'Snotaknot (Nelson/Marlborough) Nelson, South Island, New Zealand
By kiwi-nomad on 25-Aug-06. Waypoint GCXYBH

Looks like access to this cache is not going to get any better the track was closed due to slips but now a local person is not keen on people accessing the remains of the track through his backyard, as the track has been permitly close i think its time to archive this cache as not to upset him any more,

After our bike ride this morning we decided to pop into town and pick up a few caches. This had been on the list since we started caching almost 7 years ago. We grabbed the required information from the waypoint. Of course, the gold paint has gone with the refurbishment of the water feature but that was easily guessed. Once final location was sorted we then sussed out the bottom entrance (now fenced off of the old track). With some of the logs stating it was easier from the top we headed off to the top entrance and with the help of a friendly neighbour soon found it. Headed down to GZ and found a very waterlogged cache. Pulled all the contents out and emptied the water then dried the container. Put back the items that we could dry and removed the rest. Dropped in a triple bagged rite-in-rain log sheet. Put cache back as found and scrambled our way back up the bank to the track and on to the car. tftc

#6417

I have been waiting in the wings for someone else to find this one before I tried again. Thanks to the advice from the NZH's, my resolve returned, and off I went to try again. Starting from the top, I went in at the second possible entrance, and followed a reasonable path until it vanished. I began to follow my GPSr, but this got me to a dirt cliff, which I slide down (and gathered a lot of dust on my clothes).

I then started a sweep to the left, lowering my carcass bit by bit using trees for support. When I got near GZ, the landscape fit that of a PF. I then was able to spot the cx quickly. As mentioned by others, it is in terrible condition. Water seems to have no trouble getting into the container.

When I got back to the Geovan, I noticed several cuts on my arms and legs. This find has just invented the new sport of Geo-gashing. TFTC.

I don't know what came over me today. After 2 dnf's, and with half an hour left before I needed to head off for the kindy pickup, some part of my brain decided it would be a good idea to attempt this. I started from the bottom because that's where I was... After a few metres it didn't look good. I can't say it was impenetrable vegetation because I got through, over, under and around it - just. But it was prickly and a big scramble. I started to have my regrets, but it got to the stage where I'd gone too far to turn around... Then to my relief a short time later I'd made it to gz and found the hide. It was a big, stinky wet mess so I took a photo (see pic). I made an imprint in the log but I don't think it'll last much longer. I might be the last visitor here because I'd say it's reverting to jungle more every week. I couldn't face going back down so went straight up until I eventually popped out on track that wasn't demolished. Then strolled up to the road before the walk back down the streets to the vehicle. For anyone following, it's easier from the top but still a bit of work. TFTC and the workout...

I tried going topside to see if there was an easier path, but didn't find the start. I returned down and got maybe ten steps in before I gave up to the overgrowth.

"Hunter climb High", a book I read many years ago. I took the advice and put it into practice here. A challenging hide but with reasonable fitness and a spoonful of agility you can get a smiley face...we did. Great hide, tftc.

However, a machete should be part of the minimal equipment when searching. The cache box itself was a small compensation. Now the way back comes and I am terrified of it. TFTC

I've been sitting on the resolved co-ords for this one for a few years now and every time I look at the map there it is looking back at me, taunting me. And then when I drive nearby there it is again on my GPS map whispering 'you want to come find me.'

Today I couldn't take it any longer. Knowing that this cache, and in particular access to it has been a challenge for many years I decided to look at it again. My first approach from above to find an entry to what might be the track wasn't successful so I drove back down to the road below where I saw what looked like a positive entry and so like the previous finders, it was this path that I took. This is when it started to rain but now I was committed...zeroing in on my co-ordinates, I was too close now.

I found all sorts of stuff up here - clothes, old bottles and cans as well as a homeless persons abode including computer. I got scratched and dirty and wet. I found an old bench seat that once upon a time people would have sat at while taking in the view. From here I worked out I was too high and the cache was still 20 odd metres away. So down through the bush I went again, the numbers came down and I was thinking are the co-ordinates going to accurate?

