Gillen Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
By Parente on 09-Oct-05. Waypoint GCQWQ1

Access to this area is no longer permitted.
Please see the previous log.

Cheers,
[Balayang](https://www.geocaching.com/p/default.aspx?guid=35e8567e-6d62-483c-9e3d-c8ec0ffd25bd)
Australian Community Reviewer
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Unfortunately the Aboriginal Custodians of Alhekuylele and the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission have prohibited accessing or walking on Mt Gillen.

The cache owner hasn't responded to previous messages and last visited GC.com nearly 3 years ago.

[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-02/traditional-owners-welcome-closure-sacred-site-mt-gillen-track/12941712](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-02/traditional-owners-welcome-closure-sacred-site-mt-gillen-track/12941712)

A number of people had recommended this walk to me, although I was a little put off by the talk of the rock scramble near the top. Turns out I need not have worried.

Having worked out the coords for WP4 (nothing like jumping the gun) I headed off on a walk that started out easy enough then got progressively harder. What more could you ask for at the top - great views adn a cache which was easily found. The only disappointment is there is an online log that isn't supported by a log in the logbook. (How can someone travel from the WA border, through Uluru to Alice caching along the way and visit this cache all in one day?) This spurious log has cost me 14 months of unloved time!

Thanks for the cache Parente.

got it

Long time since someone found it the last time before me.
I never new there was one up there. It's a quiet regular walk for me, but today for sunset the first time I actually did searched for it! Great place, Sunrise or sunset is the best time of the day to do it. Anyhow great and awesome views always!
Thanks guys!

Back in Alice Springs after a month in Darwin catching up on caches not collected on our last visit. Having collected the numbers yesterday and working out the co-ords, today I made the ascent. It was a great day out, views very panoramic. Stayed for a while to absob the scenery. Took 50 minutes up and 45 minutes back down. Thanks Parente for bringing us here and adding to our favourites.

Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache for our enjoyment.

We seem to be one of the very few left, after everybody has gone their own ways following the event.

A day for running around town, sorting out laundry and preparing our pack up before departure tomorrow morning.

I caught up with iluvtrekking and richlink last night at the pub for dinner and decided to join them in tracking this one down. I'm so glad I decided to join them. A fantastic morning was had with spectacular views, and a bit of a workout.

Fantastic location for a cache, one of the many memorable ones for my trip so far. Favourite point from me.

TFTC Parente.

Parente, I found your cache Gillen on 18/4/17.
This is my find #3341 and find #1 today.

This multi was a definite on our 'to do list' for our visit to the Red Centre Experience. During our past week in Alice with iluvtrekking, we had tried to garner interest from others to make a joint assault on Gillen but we had no takers until Krabiboy mentioned he wanted to join. Set off at 7am along with other muggles. Climb was steep in sections but invigorating and we made it to gz unscathed. Great climb and company. Definitely one of the highlights of our visit to Alice. Thanks Parente

The Event over and the dust settling saw Mr richlink & Mr ILT join forces with Crabby Boy for an early morning assult on the Mount. They returned with smiles on their faces and stories to tell. The best story was probably how Mr ILT lost his glasses on the way up and Mr richlink found them on the way down. Thanks Parente for the cache that encouraged them to make the climb.

Visited with a tb

Mr and Mrs Parrot are on a quest to attend the Alice Springs Event the Red Centre Experience.
This is one of the many caches we passed in our journey to Central Australia and back.
It is great to beon the road and we are loving looking for your

This was a highlight of my stay in Alice.

Go up before the sunrise and headed out.

A beautiful sunrise as I headed up the hill.

What a great walk I loived everything about this cache.

My you sure could get down quickly from up there if you took a wrong step.

I think I was higher than the helicopter doing the tours..

I have had a watch on this cache since K.B. and I visited in 2013 and logged a find. This remains my favourite Alice Springs cache; by a long way. I climbed again today with FelixII when they replaced the burnt out container. I encourage others visiting the area to make the journey up the mountain; fantastic views and something a bit different than a decon or sistema under a pile of rocks roadside. Thanks again for showcasing this part of a great town.

Camped at Blatherskite Park for the Red Centre Experience. Woo Hoo its finally here.

This info was collected a few days ago but Mr Felix realised he couldn't do this climb alone.

Thanks to MDV for keeping Mr Felix company. 2 1/2 hours return.


TFTC Parente

The weather forecast for today was for light wind and a temperature of around 27 degrees so we collect the information needed to find this multi the evening before. We did all the calculations and carefully read the CO's instructions before plotting our path. Early the next morning we headed off to wp1 and our fantastic trek began.

