ORNP - Tatendi Hike McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
By
Hurtle on 01-Jun-06. Waypoint GCW6KJ
Cache Details
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ZONE CAUTION:
This cache is in an area marked as a warning area.
Zone Name: Onkaparinga River (NP) (Click here for zone Details)
This may mean the cache is placed in an area where geocaching is not allowed by the land manager.
Please review the details for this zone and act accordingly.
If it is in a geocaching banned area please consider whether you wish to seek this cache.
Please note that any cache you seek is your legal responsibility.
It may also mean that this cache resides near the zone boundary, but is showing as within the zone boundary due to the resolution of our data. If this is the case, then please disregard this warning
This cache is in an area marked as a warning area.
Zone Name: Onkaparinga River (NP) (Click here for zone Details)
This may mean the cache is placed in an area where geocaching is not allowed by the land manager.
Please review the details for this zone and act accordingly.
If it is in a geocaching banned area please consider whether you wish to seek this cache.
Please note that any cache you seek is your legal responsibility.
It may also mean that this cache resides near the zone boundary, but is showing as within the zone boundary due to the resolution of our data. If this is the case, then please disregard this warning
Logs
This cache has been on the radar for quite a while, and Ive slowly been getting the Onkaparinga Gorge caches over many years.This one looked like a challenging adventure that would be worth of the terrain rating (a T4.5 multi is always tempting)... and it was!Had a spare few hours free this afternoon so this was the target cache for the day. On went the hiking boots and snake gaiters, ready for a mini-adventure 
Parked at the parking coordinates and started wandering towards WP1. Found the container with the coords to WP2... yup straight down the hill! This was a very steep descent, which was made trickier with the drizzly rain which made it quite slippery. After carefully making my way down the hill I reached the river (only 1 slip thankfully). Found the large cactus bush that Davidwazza mentioned, then found a fallen tree that provided a good bridge across the waist high grass. Then got to the river opposite WP2 where there was an area that could be traversed, albeit I would have to get wet. Made my way across the slippery rocks but then had to wade across in water that was about knee deep. The rocks were slippery and nearly went for a couple of swims, but made it across without too much trouble.Ventured to the area of WP2 where there were dozens of hideyholes - started looking and then saw the container sunbaking out in the open. Opened it up and found the coords for the final - they were a little hard to read but just legible. Tucked the cache under a rock near the base of an olive tree. Did the calculations for the final by doing the maths as per the addendum (taking .019 from the South, and adding .272 to the East) and then noted the location of the final. 800m away and up. Ugh. That looked steep. And it was. Made my way up, heading for GZ having to stop several times to catch my breath (great views from the area) and then made my way to my calculated final waypoint. Arrived at my calculated GZ and hunted around and then found a large bison in an olive tree - woohoo! Opened it up and found.... a blank logbook! huh? that didnt seem right - this cache was yet to be found (FTF was not filled in) and the name of the cache was "We Buggered This Up" There were some beta testers but the stamps were too faded to decipher - looked like this had been there for a long time. But this wasnt the cache I was after. Anyway I signed the unpublished cache. What are the chances of finding an unpublished cache (in a thousand olive trees) by having incorrect coords!!!! (see photo)Phoned the CO to get assistance, who confirmed that the coords in the container at WP2 are the correct coords for the final (and that there is no need to apply the addendum of taking .019 from the South and adding .272 to the East). Recalculated the final which was 500m away and back from where I came, and when I got to the correct GZ I had actually walked straight past GZ (a mere 3m away) on my way up the hill to my incorrect coords. Bizzare how close I was, but walked straight past it towards my incorrect coords.Started hunting around, and found a Metro Fire Service badge lying on the ground... must be getting close now... then found the Sistema tucked away under an olive with a rock on the lid! Very happy to have the final cache.Noted 2 logbooks were in place so signed both of them.Then made the walk back to the carYup this was a real adventure with some strange coincidences.Fav point for the adventure in getting this cache!
Parked at the parking coordinates and started wandering towards WP1. Found the container with the coords to WP2... yup straight down the hill! This was a very steep descent, which was made trickier with the drizzly rain which made it quite slippery. After carefully making my way down the hill I reached the river (only 1 slip thankfully). Found the large cactus bush that Davidwazza mentioned, then found a fallen tree that provided a good bridge across the waist high grass. Then got to the river opposite WP2 where there was an area that could be traversed, albeit I would have to get wet. Made my way across the slippery rocks but then had to wade across in water that was about knee deep. The rocks were slippery and nearly went for a couple of swims, but made it across without too much trouble.Ventured to the area of WP2 where there were dozens of hideyholes - started looking and then saw the container sunbaking out in the open. Opened it up and found the coords for the final - they were a little hard to read but just legible. Tucked the cache under a rock near the base of an olive tree. Did the calculations for the final by doing the maths as per the addendum (taking .019 from the South, and adding .272 to the East) and then noted the location of the final. 800m away and up. Ugh. That looked steep. And it was. Made my way up, heading for GZ having to stop several times to catch my breath (great views from the area) and then made my way to my calculated final waypoint. Arrived at my calculated GZ and hunted around and then found a large bison in an olive tree - woohoo! Opened it up and found.... a blank logbook! huh? that didnt seem right - this cache was yet to be found (FTF was not filled in) and the name of the cache was "We Buggered This Up" There were some beta testers but the stamps were too faded to decipher - looked like this had been there for a long time. But this wasnt the cache I was after. Anyway I signed the unpublished cache. What are the chances of finding an unpublished cache (in a thousand olive trees) by having incorrect coords!!!! (see photo)Phoned the CO to get assistance, who confirmed that the coords in the container at WP2 are the correct coords for the final (and that there is no need to apply the addendum of taking .019 from the South and adding .272 to the East). Recalculated the final which was 500m away and back from where I came, and when I got to the correct GZ I had actually walked straight past GZ (a mere 3m away) on my way up the hill to my incorrect coords. Bizzare how close I was, but walked straight past it towards my incorrect coords.Started hunting around, and found a Metro Fire Service badge lying on the ground... must be getting close now... then found the Sistema tucked away under an olive with a rock on the lid! Very happy to have the final cache.Noted 2 logbooks were in place so signed both of them.Then made the walk back to the carYup this was a real adventure with some strange coincidences.Fav point for the adventure in getting this cache!Found while hiking around Onkaparinga River National Park on my quest to clean up the caches in the area. Even after today I'll have a few unfound caches remaining but at least I'll have made a significant dent. Thanks for the cache Hurtle!
Another high T that we were searching for on this trip, This was the first trip to the mainland for this group of Tasmanians in a while, we flew over on the 24th and left early on the 3rd. With 4 days in Goolwa followed by 4 in Glenelg we managed to get some caching done in different areas and pull in a select list of caches we all almost all needed, old caches were on the list as normal but also some different D/Ts with some high fav pointed cache making up the remainder. The trip didn't start well with Qantus losing a bag which made us rearrange a couple of days but we got some 4WDing in and a even some driving on the beach to get a couple of different caches, boat trip to Adventure Island was a great start on the day of the Mega too.All caches were stamped "Team Tassie" which consisted of myself, gooseandegg, Budgietas and Tassie TrekkersFound on 26/02/2024 thanks to Hurtle for placing this cache for me to find. The best caches I have found so far are:-Sentimental [Moorgreen P3:1, Penny Pincher](http://coord.info/GC32Z5B) By [Sven&Cup](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=6596795)Traditional [Hanging Around in Toorak](http://coord.info/GC62KAP) By [bobthebuilder_123](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=586681)Multi [Gawler Fort Knox](https://coord.info/GC5T0W1) By [**JEM**](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=11449141)Unknown [Men In Black Holes](http://coord.info/GC1DVB0) By [SG-3](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=918045) Letterbox [Rolf's Letterbox](http://coord.info/GC5NCYM) By [membsec](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=5318842)Earthcache [Totem Pole](https://coord.info/GC862H8) By [The Hancock Clan](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=263428)Visit the [Geocaching Tasmania Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/318455407771/)
Heading toward Adelaide for the Leap Year Mega to celebrate my first 4 years caching with commenced on a Leap Day event.Had to come into town to find a cache in this LGA, our earlier attempt wasn't working for us.