With one hand holding a branch I lowered myself down to a flat narrow area where my landing foot stood on something unusually firm and narrow under the grass. Once I was grounded I started feeling around and discovered I was on the original paths wooden steps. At this stage my gps was telling me I was 1m to GZ. You know that excited feeling you get when you think 'this is it?' Well, it was and as my hand felt further up the outside edge I saw something that got my attention. I reached out, opened it and there it was - the cache!

In this moment, the effort, the scratches, the dirt and wet clothes were all worth it. I had succeeded and it felt great. I took my time opening it and flicking through the logbook before I left my name.

Showered, clean clothes and some first aid to my scratches and all I need now is a cold beer with dinner. Thanks kiwi-nomad, cheers another favourite point for you. Your cache is in good condition and will last a long time here.

Tyabeedragon and I had a hunt for this some time ago. Admitably that was a) in failing light and b) I didn't read the cache page properly and c) the whole world has changed here!
This time I am back with Ricardinho.nz. The track is no longer a track. there is a sort of private track up, that kinda goes nearby, starting from the adjacent backpacker's courtyard. then there is 20m of bushbashing and eventually, after arriving at GZ, we found the remains of steps! Ah ha! An old track! And this way disappears into a big slip and that way disappears into nothingness. Scrub. Tangled mess of No Access.
But we found it! In pretty good nick. Amazing what some daylight can do. Still took a while though.
Re the track. I am going to delete it off the map - it is not travelable anymore. But I will add the backpacker's track, should you want to use that.

First of the day, and a tough one to start.
tS had tried this one at night a while back. In retrospect, that is a tough ask.
We took the walkway up at the back of the backpackers. Confidence was key in this decision, no asking for permission, just going up.
That got us within 20 odd metres, then we bush bashed across until we picked up the old, damaged, overgrown trail this cache is on.
A few options within 5 metres of GZ. We visited them, then revisited again and again until I spotted it from the correct angle, not where we thought it would be.
It was visible, it is not when we left it. This will make it harder no doubt.
A character builder to start the day, TFTC K-N.


Today I was back over the hill with the Seagnoid to put the finishing touches on his latest Nelson rail offerings.
As it transpired he was dead keen to get these out there - so keen that the one we placed was published later in the day before we left town, so no mucking around.
But while over the hill, and with the initial job sorted quickly (as well as some shopping), we discussed what other options we could do. In the end we decided on a hill walk, so we did a trip up Marsden Valley Rd to do a part of the Barnicoat walkway, then loop back to the car.
A bit of up, then down.
Then a decent-sized, unplanned chunk of both (just as we were getting tired of it all) that tested the reserves.
But a good day, and no DNFs on the walkway, which is key. We found a few others in the near vicinity also, travelling to and from the start area.
We finished the day with a spearmint milkshake each, which soothed the hangry pains, then picked up some hitchhikers to chat with on the way home before dropping off at Pelorus Bridge.
That is the summary of the day and the copy and paste bit, any thoughts more particular to the caches are at the top. Thanks all COs for hiding and maintaining.

Okay, maybe it was the wrong time of day. Or night in this case. After carefully ignoring the track closed sign Taybeedragon and I headed up the hill. It's dark now, our torches are out. But still I missed a bank in the long grass and landed on my back, head downhill. Didn't find the cache, but that wasn't too surprising. Will try again in the daytime.

With the latest Groundspeak promotion, Cache Carnival, I loaded my GPS with a pocket query containing all caches with 10 favourites or more between Nelson and Motueka. Over 1000 carnival points, should be enough to get me to 500 and the Grand Poobah souvenir; Rio de Janeiro. Except that I forgot the other aspect of the game, and I started this trip with 350 points, achieved while sitting on my arse, doing nothing. Taybeedragon has bet that I can get to 500 without finding a single cache, simply due to other placing favourites on my caches.
So anyway here we are, Taybeedragon and I, targeting better-than-average caches.