Wp2 was found easily and we headed off along the track with 1.7km between us and wp3. At first we were walking on relatively flat sandy ground. The track then began to climb and the surface was more unstable with red slate like shingle and grey round pebbles that moved under foot. We were glad the track was dry as this material would be quite treacherous if wet. We were glad we had hicking poles with us.

The views across the plain was breath taking. The colours of the distant hills and peaks started misty blue but changed to mauve and purple then to rose pink and light orange as the sun rose higher. We were seeing the colours made famous by the paintings of Albert Namatjira. We had several breaks of up to 30minutes where we sat and enjoyed the views from the side of the mountain range. It was so peaceful sitting absorbing the vastness of this ancient continent, both exceptionally beautiful and harsh.

We met a number of groups, 2 were on their way back from watching the sunrise from the summit, 1 a group of 3 frenchmen and 2 canadians were running to the top 4 groups of locals were making their weekly or monthly trek to the top. The locals offered both advice and assistance which was greatly appreciated.

The trek to wp3 took us just over 2 hours, about an hour of this was spent enjoying the views as we climbed. A short rock climb, made easier with the assistance of two locals who waited above to make sure we safely reached the top. Mrs y'stassie who is not tall managed the climb with no trouble. Once on top we could see our wp4 destination about 400m away across the ridge. After a short rest we headed out and soon found our selves being welcomed to the summit by 2 friendly local muggles who gladly explained the main points in the 360 degree landscape stretched out below us. We were surprised to see the expansion that has occurred at Pine Gap since our last visit in 2011.

After morning tea with our local muggles we headed to gz as they headed back around the ridge. The cache was quickly located and as the previous finders have mentioned the box has been badly distorted by recent fires. The log book is however in very good condition in its little orange box. We did have a cliplock bag with us so bagged the log container. It would be a pity to remove the original container but it could be placed in a larger box so that its early history is preserved.

After carefully replacing the container we began our walk back, starting by taking the track around the edge of the ridge before making the careful climb down the rock face where we found our walking poles waiting where we left them before climbing up. The walk down took almost as long as the walk up due to the unstable nature of the path surface. We were glad to reach the car 5 hours after we left feeling thrilled that we had made the journey, found the cache and returned without any problems. We may be stiff and sore tomorrow but we'll be very pleased with ourselves.

Thanks for an outstanding caching experience Parente. Worth many favorites but alas we are only allowed to allocate one. We hope that cachers at the Easter event are able to find the time to do this multi. Certainly the highlight of our very short visit.

While on an amazing 7000km roadtrip to the NT with Pacgirl we did a lot of sightseeing, and a little bit of caching along the way as well . The aim was simply to drive north towards the Red Centre, do a couple of laps around Uluru (one by car, and one on foot), and then head back south to Victoria.
Day 9 had us wandering around Alice Springs.
A 6km hike in 43 degree heat, climbing 300m? Awesome! This was one of my all-time favourite caching outings.
Instead of 'hanging about' the hotel room we went out caching. An easy find here.
Thanks, Parente - a definite FP from me.
** It's a pity so few cachers attempt this excellent multi - just 2 finds in 2016! **

It was decided to climb to this cache location as there were no other caches in the area, that had not be found, that didn't require a drive. So, after a rather slow climb we took a break and decided the find the cache. After a rather lengthy search, we finally found this cache. Sadly, as stated by others, this cache is in a rather poor condition.

I will try to organise another climb in the next few weeks; however if the CO or next finder could bring a replacement container and log, that would be great. TFTC

Has been damaged with the recent fires. All melted.

Love doing this climb when I'm back in town. Was really excited about logging this cache as I have a couple of TB's that I wanted to drop off but unfortunately the cache has been damaged by the recent fires. Oh well just means I get to climb again another day.

A big thank you to everyone involved with this cache! Without it being placed and without all the favorites I would not have know this place existed. The views were stunning.

It slipped my mind to bring the mountain themed trackable in my possession. It's a shame, this would have been the perfect place for it.

After a few frenetic days of chasing caches by bike and on foot, I was worn out last night, and collapsed into bed at 9pm [|)]
I slept like a log ... silly saying I know !!
Logs don't sleep !! [:o)]

I was outa bed at sunrise and feeling refreshed
Today was going to be a lazy day and I had a nice genteel walk up a hill in mind
Mount Gillen
And there was not going to be a bike ride to get to the start of the walk .... I drove !! [:o]

So with the early morning chill still in the air, I collected the info I needed and set off along the trail.