Muggle65 and l are on our way to the Leap Year Mega in Adelaide. Such a long drive but thankfully we have a few cache stops. Thank you for the break and the fun
Took a long time to get to the end of this one, some very tough terrain but at least the weather was nice for the hike-A mixed day of caching today. We had a plan to do a 4wd track with swampy and vk7hch as we thought it was safer in numbers. Of course due to some good planning we had no issues. No doubt Murphys law would have kicked in if we went alone. We found all the caches we knew where they were, but we unsuccessful in trying to find a new cache we hadnt worked a solution out to yet.After separating from swampy and vk7hch we went off list as we were running in front of time. We managed to find some additional good D/T and old caches that were in the area.All caches were stamped with Tassie team which included Gooseandegg, stainless steel rat, Tassie Trekkers and myself. Thank you for placing and maintaining the caches for our enjoyment
Today is day 3 of our SA Great Leap Forward Mega adventure. Based at Goolwa, Mr T, Gooseandegg , Stainless-Steel-Rat and Budgietas concentrated on finding caches with appropriate D/T 's to fill their Fizzy Grids and this was one of them. We signed the log Team Tassie.We found a variety of hides with varying degrees of difficulty.Enjoyed caching in this area, cache and contents were in good condition. We made the trek to GZ, up and down dale, phew we made it.Many thanks to all CO's for your cache placement.
Based on SSRs logs on other old multis, I have a fetish. Maybe, but it certainly doesn't involve the lengths we went to find this one. It was a bloody slog to say the least. I hear there are some good views but all I saw was foggy, sweat streamed glasses. It weas hot and dry, but dry was good down in the valley.Kicking ourselves a bit too as we were here a couple of days ago for another multi, although there wasn't time for this one then.Thanks.
I came to find this one with Davidwazza awhile ago but we had no luck, I guess the walk was required and needed another go, today seemed like a better idea so another walk and finally I arrived at GZ Log book was missing so put another container inside the original and added a new logbook
Today I headed down south to Mclarenvale/Wilunga/Aldinga to find some of the new caches published in the last 6 months plus a few others along the way, total of 58 for the afternoon.
Thanks for the cache
Today I headed down south to Mclarenvale/Wilunga/Aldinga to find some of the new caches published in the last 6 months plus a few others along the way, total of 58 for the afternoon.
Thanks for the cache
Showers had been forecasted for the morning, but we awoke to find it surprisingly clear. jesswrigley and I decided to head to Onkaparinga River National Park for a morning hike, followed by some nearby adventures. We hiked down to the river from Chapel Hill winery, and then as we were hit with intermittent drizzles, we did a small walk/loop in Hardy's Scrub. After that, we did a large detour to get to McClaren Flat, passing by Wickham Hill Road's 7% incline to find an oldie geocache there. The rain by then had settled in, so there was just some shopping to complete, before heading home.
Wow, I was not expecting this sort of adventure and terrain! I'm not sure why I thought it was pretty much just the Chapel Hill loop, especially when the terrain rating and this description says quite the contrary, advising 2-3 hours etc. This was our first priority for the day, and by the time we had arrived, it was kinda cloudy, but otherwise ok weather. Waypoint 1's clue was easily found, but I certainly wasn't expecting to be going to Waypoint 2's coordinates! We were about to go down via the lookout, but instead, we followed this geocache's instructions to head towards WP2 from WP1. We managed to follow goat/kangaroo tracks, and met the creek coming in from the west downwards, to follow alongside that heading down. So although it was steep in places, it actually wasn't too bad.
Our main hazard greeted us as we had some nice views of the river quite full, and flowing quickly as the river narrowed nearby. I headed upstream first to try to spot a way across, nope. Back downstream and wrestled in amongst plants and rocks. No way across, despite it being narrower, but it just meant the consequence would have been worst if I fell. I can't see how one can cross around here without getting shoes wet, and surprised to see this cache doesn't have the wading attribute? Sigh. With the waypoint so tantalisingly close, I took a big breath, and headed across, with my socks/shoes already damp with all the soursops walked through.
The final hurtle/hurdle (pun intended) was getting back out of here. Walking past the big cactus field (and taking an offcut for our garden too), we eyed an area to head back up, that was relatively tree-free to dodge through. It was hard enough anyway, but taking one hand out of the equation to carry a cactus out was an extra unnecessary handicap. We continued to take rests on the way up, and for that time, the weather was on our side, as we continued to have better and better views from inside the gorge. We finally made it out of the high terrain area, taking a well-earned rest.
The last walk turned out to be relatively easy, but at GZ, there were still those darn prickly bastard bushes about. I had a look around, and thankfully, managed to eye the container relatively uncamouflaged, so not sure where that illusive SPOR went? The cache container and logbook were in good shape. Glad to have ticked this one off the ONRP adventures, and I guess it was a different experience (just would have preferred to not have done the river crossing getting my socks/shoes wet!). Thanks Hurtle for the cache placement and ongoing maintenance.
Wow, I was not expecting this sort of adventure and terrain! I'm not sure why I thought it was pretty much just the Chapel Hill loop, especially when the terrain rating and this description says quite the contrary, advising 2-3 hours etc. This was our first priority for the day, and by the time we had arrived, it was kinda cloudy, but otherwise ok weather. Waypoint 1's clue was easily found, but I certainly wasn't expecting to be going to Waypoint 2's coordinates! We were about to go down via the lookout, but instead, we followed this geocache's instructions to head towards WP2 from WP1. We managed to follow goat/kangaroo tracks, and met the creek coming in from the west downwards, to follow alongside that heading down. So although it was steep in places, it actually wasn't too bad.
Our main hazard greeted us as we had some nice views of the river quite full, and flowing quickly as the river narrowed nearby. I headed upstream first to try to spot a way across, nope. Back downstream and wrestled in amongst plants and rocks. No way across, despite it being narrower, but it just meant the consequence would have been worst if I fell. I can't see how one can cross around here without getting shoes wet, and surprised to see this cache doesn't have the wading attribute? Sigh. With the waypoint so tantalisingly close, I took a big breath, and headed across, with my socks/shoes already damp with all the soursops walked through.
The final hurtle/hurdle (pun intended) was getting back out of here. Walking past the big cactus field (and taking an offcut for our garden too), we eyed an area to head back up, that was relatively tree-free to dodge through. It was hard enough anyway, but taking one hand out of the equation to carry a cactus out was an extra unnecessary handicap. We continued to take rests on the way up, and for that time, the weather was on our side, as we continued to have better and better views from inside the gorge. We finally made it out of the high terrain area, taking a well-earned rest.
The last walk turned out to be relatively easy, but at GZ, there were still those darn prickly bastard bushes about. I had a look around, and thankfully, managed to eye the container relatively uncamouflaged, so not sure where that illusive SPOR went? The cache container and logbook were in good shape. Glad to have ticked this one off the ONRP adventures, and I guess it was a different experience (just would have preferred to not have done the river crossing getting my socks/shoes wet!). Thanks Hurtle for the cache placement and ongoing maintenance.
I met up with Froghopping for the first of probably many treks into the Onkaparinga River National Park on the search for those elusive smileys. 
It was decided we would start in the southeast corner and work our way around clockwise and see how far and wide we could get in a six or seven hours. 
Turns out we did about 20 kms of hiking and went up 120 floors of elevation in doing it. [B)] We got about a dozen in the park and a few just outside. Gonna take a few more trips. [:o)]
After ORNP Wine dam the CO had been christened Damn Hurtle. [B)] This only confirmed that! It was a lovely hike to WP1 which was quickly located. [^] So far so good. quick look at the instructions.
The track is very overgrown, and actually disappears in parts. Basically from WP1 head down the hill to the given co-ords for WP2. WRONG WRONG VERY WRONG. [:(!][:(!][B)]
We tried this and came to a area that was very very 4.5 star which soon turned into 5 star. [xx(] back to the inductions.
Easiest way may well be to follow the small gully that is to the east of start point. Well we could see the Gully just below us so we worked our way back up the hill trying to find a way down into it. But we kept find impenetrable Acacia Bastardo bushes and very crumbly shale rock that didn't want to take us down slowly. Looking, looking all the way to WP1 without being able to get down into the gully. Okay back towards the start point looking for - The track is very overgrown, and actually disappears in parts. Absolutely correct but substitute - is very overgrown and appears every now and then - if you are very lucky!
We could see that the slope was a little extreme from the other side of the gully so we thought we might try that.
WRONG AGAIN. [:(!]
