Toona ciliata Balgownie, New South Wales, Australia
By tailstpc on 11-Oct-06. Waypoint GCYTEY

After several years of not being found I was highly sceptical of if the cache still existed on the mountain but decided to set off on the trek anyway. I almost got to the point where I gave up with thoughts of trying get back down but pushed through with a hope it was there. After pushing through the verticals and a lot of bush bashing I was about to give up and head back down when I happened to look at the section I stopped at and low and behold I saw it and was able to retrieve it!!What an epic cache and epic hike! TFTC!!!

Probably my worst choice was the type of day or more like the weather in the days preceding my attack. Even my Salomon trail shoes struggled for grip. Although I didn’t find the climb all that difficult, it was more trying to find a way through more of an issue. And pink ribbons? The only ones that I saw were on the cache itself, and a bit of one I saw on the way down. Although my approach I initially thought was somewhat flawed, I believe that spotting it may have been difficult from the direct approach, and from some of the logs, was probably the better option. Then to retrieve? Well, if you’re not tall, make sure you have a suitable device at your disposal. The contents were not in the best of condition, but did manage to sign the log and replace effectively. Managed to slip over a few times on the way down without any consequence, but did manage to cut myself up a bit on those lovely palms. I word of warning, if you think that there’s a track or trail from the highway as my app showed to me, it does not exist.

SLTNLN
TFTC

Put simply, that was EPIC and actually a really enjoyable challenge ...even after climbing two mountains already, earlier today lol.

Ever since doing the P81 was a serious thing for us, this has been bookmarked. I think it was originally going to be for our 2nd loop in 2018. But being over two hours from home I always had it on the backburner. Plus the fact it looks a tad intimidating, just from reading the logs! But today, standing in Bootie Street and looking up at it myself confirmed just how intimidating. I've had around two years to psych for this: I am READY!

Once I made the first 20-30 metres in, I spotted what looked like very fresh footprints along a possible trail. So I followed those for a while. That's when I hit the first ribbon (340m to go). That was a very good sign as previous logs suggest the ribbon was long gone. The fresh prints continued for a while longer into an area which became quite open. There was IMO a fairly distinguishable albeit old trail which weaved through here heading in the right direction ie basically following the razorback (see pic). After a while further, I realised the prints were animal tracks: paw tracks maybe? A fair way in now, weaving my way up up where I actually spotted my second bit of ribbon (186m to go). This was great: tracks to follow along what must be a game trail AND the ribbon is still in here somewhere.

The trail was hard to follow as it disappeared a lot but with a bit of traversing here and there I was able to keep following it for quite a way, beyond the third ribbon (162m to go) and then a fourth ribbon (127m to go)! From here it got a bit tricky to know where to next as there was a small catchment creek to the south which was disguised as a trail but my GPS was saying go the other way. Straight up was a green impasse so I went the only other way I could for a bit and after entering an even more unique and surprisingly open area, I soon spotted my FIFTH ribbon (89m to go) which may even be some kind of record! I'd been in here exactly 30 mins by this stage where the terrain suddenly densed right up with dead ends seemingly everywhere. But sure enough, after a bit of surveying, my sixth ribbon was eventually found (60m to go) and I was back in business as that marker was key in getting me beyond the thicket in here. But that was the last trail ribbon I encountered (my score: 6!) from here I was on my own.

A little further up and there was a very steep section (as opposed to just "steep") with a wall to the south. GPS was saying about 30m to the SSW at that stage. It looked to me that I needed to traverse the wall first before climbing to the top. Glad I did that. At 12m on the GPS, I looked up and there was a pile of ribbon. What a sight but man that final scramble was pretty hairy! Once at the ribbon, my GPS said 2m. I could barely stand here led alone make a final search! Little did I know that it was staring at me the whole time. How'd I miss that?! Rippa!! 50 mins is what it took from Bootie Street. The log is pretty damp and cache in pretty average condition but I was able to SL and I dropped our PT. Cache was re-hidden as found and a *very* careful trip back, basically retracing my steps up, was successfully undertaken.

This was no easy terrain but I loved the whole thing! Dammit have a fave! What was bookmarked for our 2nd loop now goes towards our 6th! TFTC, tailstpc. This one is going into the [novo Hall Of Fame](https://www.geocaching.com/plan/lists/BM4Z531). Highly recommended!
#1245

Found with my young fella. Started from the given coordinates and saw pink ribbon very quickly. Lost it again (almost as quickly) and found both yellow and blue marked trails. Scampered up the slopes and eventually came across the white gold.

What a mission this one has been. This cache has been on my radar for some time now, as its the last required to fulfil the requirements for the nearby challenge cache on the escarpment trail. After reading previous logs i decided i would attempt this one from the top and walk down to it. I started my descent from the first cache in the escarpment trail, with gz being approximately 400m from here. the first 120 odd metres were a simple bush bash on relatively flat ground, until i reached the start of the descent. I didn't have my hiking boots on today so i struggled for grip on the descent, so to speed things up i decided it would be easier to slide my way down, even if it meant my shoes would be filled up with dirt and leaves. I used this method all the way to just before gz where the land flattened out a bit. Of course the signal was jumpy so i was moving round a bit, but after reading previous logs, i knew that the cache would most likely be at the bottom of the big drop near gz. So down i went swinging off some fallen down tress and vines straight down the face of the cliff. At the bottom i was pacing around looking for the so called pink ribbon everyone was talking about. I happened to catch a glimpse of something pink so i climbed up a bit for an inspection and to my surprise there was pink tape everywhere! I climbed up and sure enough there was the cache hanging there. Luckily enough i was tall enough to reach it and bring it down. The log was slightly damp and i couldn't get the pen in the cache to work. Lucky i brought my own pen and i penned my name into the logbook at last. The climb out wasn't as bad as i thought, and i made it up in quick time. thanks for the trek!

Found during the 2019 Gong Mega signed the cache DSD thanks for the cache and the adventure. Thks was one hard cache to get to.

Well, well, well.... where do I start on this cache! It was an absolute adventure that's for sure. One of the hardest terrains I have ever conquered for a cache, only a couple other instances pop up in my head that were similar.