A very relaxed stroll followed
For a while ... then the trail steepened a bit.
Easy going.
And the views quickly got better, and betterer

With nary a bead of sweat on the brow, or a need to puff and pant, I arrived at the cliffline.
Yee har !!
Now that is a fun little scramble
Scramble over I was on top of the ridgeline and could see the trig point about 400 metres away.

Well that was relaxing
I could relax some more now and take lots of photos and poke around for the geocache
With the correct numbers, and the picture to help the cache was an easy find.
All good with the cache (thanks to whomever replaced the container) [^]

Pity about all the redneck graffiti up here though !!
Sad to think that the culprits are never going to make anything of themselves
Ah well !!

The views are special.
From up here you can see Alice Springs, the mushroom farm at Pine Gap, and of course the delightful vista of the Pooh Ponds to the SE

TFTC
Fave point for sure !!

I'm glad I had the hiking boots on for this one !!
Thongs or sandshoes will make this stroll a terrain 6 !!

I found this log on my gps but not publsihed. Sorry for being so late - must have taken me a little while to get over our Larapinta Trail holiday Actually, we just loved the Larapinta walk and we made a point of having a bit more of a walk around Alice before and after as well. What a great spot it is up here!! TFTC

Oops, marked the wrong one as found - haven't got this one yet!

Found it, second cache!

Found it. Awesome climb up as always! TFTC

Wow! What an epic adventure at the end of a massive day of hill climbing around Alice Srings. The day began at the Top Red Centre cache and ended here. Tired sore legs became even more tired. The ascent was ok but the descent was painfully slow. Saturday late afternoon seemed like peak hour on this climb. We were unable to locate Kelly's swaps but have left a much needed replacement cache. Photos of GZ will follow. Hopefully if a local, Anne, knows where the swaps were she will be able to combine them with the cache. Thanks for a memorable ended to a whirlwind 39 hrs in Alice. The ever changing colours of the mountain at sunset will certainly stick in my mind. Thanks for placing this original cache.

A note for future searchers, the cache has been relocated far closer to the GZ described in the listing that it ended up before disappearing. The photos attached depict the current GZ. Apologies for photographing the graffiti, but it's the easiest way to show the location.

This entry was edited by kbinuk2005 on Sunday, 04 August 2013 at 05:45:50 UTC.

This one definitely makes my all time top 10...adventurous climb up and then some magnificent views of Alice and surrounds just before sunset...the shades of red in the rocks as the light faded were amazing...no one does it quite like Mother Nature.....thanks Parente

We found the blue clip from the sistema container as did the previous log. Have replaced the cache with a new log and a few small swaps. Only had a zip lock bag though. Hope this is ok.
COULD THE next visitor please bring up a new container? Thanks
What a fantastic view from the top. worth the climb

Well... I found what was left of it. Got to the summit and scratched around for a while. Nice steep climb in parts. Looked at some older logs to check that I was in the right place, which I seemed to be. Then I spotted what was left of the cache. One single solitary blue sistema clip, lying on the rocks. Unfortunately I didn't have anything with me to replace the cache. Took some pics... and came back down.
Took nothing, left footprints.
Thanks for bringing me up here

On a caching holiday with J+J.au. We enjoyed finding the caches in Alice, especially the ones were we tracked over the spectacular hills and the reward was the fantastic views. We also enjoyed the caches that showed us the history of the location. Quite hot, very different from home. Thanks to all the local geocachers for showing us the highlights in this beautiful city. This one is one of the best multis I have done. Well thought out and a good challenge. I suspect that some cache creep has occurred. We only found it by expanding our search and not in the direction described but more like 15 mtrs along the ridge line. Thanks Parente for a very memorable cache. SL..TFTC

Took off early in the morning with Baja15 to avoid the heat, worked out information and off for the hunt. Found the experience a challenge as far as vertigo goes, Baja15 encouraging me through out some parts. Before too long cache was in hand and lots of pictures taken. Breath taking. TFTC

Pretty sure we found the right spot, but couldn't find it. Maybe next time?

Found it today! Been up this hill many many times and was introduced to the box by a friend who had previously added/taken things in the box. What a great game! Such a beautiful day. Going to on the hunt for more finds!!

Awesome view one of my favourites

Looked for 40-60 minutes, couldn't find.