So we PAF who gave us some old and not very useful intonation which we followed and we ended walking past GZ, down another steep track and up the other side where we fruitlessly searched for half an hour. [B)] Time to PAF the CO who came to our rescue and gave us some better information. Even with this we searched for another fifteen minutes without success. Then I spotted it. It had moved to under a half dead Acacia Bastardo bush. Time to pay penance for the all the PAFing. I reached in and dragged it out. Then whilst I pick the dozen or so thorns out of my car and hand froghopping opened the cache. Log signed, it went back. I guess it will be tweezers tonight to get the rest of the prickles. [:(!]
DAMN HURTLE [8)] but I still give it a FP fro the adventure.
**Thanks Hurtle for this cache. **
It was decided we would start in the southeast corner and work our way around clockwise and see how far and wide we could get in a six or seven hours. Turns out we did about 20 kms of hiking and went up 120 floors of elevation in doing it. [B)] We got about a dozen in the park and a few just outside. Gonna take a few more trips. [:o)]After ORNP Wine dam the CO had been christened Damn Hurtle. [B)] This only confirmed that! It was a lovely hike to WP1 which was quickly located. [^] So far so good. quick look at the instructions.
The track is very overgrown, and actually disappears in parts. Basically from WP1 head down the hill to the given co-ords for WP2. WRONG WRONG VERY WRONG. [:(!][:(!][B)]
We tried this and came to a area that was very very 4.5 star which soon turned into 5 star. [xx(] back to the inductions.
Easiest way may well be to follow the small gully that is to the east of start point. Well we could see the Gully just below us so we worked our way back up the hill trying to find a way down into it. But we kept find impenetrable Acacia Bastardo bushes and very crumbly shale rock that didn't want to take us down slowly. Looking, looking all the way to WP1 without being able to get down into the gully. Okay back towards the start point looking for - The track is very overgrown, and actually disappears in parts. Absolutely correct but substitute - is very overgrown and appears every now and then - if you are very lucky!
We could see that the slope was a little extreme from the other side of the gully so we thought we might try that.
WRONG AGAIN. [:(!]
So we PAF who gave us some old and not very useful intonation which we followed and we ended walking past GZ, down another steep track and up the other side where we fruitlessly searched for half an hour. [B)] Time to PAF the CO who came to our rescue and gave us some better information. Even with this we searched for another fifteen minutes without success. Then I spotted it. It had moved to under a half dead Acacia Bastardo bush. Time to pay penance for the all the PAFing. I reached in and dragged it out. Then whilst I pick the dozen or so thorns out of my car and hand froghopping opened the cache. Log signed, it went back. I guess it will be tweezers tonight to get the rest of the prickles. [:(!]
DAMN HURTLE [8)] but I still give it a FP fro the adventure.
**Thanks Hurtle for this cache. **
A adventourous hike we found waypoint 1 after a short walk but the adventure to the next waypoint had us forever finding alternate paths without coming across a almost vertical drop in the end the CO helped out us out and we headed off rather sore leggedly to GZ, took a bit of searching but we eventually spotted the well hidden cache, some spectacular scenery in this part of the park
TFTC Hurtle
TFTC Hurtle
I said to my wife when I left home to find this cache that I would be a few hours. I was wrong. At the first waypoint I made a quick find. At the second waypoint after a few scary moments earning the terrain stars I made a find. Then for some reason I made a mistake after getting the coords to the final GZ. So I spent quite some time searching around olive trees with no find. WTF?. I rang my go to phone a friend who helped me get in contact with the CO. Being where I was and CO being where he was made it difficult to send and receive calls/messages. Finally with the help from CO I realised my mistake and made the find. I had only walked an extra 1km + a half hour searching so it wasn't to bad because I was in this magnificent environment. Thanks Hurtle for the adventure and eventual find. I think today I earn't my terrain stars. I'm adding a Fav point because I'm not going to forget this cache for quite some time.
Sad that one of the last finders, whom was GIVEN the numbers needed to complete this series, felt the need to complain to which one of the cache in the series is now archived AND locked which puts the whole series in doubt!
Sorry to those whom are part way through this great 10 year old series.
Disabling for now, while I contemplate Groundspeak's decision to not un-archive Sundews Ridge Loop Track, without which the final cannot be obtained....
Sorry to those whom are part way through this great 10 year old series.
Disabling for now, while I contemplate Groundspeak's decision to not un-archive Sundews Ridge Loop Track, without which the final cannot be obtained....
Coordinates changed from:
S 35° 10.005 E 138° 32.876
Coordinates changed to:
S 35° 10.070 E 138° 32.861
Distance from original: 402.5 feet or 122.7 meters.
New start point....
S 35° 10.005 E 138° 32.876
Coordinates changed to:
S 35° 10.070 E 138° 32.861
Distance from original: 402.5 feet or 122.7 meters.
New start point....
Coordinates changed from:
S 35° 10.070 E 138° 32.861
Coordinates changed to:
S 35° 10.007 E 138° 32.861
Distance from original: 383.4 feet or 116.9 meters.
Whoops. These are better.
Blame the fat fingers!
S 35° 10.070 E 138° 32.861
Coordinates changed to:
S 35° 10.007 E 138° 32.861
Distance from original: 383.4 feet or 116.9 meters.
Whoops. These are better.
Blame the fat fingers!
A long overdue maint run on this one today...
New start location, as previous was compromised. (The post had fallen down!)
A brand new cache at the final location.
The new GZ location can be obtained by taking .019 from the southerly of WP2 and adding .272 to the easterly of WP2 also.
Have updated the cache page to reflect this also..
Sorry this has taken so long to rectify
Now go out there and get those terrain stars! lol
Happy caching...
New start location, as previous was compromised. (The post had fallen down!)
A brand new cache at the final location.
The new GZ location can be obtained by taking .019 from the southerly of WP2 and adding .272 to the easterly of WP2 also.
Have updated the cache page to reflect this also..
Sorry this has taken so long to rectify
Now go out there and get those terrain stars! lol
Happy caching...
Sorry for the delay, this will definitely be replaced this coming weekend, if the whole series doesn't get archived in the meantime!
New cache containers ready to go.
Will be out here when the weather improves somewhat.
Thanks
Will be out here when the weather improves somewhat.
Thanks
Thanks for the feedback and pics AnyMules.
Will get to this one and the others nearby asap.
They have been out over 10 years now for many finders to find, so time for an upgrade of the whole series.
All of the cache in this series will be upgraded/replaced over the next few months, including the multi that a faceless/anonymous logger reported!
Then hopefully they will be all good for another 10 years.
Will get to this one and the others nearby asap.
They have been out over 10 years now for many finders to find, so time for an upgrade of the whole series.
All of the cache in this series will be upgraded/replaced over the next few months, including the multi that a faceless/anonymous logger reported!
Then hopefully they will be all good for another 10 years.
Had a nice little walk around on this pleasant afternoon. Unfortunately, the cache "container" was just a pile of plastic chunks with the contents slightly scattered (photo attached). The required numbers on the inside of the lid, even with an amount of CSI style reconstruction were essentially gone, making out possibly one of the three digits. This one needs some CO TLC. TFTC. 18/06/2016, 2:41 PM Find #2305
Wanting to complete some in the Onkaparinga NP...
Will await CO's Maintenance before I set out...
Thanks
Will await CO's Maintenance before I set out...
Thanks
Finally found this one on my second attempt. The first time I got hung up on WP2 but it turns out I was way out with my co-ords. Found a nice easy river crossing which made life easy. Got to final GZ after 2 hours of trekking. Cache container has succumbed to the elements but the all important clue is still legible. One step closer now to completing the Onkaparinga NP series which I started 5 years ago. Thanks Hurtle.
found this one with rod81w. the 12 and last co ord we needed to start the mysterys. this cache didn't disappoint we started off on a nice gentle hike to turn into going down the standard slippery slope with no trail to be faced with yet another creek crossing. since I forgot my kayaking shoes and shorts my pants stayed on this time ( GCW6K9 onk river - porosa track log for every one else ) rod81w waded across and got next wp and then back up the hill grabbed final co ord. must have offended cache gods coz got attacked by a wasp luckily it stung my hoodie not me and back to car to solve mysterys. fav point awarded since I stayed dry.
Another day and another adventure in the ONK with sir_ spectre, it was a nice cruisey walk to 1st WP. After that it went downhill literally lol. 2 gps showing WP2 on different sides of the river wasn't a good start, I led the way down to bottom slipping and sliding on the wet grass, luckily I only weigh 65 kg or the branch would have have way on me and not Sir_spectre hehe. Finally down to the river and both GPSr are showing 30mt away on the other side (oh great) walked 300mt either direction to see if there was a suitable way to cross over. Only thing left to do was take off the trackies and luckily I had a decent pair of shorts on. 2 metres across my feet were numb. Made my way to WP and only took around 30 mins to locate as I found where it was meant to be with the string but alas it's not there, finally found it 15 metres away ??????
