Churchman Challenge Bedfordale, Western Australia, Australia
By Lyn Pat and Nathan on 23-Sep-02. Waypoint GC9262

Sometime ago I had noticed this cache might be available to find, so today whilst in the area we made sure to add it to our list After finding the nearby cache, we moved the car a little closer to this one & found our way up the "path", which could also be described as a goat track hidden by wild raspberry Without too much blood drawn, Jase quickly discovered the prize before we headed off in the direction of the next cache

TFTC Lyn Pat and Nathan [^] We enjoyed the adventure getting to this one... The cache is still in great nick too!

15 months and no find, it's still here all.
TFTC! Another Thursday out with Barnzy12 to pickup a few more series in the outer suburbs of Perth, I think we may be finally starting to make a dent in the list

We headed to gosnells/kenwick area first picking up the Charli series by Grannett which was similar to the Charli walk series we did quite some time ago but a nice walk along a sealed path for most of the way apart from a few deviations into the bush. We found them all except number 3 which we may return to in the dry season!!

We then tried for a few allied prankster archived caches from the ants and birds series, with 5 of the 6 attempted located safe and sound although we did have to add a logbook to two of them as someone had damaged the micro caches. All still there and working well otherwise.

With me rolling my ankle it made the day a bit tougher, but I was made to soldier through the CPS series near roleystone and the carpobrotus series by austrackers nearby which were both enjoyable and all found in easy logical spots, we will return another day to grab the three final caches as well as me and Bs caches further up the road.

Thanks to the local COS for a great days caching. Thanks

WOW, what a rippa of a cache. Found with CamNJesse
Even though it was such an easy cache to get the co-ords the best part was that it was placed in 2002 and even the first Multi in WA.
A good cache as it lead us a path to Chwiliwrs CPS series nearby.
TFTC.

I was out with Me&B in the area caching when she said she had an old cache to find. I was happy to help.
You couldn't wipe the smile off her face with an onion when she made the find after about 6 years.
TFTC

Teamed up with Ross1957 today to do some caches in the area. After finding the nearby newish one he joined me at looking for this one which I had started in 2009 when a work muggle on the other side of the fence spoiled my search. Had always wanted to have another look but never got around to it, so today was it. After making our way up the hill we started looking, then I dropped my keys and while I was bending down something caught my eye...well what a surprise, there it was, save and sound in its hideyhole, made my day

TFTC Lyn Pat and Nathan

Its not forgotten Barnzy12. We do think of this cache from time to time. We have a sneaking feeling it may have been the first "Multi" in WA at the time.
It would be good to reinvent it but in a way that is similar......but maybe less complex looking.

Great to see the container is still on good shape. Bonus find too for yourself.

TFTC! 28months since this was last found by ozcrawf way back in April 2012!

I had been looking at some caches whilst at home in Albany and stumbled upon this one and saw that ozcrawf had made the find even after it's archival. After looking online at the maps it looked like a spot not frequented by too many walkers and the chances of it getting muggled extremely slim. Could it be there?

Fast forward to yesterday I was out with JacobsCrew and we got talking all things caching and I mentioned that there was an unloved cache that I had my eyes on. Decided today was the day whilst on the drive home to Albany.

Parked the car some 150 meters from the final. Made a my way along the fence line and was getting confused by the hints and then started a systematic search to find the cache. After 5 minutes I made the find!

Container and log still there in its hidey hole and in great condition. Added my name to the log and re commenced my journey back home to Albany.

Thanks LPN this has been a great experience. Hopefully one day this can be re setup as a traditional or multi so more people can enjoy this great spot.

Have a fav.

I was in the area doing a few caches and thought I'd give this cache a try and see if it was still there. Finding the required info wasn't possible for the most part as a lot of the signs have gone so resorted to the clue. The final coords where pointing to the wrong side of the fence but a search along the side I could access soon revealed the cache in very good condition. It's a shame this cache has been archived. Perhaps it could be reincarnated as a traditional. I took a fix at the location if the CO's would like to use them. TFTC.