What an adventure - I was attracted my the high level of favourites and being back at work after Christmas break decided to tackle a non traditional each day to help me adjust. Information was easy to sort and headed off for the find, I parked up top and it had been raining very heavily, by 5pm the area had 35mm. I checked out on google maps and thought I had the right track, after a few failures I ended up at the bottom of the hill and shimmied up the bank working my way along and eventually stumbled on a track. I discovered two lovely viewing area with great views across the city and Tasman Bay, got completely soaked and the closest I got was 11 metres away and it was down a vertical bank. Something was not right. At a recent event I asked a fellow cacher and recent finder if I was in the right area, she suggested a slightly better approach. Yesterday we were in the area but somehow geogeorge was not wanting to save the gpx file and I'd forgotten my phone. Today was it, this cache was not going to beat me and I had SJT_NZ for additional eyes and navigation. We shimmied up onto the track from the bottom and with a little wandering around got to the GZ, a wee search and sorted. Cache all in good order and happy to finally have the smilie.

Well that was an adventure! Additional notes on terrain since the track has washed out provide fair warning - which is well justified. Both TregearP's and my GPSrs were jumping about a bit which meant we probably spent more time on the slip and near vertical faces than we needed to, but we got there eventually. In the end it was a reasonably quick find with all in good order. Signed log and replaced as found and then took an entirely different route down which had a couple of challenges but certainly less challenging.

Glad to get this one off the 'list' thanks for another enjoyable cache kiwi-nomad.

After gathering the co-ords for another nearby Multi, and messed them up and headed to here with more hope of a find. Parked by the start and gathered the numbers with soem simple counting and headed where the arrow was pointing. I'd checked previous finds and knew what I was in for, and headed upwards in a bush-bashing direction. Once the numbers were down to low single-figures, and having gathered all the nearby seeds and plant pieces, I took a knee, leaned over and saw the hide. Nice one k-n.
Soon had the log-book in hand and replaced as found. Another F P for this cache, hope you get well soon friend.
T F T C k-n

Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la, la la; Buying presents is a folly, fa la la la la, la la, la la.
And so it came to pass that with 3 days to go until Chrhistmas Day I had not got any presents for mrs yet, and time was running out. I had hoped to get a day off on Wednesday but the car failed it's warrant and needed some work to be cache-worthy before the break and so, a day before break, I took a days leave and headed over the hill, unbeknownst to mrs. Probably the first time I've come over this way alone and with a combination of a moderate amount of my favourite hobby, and the same of my least favourite I experienced satisfaction on both fronts.

Snota track that I could find either. Didn't know where to start walking so ended up going straight up - hense the way I went was more of a T4.5 than a T3. The only bit of flat I found was at GZ. A quick find was made and all is good, although there were about a 1000 ants sharing the space. Then I tried to find where the track went to get back to the car - I couldn't. I looked around and I could not go back down the way I came up (just potentially too dangerous), tried going left, tried going right and could not decide where I needed to be. Looked further up the hill and I could see a bit of a clearing so I decided to head for that. I came across a flat area with old chairs and flags so I had a bit of a look around to see if I could find a way down. I did come across a track that lead to some very nicely formed steps and track. I soon realised that this was a private track, but as I did not know how to get back to my car any other way (safely) I kept going and I was soon back at my car. Thanks kiwi-nomad for the cache

Yes! At last! We first attempted this cache about a year ago but were defeated after taking a wrong turn and ending up at Otto's Backpackers. This time, armed with a bit more resolve and the encouragement of MSEBN et al we followed the one true path (or what's left of it) and scrambled our way to where we deemed the cache to be. The GPS was so spot-on that it took us to the precise location and the cache (another clever hide from KN) was soon in hand. I was particularly proud of Junior on this exercise as he pushed his way through gorse and showed exemplary courage when the going got tough. A very happy find. We souvenired some SoBad teeth too. TFTC and a favourite.

I didn't realise that it's almost a year to the day that we DNF'd this cache and whenever we drive past it always calls out to me to go for another look, especially as it is a kiwi-nomad cache.

So, with a blank calendar day to fill, heavy rain in the offing, and with an adventurous spirit I set off for another look, spurred on by the recent find.

Having tripped over the fence which is intended to block off the track to all but us cachers and then stomped my way through the undergrowth, which is doing its best to become *over*growth. Rounding the corner I was faced with the bare earth of the hillside slip I recalled from last year. Seeing where we looked before, without success, I tended to agree with the GPS and head a little higher taking the direct route, which proved an interesting experience.