Ueah awesome one my 6th time up here and we even walked directly over the top last time as we walked from the top to the towers sweet spot

J.W.G out

P.s left winky face eraser ;P

I have climbed up here 9 times for fitness in the last couple months, last weekend we walked from here to the towers and straight over the top of this cache. Only learnt about this game 4 days ago when we bought our GPS for other activities - Imagine our delight when we found the Geocache was up on Gillen, of course we had to go seek. Even did a personal best time for the climb.

Really enjoyed working out the code/clues to get to the find. Thank you Parente!

Took a golf ball and left an smiley face eraser and mini pen. Signed log - entry before ours was from a muggle who had discovered by accident the day before us.

On the hunt with JWG.

I spent 40 minutes looking before I realized the last find was almost a year ago. Lots of broken bottles and fire works up there.

11:31 AM, 23/08/11 did this one the wrong way

Today is day eighteen of my epic journey from home in Melbourne to Alice Springs in NT via the Flinders Ranges is SA. It is not purely a caching holiday, but I still hope to pick up quite a few caches on the way.

More on my return to melbourne

THis was a nice climb with the family that live in Alice. Our muggel couisin found it. TFTC

Enjoyed the climb with the family and friends. TFTC

well, after 12 years of living in Alice springs, I finally make it up Mount Gillen. Fantastic views from the top, and definately a heck of a hike. TNLN SL
Thanks for the cache Parente. Fav point for you!

Beautiful views on a beautiful day. Thanks. TNLN.

Found on a lovely clear afternoon. First time for me to climb this hill, and I wasn't disappointed. Got to the cairn and had to ask a young European sunbaking lady if she minded that I climb onto the cairn. She hopped off onto the side, while I quickly had a good look from the very top and took some photos. I then proceded to find the cache, while the previously mentioned lady sat out of sight with the headphones on and oblivious to what I was up to! Great view and hide. TNLN. Thanks Parente for the hide. P.S. Plenty of people walking up here today.

Classic cache! Perfect day for an early walk to the top. This one definately covered my exercise for the day. Small world to note I know well one of the names on the trig plaque, but he used a chopper to get there. Cache was quickly in hand and rehidden, then had to take some holiday snaps for a group of young muggles who had done the walk to the top. TFTC.

What a walk but good views

We were the friends being introduced to geocaching by Yanksinyorkshire. What an initiation! Fantastic view and good day to go after the rain.

Wow - what a cache! I've done a couple of other Terrain 4 caches before, but this was easily the hardest. The views from the top were definitely worth it. Found cache easily once we reached GZ. Quite a cache to introduce a couple of friends to the game! TFTC.

TFTC. Hiked up with Bruce and LizandBruce.

Bruce was up early for this one knowing how hot the day can get. Great views and he even enjoyed breakfast with some New Zealanders who had a cup of tea and pancakes to share with him. Took trackable. Thanks Parente

Quite the trek, but well worth the effort. The view is beyond words, especially with all the rain we have had this year. After climbing the hill I was glad the cache was easily found. Took Asian ribbon, left Travel Bug F5146A. TFTC

Fantastic view, done just after rain and located a waterfall on the southern side of the hill. Great locations, TFTC.

cheers Hobbgoblin

Wow, this has to rate as the hardest cache I have done so far. I gathered the required information to work out the coords the other day when finding a cache close by to the start point of this one. Luckily it was a coolish winters morning today (for Alice Springs) when I started at around 8:00am. The walk up nearly killed me but I pushed on for an absolutely spectacular view when at the top. The last 300 metres up the mountain is by far the worst.

The GPS told me that from the time I left the carpark till the time I returned I had been moving for 1 hour and 26 minutes with 21 minutes of time stopped with a total distance covered of 5.4 kilometres. So all up it took me just under 2 hours to complete on my own.

I took the geocoin that was in the cache to move on and dropped my NT Geocoin in for a quick visit. Thanks Parente for taking me here, I certainly would never have done it except for the cache, but it is well worth the effort and I would thoroughly recommend this cache as a must do when in Alice Springs.

TFTC

What an absolutely awesome climb to the top. This was a great walk and the 360 degrees views from the top just have to be seen to be believed. Found Wpt 1 without any problems but the new sign has been shifted and the coords still reflect the position of the old sign. i followed the track the whole way to the top with 2 muggle friends and found I didn't need the various Wpts. I just used the info at the top to work out the location of GZ. Everything worked out well and the coords spot on, except wasn't quite sure what the T referred to as there was nothing corresponding in the information gathered.
found the cache easily and it seems a number of muggles have also found it since last june but at tleast the yjust signed the log and left the cache be. I made no swaps but left the Yang GC. I have covered the cache a little better so no more muggles stumble up on it. We spent quite some time up here enjoying the view and taking pictures.

