Gates of Valhalla Brooklyn, New South Wales, Australia
By
Ragnar on 07-Sep-19. Waypoint GC8DA8F
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.
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Logs
Us novo boys are camping at Patonga this weekend with some muggle friends. Our time has consisted of a lot of swimming and fishing, with a bit of unexpected geocaching this arvo to top the weekend off. Youngest novo couldn't get enough of the fishing so eldest geokid and I braved the high seas in *[Lil' Geoff](https://coord.info/TB9QQJD)* from Patonga Creek out to Valhalla on a 4ft swell for the raid on this viking booty. The others were in a nice cruiser with 150 horses so it was a case of the hare and the tortoise at times lol. It was a very hot day today but both vessels were equipped with well-stocked eskys which helped make the afternoon extremely doable.The others had dropped their lines in the bay around 300m south of GZ but the boy and I bee-lined for the nicely secluded Little Gunyah Beach near GZ from Juno Point. Once we'd made landfall, we walked around on a low but incoming tide to GZ where the Viking treasure was discovered and our name now resides. Never been on this part of the Hawkesbury before. Fun fact - at the time of publishing, we were in actual viking country, having just crossed the Baltic Sea from Copenhagen days prior, with us being in western Denmark (Billund) the time of actual publication! Nice to finally make it out to Hawkesbury viking country! TFTC, Ragnar aka asbestiform.#1753
Cache #60My first ever 5 terrain cache! Found after finding a spot to hop off the tinnie. Took a while running in circles trying to find the rocks. But ended up finding it under the rocks. Forgot to sign tho.TFTC
Up and down and found myself at GZ. A look here and there and there and here and thought I was going home empty handed. Another look in a slightly different place and bingo. Some great views up here. TFTC
After launching form Parsley bay and finding an X file we headed to this one for an unfound DT combo. When we got here and after a brief search the photo item was found. Looked around in the very deep part but as I went out I spotted the steel. A good container and adventure. TFTC
Well, not often I combine boating, fishing, and a wedding anniversary trip with geocaching. The good wife organised a houseboat for our wedding anniversary trip, 35 years. A quick check of caches brought up this UN-loved beauty. So on our return trip to Brooklyn after a successful fishing and anniversary trip, my lovely bride allowed me time to do this one. A game of poke the snake holes with a walking pole followed. Not far from here I had a scare with a death adder many years ago. I had all but given up when the familiar thunk, thunk of an old friend of my military days was heard.
Log signed with much joy!! Fav point given.
Log signed with much joy!! Fav point given.
Quick check while exercising. All good - HR burnt around the area but container in A1 condition. Beautiful day!
A wonderful early morning paddle with B@W, C2079 and the leader of the 4Rods.
After some X-File frivolity I headed off to collect this in the hope of gaining Odin's favour as well as the company of some scantily clad Valkyrie warrior women, maybe even Freyja herself. After making landfall I anchored my langskip and in no time had uncovered the viking treasure.
I elected not to collect the TB, which may have contributed to the heavens opening up on my return; clearly I had displeased Aegir.
Gets another favourite point.
SL TFTC
After some X-File frivolity I headed off to collect this in the hope of gaining Odin's favour as well as the company of some scantily clad Valkyrie warrior women, maybe even Freyja herself. After making landfall I anchored my langskip and in no time had uncovered the viking treasure.
I elected not to collect the TB, which may have contributed to the heavens opening up on my return; clearly I had displeased Aegir.
Gets another favourite point.
SL TFTC
Really enjoyed this little venture, rockhopping my way around from the beach, passing all sorts of creatures ready to devour me if I should pause but for a second. Arrrrrrr
Logged with [GCDroid](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gcdroid).
Logged with [GCDroid](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gcdroid).
Remaining Open for the foreseeable future as geocaching is essential to your well being. Stretch your legs and arms and pay a visit. Enjoy the great outdoors. Vikings are able to do their own risk assessments and make up their own minds.
Had a great day out on the water. Stopped at a nearby beach after explaining geocaching to my muggle friends. Took the tender around to a spot close to GZ. Noticed a solar panel and possibly a trail camera that was on the waters edge and scampered off to GZ. After about 5 mins of searching I found it. TFTC SL and took a travel bug with me to join me on my travels. Found with Geowife Missa25
A big day of bushwalking, beginning and ending at Cowan. Some of the off-track is pretty gnarly! I have been to Cliff trig a couple of times previously but never beyond. I found that following the creek down to Little Gunyah Beach was pleasant and definitely better than the rest of the scrub. There were a number of groups at Gunyah Beach relaxing and it was beautiful weather.
Climbed over the point to the cache and rock-hopped back. Then I walked along the beach and up the creek at the other end. All up it was over 10 hours' walking - I'll sleep well tonight.
Thanks for the cache and the adventure.
Climbed over the point to the cache and rock-hopped back. Then I walked along the beach and up the creek at the other end. All up it was over 10 hours' walking - I'll sleep well tonight.
Thanks for the cache and the adventure.