I'm think that you will have to do something about this cache.

The final point is behind a fence and a high, locked gate and cannot be accessed as far as I could see as I walked up and down the wrond side of the fence.

I ended up using the hint coordinate due to the large crouds of children having picnics and roaming all over the area so don't know if all the parts are actualy in place. I was only one of two males in the area at the time so didn't want to hang around.

EDIT
I put this under the wrong log type initially and have since looked at the cache location photo. The coordinate in the hint that I aimed at is over the fence even though your photo show that the final is on the correct side. I did look at a number of rocks as I went up and down ánd think that I also looked at the ones in the photo but didn't find the cache. I was also not relying on just one GPS and had two with me. Both pointed to the wrong side of the fence above the rocks shown in the photo.

It been on our minds as to what we would do with this cache.
We were trying to decide if we should rejig it but its messy as it was possibly the first Multi cache in WA and as such we had been reluctant to archive it.
But its time release the location to a new cache and let other teams havr a chance to use one of the best picnic spots in Perth.
We need to get down and sort out our "Sand Sand Sand" cache ot the same may happen there too but at least thats just a traditional cache.
Sorry for any troubles we caused in trying to find it.
LPN

Did this one with anni6057. WP1 is still missing....
There was a muggle on the other side of the fence at Ground 0 working by the looks of it...kept an eye on me walking my way there trying to dodge the blackberries.
Will come back to log the find...hopefully without a very eager workman watching.....

Sorry its still needs a bit of work..We havnt forgotten it.
We are just starting holidays and the weather is better so we should sort out this a few others while we have a little free time.
We will picnic and decide what is the best course of action to take. We have collected the things we need to fix it and we know we need to aviod weekends as its a favorite picnic spot.
Thanks for reminding us all the same its so easy to put things futher back in the list of TO DO's

*Found using the family group name Mackerals. Have decided to log it under my new profile.

Really enjoyed walking around this place. Had no idea it was here. The first sign was missing. We found the second but couldn't find the third, so resorted to using the cheat. Thanks to previous log entries we turned the 'right' way and promptly found the cache. SL and retrieved EppieEppie GC - yes urch, your memory serves you well. Thanks Lyn Pat & Nathan for introducing us to this beautiful area.

This area is a credit to the developers and maintainers - a lovely place to visit. The challenge for me was wondering how I was to get through that 6' fence - both the cache page instructions and GPS were saying "LEFT" - but had a further search and found it RIGHT - I now see from quite a few other logs that similar confusion has arisen. It would help us searchers considerably if the wording could be changed. My reading for GZ was S 32° 08.830 E 116° 04.563.
I lost my notes but THINK I left EppieEppie GC in this cache? Otherwise TNLN. Thanks for your third hunt today, Lyn, Pat and Nathan.

Great location, have never been here before. Enjoyed wandering around the different spots. Yes, the sign at WP1 is missing, but all the other signs are still there, and you can guess the required information from the WP1 sign.

Visited all the spots, and gathered the information, and went on to an easy find of the cache. Took nothing, left nothing, thanks for the cache!

Its great to see people are still finding this cache even though it has a few problems.
We hav'nt forgotten this cache. Someday we will rehash it. Like everyone else time seems to be what we are short of. We have a few interesting ideas that we hope will replace this one with a new fun Multi.
Thanks for your patience

As said last finder sign missing needed the clues. Watch out for the thorn bushes! Took teaspoon left whistle.

Yeah, looks like the 1st sign is gone. The whole site has had an overhaul - new roads, lanscaping, shelters, and roll-on lawn!
The 2 kids would have been very dissappointed, so decrypted the clues and went straight to the cache. Still had a lot of fun - thanx very much.

We couldn't find this one, found the clues a bit challenging, the signs, or the first one at least, wasn't there. And even when we used the final cords, we couldn't locate the step-type rock.....or at least we found too many! Clues were confusing, didn't find it.

The statistic board at the top car park of the dam appears to be no longer there. Use the hint and found it easily.