We didn't listen to the hint and start from the bottom like it suggested, maybe that was our main problem.... we started from the top leaving the trail at (GC4VCTX)

We followed a ridge line down as far as we could before we came to a rocky creek sort of thing that headed straight down the hill. So we followed the slippery rocks down until the bottom and started bush bashing again.

The real challenge came when we got to GZ. The cache only took about 10 minutes to SPOT but once we spotted it, we were less than 10 metres away from it, but there was no way to get to it....!

It took a total of about 30 more minutes to actually conquer that last step to the cache. Despite being only 10 metres away we had to find another route down to it and come all the way back. We didn't want to lose sight of the container in the dense forest so DSD volunteered to be the one to go down to pay me back for the tower climb I did this morning And I helped him navigate by voice.

Eventually after a lot of slipping, sliding and steep descents / ascents we soon had the cache retrieved, signed and we were back up onto the track! Such a short distance but took such a long time to make this find. No wonder not many people have done it in it's long lifetime!

Thanks tailstpc, a crazy cache for your first, I wonder how the terrain has changed since you placed it!

Toona ciliata, Hakuna Matata. I have always put this one off but today I gave it a smash. No signs of the old track or pink tape anywhere. It was very hard going but in some parts not as thick as I was expecting. The really hard part came with 50 metres to go. Came across a near vertical climb and clambered up as I wasn't exactly sure whether to stay down and go across or climb up. Once up, I couldn't find it anywhere even though the GPS went down to 0m. After a while I gathered it must be further down on the tricky slope. Eventually saw it from up above but couldn't get down to the level required so had to walk the long way back up and around, down then back across. Once on the flattish ground, I saw the pink tape again and had to scramble up the near vertical slippery slope to just below where I was before. Once at GZ it would prove even harder to get it down so had to come up with a TOTT to be able to retrieve the container while trying not to lose my balance in a precarious position.

Log is very damp and only just got my name on there. Then it was time for the treacherous scramble back down. Felt even harder on the way down but I don't think I went the same way. It was very slow going. Took me over 2 hours return back to Bootie Street.

TFTC.

Oh yowsers. I had wanted to do this cache for over a year and finally today was the today. Parked as everyone else has and immediately lost the trail. Never saw any pink ribbons going up and nearing GZ found what I decided was an old Aztec relic. The rocks taken over by nature looked amazing. My GPSr was all over the place and I went right. Mistake. Lost over half an hour exploring the wrong side. Eventually went left and spotted the pink tape and the cache! Hurray! Geodad employed the tools of the trade and we made our way down. We really got our bearings wrong and ended up with a whole bunch of lantana blocking our exit path. We got back to the car eventually and even spotted some pink tape on the way back. Round trip. 2.5 hours for us. Mainly because the cache took us one hour to find!!! I give this cache one favourite for the one tick I managed to pick up on the excursion. A great adventure and a cache which sums up why I enjoy caching

I found quite a few pieces of tape on the way up - never enough to keep me on a totally direct track, but enough to give me a warm fuzzy feeling. At the at the end a whole lot of tape. Was wondering if I had to go higher as I couldn't see the cache - but after looking at a photo from a previous find, I turned around and almost head butted it

Found with BillHill531 on a day trip past Sydney and back to find a selection of high and rare D/T combinations to help fill ours grids for future loops.
This was our second stop and biggest and hardest walk of the day! Parking at the bottom we followed the concrete path all the way (about 20m) then the real fun began. Lots of spikes and pain and constant uphill. About a quarter of the way there I thought about giving up, but it was now or never so we kept going. Finally we spotted our first ribbon and soon after the cache. I balance precariously while I waited for BillHill to climb the last bit and sign the log for us, then I returned it to its perch. And we were both glad it was all downhill back to the car. What a mission!
Thanks for bash, rare D/T rating and cache!

Found with TOMBI!. Got an early start with no delays from Newcastle, making this the 1st cache today. We came down for some targeted DT combinations.
Our second stop today, planned to finish before lunch, parking at Bootie St found the easement and concreete path witch soon vanised so bushbashed up the hill and sighted our first pink ribbon about 20 m from GZ, this was spot on. It was almost a team effort to grab the cache and sign to log. The way down was a little easier as we had more ribbons to follow, crossing our previous path a few times. Dry climate and no leeches, just every plant was sharp and spicky.
Previous logs say this is part of a chalange, hopefully the rest is easier. TFTC tailstpc

# 977

Got it bush bashed all the way down from the top

Found with one of my Ventures. Bush bash from the upper escarpment trail. Now to complete the challenge. And it
Just started raining!

last one in the series done after a hard slog up the mountain.

Set off with Brewmaker from southern Sydney on a cloudy day, heading for the Illawarra Upper Escarpment Trail series and nearby caches. Unfortunately by the time we reached the carpark near the first cache it was raining. Luckily I brought some extra wet weather gear, so made a quick clothes change. We had just completed the trail and decided to go searching for this nearby cache. Walked to the end of the carpark and beyond, and found a way to get down. We were following a dry rocky stream, though the extensive leaf little made the ground slippery, so care was required. We eventually reached the cache location (after getting rid of some leeches on the way) but the gps was moving a bit so we were searching high and low with no luck. Then I re-read the description and knew what to look for. Spotted a likely candidate and then saw the pink ribbons. Bingo. We were standing there above the spot couldn't see the cache. Then Brewmaker spotted it in a place it wasn't supposed to be (looks like someone has played silly buggers with it again). And then the leeches really started to attack - I had 3 on my neck and 1 on my lip. Agh. All done we turned around to make the journey back. But there not being any defined track, we weren't sure which way to go. We headed back up and across to the creek area, and then finally made it back up to the top. Phew. Then it was time to do a thorough de-leeching! This is definitely a difficult cache and not one to be taken alone, especially when coming down from the top. TFTC

OCW Mikev1 had just completed the trail along the escarpment. We decided to make our way from the top. Walked south towards the guard rail then with about 300m to Toona, we headed downhill. What a hike! Followed a rocky trail which would be a stream after heavy rain, bush bashed our way through the forest. Soon it was 200m, 100m, 50m, 30m and then only 10m to go. It was slippery, there were leeches trying to befriend us and heavy foliage. GPS was going everywhere, but we got there, and after much searching, spied the pink ribbons. And the cache in a place we think it shouldn't be - who put it there? So we did our best and then made our way out. Hoping we wouldn't get lost. A very tough journey back to the car and then spent some time de-leeching! And on the way home I found another one on my leg! I'm glad I didn't go alone. Certainly one of the toughest I've had to do. But great to have achieved it. Now to log a find on the challenge cache. TFTC

TFTC and the biggest leech I've ever seen on my ankle, seen only when travelling 100kmph... Making friends.

