The Mangrove Catacombs Papakura, North Island, New Zealand
By WhatTheWhereNow on 20-Apr-15. Waypoint GC5RWBX

On a mission with ABCDF4 and KGD to wallow in the mud somewhere in Ak, we found an entry point to the area, and a little while later the cache in hand, signed and returned,neat adventure so next stop was Rons event.TFTC.

Find number 6978. On a mission today with ABCDF4 and eyespyben. And that was to collect 2 caches in the mangroves, stop at an event for lunch, then head up a creek walk to wash the mangrove mud off. This was the first for the day. Arrived to find the tide was exactly what we required. After finding an access point we slowly made our way around to GZ. Once there the log was signed. Cache was in great condition considering it had not been found for 2.5 years. Job done it was back to the cars. Happy we headed off to the next. "The River Styx". Thank you for the adventure.

Met up with KGD to do some Mud cacheing before the celebration event.
After the event a creek walk & EyespyBen a swim.
But a very enjoyable day
Thanks KGD

We were all pretty muddy from The River Styx, so why go home for a shower when there was this cache nearby? It looked like we parked fairly close to GZ, but we had a long walk through mud along the shoreline over to GZ. TFTC.

It was my height to gat the cache
thankyou for the cache

Thanks for the cache.

A mud run had been organised as a few of us needed some specific D/T ratings for our grids. After completing The River Styx this was next on the list - well we knew we would be muddy already so why not?

Entered from where we thought would be a good spot. Some 250m later of squelching, almost falling, getting stuck and generally having a great time whilst getting covered in mud and rain we found the cache.

Log signed and it was time to retrace our steps.

Thanks for the cache and the adventure.

A plan was hatched a few weeks ago to gather some SEACers to do a Muddy Boots Run. This involved doing 3 muddy caches in the Takanini, Papakura area. The weather was wet and a few of the group pulled out, but not the nutters! So after completing the river Styx cache we wet and muddy crazies headed over to this one, thinking this was going to be quick and easy before heading to grab Orona island at dead low tide.
Well we were very much mistaken, its possible we took the long and doubly muddy route, but after a walk around the coast line, past several animal skeletons, dead ducks and some deep and stinky mud we finally reached GZ and Lavals sharp eyes quickly spied the cache. Signed the cache log as SEAC 7 to account for everyone in attendance and then trudged back to the cars.

A concerned neighbour wondered what we had been up to when we arrived back at the cars, so we tried to sound like wading through mud was a normal rainy saturday past time....Yup, we're CRAZY! Thanks for the fun!





Thanks for this cache and the adventure on a wet Saturday afternoon.

A group of us had found the nearby River Styx cache and we were already muddy so it made sense to grab this one too. We squelched our way around to GZ which was an adventure in itself, and then after a few minutes of searching the cache was spotted. Now to squelch back to the car and on to Orana Island seeing as we were already muddy TFTC!

After our success at The River Styx and already being muddy we thought Why Not? and so avoyager and myself set off for this one. Easier than the River Styx and alot cleaner. TFTC

Out caching with TW today (signed as TWA).
Made a land based assault on this cache wading through the very stinky mud. Found the cache quickly & signed the log. Got back to shore & realised we had left the rope hanging by the cache, so had to wade back through the mud again... TFTC

Its Been a while and now its time to catch up on all the logging that I've put off to a rainy day (while it may not be raining, where we were heading the roads are still closed hence sitting here doing this).

Back out on the road with HKCB to grab a few caches along the way or at least as much as a morning would allow as we needed to be back in Hamilton for mid afternoon (I know cutting the cahing day rather short). So todays target were those caches along and about the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

This was not one that we had been expecting as we began the day but being in the right location and at the right time we managed to work out a suitable path that generally kept our feet dry and clean below the ankles

Thanks for the Cache, thanks for the Placement

Teamed up with Cats&Dragons and RWIMF today to tackle some GROTTY caches plus a few finds in the Botanic Gardens, with the focus on a few solved puzzles that have been in the solved pile for a little to long. In the end it turned out to be a hugely successful day with all but 1 cache found, a big thanks to all the CO's for the hides.

As RWIMF had other places to be this afternoon we had dropped her off back at home and C&D and me thought we find a few more caches before we made our way home as well.

Was finding another cache nearby when we realised that the tide was way way out and that it might be possible to walk to this cache. A quick look on google maps and a possible access point was found not to far from the cache, and once we had relocated to this spot we were confident that it could be achieved, and as a bonus we didn't even get that muddy. It didn't take too long to skirt around the catacombs and reach the cache, a fun adventure which I didn't expect today. Thanks for the cache.

A message came thru from gorby about a kayak adventure he had planned, so a group of "Westies" arrived at the ramp. Numerous vehicles, stacked with kayaks and paddles, we made our way down to the water, and launched into the big "blue"

Finding the entrance was a little tricky among the mangroves, but the call went out they had found the secret to the other side - so after being 38m from the cache on the other side, we paddled round, and was amazed at how the area opened up!