Cody Caches

Visited today and there is no sign. The patch that was GZ was only levelled sand. We still had a walk around though.

A late visit to Churchmans today saw the whole area looking very good with new parks, grassed areas, etc. The sign that is used for starters is not apparent at it's original spot and we couldn't see a replacement one at all. As it was late in the day, we couldn't be sure to be back before the 6pm closing time, so thought best to leave this one until another day.
Next time?

The dam has now been re-opened to the public.

Found the cache is still in good condition and Dam is closed for maintenance & reopened in Jan 2006. Please have a look some photos. TNLNSL Thanks for the cache.

[This entry was edited by Everlasting on Monday, November 21, 2005 at 9:33:07 PM.]

Its been a long time but the notice at the front now says that it will be open again in January 2006.

The car park and surrounds are being renovated so please dont attempt to do this cache until further notice. It looks like it may be all open again after Xmas but I will most likely need to update the information or change it all together. I have decided not to disable the cache as yet but if someone else passes by then just take note of when its likely to be online agin and I will go out and fix it or alter it.

We have been coming to this place for years, and have been meaning to do this cache for ages. What a bonus to be able to tie this cache in with a get-together with friends at this place today. A great way to work off lunch and the weather was perfect for walking. We found all the points and the final cache went straight to it, diagonally across the hill. What luck. Took the CD and left a car and other bits & pieces. Thanks again for a great cache. I shudder to think of the time it took to construct this one.

It was a rainy day but luckily it stopped (well, for most of the time, we didn't get drenched anyway) while we did this. Great hiding place and glad we read the notes before we left. We'd been here before during the summer when it was crowded, today we had the place to ourselves, looks like muggles don't appreciate this kind of weather. T: Clip on toy L: Souvenir spoon, cup, and hair accessory. Thanks Lyn Pat and Nathan, a lot of effort from you for us to have a lot of fun.

Introduced our friends 'The Six of Us' to caching as this is fairly local to both of us and such a beautiful location. A good time was had by all...even when we became a bit stumped as to the location of the cache! Once the 'step' rock is located it is 3 metres upwards and then 3 metres to the RIGHT (as indicated by Varuna's log, thanks!) Anyway, no dramas after that hiccup
T: kids party blower thing! + hair slide
L: plastic ring + gem stones
Great company, great food (thanks Dez!), gorgeous winter weather...what more could we ask! Thanks for the challenge.

Finally turned this one into a find after 'a brief interlude'. Nice walk up the hill when everything is wet
Two of the main picnic area's are chained off (not sure why) but you can still get to the cache OK.
Took - Spoon
Left - N.Z. Farmer and Calling card
Thanx for the hunt Lyn,Pat and Nathan.

First attempt was to find the final cache on 27.04.04. However the logged notes and photos were left at home. Went along the fence line until the arrow on my GPSr played around and kept to left – pointed at the rocks on the right side of the fence – 9 meters away from the fence. Re-read the information particular “...follow up the fence up till you find the flat square rock (got it ok). Go 3 meters more then 3 meters to the Left….†Thought it was impossible to climb over or under (except for 10yrs old kid) into the private property to the cache. So tried using the different approach by walked from the top of Dam looking for access the fence down to the spot and found nil. So went home and checked the logged notes and photos. Came back today to finish it off. Correction is “…Go 3 meters more then 3 meters to the Right….†It was a good fun and experience. Thanks for bringing us to this Churchman Brook Dam and picnic areas and we would love to come back for a picnic – would be perfect for Mother’s Day if not crowded. Lots of elderly people use this place for their lunch during the weekdays.

We feel sorry that you dropped the GPS. Same unit as ours by the look of it. Magellan Platinum. We hope you get it fixed soon. would you also tell us what it costs to fix one and what the service is like for our own curiousity. We are sure that some day we will need to do the same when something unfortunate happens.