Made our way up to final GZ wow that wasn't hard, oh wait we were met with a rock wall. Got to GZ and found a cache that needs some TLC, still manage to get the required #s and now back to work out the mysterys
TFTC, the amazing views, the freezing cold water and until this morning a infected toe
Made our way up to final GZ wow that wasn't hard, oh wait we were met with a rock wall. Got to GZ and found a cache that needs some TLC, still manage to get the required #s and now back to work out the mysterys
TFTC, the amazing views, the freezing cold water and until this morning a infected toe
Day 8 of team Seffnjarah and team Mickjor's trip to Adelaide and beyond. After staying in Cape Jervis overnight I went off to do some caching while the rest of the team members went on a trip to Kangaroo Island for the day.
A 4.00am departure was made with the ambitious intention to complete the whole Onkaparinga River NP series in one day. Predicted 40 degree temperatures and strong winds were an ominous sign for the day.
After completing a nearby cache I continued along the trail to the first waypoint where the required information was quickly found. With the new numbers plugged in I plodded my way towards WP2, with sweat flowing freely despite the early hour. After negotiating my way down to the bottom it was then a matter of trying to determine a suitable crossing point. That task was achieved and I then proceeded to GZ where a detailed search was required before I turned up the next waypoint. New numbers to hand and a bit of fluffing about trying to reattach the container the way I found it. With that achieved I proceeded on to the final waypoint, taking in plenty of water along the way to make sure I kept hydrated in the steadily building heat.
Once at GZ it was a short search before the cache was located. This container is very brittle from UV exposure but the number still readable. Non the less I still managed to mis-interpret the number (I should have been standing on my head), which lead to problems later in the day. For future finders - low is the go.
A challenging hike indeed. TFTC.
A 4.00am departure was made with the ambitious intention to complete the whole Onkaparinga River NP series in one day. Predicted 40 degree temperatures and strong winds were an ominous sign for the day.
After completing a nearby cache I continued along the trail to the first waypoint where the required information was quickly found. With the new numbers plugged in I plodded my way towards WP2, with sweat flowing freely despite the early hour. After negotiating my way down to the bottom it was then a matter of trying to determine a suitable crossing point. That task was achieved and I then proceeded to GZ where a detailed search was required before I turned up the next waypoint. New numbers to hand and a bit of fluffing about trying to reattach the container the way I found it. With that achieved I proceeded on to the final waypoint, taking in plenty of water along the way to make sure I kept hydrated in the steadily building heat.
Once at GZ it was a short search before the cache was located. This container is very brittle from UV exposure but the number still readable. Non the less I still managed to mis-interpret the number (I should have been standing on my head), which lead to problems later in the day. For future finders - low is the go.
A challenging hike indeed. TFTC.
Was out doing some geocaching with friends from Queensland down for the Mega. Nice walk through the Gorge. TFTC Huurtle.
It's a hilly area, isn't it?! Certainly got the heart rate going on this hike, though happily not because we saw any snakes. I do recommend doing it at this time of year though, with a lot of the undergrowth kind of dead, and not too hot. Had a great time exploring the area, - my companion spun stories of when he used to go fishing around here as a kid, and scared me with tales of snakes dropping from trees into the river. Finally ended up at the final to discover a container that's cracked from being so brittle, and we were travelling light so couldn't perform any maintenance on it, sorry. TFTC, TeamHurtle. =^.^=
Another day hiking around the Gorge in the company of *Cache_or_Check*, e.gregory1, Gordon Patrick Samuel, Huurtle, Malco, MtnLioness, postiegirl06, The Tardis Trio and Tiger_Muffin.
The views were just fantastic along with the wildlife that we saw along the way.
Thank Huurtle for the find.
The views were just fantastic along with the wildlife that we saw along the way.
Thank Huurtle for the find.
Found with the Gang. I huffed and I puffed, but I did make it to the end and back again! Thanks to the other intrepid adventurous who led me down the suicidal hill (damn, do we have to go up that hill again?!!) to the snake infested (!) undergrowth and the raging Onkaparinga River. Great work Malco and Tiger Muffin in finding the intermediate waypoint container. Sef and I enjoyed enthusiastically cheering your crossing of the rampant river from the safety of our nice dry rock. I definitely needed a lie down (forgot the Bex) at the final location. Thanks to Huurtle for a lot of fun.
Found on another attempt-to-kill-the-lioness hike around some seriously steep sections of the most amazing views and scenery you'll come across in and around the Onkaparinga gorge with the usual crazies.
I managed to keep pace, kinda, with the other feline as a matter of pride, (heh heh, get it, heh heh) for about half the day but the hills were just too much in the end.
At the vision of where we had to go for the last WP came into view, half of us decided to go directly to GZ. (2 of us already had it in our GPS) This feline chickened out having to go down only go have to go up again, and that seemed to be a wise choice for time saving anyway. They already have to wait for me dragging my sorry tail up hills without making me die on this one, and it looked like I may have looking at the way Malco half crawled up to where we were on top of the lookout when they finally got there.
When the wind stopped we could COO-EE and Yell a few hundred meters from top to bottom and helped guide them the best way up to where we were, we saw TM and M but only ever heard CoC and GPS. Couldn't see them for the huge gully there were in and all the olive trees.
I would say I did about 3.5 of those terrain stars.
I would have to say that this lookout near GZ was one of the most extraordinary lookouts I have ever some across!!! That includes some wonderful tasmanian and New Zealandish views too!
I'm giving a fave point purely for the effort I had to put in and the magnificent views at that unreal lookout!
Just beautiful!
*Recommended*
I managed to keep pace, kinda, with the other feline as a matter of pride, (heh heh, get it, heh heh) for about half the day but the hills were just too much in the end.
At the vision of where we had to go for the last WP came into view, half of us decided to go directly to GZ. (2 of us already had it in our GPS) This feline chickened out having to go down only go have to go up again, and that seemed to be a wise choice for time saving anyway. They already have to wait for me dragging my sorry tail up hills without making me die on this one, and it looked like I may have looking at the way Malco half crawled up to where we were on top of the lookout when they finally got there.
When the wind stopped we could COO-EE and Yell a few hundred meters from top to bottom and helped guide them the best way up to where we were, we saw TM and M but only ever heard CoC and GPS. Couldn't see them for the huge gully there were in and all the olive trees.
I would say I did about 3.5 of those terrain stars.
I would have to say that this lookout near GZ was one of the most extraordinary lookouts I have ever some across!!! That includes some wonderful tasmanian and New Zealandish views too!
I'm giving a fave point purely for the effort I had to put in and the magnificent views at that unreal lookout!
Just beautiful!
*Recommended*
A select group of the Onka Octet (TM included) really earnt their stripes (in the form of terrain stars) here. A very (very) steep journey down into the gorge followed by small trek along the gorge floor to find a crossing point. CoC was given a rude shock by a very large red-bellied black snake (see pic); not something I would expect to see in August. Shortly after, it was socks and shoes off and cross we did to WP2 and then it was a steep ascent from whence we came to GZ.
Poor neglected cache, 30 months since last found. Disappointing!! One hell of a trek with massive reward for effort. Step 5 complete. TFTC Huurtle.
This entry was edited by Tiger_Muffin on Sunday, 11 August 2013 at 11:55:12 UTC.
This entry was edited by Tiger_Muffin on Sunday, 11 August 2013 at 12:09:38 UTC.
Poor neglected cache, 30 months since last found. Disappointing!! One hell of a trek with massive reward for effort. Step 5 complete. TFTC Huurtle.
This entry was edited by Tiger_Muffin on Sunday, 11 August 2013 at 11:55:12 UTC.
This entry was edited by Tiger_Muffin on Sunday, 11 August 2013 at 12:09:38 UTC.
Another O8 team success.
The previous find at Chapel Hill was the easiest, but this puppy was the hardest by a country kilometre, partly due to the rather ambitious path taken (who said that following the creek would be easy?).