Great hike up, really got the blood pumping but the end location was a little underwhelming

I am on my way back to Sydney after 2 weeks house sitting in Batemans Bay.
This series of caches with a challenge cache on the end looks like a good reason to stop and get some exercise.
It took me a little over 2 hrs to walk around the tracks and find the first 18 caches and then the Challenge cache. So my name is in the log book for the Challenge. [:^]
Unfortunately I could not find this cache. I approached from the car park near #1 and was soon at GZ. I found what looks like a good spot for the cache there but no container. I then spent the next 1.5hr searching. I ended up searching every tree in a 50+m radius as well. Is it missing[?] Would not be the first time I did not see the cache either.
And I could not find any pink tape either.

So the Challenge is not complete.

If the CO is not playing anymore the Challenge cache owners might won't to check this one is still there as it is needed for your challenge.

Did this one after finishing the Escarpment Trail today. Took it on from the top and it was pretty extreme but we got there in the end.we took a slightly different path back up that made it alot easier then the way we came down.
We noticed the ribbon at GZ so climbed down the final vine to the cache.woo-hoo.
We picked up a few slimy friends along the way.
TFTC

Done out of order perhaps this was the last cache to complete The Illawarra Upper Escarpment Trail Challenge. Finding ourselves back at the carpark we contemplated the best approach to GZ. Before arriving at any conclusions we decided to scout out the approach from the top and upon seeing a naturally formed corridor among the trees we were on our way down without any more discussion. According to the gps GZ was only about 200 meters ahead of us. Trouble was it was a half mile down. We got to a plateau/landing area where we took a short break and considered the options ahead of us. The thick tree cover wreaked havoc with the gps and left us scratching our head when we got to GZ where we began looking for the ribbons which were soon spotted. Signing duties completed we turned to the question of how to get out of here. The way down looked as horrible as has been described in previous logs so we decided back up was the best way to go. Since the descent was direct and unproblematic we aimed to return by the same route but a minor misread of the landmarks had us heading further west than intended but as it turned out this led us to a lower end of the ridge and ultimately a much easier ascent. We took our time, had plenty of breaks and water, and we were out none the worse for wear. Thankfully, we won't have to come back for this one as we have the cache and completed the challenge at the same time.

PS. A note on leaches. None lived to tell the tale

Oh man this was a horrible one. It's only five hundred meters west, but one hundred and fifty meters up. And bush bashing the whole way.

For the next person: take a machete with you. And a walking stick, Gandalf style.

I have never been more happy to see huge pink strings at the end. I nearly pulled a Hancock while I was signing, but luckily I could regain my balance and worse was prevented. But when I was at the bottom of the signing place I saw I left my walking stick at the top, a mistake I regretted later on.

While going down, somewhere around the 300 meter point I saw I was about 50 meter north of my ascending path. And I could not get through or right or left anymore. Back up to 350 meter, 50 meters south and there was the "path" again. Oh joy.

At the bottom I found the car and have just found the local fish and chips shop. Lunch!

Found at 1:05pm. Had to wait for a few weeks for the bush to dry out.

Tough climb, got a few scratches and bruises ... took about 2.5 hours round trip with a short stop for lunch. Hardest one we've ever done!

Didn't see any pink tape until we got to GZ. Patched up the pink tape at the base of the tree.

TFTC

Tugzrida
Download my Geocaching applets http://smarturl.it/geoapplets?IQid=geologs

Rode to booti street than parked my bike in the bush! the concrete path disappeared very quickly so i assumed this one was a bush-bash the whole way! I've have done quite a bit of bush walking/bashing in my time (but only just got into geocaching) so it was fairly wetting my appetite! No markers appeared so i just followed my Garmin to 'GZ' but i couldnt get any accurate readings and when it said i was on 'GZ' (or within 25m) i couldnt see anything after bashing around for a further 10 minutes i decided to head back down and see if i could pick up any of the pink markers because i still hadnt seen any! i hadnt headed to far down the hill before i made a sighting so i made a bee line for it. once at the marker i looked around for more but none where within sight so i headed again in the direction my GPS told me and sighted another 2 ribbons, and climbed a fairly steep cliff but couldnt see anymore! i decided i would have to make this my second DNF for the day and a bit depressed i made my way back down. On the way down i tried to follow the creek because i knew that led back to the path but that proved harder than i thought. i must be doing something wrong because i sighted hardly any ribbons and the trek was quite difficult. Being only my second attempt at geocaching ever and also being alone didnt make the search any easier! But thanks for showing me this area of bush, i will be back and hopefully i can find the right path!

I parked in Bootie St by the very obvious (but mossy and slippery) concrete path. I had read previous logs and was well equipped - first aid kit (with salt for leeches), long pants, long sleeve top, plenty of daylight. Not being a local I totally underestimated those cabbage palms - they are vicious. Should have brought gloves. Headed up. and up. and up. Found the first pink ribbon about half way and the morale boost was amazing. From there on the pink ribbons were pretty steady right up to and including the final assault. The trip back was of course easier and I found more pink ribbons so realised my original path was about 15m to the right of the "marked trail". All up I took 70 minutes for the round trip which I was fairly happy with and managed not to pick up any leeches which I was ecstatic about. Thanks for a great scramble tailstpc, a favourite from me.

TFTC! log to follow

Found with tokyospaceman sykamore

After we found all 17+Nose caches we decided to go straight down to this cache. Completely ignoring the owner's hints, now we know why. The vertical drop was so steep we had to slide down the mountain, which proved to be very fun.

