RubyShoos… 30 Jul 15
T4.5 GC526Z7 D★★★★★ Challenge ★★★★★T… Heykes393..5 Apr 15
T5 GC5J1PK The Tree Climbers Challenge Cache (F81)…Fudgeman.. 24 Apr 15
TFTC
Unfortunately we never got close enough to spot this cache...we did hike about a mile round trip from the roadside carrying our ladder but afraid it was a little windy today - both the weather and the cacher who sought the hide. I doubt we'll be getting this one anytime soon without some assistance....