A new sign has been installed so the clues to the coordinates have been update. Cheers. Parente.

The sign at start has been removed
I will update the clues soon
Cheers
Parente

What an awesome view from the top!! Dropped off Thistle GC.

We were right behind Allie today - caught her on her way down, although I don't suppose either of us realized who the other was/was doing! Climbed up with Leafer54, who picked up the thistle, since we've moved it before. TFTC!

TFTC. SL. It was a great hike up to the top...and an even greater view. My daughter and son-in-law (j2garnett) who live in Alice took me on that hike today. I live in Georgia, USA and have been enjoying the caches in and around Alice. Took-Scottish Thistle, Australian patch, and Alice sticker. Left-2 USA state quarters, green bracelet, and little sport ball.

This one deserves 5 star rating. It has everything you could want in a cache. Including getting out of breath. the views are marvelous and I called the home base caravan park on the CB and had a cht. they couldn't see me all the way up there though.
Cheers from the Posspet Boys -Desert to rainforest to desert trip 08.

WOW...what a climb that was! An easy find once up there but the climb up was brutal. Lost the support crew about halfway up. Great views. Thanks...my last cache on my two day Alice trip. TNLN. TFTC.
Oh I almost forgot, that that was my 100th Territory cache find.

[This entry was edited by Groboz on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 4:59:09 AM.]

Collected information for first 4 waypoints, but the heat of the middle of the day, our lack of fitness made us decide an assault was not a good idea. We were running out of time and had places to go and birthdays to celebrate (not ours, a mate turning 50). Would love to return and do this on a cooler day.

My 10th find for the day in Alice and by far the most rewarding and spectacular of the lot! Round trip took almost 2.5 hours and since I started at 1700 it meant I arrived just in time to watch a fantastic sunset [^] The only problem was that I left the camera back in the car!!
Then a quick walk back down in the fading light and the light of a rising full moon, perfect.
Thanks Parente for showing me this great spot. It was the highlight of my trip to Alice and if I had to reccommend one cache that people do while they are there, this would be the one

Cheers, thanks for a great end to a busy day.

No find.

Well what can I say, we thought we were fit, youth passed us twice on the way and in the dark coming back youth rescued us!! We are so full of ourselves today for doing this one!! Thanks Parente. We rescued the TB Locked away.

Have only just gone online so didnt have all the steps written down - will attempt if we have time on the return journey from Darwin

Had a look at this one after visiting the Dessert Park an amazing place and we really enjoyed the talk on birds of prey.
Enjoyed visiting the first waypoint and seeing this monument to an individual who has such a presence in the outback.
We calculated the final position even though I wasn't in a position to complete the cache.
Hopefully I will be back to finish this cache.

Found at 9.30am
A pleasant stroll up the hill to terrific views
We had just completed a 10 day walk in the Western Mcdonnell range.
We took the TB and left Locked away TB
Thanks
K&M

Wonderful view with great weather... This is a great place to checkout. thanks for the cache.
Took the Japanese tea pot
Left a Blue flashlight and Baldy TB

Nice hide, we were hoping that it wasn't in the other direction
Nice walk, fantastic views. Took heaps of photos.
As said before, I would not have considered it without the cache.
Took: postcard, left: snake
Thanks, Robmc.

A nice cache. Good way to spend a lovely autumn afternoon.
Thanks Parente we probably wouldn't have done it without the cache being there.

Morning assault on this fortress had us at the summit in good time. what a great view to be had on such a clear day. after a rest we promptly secured the cache. Decided to move the Goanna on a bit further North. left a crocodile to watch over the hills and dream of wetter times.

Thanks for the cache as I do not think I would have made it here without the incentive of a remote cache.

Cheers Terrortorian

First time I've found a virgin cache! Had an early start and enjoyed the views at this great spot. Left a packet of playing cards and took a ladybird. Goanna TB is still there because I'm a local and I'm not travelling anywhere soon. Thanks Parente.

On a 39c day, plenty of water, 400 metres to go, and no hints to show whether at the top of below. I decided bugger this this is lunacy, and returned to base.
Yes I read the warnings, but this cache needs additional hints or maybe ONE hint at the top or below the cliff?.
Oh well save this for another return trip in WINTER.
Regards Mr.Coffee and the "OK if I was a mountain Camel" Clan.

Cache placed on a Sunday Morning, before the weather gets hotter.

Contains some Alice memorabilia, plus TB Goanna, local lonely lost lizard longingly looking for a lift

Parente

Published