Having found WP1 with ease, it was determined that WP2 lay in a rather difficult area. With a few easier options to take, a more direct but harder option was decided upon by yours truly, TM, CoC & GPS (although GPS & I had misgivings), while the others took a shortcut to GZ. Someone was muttering about shooting a tiger in a zoo, so with that sentiment it was over the hill and down the guts on our way to WP2. Halfway down, our route evaporated, but a better pathway was seen, and eventually we made it down to the river. It was here that the snake was spotted, with CoC taking point, and scaring it off.
After trying to convince ourselves that WP2 was on the south side, it was obvious that a river crossing was required (something even the CO seemed to have forgotten) so picking the narrowest point (about 5m wide) TM & I waded across. The vicinity of WP2 had many potential spots but none provide any further answers until finally, the container was found, bound with tough cord, high up on the rocks. With the coordinates of GZ in hand, CoC and GPS took off early leaving TM and myself to catch up.
After crossing back over the river, watching out for our friendly red-belly, then scaling a steep slope up to where the remainder of the team had been waiting, safe and high up, I stumbled exhausted up over the final metre and took some rest on the lookout bench. From there, it was a 10 minute hike to GZ, the spiny plants and the waiting CoC & GPS to sign the log.
After someone mentioned something about shooting a tiger in the zoo, and the merits of actually doing the job, I reckon I’m a hunter.
Thanks for the cache, Huurtle.
The previous find at Chapel Hill was the easiest, but this puppy was the hardest by a country kilometre, partly due to the rather ambitious path taken (who said that following the creek would be easy?).
Having found WP1 with ease, it was determined that WP2 lay in a rather difficult area. With a few easier options to take, a more direct but harder option was decided upon by yours truly, TM, CoC & GPS (although GPS & I had misgivings), while the others took a shortcut to GZ. Someone was muttering about shooting a tiger in a zoo, so with that sentiment it was over the hill and down the guts on our way to WP2. Halfway down, our route evaporated, but a better pathway was seen, and eventually we made it down to the river. It was here that the snake was spotted, with CoC taking point, and scaring it off.
After trying to convince ourselves that WP2 was on the south side, it was obvious that a river crossing was required (something even the CO seemed to have forgotten) so picking the narrowest point (about 5m wide) TM & I waded across. The vicinity of WP2 had many potential spots but none provide any further answers until finally, the container was found, bound with tough cord, high up on the rocks. With the coordinates of GZ in hand, CoC and GPS took off early leaving TM and myself to catch up.
After crossing back over the river, watching out for our friendly red-belly, then scaling a steep slope up to where the remainder of the team had been waiting, safe and high up, I stumbled exhausted up over the final metre and took some rest on the lookout bench. From there, it was a 10 minute hike to GZ, the spiny plants and the waiting CoC & GPS to sign the log.
After someone mentioned something about shooting a tiger in the zoo, and the merits of actually doing the job, I reckon I’m a hunter.
Thanks for the cache, Huurtle.
The Questing Quartet and the Questionable Quartet set foot down the hill again in search of the elusive Tatendi track.
Setting foot quickly changed to ‘setting bum’ as the slopes were way too steep to be able to walk down on. Finally down at the river level we pondered for a while how on earth we could cross the river.
Several places were reviewed but eventually we settled on the narrowest part of the river.
What we weren’t counting on though was an encounter with the fierce guardian of the river, the red bellied black snake. A whopper 8-footer just waking up from his winter slumber was basking in the sun, all curled up like a giant black turd. My heart skipped a couple of beats when I only saw him when I was within 3m.
Luckily he was still quite sluggish and we watched him seeking refuge to the higher grounds. TM even managed a quick snapshot!
All in the most memorable cache and the most exhillarating cache of the day.
Thanks Huurtle for sending us down on a path that doesn't exist to a southern WP2 that never existed.... FP nevertheless
Setting foot quickly changed to ‘setting bum’ as the slopes were way too steep to be able to walk down on. Finally down at the river level we pondered for a while how on earth we could cross the river.
Several places were reviewed but eventually we settled on the narrowest part of the river.
What we weren’t counting on though was an encounter with the fierce guardian of the river, the red bellied black snake. A whopper 8-footer just waking up from his winter slumber was basking in the sun, all curled up like a giant black turd. My heart skipped a couple of beats when I only saw him when I was within 3m.
Luckily he was still quite sluggish and we watched him seeking refuge to the higher grounds. TM even managed a quick snapshot!
All in the most memorable cache and the most exhillarating cache of the day.
Thanks Huurtle for sending us down on a path that doesn't exist to a southern WP2 that never existed.... FP nevertheless
Found with *Cache or Check*, Tiger Muffin, Malco!, MtnLioness, Team Scoobster, Tardis Trio and Gordon Patrick Samuel while out and about grabbing a few caches in the Onkaparinga Gorge area. Thanks Huurtle for the cache.
Mr Tardis went for a lovely day of hiking, bush bashing and moaning up and down steep terrain with some lovely views of Onkaparinga River and Gorge. Accompanied by a keen mob of intrepid explorers; *Cache_or_Check*, e.gregory1, Gordon Patrick Samuel, Malco, MtnLioness, Mr Scoobster and Tiger_Muffin. I managed 16 caches for the day, mostly in or around the Onkaparinga National Park.
This one was the adventure cache of the day with some very steep terrain encountered. After the fence post Mr Tardis got half way down and was moving much slower than Tiger_Muffin, Malco, CoC and GPS who must have thought it was some sort of competition to see who could get down the quickest. TM would have slid down in a kayak like a Solo commercial if he had one handy.
So a few of us walked back up to the lookout to be the safety crew -- given that there was no phone reception in the gorge. From up here we could see there was a much easier track down - head past the little gully further west then follow the track down into the gorge.
We found a good way of communicating with the "Bear Grylls" crew - yelling at the top of our lungs. They yelled something about a red bellied black snake and there was some sort of response from Mr Tardis about princesses needing to toughen up. Being a safe distance away is sometimes very useful. They made good progress and amused us as we watched their river crossings. After a painful ascent we all headed off to GZ make a find of the final.
After all of that I probably only earned about 3.5 of the 4.5 terrain stars on this one.
Signed the log. Thanks for the cache TeamHurtle
This one was the adventure cache of the day with some very steep terrain encountered. After the fence post Mr Tardis got half way down and was moving much slower than Tiger_Muffin, Malco, CoC and GPS who must have thought it was some sort of competition to see who could get down the quickest. TM would have slid down in a kayak like a Solo commercial if he had one handy.
So a few of us walked back up to the lookout to be the safety crew -- given that there was no phone reception in the gorge. From up here we could see there was a much easier track down - head past the little gully further west then follow the track down into the gorge.
We found a good way of communicating with the "Bear Grylls" crew - yelling at the top of our lungs. They yelled something about a red bellied black snake and there was some sort of response from Mr Tardis about princesses needing to toughen up. Being a safe distance away is sometimes very useful. They made good progress and amused us as we watched their river crossings. After a painful ascent we all headed off to GZ make a find of the final.
After all of that I probably only earned about 3.5 of the 4.5 terrain stars on this one.
Signed the log. Thanks for the cache TeamHurtle
We had an enjoyable walk down into the gorge, even managing to find an old track to the west of WP1, somebody was put out bits of red and white tape in the trees along the way which helped. It was a long way down and seemed even longer coming up again but when there's a cache at the end to motivate you .... We found the up track at the bottom but seemed to lose it somewhere along the way.
I remember coming down here for a picnic a long time ago but can't, for the life of me, remember the track that we used to get down and up, but I do remember it being a long slog.
Thanks for an enjoyable walk TeamHurtle.
I remember coming down here for a picnic a long time ago but can't, for the life of me, remember the track that we used to get down and up, but I do remember it being a long slog.
Thanks for an enjoyable walk TeamHurtle.
Some track! I wonder how may people actually do it, the park's brochure makes out there is a lot more of a track here, but 4 hours for 3.5km would put most people off. Fortunately Sushilord and I are both some what stranger than most people and were looking forward to the challenge. To our surprise the track was rather well marked, someone has gone through and flagged the trail on the way down with tape. No problems finding the waypoints, and then puffed our way back to the final. Great views all along, and to be honest one of the easier 4.5 terrain caches I've done. That being said, I would not want to slide down.
Great walk, great cache, great place
TNLN
thanks
Oh yeah for the record, we did the round trip in a bit under 1 hour, a bit less than 4 the park info suggests.
Great walk, great cache, great place
TNLN
thanks
Oh yeah for the record, we did the round trip in a bit under 1 hour, a bit less than 4 the park info suggests.