Loved the way the cache was hidden/not hidden pazzabella was last to arrive, but first out of the kayak and made the trek to the cache

A few pictures where taken to record this group event: thanks for all your help today - geocchi, pazzabella, gorby, supernanny, ric1942, and Aiden29 and to the cache owner for creating this adventure.

I bumped into Pazzabella and Geocchi out walking the geo dogs this morning and they invited me to join them on their kayaking adventure provided I could get my hands on a life jacket in the next hour or so. So I sent out the request to Gorby, but alas no, he was joining us on this intrepid journey. He then told me to contact Rick1942 as he might have a spare. So I called Rick and asked to borrow his spare vest.

Well, I didn't realise Rick was coming too, or how many kayaks were going to be there, so I thought we might have to fit 3 of us in one kayak. Luckily once everyone arrived I realised we had enough kayaks, paddles and life jackets for all.

So out we all ventured - Gorby, supernannny, rustynz, Pazzabella, Geocchi, Rick1942 and myself in 5 kayaks to the catacombs. We had difficulty located the entry point, with my GPS bouncing around, it took a long time to settle. The others had managed to find a way through to the other side, so Pazzabella and I ventured back to follow in their track. We arrived and all the others were floating by the cache. Pazza made the trip out of the kayak and walked over to sign the log for the group.

Thanks for creating this cache, it was an adventure to come and find it

What a great suggestion of Gorby's to start our brand new year on a kayak adventure with the Westies. He timed it to hit our destination right at the high tide. Anything outside of that probably would have had us grounded. Aiden29 and I headed to the wrong side of the catacombs to start with but got quickly on our way once we found the tree lined path. Thanks to the c.o and the rest of the westies for making 1/1/17 so special!

Hadn't considered this one before. Gorby was on to it, however, and by complicated arrangements, a mottly flotilla set off with the tide. Luckily, weather conditions were perfect for this trip and after a Mangrove adventure, we found the hidden clearing. Pazzabella kindly did the most difficult part and signed us in . A favourite.
Tftc

We really enjoyed this fun adventure on New Years Day !
This cache doesn't get a lot of visits,,,,,,So glad Gorby mentioned it to a few of us for a mini adventure !
We arrived at the pre planned time and set off in our wide variety of kayaks ..... Soon we rounded a bend and Warwick noticed a wee inlet . The others explored further on and then returned . Was exciting to paddle in and see even more stacks . We ventured further and the cache was spotted by those in front . Next pazza bravely jumped out And signed us in !
The area was mostly very shallow ; but I was pleased I didn't need to walk through the mud ! Got back with dry shoes and bottom ! Lots of great photos were taken !
Thanks WhatTheWhereNow for this cache ....and the Westies for the fun !
Favourite Point !

Found with Pazzabella and a group of geoyakers thanks Gorby for suggesting this one a great afternoon Tftc

I guess I was the instigator of all this fun and madness today! I contacted rustynz first about joining me on a kayaking adventure, she does shift work and so since she happened to be available, I e-mailed several more adventurers who I knew had kayaks. In the end we had quite a crew come along: geocchi, pazzabella, supernanny, ric1942, rustynz, aiden29 and myself. One of our group, geocchi brought along 2 kayaks on a very small car! It was quite a sight to behold seeing 5 kayaks all in one spot.

But first I get a call from rusty: heeelp, my car needs a push, so I head off with geocchi and Aiden to get her mobile again then back to our designated carparking area.
It took awhile to get everyone in the water, obviously it was a short paddle to GZ, but finding the 'entrance' to the realms beyond took us awhile too. Rusty was first to spot the cache then we waited for the others to catch us up and it was a very staunch pazzabella who jumped out of her kayak and walked the ankle deep water to claim the cache, she signed us all in. A very cool adventure, pity it was all over so quickly.

I was skeptical of this one as there had been no activity on it in over a year. But because there were no "DNF's" to indicate it may be missing I decided to take the trip out in my kayak today. Perfect weather I launched at the ramp just a little bit before high tide. As I approached the mangroves I noticed that it was getting quite shallow, however I was able to locate a deeper passage. I kayaked along this deep patch and quickly located the through-way. I had no issue kayaking through it and was quickly on the other side. However the tide got shallower on the other side and was not near GZ yet. Therefore I got out of my kayak, and pulled it up out of the water to avoid the coming tide from carrying it away. From then on I mud walked to GZ. No issues with sinking, I find barefoot mud walking is easier (which I was). I easily located the cache inside the mangrove forest and bought it back to my kayak to sign. Cache returned, I headed back through the through-way and to the ramp. Once back, the whole operation had only taken just less than half an hour. This was a good adventure type cache (my second of the kind since Orona island), TFTC WhatTheWhereNow and for the good trip.