Relieved to be back on firm footing where the old path finished I started a look around and spotting nothing (again) started to head back down (the path this time). Just as I was about to give up, I rechecked the GPS which was insisting I look in the area I had just come from.

I did this and in doing spotted a little feature that made everything about the hint fall into place.

So my fellow cachers, if you have a spare 10-15 minutes in Nelson, a strong pair of shoes and a sense of adventure, give this cache a go.

Giving it a FP, just 'cos.

#904

We love these ones that haven't been found and have become far harder than they should be. The cache is still there and safely secured, but please be very careful as you have to get very close to the edge. The path is heavily overgrown and rather dangerous so be prepared.
Great hide and nice hint. TFTC

Only one thing trickier than a Kiwi-Nomad cache and that's a Kiwi-Nomad cache that's placed up a track that is technically 'closed' due to it having largely washed out a few years back and with the only prospect of finding it hinging on finding a rumoured piece of string.

Ok, so the puzzle side of things seemed straight forward and the resulting coords seemed to make sense, and hey, we even found not one, but two, pieces of string.

But there our good fortune ended. Last found eight months ago and with there being slips and now burgeoning undergrowth, we looked as closely to the suggested GZ as was sensible but no hint of anything promising.

On a bit of a Kiwi-nomad streak. TFTC!

My kind of multi....simple....classic kiwi-nomad hide....which surprisingly was quickly found.
Yip, the track sure does add to the experience now....be a sod in the wet. Some wag has left a string at the trickier bit....can it be trusted?
Thanks Mr kiwi-nomad for the fun.

Been meaning to do this multi for a long time now and today was the day. Figured out the coordinates and headed off expecting a moutaineering course but except for an initial scramble, the ascent turned out to be a lot easier than I was expecting. Arrived at GZ and the GPS was flashing but heck, no sign of a cache. Hunted around for ages and I was starting to come to the conclusion that the cache must have suffered during the last heavy down pour we had and had perhaps slipped away. Just about to give up when something caught my eye. Gotcha!!!! Gets a well deserved favourite from me and once again KN, thanks so much for a great cache!!

Cant do much about the path but have upped the traine to suit as people are still doing it

Visited months ago and soon had the final coordinates, took one look at the start of the track and gave it a miss. Since then its been found a few times and its been bugging me being close to home and work. Decided to give it a go straight after work. Managed to find a way up and then spent a bit of time looking, when nothing was found I thought it was about time to re-read the discription and previous logs. As soon as I realised who the CO was I changed my way of thinking and soon had the log signed. Another great Kiwi Nomad cache TFTC

Ever since I started Geocaching back in early 2012 I have wanted to get this cache however the slips of late 2011 have made it almost inaccessible. Path conditions and a general desire to stay alive have prevented me from taking on the slips, however a find earlier this year has prompted me to take heart in hand and give it a go. Appropriately attired in old clothes and prepared for the worst I scaled the bank wondering all the time how the hell I was going to get back down again . Having scaled the heights it was a relatively quick find of another cleverly hidden cache and then the journey back down. Fortune favoured the brave and I was soon back to the car with hardly a scratch to be found . To others following in my footsteps, take care and good luck. Thanks K-N.

Did the errrr ground work on this one the other day but could go for the find as I was working. Knocked off work early today so made the mission to the GZ and a mission it was. Well worth it though, great hide, shame about the path. Thanks for another great hide.

Looking for caches in the area with a few favourite points and noticed that this one hadn't been found for over a year. That got me interested.
Headed up the track/slip and had the cache in hand within 10 min of leaving the car. I liked the way that the CO increased the terrain rating rather than archiving after the slips. Good call!
The cache is still in perfect condition waiting to be found. Can't believe that a cache pretty much in CBD Nelson hasn't been found for so long.
Many thanks

Path is missing in two places, too hard to access GZ

Needs a check, slips blocking path!

;(

First ever time caching but tried at lunch time and just too busy. Will return.