[^][^][^] Found it good hide safely.Lovely view over hills.Lots of walking around on Tatendi Hike Loop as last got it .Good Question.T.N.L.N.S.L.
T.F.T.C
T.F.T.C
Wow - puff, puff.... up/down/up... Take me ages to arrive the GZ but beauty view with lovely weather BUT I wish there have some cloud while I walked but no cloud just sun make me so sweat.... Hope lost some weigh.... Accompanied with Team waldron and Lava12, Lava12 found the cache due to I am slow walk hee.... SL. Thanks Team hurtle.
I agree with Everlasting, Lava12 was like the Energizer Bunny, powering on with the smell of a cache in her nose.
Nice stroll, if you can call it that.
TNLNSL
TFTC
Nice stroll, if you can call it that.
TNLNSL
TFTC
Accompanied by Everlasting and Team Waldron. I just kept up with Team Waldron. An enjoyable walk towards the cache.
Thanks TeamHurtle for the cache.
Thanks TeamHurtle for the cache.
Thanks to Xibat for fixing this one up for us. We've been so time poor (an excuse I know).
With fires nearby, I'm hoping that it wasn't in vain.
According to my sources the fire was on the next hill over...
Thanks again, and enjoy....
With fires nearby, I'm hoping that it wasn't in vain.
According to my sources the fire was on the next hill over...
Thanks again, and enjoy....
@ 19:15
The second attempt at this one was a lot easier.
I new exactly where all the way-points are and I spent quite some time on Google Earth preparing.
This permitted me to find the shortest, safe path from the car park to WP1, WP2 and then the final GZ.
With this advantage I was able to complete the whole circuit, back to the car park, in exactly 2 hours.
Unfortunately the next person will not be able to plan the route the way I did, as I have replaced the containers WP1 & WP2.
They will need to be very fit to be able to complete this in 2 hours.
So this multi is all ready to go again. WP1 has coordinates for WP2. WP2 has coordinates for the final GZ.
There was no real path from WP1 to WP2 however I would recommend going to
WP 1½ at S 35° 10.015' E 138° 32.756'
From this location there use to be a path in the correct general direction for WP2. The path is all grown over now but it is marked by old path posts with arrows. By following the posts, not that they are easy to spot, it is possible to find the easiest route between WP1 & WP2.
Good luck to everyone who comes after me.
In the end I enjoyed this cache, and there are some great views. There is even a bench at the edge of a cliff to sit on, if you find it.
TFTC. TNLNSL.
The second attempt at this one was a lot easier.
I new exactly where all the way-points are and I spent quite some time on Google Earth preparing.
This permitted me to find the shortest, safe path from the car park to WP1, WP2 and then the final GZ.
With this advantage I was able to complete the whole circuit, back to the car park, in exactly 2 hours.
Unfortunately the next person will not be able to plan the route the way I did, as I have replaced the containers WP1 & WP2.
They will need to be very fit to be able to complete this in 2 hours.
So this multi is all ready to go again. WP1 has coordinates for WP2. WP2 has coordinates for the final GZ.
There was no real path from WP1 to WP2 however I would recommend going to
WP 1½ at S 35° 10.015' E 138° 32.756'
From this location there use to be a path in the correct general direction for WP2. The path is all grown over now but it is marked by old path posts with arrows. By following the posts, not that they are easy to spot, it is possible to find the easiest route between WP1 & WP2.
Good luck to everyone who comes after me.
In the end I enjoyed this cache, and there are some great views. There is even a bench at the edge of a cliff to sit on, if you find it.
TFTC. TNLNSL.
Sorry, Xibat, I meant to disable this, without wp2's co-rds for wp3, it kinda makes it a 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 if I give out the final gz BEFORE going down into the Gorge.
I guess I have put it off long enough to fix, I best be doing before we are really into summer again.
I'll send you the gz.
I guess I have put it off long enough to fix, I best be doing before we are really into summer again.
I'll send you the gz.
Having already found 12 caches in the series before this one, I did not re-read the cache notes properly before trying this one. Big mistake.
TeamHurtle had emailed me the coordinates to WP2 and I thought I was set.
The gate and then the Chapel Hill sign were easy enough to find. Then of to WP1.
The terrain at this stage was only a little undulating, and the track had been freshly cut so all the long dry grass was lying on the ground. I thought I would be safe from snakes here, and I did not see any.
The old fence post at WP1 was an easy find, but no cache was evident anywhere. There were plenty of slate rocks to lift, but no container with the magic coordinates. Oh well onto the next WP.
I started looking for the track. The map by the Chapel Hill sign clearly indicated where the track should be, but there is none. I started walking in the direction of the arrow. The ground became steeper and steeper. The vegetation thicker and thicker. But still there was not track anywhere. I had to follow a water course down the gorge between 2 spurs. Even in the water course there were tree, mostly olive but also other exotics. Halfway down I knew I would not be coming back this way. It would be just too hard.
Eventually I did reach the river and then found the Ledge at WP2. This is where I became unstuck. If I had read the cache notes properly I would not have expected to find a cache here. Instead I searched and came up empty handed.
With no further coordinates and knowing I could not go back the way I came, I called it a day and started walking along the river.
If I had read the writing on the map sign I would have known that "No trail exists alone the river"
Still it was not too bad. There were plenty of animal track to follow along the river. I alternated between following the animal tracks and the boulders in the river where it was dry. At one point a beautiful, black as night, 2 metre snake darted out in front of me and slithered to the river.
The only problem now was that just as there was no track down to the river, there was also no discernible track up the gorge. When I realised I gone to far and missed it I had to turn back. Eventually I did see a piece of ground that looked more like a very steep hill than a cliff, so up I went. I made for the high voltage power lines but needed to pause every couple of minutes to catch my breath. Sure enough when I reached the first power pole half way up the gorge, there was a nicely cut path underneath the line. I was back on the path to Chapel Hill Winery.
The round trip took 4 hours and 20 minutes and I have nothing to show for it except the relieve that comes from knowing that the gorge did not win this time and I was able to escape without needing emergency assistance. It was one of the hardest and most dangerous walks I had ever done.
It is now a day later and I am already looking back on the walk with fondness, thinking I might try it again. This time looking for an easier path down and taking a whole lot more water with me. If I do go I will replace the caches at the way points.
In the meantime, could you please send me an email TeamHurtle to tell me where the final GZ is?
TeamHurtle had emailed me the coordinates to WP2 and I thought I was set.
The gate and then the Chapel Hill sign were easy enough to find. Then of to WP1.
The terrain at this stage was only a little undulating, and the track had been freshly cut so all the long dry grass was lying on the ground. I thought I would be safe from snakes here, and I did not see any.
The old fence post at WP1 was an easy find, but no cache was evident anywhere. There were plenty of slate rocks to lift, but no container with the magic coordinates. Oh well onto the next WP.
I started looking for the track. The map by the Chapel Hill sign clearly indicated where the track should be, but there is none. I started walking in the direction of the arrow. The ground became steeper and steeper. The vegetation thicker and thicker. But still there was not track anywhere. I had to follow a water course down the gorge between 2 spurs. Even in the water course there were tree, mostly olive but also other exotics. Halfway down I knew I would not be coming back this way. It would be just too hard.
Eventually I did reach the river and then found the Ledge at WP2. This is where I became unstuck. If I had read the cache notes properly I would not have expected to find a cache here. Instead I searched and came up empty handed.
With no further coordinates and knowing I could not go back the way I came, I called it a day and started walking along the river.
If I had read the writing on the map sign I would have known that "No trail exists alone the river"
Still it was not too bad. There were plenty of animal track to follow along the river. I alternated between following the animal tracks and the boulders in the river where it was dry. At one point a beautiful, black as night, 2 metre snake darted out in front of me and slithered to the river.
The only problem now was that just as there was no track down to the river, there was also no discernible track up the gorge. When I realised I gone to far and missed it I had to turn back. Eventually I did see a piece of ground that looked more like a very steep hill than a cliff, so up I went. I made for the high voltage power lines but needed to pause every couple of minutes to catch my breath. Sure enough when I reached the first power pole half way up the gorge, there was a nicely cut path underneath the line. I was back on the path to Chapel Hill Winery.
The round trip took 4 hours and 20 minutes and I have nothing to show for it except the relieve that comes from knowing that the gorge did not win this time and I was able to escape without needing emergency assistance. It was one of the hardest and most dangerous walks I had ever done.