Matamua Guides- Walked from guide hall to mangroves we left in the light and when we got there it was dark.
We were lucky that the tide was out but it was very muddy and it was stinky. I bet the neighbours must have thought it was funny to see 20 girls walking across the mud. Awesome cache well done!
The new girl guide book has a new badge for geocaching.

Was with the local Girl Guides group teaching them about caching. So we took about 20 10-13 year old girls in the mud

Enjoyed the walk in the mud.

TFTC

Found it with Matamua Guides at girl guides last night.

Awesome Adventure.

Guides

Off on another adventure this afternoon. Tide was a bit low and left a little late but decided to try for this cache anyway. As a novice in the kayak, I was pleased to have the company of the boatman. Just as well as I nearly went aground before getting out of our leg of the inlet. Once safely into deeper water I managed the paddle all the way to the mangrove graveyard, through the narrow passages and on towards the target, closer, closer, closer, and grounded. The tide is coming in I was told, but was it? After a little wait I got a little closer but was concerned that we could end up stuck there. I should have waited for a higher tide. This was a 3.5. Nothing else for it. A wade through the water. My gallant boatman came to assist and at last the cache was in hand. Nothing left to do then but paddle back before the tide was gone. It was close. I nudged lots of mud banks on the way back but made it safely back to our launching point.
The kayaks were just put away when the rain arrived. Close timing yet again.
Thanks for the cache.

After a late start and a little bit of a paddle around finally made it to the cache in the kayaks. Even Grounded a couple of times. I'm glad I went and its a great places for a cache. Thanks for the Cache.

Out and about this after enjoying the sunshine after work and finding a few caches. After success at the River Styx I decided to have a go at this one too. Again I was able to take advantage of the low tide. I walked out onto the mud flat amongst a large boneyard. I don't really understand the point of removing the mangroves. Anyway, some one shouted out to me from the other side of the devastation. I headed his way, and he mine. We met in the middle. Apparently he was working on a mud fun run for the sea scouts and wanted to know if I had any knowledge to share about the area. I didn't have much to share as you can well appreciate my true motivations for being here. This little episode meant I added much more mud trekking to the afternoon. Back on track I made my way towards the correct boneyard and soon spied the cache. All good here. Cheers for the cache placement!

Saw this one published and thought it was similar to another one nearby so left for another day... but knowing the FTF was still up for grasbs decided to recon the area, and managed to locate the necessary equipment to hunt this one down... Contacted Sethraven to see if they were keen on the attempt, who brought along Movestar to join the hunt.
We all headed off to navigate the mangroves and before to long we were at GZ, and a quick find was made.

[FTF] #48 joint with Sethraven and Movestar... thanks for the adventure.

TFTC.

Good on yer sticky crane! I was eyeing this one up for the weekend (if it was still to be grabbed for a FTF!). Looks like you beat me to it. Well done!

Tuesday night is Girl Guide night for me from 6.30 to 8.30. Mr StikaCrane approached me at the start of our meeting to advise me there was an unfound cache in Papakura . . . . . . .then proceeded to tell me it was in the mangroves and he reckoned it was able to be done by walking to it ??? "Are you keen for a joint FTF?" he says. Me: Maybe tomorrow night but not tonight after Guides. Mr StikaCrane "I'll text you"
Late afternoon today I get the text from Mr StikaCrane "Are you good for an attempt at the mangrove cache . . . . . we will meet in Youngs Road 6pm but there might be a muggle issue?"
I texted back "Yep I'm in" Then I texted MoveStar to see if she was keen (being only 14 needs a ride to be caching) "yep" was the answer. Another text a little later from Mr StikaCrane "I'm bringing a rope just in case" I answered "Good thinking"
I changed into attire more appropriate for wading thru mud and threw some polythene and a bucket in the car, picked up MoveStar just before 6 and headed off to meet Mr StikaCrane. We headed off down the hill, into the mud (squelch, squelch, squelch) a bit of a change in direction 18 meters . . . and strait thru we went (not as sinky as I thought it would be - hooray!) 7 meters, 6 meters . . . . . .found it shouts Mr StikaCrane!! WHOOP WHOOP. Mr StikaCrane told me that his wife knows he is mad but now Mrs StikaCrane will be thinking I am too! ha ha ha - we signed the log and headed back to the car.
No rope needed (whew!)
What a great little adventure for tonight. And best of all . . . . . THERE IS NOW A GEOCACHING BADGE FOR THE GIRL GUIDES TO DO!!!! This one will be on the list for us to search for!!! (but don't tell them that - we shall surprise them all)

Joint FTF with StikaCrane and MoveStar TFTC

What an muddy adventure it was a lot of fun getting this one, got asked by SethRaven if I wanted to find a cache this evening I said yes, so went to the site nearly lost a gumboot but made it out not very clean.... This was my FTF Whoop Whoop.

Joint FTF with StikaCrane and SethRaven TFTC

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