Initially I'd intended to use today to chase a Razorback or disprove some apocryphal tales, but plans go awry, and so I improvised with this sea voyage to the Gates of Valhalla. I launched the SS Headwind at Parsley Bay and paddled off into the gloom against the incoming tide. At first I thought I'd been saved from the horrors of the Jellyfish (maybe the sharks ate them all), but then they arrived en masse to haunt me as I made my way across the open waters. The wind picked up and I felt a rising violence in the swell.
Approaching the Gates, the low tide had rendered the landing spots all particularly ugly so I opted to set ashore around at Little Gunyah Beach and clambered around the rocky point. As soon as I made the find the winds and seas calmed. As much as I wanted to make the ascent to Ragner's Rock, the infant vikings had pleaded to avoid after school care, so I commenced the journey back in eerily clam waters. With the wind eased, and the favourable tide, I made it back in less than half the time it took to get there.
A tremendous spot and like the Siren's call, I know I will be drawn back to ascend the rock.
I had two nautical themed TB's but Pierre the Puffer Fish didn't seem worthy enough, so I left the sea creature named Functopus (sadly it's a replacement...). TFTC - it was a joy to be out for a short adventure. FP awarded.
Approaching the Gates, the low tide had rendered the landing spots all particularly ugly so I opted to set ashore around at Little Gunyah Beach and clambered around the rocky point. As soon as I made the find the winds and seas calmed. As much as I wanted to make the ascent to Ragner's Rock, the infant vikings had pleaded to avoid after school care, so I commenced the journey back in eerily clam waters. With the wind eased, and the favourable tide, I made it back in less than half the time it took to get there.
A tremendous spot and like the Siren's call, I know I will be drawn back to ascend the rock.
I had two nautical themed TB's but Pierre the Puffer Fish didn't seem worthy enough, so I left the sea creature named Functopus (sadly it's a replacement...). TFTC - it was a joy to be out for a short adventure. FP awarded.
The weather gods had conspired against us when this cache was first published. Secret intelligence revealed that this was no ordinary cache. It was a cache that lived up to it's namesake, and was not to be taken lightly. There was another prize to be claimed, after the first landing. We knew that to be successful, we had to plan and be patient. Sure enough FTF had already gone, but we had set our sights on the greater prize - the assault of Ragnar's Rock which was yet to be claimed. We reached out to another illustrious raider, Crash2079, to join forces to attempt the inaccessible. There was a light wind against us when we set off, and with a bit of a tow we were soon at the beachhead and managed to secure the first spoils of a raid. Then we set out to claim the ultimate prize and conquer Ragnar's Rock. We scrambled battled our way up a slippery slope, then slithered our way along a rock wall, and got on to a ridge where we were greeted with incredible views to the North, East and South. This was perhaps the easiest part of the assault, and yet we were left breathless. then followed a climb through a narrow crack up a rock cliff onto another ridge, after which we had to skirt around a massive cave and then another scramble up and through another rock face. And then followed some very dense brush almost impenetrable in some places. We were scratched and cut by the bush.....Ragnar certainly extracted his vengeance on us in blood and sweat. Finally we were greeted by an incredible tessellated rocky outcrop, and therein lay the final spoils of our raid. The views from Ragnar's Citadel were even more beautiful then what we had seen before. We could not have made it here without Crash2079. The way back was just a little bit easier knowing that we had gone where no others had been before us, except for an intrepid Viking. The journey back by sea was beset with more headwinds and a swell that made the journey back home that much more hazardous.
A couple of Ragnar's coins were retrieved as souvenirs.
Thanks Crash2079 for the experience! Thanks Asbestiforn - an absolutely amazing caching experience that tested our physical limits. FP awarded.
A couple of Ragnar's coins were retrieved as souvenirs.
Thanks Crash2079 for the experience! Thanks Asbestiforn - an absolutely amazing caching experience that tested our physical limits. FP awarded.
#3535
Many a sea faring adventure has started at Parsley Bay. Today was no different as we joined with the crew of team 4Rods to launch our longboats into treacherous waters. Actually the waters were pretty tame but we were met with a stiff breeze on the way. We turned the cache into a park and grab as the longboats were tethered to the rocky platform. Performed the ritual signing before heading around to the beach where the real adventure would begin - the assault on Ragnar's Viking hoard.
Having trodden this path before, the waypoints fell quickly; the slot, the platform, the cave and then the channel. From here the landmarks were not well remembered yet we were barely half way to our destination. The direct approach is not recommended and there simply is no way to avoid bush bashing through thick scrub. Finally we came upon the fantastic tessellated pavement and we knew we were close. Having provided our blood offering, the hoard was discovered and were were permitted a glimpse of the gates and panoramic views to Thor's hammer. After replenishing our energy with with a snack, we retraced our steps and made good time back to the beach. One more sea crossing and our adventure was at its end.
Fantastic adventure and great company, where we had the chance to go viking (more than once). Wouldn't be complete without a pit stop at pie in the sky on the way home.