Note track is closed but hey who can't climb a fence great hide very good The track has collapsed away just past cache user beware! Took coin

Found on a crisp winter's afternoon. Great hide, took a we while to find. Deserving of a favourite point. Couldn't see travel bug in here but dropped off travel coin. SL TFTC

We wanted something special for our 700th,We had wanted to do this one for a while so We decide this was it,Worked out the coords and off we went,A quick find by Dazzaboi and a great night of caching once again,Thanks for the cache

When your looking for a Kiwi-nomad cache you know your going to find a clever cache. Its always a blast to find one. Even sometimes trying to get the log out it the fun part. Was quickly worked out where GZ was so Team Dazzaboi and Liquorboy headed off to find the cache. I finally personally found the cache much to my delight. Thanks heaps for the cache was good fun =)

This quality and daring is rare - please move to Christchurch it could really do with you down there ! LGM

Find #600! Another milestone in the bank. Got the co-ords sorted pretty quickly, but finding the cache took a bit more time. My GPS wasn't being too helpful, I think it's time for an upgrade...but loved the cache in the end, TFTC!

Tried to find this a few years ago.This time i found quickly.Great hide

Pleased to say that I found this one. First cache in over a year! Great cache and a great chance to test out the new GPS. TNLN TFTC

Took a while, found it on the second day of looking. Accidentally came across it while looking at the thing beside it. Tricky hiding spot

+ the travel bug
- mini orange pool ball

Ouch. This one took an hour or so longer than it should have. - - - Totally caused by someone not reading right to the very end of the "B" sentence!!!! - - - I have discovered that one does have to be careful about taking in the details when paperless caching!!! Anyway, lots of laughs and a fairly straightforward find when the error was spotted. TVMFTC

Caching with Sidewaze. Some miscalculation, or rather not reading all the instructions lead to miscalculation, meant we had a great drive through the Autumn colours up the Maitai Valley. Reason prevailed and we did some new calculations, retraced our tracks back and after a bit of a climb, located the cache. Clever. TFTC

'Snot the hide we were expecting but a goodie nonetheless. Took a little while for our GPS to decide when we had got to the right altitude - climbed further than we needed to, but the views were great. Once we got to the right spot we quickly discovered the clever hide. Thanks!

# 2547

Found. Log to follow as time and laptop battery permit.

Clever hide.... Took a few minutes to spot.,..tftc

Puzzle was easily solved. And the container quickly retrieved. Nice haide. TFTC.

The last cache we found in Nelson, and fittingly a kiwi-nomad one - thank you for making our stay here so enjoyable.

#1795 (9/28 on Nelson to Picton). We thought we'd try to quickly get to 10 Nelson caches before leaving to try to get to 300 for our trip. We managed 9, but that should be enough. Great to finish on another well hidden kiwi-nomad cache. Thanks to all of the nelson cachers whose caches we find (good to meet many of them at the event last Wednesday).

The time and effort you put in to your caches is just awesome and we love doing them TFTC

Great hide!
No TBs here

TFTC

Superb! Went back twice for this one. TFTC

Seem to be going up and down a lot. The purple has faded somewhat, but that is fairly obvious. TFTC

Awesome, had us stumped for a while.

Clever hide - TFTC

Nice hide. Good one. TFTC

Clever hide


No sign of "ureca #1 Big Bear Cache Bash 2007 Geocoin"

Very Clever Hide TFTC

Another well designed and inventive cache. SL Left TB TFTC

Found on tour around beautiful New Zealand

quick find this time. tftc

Have been informed the water feature is no longer "purple" and is presently primed in a white will update info when top coat goes on..

Great spot met another cacher from Germany at GZ. TFTC

A nice one. TFTC MacBanger

Lovely views - lovely hide. Took the coins.

TFTC

Found this one with Moneydork

Did this one in the dark. Added geocoin.

another perfect cach tanks..

Thankfully the rain eased off a little bit this afternoon making the cache hunting a bit more enjoyable, a clever hide, walked past it on the way in, but found it on the way back. TNLN SL TFTC

Should have known to expect the unexpected from you! Third attempt at finding this, but younger eyes than mine found it. A clever hide. TFTC

Unfortunately there's no ways to find this cache without gps. so we have to go back later

Another clever hide but now we know a little of KN style it wasn't to bad TFTC D

One of many finds on our first full day in Nelson. Hardly a muggle to be see early Sunday morning. A quick multi - good hide. TFTC

Took a few moments but was soon found.

