#13 Cockle Creek [Challenge] Edgeworth, New South Wales, Australia
By Samuel737 on 03-Feb-24. Waypoint GCAK5CP

We were having such a lovely time on this paddle that we over stepped GZ by a good 100 m or more. We turned the boat around and made our way back to GZ. The hide was a little out of reach, so this became a good opportunity to hop out of the boat and stretch our legs while we signed the log. Thanks Domsky [domsky](https://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=domsky) has used [Project-GC](https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 "Project-GC Challenge Checker") to see if they qualified for this challenge and they did.

We came up to Newie again this week for about the third weekend of the last four, this time to attend the [HAVOC Flotilla](https://coord.info/GCAZBVQ) event on the Newcastle harbour which was fun. We decided we might set sail up Cockle Creek after the event which was, obviously, a great idea on a day like this! Today eldest geokid was skipper of [our water TOTT](https://coord.info/TB9QQJD) while I was doing all the navigating and grabbing. Nice to run into a different cache type, and for a challenge that we do qualify for as we enjoy water caching big time. Additionally, living in this part of the world requires a fair bit of "boat required" lol. In terms of the checker's report, to date we qualify with 141 cache finds of the required attribute. At GZ we pulled in where I climbed ashore to reach for another cache in excellent condition with a nice dry log. TFTC and series, team737. Have a FP for the challenge and the series of excellent caches so far.#2071

Find#2886Finally I can claim another Team737 challenge. I absolutely love the challenges. It gives me a purpose to go and find certain caches. After paddling Cockle Creek with Banj and Big Matt at the start of the year I invested in my own kayak and have thoroughly enjoyed it. After 2 trips to Sydney with Matt to complete some of the Georges River series I can now claim this. TFTC Team737 for putting this challenge togetherA favourite from me. Now to complete the next challenge [Deni_f](https://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=Deni_f) has used [Project-GC](https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 "Project-GC Challenge Checker") to see if they qualified for this challenge and they did.You have found 78 caches of type "Boat required"

Ive kayaked past many times now .One of these days Ill qualify @EverestHigh, well have a chat about this between meetings down at Jervis . The yaks are on the car and ready to go!

Out in the kayak with Geoian. Got put of the kayak to retrieve this. Climbed out on limb. TFTC

madrabbitoh did the shore dities. nice challenge completed. TFTC.boat-yes.png You have found 93 caches of type "Boat required"

#7687Ventured north with [@Purplepeopleater](https://coord.info/PR4X0DC) and [@bella at waggy](https://coord.info/PR5DQ4Z) lured by the Cockle Creek series. Met up at the carpark and organised our car shuffle before hitting the water just before 9am with 2 yaks and a SUP. Excellent home made containers. Managed to exit the yak straight into the tree.Being a sucker for challenge caches and getting out on the yak, enjoyed this one and didn't have too many problems qualifying. This cache also completes my 30th loop so gotta hand out a FP here for sure.[crash2079](https://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=crash2079) has used [Project-GC](https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 "Project-GC Challenge Checker") to see if they qualified for this challenge and they did.You have found 510 caches of type "Boat required"TFTC Samuel737

An excellent morning with Crash and B@W paddling this marvellously reclaimed creek.All containers were in excellent condition.I qualified too:[Purplepeopleater](https://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=Purplepeopleater) has used [Project-GC](https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 "Project-GC Challenge Checker") to see if they qualified for this challenge and they did.You have found 522 caches of type "Boat required"SL TFTC

This cache was found weeks ago but I finally qualify and brings our overall cache find tally to 13356.[Big Matt and Shell](https://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=Big%20Matt%20and%20Shell) has used [Project-GC](https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 "Project-GC Challenge Checker") to see if they qualified for this challenge and they did.You have found 95 caches of type "Boat required"After a massive day in the kayak yesterday I finally qualify for this one that I signed a while back. Thanks Samuel737 for the cache.

Up again for weekend work and as I was a little early found an entry point near the tail end for some select caches.Used the paddle board which gave me better height for some but harder to duck for others. We completed the signing duties and re hid. TFTCOur checker output is as follows;[bella at waggy](https://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=bella%20at%20waggy) has used [Project-GC](https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 "Project-GC Challenge Checker") to see if they qualified for this challenge and they did.You have found 1177 caches of type "Boat required"

While doing the Cockle Creek series with Mighty Minions and Goldberry17, we of course landed this prize as well, but the checker says we are only half way to challenge success, so we'll have to wait a while before claiming it ... Still fun, however!