By the time we arrived close to the gz it was already dark, which didn't really help much. Luckily Tokyospaceman spotted a mysterious pink ribbon which just happened to be the last one that led to the GZ. Log signed traded swaps.

After a little rest, it was completely dark, and we were still stranded in the valley of a forest. All we had was 3 little torches that made enough light to help us place our footing. From GZ we then climbing up the mountain, which was bloody difficult considering the slope and the darkness. We agreed that the cache became a 5.5.

TFTC!! Superrrr Funnn!

From the upper escarpment trail #17 we just bush bashed all the way down, by the time we got here the last of the sun's ray disappeared and it was pitch black. Climbing back up in the dark was definitely a challenge, but so much fun. Thanks for the cache.

Found, after a tough climb

This has been on my radar for a long time but after hearing stories from previous finders it's always just been a "one day" candidate rather than a real goal. Muppet95 had suggested we tackle it together and when I realised it would fill a space on my D/T graph I became more motivated. So today we set out along the short concrete path which soon gave way to some sustained off-trail uphill bushbashing. We did see pink ribbons occasionally but not often enough to say we were really following any kind of trail. We had to skirt a large patch of lantana and then traverse along under the rock face but soon had GZ in sight. A final scramble and the cache was in hand. Dripping with sweat and despite my gloves I've picked up some kind of plant burn on my wrist but very satisfying to tick this one off, and of course it means we qualify for the nearby challenge cache. Back down the slope, mostly following the flow of the terrain but eventually had to do a short intense bush-bash back to the starting point. The entire mission took us about an hour and a half including a short stop at GZ. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting, and if you are comfortable with off-trail bush-bashing and reasonably fit this one is recommended, but perhaps with a friend rather than on your own, in case of any mishaps on the slopes. Anyway, TFTC!

This entry was edited by NationalSteel on Thursday, 25 June 2015 at 12:40:47 UTC.

Slowly clearing my map out and crawling to my 1k milestone.

Toona has been on my list for nearly a year. Not keen on going it alone. I had rounded up a possy of 3 interested cachers, but on this day I attacked this one with NationalSteel. We both met at the base of Bootie St, wp1.

Up, up and away!!! We disappeared into the Cabbage Palms and Lantana. What a trek for only 400m. We lost sight of those pink markers, and after we hit the thick wall of lantana NationalSteel luckily spotted a pink ribbon on the ground...

Further along, we then hit the rock wall. Do we traverse across the top or bottom. Luckily we spread out and NationalSteel made the spot.

Log signed, TB rescued, couple of happy/sweaty snaps, and we were back down.

On return we missed more pink ribbons and just let our senses take us. Looking at the ridge and a patch of light led the way, and eventually we could see rooftops and the cars below.

Fills a T4.5 grid for both of us, and completes the Escarpment Challenge.

Thanks for a more memorable find.
ill be sure to pull cabbage thorns from my hand and buy some gloves.

Cheers

Set off thinking I'd be back in an hour. How wrong I was. The track was hard to follow and I kept losing the pink ribbons. Made it to the cache within the hour but with the sun setting I knew I was running out of time to come back down. In my haste I lost the track, then I lost the sun and was trapped in by thick lantana. This is where it gets embarrassing; called the geo wife to let her know I was lost, called my retired Dad that I'd need some help and had emergency services on standby. Was guided out through shouts from my saviour father and iPhone torch light. Other than a very bruised ego I survived the adventure and will be putting a bit more planning into off trail caches from now on! TFTC!

I went for this one last year from the top. After spending a great deal of time on my behind I had to leave it for another day. Today came here with 3MU and tackled it from the lower side. Hard to get to but at least we got it in the end. Got to the end and found a leach in my hat. Hmmm At least is was not on my body. Hard cache but getting to it made it all worth while. TFTC

Found with Hillster.
Wow, what a climb, very tough.
Had to lookout for a lot of blackberry & got trip up & held back by a lot of vines.
Wearing long pants & sleeves is advisable.
It is a nice tree too.
Now to find the rest of the series.
TFTC.
(Dropped off Travel Bug 4KJDNF / TB3559E T5 Diamond)
(Took Travel Bug TB54P8D / 02XK8N Swiss lucky Cow)

SUMMARY:
What the?! I came all the way for ... Greek yoghurt?! But seriously ... borrowing the immortal words of Paul Hogan, "That's not a 4.5 terrain ... THIS is a 4.5 terrain!". Challenging, steep but FUN trail. Recommended.

DETAILS:
I must admit I would not have known about this cache, and certainly not attempt it (being a far-away Sydney-sider) if it isn't a requisite for completing The Illawarra Upper Escarpment Trail series. Given the obviously difficult trail and the travel time, I figured a whole day will be needed, especially if I want to also complete the Escarpment series (still need to find #7, #8, Broke Nose and the challenge) at the same time. So the only 'time window' is, well, Christmas Day.
Lost some time as the drive down from Sydney took much longer due to a breakdown on the descent along the M1 to Wollongong. And Balgownie streets remind me of those mazes used to test lab rats Parked at the end of Bootie St to start the quest. The first 20 metre was easy, and paved. Then it got SERIOUS!
The Magellan was faithfully ticking away and got me ever closer to GZ. But in reality, I was relying mostly on the pink-ribbons. Only where the ribbon was missing (I re-tied a few that have fallen off) that I had to look closer at the GPS. But coordinates and GPS accuracy isn't an issue. The CO could have placed flashing lights on the cache and it wouldn't have made it any easier to spot. And a nicely stocked cache it is.
Out: Sumo wrestler key-ring
In: Shrek Ball (not a TB, got this from The Ogre's Ball cache [GC58GHR] whose instruction was to "disperse"); and a Christmas Tree Decoration. (Image attached also showing the GPS said the coords were spot-on.)
An exhausting, ACL-slashing, quads-burning, exhilliratingly fun cache.
Please accept an FP, tailstpc. TFTC

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Postlog:
Going down the steep grade is much tougher on the legs than up!