Another clever cache. Didn't know this area existed. Replaced damp zip-lock bags and left a couple of items in the cache. Geo-coin was taken by last cacher but has not been crossed off the listing yet. TFTC.

Great idea again. Took a bit to retreive cache. Picked up GC

Once again another great cache ... but took a bit of effort to acces due to a little movement from above, it may need a quick check and maybe a little adjustment .. TFTC

#2586
Awesome camo…. ‘snotaknot but it’s a cache instead… many thanks for another well constructed cache. Thanks for the great views.
TNLNSL, TFTC

brilliant cache well done quick easy find TFTC

Always love Kiwi-Nomad hides. Such brillant hides and effort put in. Also great to put a face to the name at the cache event last night. NAVFAM

Another brilliant hide thanks a lot

Another great hide We are having fun with these In Whale stamp out butterfly

Easy find. 'Snot too difficult. Thanks.

Nice quick detour on a cycle into town. Simple and elegant. TFTC, TNLN, Biggles.

Dropped by Big Bear Geocoin.
Early Rizers

Snot hard to access at all. Another good one thanks. (188)

14:50
A very nice hiding place, but due to altering it has become a bit difficult to manage the final access (-> needs maintenance). At first we thought it is an ants trap because lots of these little animals were around the cache.
TFNC
Carolin & Matthias

A++

I've found your cache!

Recently I had a bit of spare time in the upper end of the South Island and I managed to find a large number of geocaches. Unfortunatly due to an unexpected trip to Australia for family reasons I was called away from my Nelson adventures.... Now three weeks on I'm having to sit back and log the piles of caches that I did manage to find while I was down there. As there were a large number of caches, I've decided to throw in a generic log for all but a few of them.

Being a North Islander I was surprised at the sheer number of (glow in the dark) polar bears living in the upper South Island - I really didn't think it was that cold down there. And if I had of cottoned on eariler I could have traded for pretty much an entire chess set, one peice at a time. As it was I tended not to trade geo-junk but I did move a small number of geocoins around.

Of the caches I found I could not possibly choose a favorite but there are certainly both some challenging and very rewarding caches in the area. The best caches tend to be the ones where the owner has put in a bit of extra effort or extra thought into the challlenge and design of the cache, thanks to all those who did. I was also very surprised to see that there are a large number of caches placed in and around graveyards - I've never visiited so many in shuch a short space of time. I was pleased to see some new ideas around as well.

Warmest Regards,

Bobo.

nice one we all most gave up on this one but the wife found it
TFCT

Very clever - not quite what I was expecting, but good. Last cache of 29 for the day. Thanks and cheers from Grandalf(1301)

Were a bit worried the cache site might have been disturbed as work had been carried out nearby, but all was in good order. Used John Deere to cover up. Took John Deere TB home for an oil change and left kiwi Explorer's GC.
Thanks for another fantastic cache.
tuttifrutti et al.

Left the tb tractor and took the bunny... think I have had the bunny before but needed to fit in the tractor....

Great Cache Took a we while to find we must be out of practice.

TFTC

Profesionally made hide and great view. Thank you
+ Bunny TB
- Frodo TB, Bulldog GC

Dropped in to drop off two traveling friends...

'snot indeed!

Went up in rain this afternoon! Forgot to take mini tb with me! Might pop back during the week if I get a chance.
Thanks kiwi-nomad! Your caches always rock!

14:00 A good hide which made us think - Mrs Tikal came good. Good view of Nelson. TN, left Geocoin. TFTC

That is an absolut cool idea to hide a cache.
TNLNSL TFTC #381

Figured out the coords easily but couldn't seem to locate the cache before my GPS died as I was still 20+ meters away. Found where I thought the cache would be hidden but still couldn't locate the cache.

Lamposts had us fooled for a while, but soon had it twigged. Clever cache.
TNLN TFTC
Rumbletums of Cheshire UK

finally found it was really obvious , still good walk up