Out caching with 2pods and Goldberry17 today. Our second find of the morning and Jane did a great job of finding and reaching and signing this cache. the weather was brilliant, and the water was very smooth. we had lots of laughs, and I really enjoyed the day. the caches were all found with no problems and in good condition. Thanks for the cache Samuel737 tnln replaced as found sl[Mighty Minions](https://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=Mighty%20Minions) has used [Project-GC](https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 "Project-GC Challenge Checker") to see if they qualified for this challenge and they did.You have found 132 caches of type "Boat required"

Decided to drag the canoe all the way to Newcastle so had to make good use of it! Did the cockle creek series and a nearby adventure lab today, not sure if the weather is good enough tomorrow. Good quality made for good fun!TFTC Wilbert67

I have fulfilled the Challenge requirements, and hope to find the cache next time I am up in Newcastle.I will do the whole series by kayak (let me know if anyone is keen to join me for a paddle). CheckEverestHigh fulfils challenge #13 Cockle Creek [Challenge] (GCAK5CP), according to https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 boat-yes.png You have found 205 caches of type "Boat required"

A day of paddling with Deni_f and Banj on Cockle Creek this morning. With the tide due to hit high at 8am we made an early start at 7. With two kayaks and one stand up paddle board we covered 11.7km in 3hours 59 minutes. Unfortunately I dont qualify for this one just yet but hopefully I am 15 caches closer after today!

Signed the log today but have a lot more caches before I qualify.

A great day to be out on the water finding some geocaches. Joined today by Big Matt on a SUP and Deni F in a kayak that an extremely nice bloke borrowed for him to use.Before the competition of this cache series, I needed a few more to qualify for this cache, halfway through the cache series I'll have enough to qualify. I'll post my Project GC verification as soon as Project GC catches up. TFTC

Took two deck hands in Shanoe58 and Grub Fred out yesterday and did the Cockle Creek caches but had to wait until today to get the checker to tell me I had found 78 caches with the boat attribute to validate my find. Thanks Team737 for the cache. I'm now smiling so will give a smiley to this cache as well.

Signed with shaneo58 & Yella Belly until I qualify, thanks for the cache Team737!!

Found and signed this log with Grub Fred and yella Belly,but i don't qualify yet. Another 48 to go. TFTC and the series Team737

When I saw that this one was a challenge cache, I quickly checked and was surprised to see that I had 78 "boat required" caches so just scraped in has used [Project-GC](https://project-gc.com/Challenges/GCAK5CP/85377 "Project-GC Challenge Checker") to see if they qualified for this challenge and they did.You have found 78 caches of type "Boat required"I put this on my watchlist and saw the note from Ecca, but seeing as they were a long way short of qualifying, I thought I still stood a chance of being first to complete the challenge. But of course, first I had to find it and get my name in the log, and that *Tree Climb* attribute had me wondering as tree climbs really aren't my forte.Upon arriving at GZ, I soon spotted where the cache was. It was going to be a reach, and touch and go at that, but *nothing ventured nothing gained*, they say, and I couldn't very well come back with a ladder. Parking the kayak as close to the bank as I could, I stepped out only to find the bottom was a lot boggier than I was expecting. I managed to work myself around and onto the tree, though, and at full reach was just able to open the cache. Coming back down a little, I went to pull my pen out of my kayaking bag only to see it floating in the water in front of me. Pulling it out and giving it a good wipe down on my chest, I was relieved that it still worked and managed to sign the log and take a photo of it without dropping anything else in the water. Climbing back up, it was with a sense of relief that I was able to screw the log holder back into the container. All that remained was to return to the kayak.Remember I said the bottom was rather boggy? With one foot planted, I was about to swing my other leg onto the kayak when the boggy bottom suddenly gave way to greater depths and I ended up waist deep in the water with my GPSr, clipped to my lifejacket, and kayaking waist bag, which contained my phone, getting a salty bath. I immediately turned the GPSr off, hoping its waterproofing was up to the challenge, and set about making another attempt at boarding the kayak. This time I succeeded, bringing half the bog in with me, and checked my phone which only had a few stray drops on it. Phew!At that point I considered abandoning the last two and turning back, but eventually decided that I'd come this far and might as well go all the way, using my phone to navigate. So thanks for the nice challenge, hide and series.

Found but cant log yet. Darn

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