That was one tough walk. I got there in the end, but was that tired I had to call off another few finds for another day. It is very steep country up around there. Watch out for ticks!

Found... im try on the way then walk to up and found it

I will try go to find cache at there maybe tomorrow

Thought I had escaped the dreaded Tc too easily - two days on and my leech bite has become infected - leaving me with an impressively swollen thigh - if it gets any bigger wearing pants may no longer be an option. Looks like the hell cache has claimed another victim

Started the Illawarra Escarpment series about 9.20am this morning, finished Toona ciliata about 1.40 pm. What a great day out with the Geowife

The hint started us a little off the marked trail - we went up a small drainage path between two houses then up a ludicrously steep and unstable slope. For what its worth if you are using the hint, make sure you start at the cul de sac in the street starting with "B" not the other one, you will likely live longer... I think we succeeded in turning it into a terrain six.

Got to GZ and co-ordinates were definitely out - almost as soon as we arrived a big rumble of thunder came out of nowhere - this was not somewhere to be caught out in the rain! Using the recent photo by the CO we were able to figure out where we should be - only took us about 10 minutes to travel the 15m or so to the cache. Thank god for an abundance of pink tape at the cache site.

The way down was a lot easier and naturally led us past a lot of pink tape, picked up a nice little bloodsucking hitchhiker along the way. Apart from a few spiky and thorny bits the terrain was nowhere near as bad as the way we had gone up.

Thanks for a great and challenging cache

Last of the day. Could not find the pink ribbons so I did it going down the ridge. Notice I did not say walking down. That is because i was mostly on my behind. My GPS said I was at GZ but looking at the pictures that was no where I was. As it was getting late and I had already fallen down to many times getting there I called it a day before it got dark. Found a better way up though. Thanks for the GPS it gave me distances and elevation etc. Now it is unfinished business. Will return to claim the Challenge. But will do it with some one else.

Follow the pink ribbons they said, fun it will be... We'll bugger me what a trek! Thought we'd try this one first before the neighbouring series..

A successful approach from above. Probably not the easiest way to come from but as the track I initially followed vanished as the downward slope began. Certainly one for the adventurous. TFTC

Almost 3 hours we spent searching for this one to no avail. We arrived at the starting coords mentioned in the clue but they put us in someone's property so guessed something wasn't quite right. So we decided to follow the old mine road up and then bush bash 400m to GZ. It wasn't easy! A twisted ankle, several cuts & grazes and some dodgy moments near drop-offs but we got there in the end. However, finding the cache proved too difficult for us. Perhaps we were too high up as we approached from a different angle but our coords told us we were right. As some of the photos had big rocks in the background we thought we were too high but even after climbing down lower we couldn't spot anything. We kept looking & looking but the light was fading and without much of a clue we reluctantly had to give up

"Just follow the pink ribboned road"
What road? The concreted path was covered in trees so the trip was off road all the way, with the occasional sighting of pink.
The terrain wasnt too bad compared to some places I've been so it was enjoyable. The slide down on the other hand...
Just follow the bush turkey, he knows the way.
Overall a great cache

What a trek with mudpig92
Was a nice but long walk awhile forgot to log this one!

TFTC

What a trek!!! Nothing I love more then a good bush bash the pink ribbons were a great help had a blast as I'm sitting here writing this I noticed a massive log that has fallen of a tree and is being held up by a few small vines :/ haha tftc cache and bringing myself and Rowanking97 to this awesome spot

Finally got it! This was our third visit (read 'third major bushbash') to GZ. As 'usual' we took the path from the mining road but we always end up taking a slightly different line towards GZ. This time it was quite easy going towards the cache area and bit harder going back. The find itself was instantaneous, remembering the image with pink ribbons in the gallery. Glad to have this one off our list

Thanks for the challenge, tailstpc!

Found it at last.
This was the closest unfound cache to my home and I have avoided it since my misguided attempt to come from Mount Ousley.
Anyway needing to keep the caching streak alive (day 156) and with a few hours to spare I convinced Geoson Ace7 to come out on a caching adventure but this time from the bottom not the top.
We found the start of the path but most of the lantana that others have spoken about is gone. Lots of cabbage palms though (or similar).
We followed the ridge up and saw the new trail of pink which was was handy a couple of times. As we approached GZ the track way did get extremely steep but there are plenty of good hand holds and vines to grab. About 60m away I spied the lone Toona ciliata, which may have been much smaller when the cedar cutters cam through here in the early 1800's. It is nice to see this remant piece of dry rainforest up against the escarpment.
A little more climbing and the cache was to hand. It certainly was chock full of goodies but we both just signed the log.
Many thanks to tailstpc and xelanhoj for there cache maintenance and new trail.

Well. That was a fun cache . Last night I was speaking to tails over some brews and asked if he wanted to go to see his cache. He said he wanted to perform maintenance on it anyways.
So we trudged off early and tails even claimed it had become a lot more overgrown than when he placed the cache.
After a bash through the barbed palm trees it was just a matter of looking for the pink trail markers. We placed more but yeah try and find them for direction.
After not having to bash any lantana which was nice we got to the ridge.
Now the tricky part. Tails went straight for the tree he placed cache originally. It wasn't there. After about a good 30min search high and low I resorted to looking at a recent photo a catcher took of the cache. Looked around for something that looked like the pic and bingo. Took a victory sit and some photos with tails before and after shots of cache.
After a breather we returned the new cache to it's original hiding spot and put lots of new pink trail tape at the spot for easy (well easier access at gz).
Coming down was a bit of fun. Added a few more trail markers as well. Got home to check wounds and didn't have any scratches and only one leech mark on my ankle, but he had been long gone!!!
Thanks for the experience tails! Thanks for the walk.