TFTC Ragnar - FP without hesitation
Many a sea faring adventure has started at Parsley Bay. Today was no different as we joined with the crew of team 4Rods to launch our longboats into treacherous waters. Actually the waters were pretty tame but we were met with a stiff breeze on the way. We turned the cache into a park and grab as the longboats were tethered to the rocky platform. Performed the ritual signing before heading around to the beach where the real adventure would begin - the assault on Ragnar's Viking hoard.
Having trodden this path before, the waypoints fell quickly; the slot, the platform, the cave and then the channel. From here the landmarks were not well remembered yet we were barely half way to our destination. The direct approach is not recommended and there simply is no way to avoid bush bashing through thick scrub. Finally we came upon the fantastic tessellated pavement and we knew we were close. Having provided our blood offering, the hoard was discovered and were were permitted a glimpse of the gates and panoramic views to Thor's hammer. After replenishing our energy with with a snack, we retraced our steps and made good time back to the beach. One more sea crossing and our adventure was at its end.
Fantastic adventure and great company, where we had the chance to go viking (more than once). Wouldn't be complete without a pit stop at pie in the sky on the way home.
TFTC Ragnar - FP without hesitation
Congrats to early raiders. Here's something if you ever go to Ragnar's home.... https://www.geocaching.com/play/geotours/halo-norway
After my aborted attempt last Thursday, the forecast looked much better for today so back I came to Parsley Bay with my stubby little longboat. Yes, much nicer, with scarcely a breath of wind and an almost glassy water surface, a big difference to last time. With low tide just passed and an incoming flow, I was pushing against it but it wasn't too bad.
Arriving at Little Gunyah Beach, I was glad of the low tide as there's not much room between the high water mark and the steep rocks going around the point to GZ. I still had to watch my step carefully to avoid the many oyster shells but made it unscathed. Once there, I quickly spotted the rocks from the photo hint and began my search in earnest. Having read B@W's log I was perhaps overthinking it but eventually spotted the container in what really was the obvious spot.
With the log signed and the plunder returned from whence it came, I did likewise, electing not to do the climb up to Ragnar's Rock today as there was some nourishing trail tucker awaiting me back in Brooklyn. I'm attaching a photo I took of the Gates of Valhalla on a previous viking exploit in the stubby little longboat, which is about as close as I want to come to them in it.
Many thanks for an enjoyable hide, for which an FP is coming, and I'll no doubt continue the adventure up the hill another time.
Arriving at Little Gunyah Beach, I was glad of the low tide as there's not much room between the high water mark and the steep rocks going around the point to GZ. I still had to watch my step carefully to avoid the many oyster shells but made it unscathed. Once there, I quickly spotted the rocks from the photo hint and began my search in earnest. Having read B@W's log I was perhaps overthinking it but eventually spotted the container in what really was the obvious spot.
With the log signed and the plunder returned from whence it came, I did likewise, electing not to do the climb up to Ragnar's Rock today as there was some nourishing trail tucker awaiting me back in Brooklyn. I'm attaching a photo I took of the Gates of Valhalla on a previous viking exploit in the stubby little longboat, which is about as close as I want to come to them in it.
Many thanks for an enjoyable hide, for which an FP is coming, and I'll no doubt continue the adventure up the hill another time.
Having been away plundering elsewhere when this was first listed we did suspect it would have been claimed already.
At yesterdays CITO there was talk about the treasure still being available and the epic journey by land or sea that would be required to Go Viking!
So with no trumpeting of the horn having been recorded on last nights check the long boat was readied for a morning raid. Still conditions meant no sail but the steady stoke of oars powered the raiding party to GZ.
Once at GZ a rocky landing ensured and a short way to GZ. The treasure was elusive at first despite matching up the parchment photo. More delving and the treasure was felt. The log book was opened and found blank so **FTF** claimed and plundered. Consideration was given to a blood signing but the pen prevailed.
Not ready to meet our maker we declined the offer to see the Gates and have previously been close many years ago with Panorama cache.
TFTC
At yesterdays CITO there was talk about the treasure still being available and the epic journey by land or sea that would be required to Go Viking!
So with no trumpeting of the horn having been recorded on last nights check the long boat was readied for a morning raid. Still conditions meant no sail but the steady stoke of oars powered the raiding party to GZ.
Once at GZ a rocky landing ensured and a short way to GZ. The treasure was elusive at first despite matching up the parchment photo. More delving and the treasure was felt. The log book was opened and found blank so **FTF** claimed and plundered. Consideration was given to a blood signing but the pen prevailed.
Not ready to meet our maker we declined the offer to see the Gates and have previously been close many years ago with Panorama cache.
TFTC
When I cycled over to the beach to get my coffee this morning, the sun was breaking through the clouds and the air was still, so as soon as I'd returned home I loaded my little stubby longboat onto the chariot and headed across to Parsley Bay to paddle around and see if I could be the first to plunder the plunder. Just as I put the yak in the water, though, the wind sprang up, becoming quite gusty out of the east and raising an unpleasant chop on the water. Not wanting to be tipped off into the drink while crossing the Campbells Creek inlet, I decided to abort, returning to port and heading up the hill to finish some business with Henry Every. I'll see what conditions look like tomorrow, but with a dentist appointment mid-morning that might not work out and I'll have to leave the plundering to others.