It is now a day later and I am already looking back on the walk with fondness, thinking I might try it again. This time looking for an easier path down and taking a whole lot more water with me. If I do go I will replace the caches at the way points.
In the meantime, could you please send me an email TeamHurtle to tell me where the final GZ is?
I'm enabling this one, but to be sure you have wp2 co-ordinates, email me BEFORE you head out to this one.....
Hopefully I can get there very soon, now the fire season is over.
Hopefully I can get there very soon, now the fire season is over.
This was my last standard cache in the onka series before starting the mystery caches and as happens turned out to be the hardest one to do. The cache is off line because WP1 is missing so the first thing to do was pester Hurtle for the cords for WP2 then I had to pester me good mate Snowone in to coming on the death march into the gorge to find it with me. That done we set out down into the belly of the beast only to find that WP2 has gone missing in action to, so back home to pester Hurtle some more for the GZ cords which he happily gave. So two weeks after the whole saga started and a nice leisurely 20minute stole (their and back) the prize was mine!
This cache has definitely made me more hungry for the final three!
Thanks for all your help on this Hurtle much appreciated.
T - ALIAN BABY
L - DOG CLIP & LANYARED
This cache has definitely made me more hungry for the final three!
Thanks for all your help on this Hurtle much appreciated.
T - ALIAN BABY
L - DOG CLIP & LANYARED
In the company of Cows with guns who is obsessed with this series, but no luck at WP 2.
Very exhausting, but great area
Very exhausting, but great area
Requested email sent.....
Work is being done at gz, so hence this is not back online yet! Sorry folks.
Work is being done at gz, so hence this is not back online yet! Sorry folks.
Oh what a saga! Made an early start full of confidence that we could wrap this one up within a couple of hours (the last in the series for us before the mystery caches). All went well (this is a relative term, used loosely if you take into consideration a gully, every prickly weed known to mankind and steep slippery slopes) until we got to wp2. We searched. We checked the pda and the gps. We searched. Checked again. 40 minutes later and feeling very disheartened decided it wasn't going to be ours today. No matter. If a muggle can find the final then we were still in with a chance. On a hunch we climbed the HILL. How many trees with rocks under them can there be?!!! Time to call Hurtle. Too bad if he's still in bed. I'm suffering - so should he!! Standing on a rock and leaning at an odd angle there was a hint of reception. No answer. Try again 10 minutes later. Pay dirt. An sms a few minutes later (thanks Hurtle) confirmed cache was under the only tree we hadn't looked under only metres away.
It turns out the etrexH was putting us on the wrong of the river for wp2. gz for us was uncannily near a ledge on the north side, a position later confirmed with google earth. Hurtle assures me wp2 is on the south side - somewhere.
Dropped some coins through for a look.
Thanks for the experience Hurtle, and the help.
Oh and I forgot to say that this walk is not suitable for breaking in new boots, or shorts!
It turns out the etrexH was putting us on the wrong of the river for wp2. gz for us was uncannily near a ledge on the north side, a position later confirmed with google earth. Hurtle assures me wp2 is on the south side - somewhere.
Dropped some coins through for a look.
Thanks for the experience Hurtle, and the help.
Oh and I forgot to say that this walk is not suitable for breaking in new boots, or shorts!
Woo Hoo! Third time lucky! This cache ended up causing way too much hussle! Got there eventually!
Turns out the cahe was found by a muggle couple of months back. Muggle claims we are all unfit and left us a rolled up fag, which we have sensibly removed!
Turns out the cahe was found by a muggle couple of months back. Muggle claims we are all unfit and left us a rolled up fag, which we have sensibly removed!
Okay, okay, I'm off for a walk next week then! On a day when I don't have geokid#2 strapped to my back though! Sorry, can't get there this week. This really wasn't one that I thought would be muggled, however... I'll let you know when I am going Master Darko! hehehehe
Grrrhhh!!!!!! I am getting rather annoyed with this cache! After eventful trip to the Gate 9 cache, we were ready to tackle this one(despite being disabled) with wp2 coords given by Hurtle! Cheers!
We swinged by the wp1 for another look. Nothing again!
How quickly do weeds and grass grow?! Place looks very overgrown to what we witnessed last time. Very green indeed! Weeds and grass were covering all the loose rocks under the foot. Loose and deceiving footing with a sprinkle of rain ensured a very interesting trip down towards wp2! We basically followed the gravity down with an occasional glance at the arrow! Woo Hoo!
After couple of slips and slides, a decent tumble and millions of prickles, we were down by the river in no time!
Based on the previous experience of wp's generally being spot on we were hoping for an easy find this time. Wasnt to be yet again!
Looked high, looked low, looked wide, looked even wider... With all the overgrowth and sun setting down rather quickly, we had no options but abandon the search and head back up defeated yet again! 
We swinged by the wp1 for another look. Nothing again!
How quickly do weeds and grass grow?! Place looks very overgrown to what we witnessed last time. Very green indeed! Weeds and grass were covering all the loose rocks under the foot. Loose and deceiving footing with a sprinkle of rain ensured a very interesting trip down towards wp2! We basically followed the gravity down with an occasional glance at the arrow! Woo Hoo!
After couple of slips and slides, a decent tumble and millions of prickles, we were down by the river in no time!
Based on the previous experience of wp's generally being spot on we were hoping for an easy find this time. Wasnt to be yet again!
Looked high, looked low, looked wide, looked even wider... With all the overgrowth and sun setting down rather quickly, we had no options but abandon the search and head back up defeated yet again! Quit your jibber jabber Hurtle, get out there and check that cache for us! Some of us are keen to get out there and finish the series! Cheers!
Some of us are keen to get out there and finish the series! Cheers!But "Next Week" never comes!! 
Go to bed with these co-ords for the next point...
S35 09.837
E138 32.876
Good Luck, and don't blame me for the prickles! [B)]
Go to bed with these co-ords for the next point...
S35 09.837
E138 32.876
Good Luck, and don't blame me for the prickles! [B)]
After finding Chapel Hill and clicked next cache on the GPS, 500 metres, no worries. Then I checked the details, a 2.5 hour multi .
I can't go that far from the car, just in case the boss calls. Another time. Cheers from Barra.
.I can't go that far from the car
, just in case the boss calls. Another time. Cheers from Barra.Agrrrh! The plan was to finish this series this weekend, we failed executing it! Things were good til we reached the old fence post at wp1. The post was there but no container! Doh!
We searched high and low but no joy...
We searched high and low but no joy...
Well, what can I say: another Killer from Team Hurtle! The walk started off so well - nice open track etc. Silly me however decided to attempt the gully east of WP1... NOT a good idea! I only fell over twice, before deciding that I would stand a better chance heading down the ridge. Real mountain goat country this.
Found WP2 without difficulty and then the slow slog up the hill.
GZ was an easy find, 1hour after leaving the car. Took the Fragile Heart TB. Left nothing.
Thanks once again Hurtle for another Lung-buster of a hike!
Found WP2 without difficulty and then the slow slog up the hill.
GZ was an easy find, 1hour after leaving the car. Took the Fragile Heart TB. Left nothing.
Thanks once again Hurtle for another Lung-buster of a hike!
Lovely stroll on brilliant day. Followed trail markers and cleared path most of the way from WP1 to WP2. From here we decided not to do the entire loop as shonky maps suggested that back tracking was a smarter option. Plus the trail markers and path were there to follow 
. And a seat to rest on.
All waypoints and cache at 0m again. Perfect. Lovely views all the way as usual.
Enjoyed a picnic lunch at the start point. Wonder if the chefs over the road would like to cook for us.
Far too many terrain points. 2.5 at most.
I have got a complaint though. There is not much bang for your bucks on that number.
The fragile heart travel bug is probably appropriate.
. And a seat to rest on.All waypoints and cache at 0m again. Perfect. Lovely views all the way as usual.
Enjoyed a picnic lunch at the start point. Wonder if the chefs over the road would like to cook for us.
Far too many terrain points. 2.5 at most.
I have got a complaint though. There is not much bang for your bucks on that number.
The fragile heart travel bug is probably appropriate.
The map at the you are here spot looked easy – just follow the blue line.
So we did what we were told. We followed the blue line to the old fence post. We obeyed instructions, and still followed the blue line. Not the arrow. I’m not a Nibsy or 4-fun type.
We were glad. Nice trail markers, steps and even a seat (pic). No pubs though. I sure could have used one at the ledge. I would have settled for a hot coffee though – bloody cold near the water line today.
Coords were spot on for each and every spot. Zero metres on the Magellan. Impressive in this terrain.