Visited today with xelanhoj and gave it a big facelift.
New container and plenty of little useful items for those that are quick.
Also returned the cache to the original spot beneath the namesake tree.
Have fun

What a beautiful day to head out for a cache! Had received some prior advice before undertaking this one and still found it a challenge. Thankyou

We are so happy to say that we don't ever have to go to this cache again, this is our 4th attempt !!! This time we went from bottom up, no leech incepted and the sun was up, not that that help in locating it. It still took us ages, looking for a wrong type of hide. We replaced a new log book and double bagged it. Coming down was another saga, took the wrong path and ended up bush bashing though lantana and wines, not fun at all. Once again happy it's been located. TFTC

Wow! this has been our hardest to find cache in ages. I have been here on several occasions with J+J.au and shared the memorable find with them today. We were inspired by recent finders and thought we new what we were looking for. Eventually found the cache in a spot that I had walked past twice today already. Done some cache maintenance and then sealed lid with some tape. Started our return to the car and then made the mistake of taking a wrong path which caused us some serious bush scrambling with slips and scratches by the dozen. Defiantly one we will never forget, probably not for the right reasons though. SLTN..TFTC

Found with paulyman today, number 24 for August. This is one we've been meaning to do for awhile, and we're glad to finally get it off our 5km radius. We had trouble at the start finding the trail of pink ribbons, but we just kept heading up the ridge until we found them again. We didn't actually make it to GZ - about 30m away we stopped to admire a large fig tree, when I noticed a rather neat pile of rocks. The log is quite ruined unfortunately, so we took pictures instead. And then it was only a matter of sliding back down the hill (literally, in places). We really enjoyed this walk today, TFTC.

Snorris and I decided today would be the day we tried to knock this off our 5km radius. We left just after lunch and headed for the start point in the hint, only to find nothing but houses and driveways. With the help of google maps we found a likely path so off we went. Unfortunately the path vanished into a huge grove of spikey ferns pretty early on, so we figured we would just bush bash up the ridge line.

We managed to follow the pink ribbons the best we could and got to within 30m of GZ where we stopped for a rest. Snorris noticed a a suspicious pile of rocks and there it was!

Thanks for the cache. Unfortunately we were unable to sign the log as it was saturated, but I've attached a photo of snorris with the cache.

Actually this was our second visit to GZ. Last time we searched just about 20 minutes and left as it was getting dark and we didn't fancy a night bushbashing.

Today we approached the cache from the old mine road (again) and spent about two hours searching. GPSr had a good fix so we were pretty sure where GZ is. We read the previous logs so after searching GZ area we extended our search down the cliff (south), around the big fig tree mentioned by one of previous finders and up to about 30m from the base of the cliffs… to no avail.

Well, if the cache is being moved around by water, it can be anywhere - out in the open or somewhere deep under the vegetation. We probably will be better off filling in this D/T blank by going for another cache, Ahearn Lookout comes to mind.

Found this one by sheer luck. We finally had a weekend free, hadn't been out caching for a while, and were up for a hike so we thought, why not try this one. We approached this one from the old mine which involved about 500m of bushwhacking. I hadn't been expecting that when we left home, but overall, the bushwhacking wasn't too bad (although if we hadn't come away with a find, I might not be as forgiving). Our gps never did close in on GZ. We supposedly got within 15m but the gps was bouncing all over the place so we gave up on it and just started searching. It wasn't long before everything up there started getting dark and we were having no luck. Not wanting to bushwhack after dark, we decided to call it and come back another day. We gathered up our stuff, started picking our way back, rounded a couple trees, and there is was. GPS was reading about 30m south of GZ. Contents of the container are pretty slimy. And I am very happy we don't have to bushwhack our way out there again.

Got to gz. Searched for about an hour with no luck. A real challenge getting there so would love to know if it is still in place.

The caching mojo wasent looking kindly at us today. 1out of 3. We attempted this from the top didn't take too long and we reach GZ, lots of sliding and negotiating to get here, we soon realised the leeches found us also.. I'm not very good with donating blood, and they were all over us we searched for a good hour and had to abort our search, we scrambled back up and started to head home and making many stops picking and pulling off many more leeches.. Mmmmhhmm

Great way to start a days caching

FINALLY got this one off my list - it had turned into a bit of a Nemesis for me. Fourth time lucky - thanks to some info from a previous finder Log is wet, so we added a new piece of paper in new plastic bag. TFTC!!

tried to do this cache today, as it was one of the 3 caches sitting within my 3km radius. I stupidly tried to complete this at 5:00pm from the small exit path halfway down Mount Ousley. My GPSr showed it was only 590metres to the cache from here and at the same RL. After 1hr and 15minutes and now in complte darness except for my small headtorch, I had got to within 150m of the cache location. I was battered and bruised after scrambling through some of the thickest Lantana ive ever seen. I figured this was far enough for today, so I headed back to my car. I lost my trail at one point and popped up under a giant stinging tree which I brushed with my head. Now I was in extreme pain, with my head burning, and arms and legs sore from lantana and stinging nettles. I had liberally applied aeroguard which meant i didnt have to contend with leeches as well. I arrived back at the car at 6:45 and although dejected I hadnt got to the cache figured I have a good start for my next attempt which I will try earlier in the day.

I dont even know if the cache is there anymore since it hasnt been logged since 2010, but I am determined to get there and have a look. Thanks Tailstpc, and I'll get there yet.

Three of us made the mistake of doing this one after many days of heavy rain. Was a good idea at the time right? Haha. To make it worse I was wearing thongs, which in this terrain were useless so I ended up barefoot. We attacked the cache from below walking up the mountain. The whole way battling sharp spiky shrubbery, the most slippery mud ever and thousands upon thousands of leeches. Finally got to the GZ after what seemed like an eternity (when really we'd only trekked about 500m or so). Found the Toona Ciliata so knew we were close. Looking back at the logs it had been over a year since it had been found. After searching near the co-ords for a while, we extended the search outwards and to our surprise there it was! Not sure if was the intended cache position as it appeared that maybe it had been washed down the hill a bit during the rains but couldn't be sure. Left it where we found it, was so thankful that we didn't do all that tough climbing for nothing. Cache was a little damp, but overall in good condition. Thanks for the adventure! To all future people attempting, do it the easy way not our way.

Our second attempt at this one, came at it from the top, our eldest KateyBear 71 and middle sized bear 67 managed to get within 10 feet so our GPS told us, but couldn't find it anywhere, will probably try another day, but don't think we will take our youngest and most important Bear aged 7 as it is hairy coming down, alright going back up.