We will be back!
We ran into some technical difficulties on this one and couldn't enter the final co-ordinates.
We found all the clues and deciphered the codes then after finding all the info I dropped the GPS and we lost one third of the screen. Of course we needed that to enter the final co-ord's so that ended our tour here and some other multi's we had planned to hit today.

We placed the cache where it is because this place gets so popular at times that it would be impossible to retrieve a cache without being seen. Good choice of rocks to look at but its not far off the main fire break. This was about the most out of the way place we could find to place the final cache box, but if you did the cache fully you would walk over most of the Churchman brook valley. This cache would suit doing it as picnic so maybe when you do want a picnic give us a call and we will tag along and watch you clamber all over the place. Breakfast is a good time.

At last I was able to get up here and find this cache and boy was I glad I did, what a great place and I loved the village green, we will come back here for a picnic for sure.
I used the cheat to find this cache which I found fairly quickly, I must of got lucky as there are so many rocks to hide this cache under.
What ever made you pick this spot Pat??
Thanks for sharing this spot with us
Andrew

Found this cache eventually... in a round-a-bout fashion. Loved the whole exercise... beautiful location!!! Took scratch'n'win keyring - left gold hair-clip and card. GREAT FUN!!! 17:00

Had some trouble finding the sign infront of the slipway.... It could have been because the GPS was only doing 35m accuracy.

Took mickey mouse and the vegiemite

Left a CD and a pen.

Nice lunchtime walk... pity about the rain.

It was late afternoon so I used the cheat to get to the general area. After that I located the cache from the web photo without problem. A great cache - congrats to the Nathans.

Great to see you found it. 44c We dont think we would have done it on a day like that. Its not a hard cache as its fairly compact in the valley...but it was just way to hot to be walking around. We placed the cache with a GPS that reads only down to 11 meters. We try to average the readings and turn the GPS off and on a couple of times and then average all readings that fall around similar figures. It stll isnt perfect but it was the best we could do.... our new GPS is Waas Enabled so we should be more accurate in our future caches. Hope to see some more of the photos...

What a cache, what a day, my car was reading 44°C at one stage. It was a longish slog until we developed the fine art of reading ahead. As dad was taking, quite unsuspectingly I might add, photos of all the signs he suddenly became prince charming while the rest of the clues were worked out at a shady picnic table. The wonders of digital photography. We walked all the way up the RHS of the fence... and back down to go through the gate to get to the other side as the GPS was fairly insistent on this point. Imagine the consernation when the gate was found locked! Back to the drawing board to re read the clues and the square rock was eventually identified. The cache was 1 large step further and 1 metre to the right under a fairly obvious place once you go off the path to the right and look back at it. The day was so hot we lost two of our intrepid team to the shade of the car but otherwise a great cache. Thanks Guys.

[last edit: 2/9/2003 2:27:41 AM PST]

Good ole Unprepaired wot and Devar,, At it again..
We got within 3 meters of the initial CO-Ords and Realised... Oh its a multi.. Oh we didnt bring the instructions... One phone call to a Nerdy friend later and we finally had what we thought was the final Co-Ords.. WRONG... Well it might be correct.. Just had to figure out how to scale the fence and climb a cliff
Ill coem back oneday and get this one

Ohhhh...the Arithmetic. Yhat did take time...mostly for the double cheacking and then rechecking...If we got it wrong we would have been slaughtered so made sure it was right. We hope that kids and adults will be able to work thought it. we made it simple but progressive as you probably found. We hope you liked it

We decided to make this one the final training run for my brother and his new GPS before he heads back to SA and gets loose on the caching scene there.
A great cache - it must have taken ages to set up all of that arithmetic!!

We where fooled? by the last clue which said turn left etc etc. for us it was actually right. It wasn't too hard to guess the square rock and we figured that you didnt go under the fence.



[last edit: 10/16/2002 4:20:51 PM PST]

Great puzzle !! I will get the boys to do it themselves when they are older.
The location is an ideal place to spend a long lazy day out. - We didn't.
Olly wanted out, so along he came.

Placed Olly in here. Maybe he will be a good luck charm for rainfall.