I was knackered, and it was just on midday. I felt like the kid who holds up the others. But I had a very considerate scout leader. 2.5 stars indeed.
Silver service at the lunch table. They even shut down the fridge motor, and then I was offered a chocolate mint biscuit. It doesn’t get better that that!
TF this cache Mr H, clear skies TeamAstro. [^]
Now we had scared ourselves silly about this one, reading the logs (okay, Miss Wibble was scared silly). Turned out to be much easier than we expected! We took the advice of the stanleys and took the next gully down to the river, certainly no boxthorns here. Still very steep and slippery though, but not too bad. A pleasant walk along the creek, then a bit of rock scrambling up to the first track marker. We didn't follow the track (what track?), but did see 2 more markers up the relatively easy (but still very steep) hill. GZ found without too much hassle. A very satisfying walk, thanks Hurtle.
Oh - 55 minutes to the final GZ for us. Woohoo!
Oh - 55 minutes to the final GZ for us. Woohoo!
Well I got all the points OK, but hardly saw a track all the way.
The grass is growing well and over any trail. Eventually slid down to the river via a small steep gully. Once at river level the trail is easier and the WP was no problem. Comming back out I probably picked the wrong way again and up a steep loose gully with few foot or hand holds.
I noted that Z had written in the log book start to cache 1hr 5 min, I had exactly the same time. 1 hr 30 min car to car including logging time.
The grass is growing well and over any trail. Eventually slid down to the river via a small steep gully. Once at river level the trail is easier and the WP was no problem. Comming back out I probably picked the wrong way again and up a steep loose gully with few foot or hand holds.
I noted that Z had written in the log book start to cache 1hr 5 min, I had exactly the same time. 1 hr 30 min car to car including logging time.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Out and about with Z and Mini Z today... started at 8am at Chapel hill (WHY WHY WHY.... the winery is not open until 11am.....) it is a little cold and the sour sobs are wet very wet, so our feet/socks are wet... Team Wibble went off to find Porosa and we went off in the other direction... Mini Z was a life saver in picking the way down!!! slippery ... TRACK where!! found the second point after awhile as Z read out the final clues... ooopppsss he had actually found it 10mins before but didn't know it!!
picked up the "TRACK" and did the big walk up the hill, found the cache (with the help of the hints) very quickly... great view, great walk (for those of us who love hills)..
Thanks for the walk!!
Cheers
Miss Jane
picked up the "TRACK" and did the big walk up the hill, found the cache (with the help of the hints) very quickly... great view, great walk (for those of us who love hills)..
Thanks for the walk!!
Cheers
Miss Jane
The original plan was to do this series last summer but only a decent start was made at the time. Then last weekend we did Porosa but then ran out of light. Today we found a way down, possibly not the easiest but found the track at the bottom. Took a fair while finding the cache as yours truly read the clue for the final rather than the cache description for the way point. A quick find after a reread as we looked around and could see the cache in plain view. D'Oh! 
I'd actually moved it within the first minute but didn't notice.
Nice views from the hike up and one more done.
I'd actually moved it within the first minute but didn't notice.Nice views from the hike up and one more done.
Decided it was time to come back and finish off this series now that the more snakey weather had passed and before winter sets in. Last time we attempted to descend the gully by the old fence post and were stopped by boxthorns. Then we went across the hill and got within 100m of the waypoint but it was way too steep and slippery and we did not want to risk our necks.
Today we kept to the track past the fence post (?track I hear you say) and then headed down the next gully. This was quite easy apart from a couple of spots where we needed to go around trees or bushes. Once down to river level soon found the waypoint.
The next challenge was getting out again. Headed straight up hill to the track marker. Actually did find it but Mrs S was struggling coming up the steep incline with slippery rocks everywhere. Lucky there are olive trees to cling to. Found a few more track markers and even a seat to sit on and catch our breath and enjoy the view. Then further uphill to gz. At last we can cross this off our list. As others have said it is every terrain point and more.
Only two to go to finish the series. Team Hurtle is definitely off our Christmas card list now!
Today we kept to the track past the fence post (?track I hear you say) and then headed down the next gully. This was quite easy apart from a couple of spots where we needed to go around trees or bushes. Once down to river level soon found the waypoint.
The next challenge was getting out again. Headed straight up hill to the track marker. Actually did find it but Mrs S was struggling coming up the steep incline with slippery rocks everywhere. Lucky there are olive trees to cling to. Found a few more track markers and even a seat to sit on and catch our breath and enjoy the view. Then further uphill to gz. At last we can cross this off our list. As others have said it is every terrain point and more.
Only two to go to finish the series. Team Hurtle is definitely off our Christmas card list now!
what a hard hike good views river running after rain then the slog up the hill found the site took the jeep if it a full tank could have driven it out
had a good time madmal
had a good time madmal
Track, I didn't see any any track down or up. Mr Hurtle you are torturing us. I used the Western gully for part of my descent and found this to be a good approach to the river. Nearly stepped of Mr Red Belly on the way up, who was sunning himself in the sun - nearly a metre long. When the little fellow wants to move he can be like grease lighting and if he came after you, you would not be able to outrun him. All day afterwards, however, ever stick turned into either Mr Red Belly or his brother Mr Brown. Pardon me for for neurosis. Congratulations Hurtle - this is a commendable challenge. I am, however, fearful of what you might call 4 or 5 in difficulty / terrain!! Good Hunting!
First cache of the day and our 6th in the Hurtle Onkaparinga series. We were so thankful we didn’t try this late yesterday afternoon, it could have been fatal! . I’d have given the terrain another couple of stars . Apart from a couple of WIDELY spaced trail markers at the beginning (IVO WP1) we saw no other evidence of any formed, recognisable track. The terrain down to the river is horrendous whichever way you go. The spurline is clearer and easier going, but plunges dramatically DOWN; the re-enterants are easier going, but have really thick (sometimes impenetrable) undergrowth. Once down at river level, it was a little easier, and thanks to great co-ords, was able to collect all the waypoints without fuss [^]. Climbing up was a challenge, but compared with the trip down, it was a doddle. Never found the reported trail marker, but the hillside was open enough, just went ‘with the arrow’. At the final GZ we were rewarded with silver for second place even almost a month after four-fun’s victory, which made it all that little bit more worthwhile. I thought that this cache was worthy of having the Jeep TB placed in it to encourage others. Took a patch and Wallace figure, left a resus mask and a camo drink bottle holder. Thanks for a great cache Hurtle, even though we may never walk again. At least I know what to expect for the final GORGE one. I think Auzee may stay at home for that one
. I’d have given the terrain another couple of stars . Apart from a couple of WIDELY spaced trail markers at the beginning (IVO WP1) we saw no other evidence of any formed, recognisable track. The terrain down to the river is horrendous whichever way you go. The spurline is clearer and easier going, but plunges dramatically DOWN; the re-enterants are easier going, but have really thick (sometimes impenetrable) undergrowth. Once down at river level, it was a little easier, and thanks to great co-ords, was able to collect all the waypoints without fuss [^]. Climbing up was a challenge, but compared with the trip down, it was a doddle. Never found the reported trail marker, but the hillside was open enough, just went ‘with the arrow’. At the final GZ we were rewarded with silver for second place even almost a month after four-fun’s victory, which made it all that little bit more worthwhile. I thought that this cache was worthy of having the Jeep TB placed in it to encourage others. Took a patch and Wallace figure, left a resus mask and a camo drink bottle holder. Thanks for a great cache Hurtle, even though we may never walk again. At least I know what to expect for the final GORGE one. I think Auzee may stay at home for that one I can see an evil, nasty streak appearing in Hurtles character that I have never noticed before [xx(]
In particular that lovely little gully between WP1 & WP2 that is the home of every type of prickle bush known to man (including box thorn, wild rose & blackberry
But the view was good from GZ and I definately feltlike I had earned those 4.5 stars and the white Jeep TB I grabbed from the cache.
TN, left Wallace & Grommit figures.
My aerobic fitness is saying thanks Hurtle, my legs are not!
Cheers.
In particular that lovely little gully between WP1 & WP2 that is the home of every type of prickle bush known to man (including box thorn, wild rose & blackberry
But the view was good from GZ and I definately feltlike I had earned those 4.5 stars and the white Jeep TB I grabbed from the cache.
TN, left Wallace & Grommit figures.
My aerobic fitness is saying thanks Hurtle, my legs are not!
Cheers.