Indeed a steep climb!! The "track" was partly overgrown but doable today. I wouldn't recomend this one in summer with 30+ degrees or after heavy rain!
One really feels one with nature at this one. Finding the cache was actually a coincident. Being 38 mtr from GZ( my gps told me) I thought I saw something suspicious in the corner of my eye and turned around, there it was without actually searching for it!
TFTC Wilbert67
PS the cache is in good order although the logbook is still a little bit moist.

I really enjoyed the steep walk and managed it in my shorts and T-Shirt. Not really any scratches to mention although the lantana and I had a game of twister ot two. Spotted a few ribbons along the way and what looked like somebody's attempt at a hammock. My champion Mio P550 PDA GPSr did not lose signal once the whole time although there was a bit of jumping around at GZ. I got to within 9m of the coords before resorting to the logs. I am happy to report that the cache is dry and still in exactly the same position as mentioned by the last few finders. Once back to the car I was impressed to find only one single solitary leech. Probably would not do this one on a wet day. Thanks. TNLN SL

Found at last and without any critters this time, great walk
many thanks
tailstpc

We decided today was the day to try and give this cache another go. As we started walking up the hill we did not expect the lantana to have grown that much over the path since the last time we were here. After making our way up the rugged terrain we headed straight back to the usual spot we looked at last time and left the bag only 1 metre away from the cache. 10 minutes into searching we spotted it, (I don’t think we expected it to be that easy to find). We signed the logbook and put the cache back into its original position and had lunch at the spectacular location. To our surprise we saw and got NO LEACHES and are very pleased, unlike our 1 on 1 experience last time. It is great to complete a geocache the has been on our list for a very long time. Thanks tailstpc for giving us this great adventure and caching experience. Also wanted to say that the logbook is getting a little damp, not soaking wet, it just needs a little bit of a dry.

Forth attempt! Hooray! Went armed with the machete to cut through the latana at the start and it did the job well. Thanks to the help from most recent log - doesn't sound like the original location at all. Didn't really identify a cedar close by although there was a large fig tree (I think). Closest thing I thought looked like a cedar was half way up the cliff where the GPSr was pointing but the find was probably 20m downhill from the base of the cliff.
Second best part was no leeches at all. That was a real bonus as I may have lost geo-sis as a partner forever. Had been close on previous attempts from top and bottom but hadn't had GPS fix closer than a couple of hundred metres. Got within 30m today. Made it back to the car just as it was getting dark. Thanks for a great cache.

we found the not so used path and decided to PUSH with the help of woody figtree the bulldozer. Then came the leaches shortly followed by the rain and mud. We then decide to go an extra 50 metres up then back down over a small cliff only to find this cache had bee washed further down the hill.

TFTC - Rescued a lost policeman from his dairy prison.

Came with Woodyson, Mrs Figtree and the Sapling. I do not think the sapling and also by association really liked the approach to this one. The concrete path led to overgrown lantana. Once that was negotiated is was to combat the overpowering leaches. I estimate on the 4 of us were about 100 leaches. Then cam the slippery mud slopes. Climbed up the ridge too far and ended up having to climb down the face of terror to the most likely spot. No others in sight nor the cache so headed further down and found the cache beside a rock exposed. We think it was washed there. As we didn't know where it should realy be we placed it back in the same location. No one would come this way in another millennium unless they were caching faithful.
Despite the dificulties this was a great adventure. I will think twice about taking the geofamily out on a rainy day caching into the rain forest next time.

Thanks for the adventure tailstpc. Left a LED keyring torch and picked up a Coin that was not logged there.

I have been close twice but without signal coverage and the leeches are scaring away my caching partners. Was put off by the lantana before we got to the end of the concrete today and still my partner for the day had a leech on her arm. But this one is high on my list not to escape. It will be found! Thanks for the challenge.

there were millions of spiders we keeped fun in to tham i fun in to tham 3times
i got a move for this one

there were millions of spiders theres some pretty good veiws nearby TFTC

Nice hide! couldnt get GPS reception but found it with luck.
T:Mini bungi cord
L:yoyo
TFTC!

Struggled up the hill for the third time, found the cache exactly where it should be, and also found the keyring that I'd lost last time! Still a wonderful location, a lovely lonely spot to contemplate (insert your choice here)! TFTC

Left: Geocoin, Policeman TB & Keyring
Took: Lobster TB

Rated: for Overall Experience

Ok,

This cache is back up and running.
I have given it a bit of a clean up and put some new goodies in.
I have also added a travel bug to find - lucky lobster.

While looking around the area recently, i came across a really nice waterfall a few hundred metres south of the area - albeit through a bit of lantana - which reminds me - i strongly advise you wear long pants!!!

Anyway, i also put a few eucalypt branches at the start of the track on the southern side, so that if the lantana is getting a bit long, have a whack!!

Good luck

Tails

Just doing some quick maintenance on the cache.
It will be back soon in its correct position.

Tails

This was attempt number 2 (the first I didn't even get close due to failing light so didn't count as a DNF). I found GZ as evidenced by the previously mentioned elastic bands, but was unable to locate the cache. That Cedar tree certainly is big! I lost a Keyring too (having taken one with me in anticipation of a find). Thanks for the exercise, I may come back.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Love these steep bush caches. They make you puff a bit but it is all worth while when you reach your destination. Made me feel like I was back at my old job as a National Parks and Wildlife Guide, looking up and telling people about the bush, the trees and wildlife. Plenty of lyrebird scratches and deer prints as well as some echidna digs. Anyway I did this in shorts to "have a real go" and it was handy as you can see the leeches on your legs before they get a good hold of you. Tropical aeroguard on shoes, socks and legs keeps leeches at bay. Stinging nettles and giant stinging tree leaves were all about but avoided. They are off the ridge so if you stick to the instructions not a difficult cache at all.
Easy find once a ground zero and the cedars are magnificent.

T-Nothing
L-Keyring

TFTC

Ironbark.

Walked up in the storm and had a LONG look around two very big trees, where we thought the cache may be located. The GPS had terrible accuracy so we decided to leave this one for now.

Went for a nice stroll up the hill after dinner to locate this one. Was able to follow the route and occasional pink ribbon and in the end pretty much tripped over the cache- not at all hidden, just sitting on the ground in the bush.

Made it back before darkness descended and probably the worst part of the trip was the five leeches I acquired on the way.

After a hot and humid day I headed up here with Mr and Mrs Rumplstiltskin. The climb up was not as bad as some people have suggested, I managed to not acquire a single scratch.

Gizmo coverage was minimal, but the cache location was found with relative ease. The cache however, was not! It was eventually located down the hill. Gravity wins again!

We replaced the cache 1.5m from its original location, the rubber bands that held it in place having given up the ghost.

Cheers for a fun walk.

ps, 45 mins return for those thinking of doing this cache.

Not too bad at all I thought, though the waypoint given in the clue was a bit out. Made it to GZ fairly easily, even though we were only wearing thongs . Hoojar found GZ without too much difficulty, however the cache was notably absent. Was about to log it as a DNF when the cache was spotted 20m further down the hill, it was soon retrieved and returned to it's rightful position. Gizmo reception was sketchy at best but the find wasn't too difficult if you follow the clue. TFTC Tails, keep it real.

Well it appears I am in good company with this one. We lost sat. fix at the bottom but kept following the ribbons till we could find no more. Failed to reestablish fix while under the tree cover. We suspect we went to far up but will have to wait till next time to find out. We enjoyed the walk and the bush but not the leeches. After reading other logs it would be interesting to approach from the top - we must have been close anyway. We will be back! Thanks for the outing.

This was my first cache i have found.

I found it quickly, it was only 7m from my gps reading.
The terrain was fairly hard and I and I approached from the top and had to climb down some rocks to get to it.

Thanks for laying this cache
Neil

Mental note to self: When deciding to go caching after work, knock off at 6 not 8. If it's dusk, don't attempt difficult terrain without taking a torch. Read the cache description first. Wear shoes.

I approached from the top, got close to GZ but sky gods were being vengeful, then it got Dark and Daaaave couldn't really help 'cause he had approached from the bottom. I ran out of light and time so baled back out. I'll be back!

Made it most of the way up the first time, but with the GPS batteries given up, we had to climb back down again. After re-stocking, we made our way back up and though reception was pretty patchy, spent 30mins looking around the general area. Shame we didn't find it - might have made the leech-bites worth it! Will try again some day soon.

Looked and looked but did not come up with the goods today
Have to return another time
Thanks

Walked up following the pink ribbons and brushing off the leaches as we went. We had no sat signal at all but kept going up until we ran out of ribbons. Had a look around for quite some time without knowing how close or far away from GZ we may be. Gave up disheartened to return another day.

Only on the computer very quickly, will write more when I have more time.

Pt 2: Having a discussion with fellow cachers (as you do) a mate of mine said why dont you try this cache starting from 'X'. So I thought about it and having walked through here on a recent search it made alot of sense. So after work and armed with the appropriate safety gear I departed the not so tidy parking spot in search of some sort of tree. Not being too much of a horticulturalist one green leafed tree looks the same as the next I thought. Thank god these certain trees stand out from all the other ones.

The walk in wasnt too bad, a few false starts where the vegetation was just too thick, but then I found an old disused powerline and presto, how easy is this. The wildlife kept me on my toes, on numerous occasions a snort would be heard from amongst the scrub only to hear something/s running off. Just keep walking I thought, bigfoot hasn't been sighted here for years. Anyway it wasnt till I was well on my way back out when the mystery creatures were revealed. "It wouldn't be mystery if I told you".

Found the cache fairly quickly, it was at the second one of these red gums I looked at. The skygods certainly dont help you out around GZ, but I got a reading about 10m from GZ saying I was 15m away so they are pretty accurate considering the overhead coverage.

Did my swaps while the smaller wildlife devoured me, thats leeches, ticks and mozee's before heading back to the safety of my car.

Good cache,
'The Rats'


[This entry was edited by The Rats on Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 1:29:46 PM.]

wow.
I thought this said difficult terrain. pfft!
found it eventualy after 1 and a half hours of painful searching. we had a real go, with shorts. If ur real soft long sleeve shirt is recomended. picked up a nice sweat tho.
CHOKO1

[This entry was edited by Choko1 on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 8:26:48 PM.]

Left thirroul, at about 1400 hrs, on the bike and onto woonoona to pick up choko. The ride up to the track head quite sweaty but not too bad.
The track up to Gz definately deserves a high terrain rating. We gave it a real go and wore shorts and t-shirts - and have the scratches to prove it! Once around Gz, we searched for about an hour and a half because the gizmo was just going crazy, didn't know what to think.
Eventually we made the find at about 1600 hrs after reading the clues again and taking a different approach.
All in all, a great way to spend an afternoon during the HSC.
Took TB

Cheers,
Daaave.

Are the Coords for the Hint about where the track starts fixed up yet??

Cheers,
Daaave.

just updated.
Should be all good now
- Tails

Sorry about that penguinbob
The coords have been updated.
Someone had changed the datum of the gps, so they were entered on the old AGD84 system. Kez was using the same gps (and coordinate system) so she went to the right spot.
Anyway, the coords are on the WGS datum now. However, the coords in the hint are still a little off, but will be fixed very soon.

- Tailstpc

Perhaps this cache should be named Lantana canmara as that made the bigger impression on my hike up the escarpment. Couldn't find the trail at the marked coordinates so I ended up bushbashing my way up the ridge, finding a few goat tracks here and there. Didn't see a single pink ribbon. Got to GZ where, starting with the two most impressive Red Cedars, I scoured the area for an hour and a half looking up down and all around. I checked all the red cedar trees and any that could be mistaken as such, buttresses and rock cracks around them and a number of stumps and other possible hidy holes but turned up zilch. Searched around GZ a bit to try and find the trail down and ended up following goat tracks and bushbashing my way down. Ended up coming out in someones backyard very wet, very dirty and with nothing to show for it. Could the cache owner confirm that they did enter the coordinates and datum correctly for both the cache and the track head?

On the bright side I did see a bush turkey that was hanging around GZ.