Yarrangobilly Area - TS489 / SMA0771 Yarrangobilly, New South Wales, Australia
By
Now To Morrow on 07-Jan-23. Waypoint TP13484
Cache Details
Difficulty: | |
Terrain: | |
Type: | TrigPoint |
Container: | Other |
Coordinates: | S35° 44.855' E148° 31.143' (WGS 84) |
55H 637348E 6042983N (UTM) | |
Elevation: | 1408 m |
Local Government Area: | Snowy Valleys |
Description
This is a Trig cache. It is a virtual cache. There are no physical geocache containers with logbooks or swap items here.
So what exactly is a Trig?
"Trig" is the abreviation of Trigonometric Station/Point. They are, or in most cases were, used by surveyors to create accurate maps of the area. Trigonometric Stations are named as such because trigonometry calculations are used to map out the location.
Over time there have been various mapping methods some of which were a little innacurate. Over the last 100 or so years Trigs have proved to be a fairly accurate tool when surveying. More recently though, technology has proved much more reliable. However, if technology suddenly failed forever and all maps went up in flames with it, we would have a great network of Trigs to start over with as seen in THIS MAP.
The locations, aka points or stations, where the surveyors made these calculations from were saved for future surveying using markers. These markers were meant to be permanent, however people have changed the landsape through things like farming and town growth and development meaning some of these markers have been removed. Luckily with the use of satelites and other amazing technology the older markers are pretty much unnecessary for surveying now. But they are great historical markers and fun to find, especially if left long forgotten in the middle of the bush like buried treasure. The long list of trigs on Geocachign Australia will help you find these Trigs.
Across Australia and New Zealand you can find a number of different styles of Trigs. Commonly they consist of a copper pin hammered into the ground or embedded in a concrete pillar with a stand and vane of some shape above it making it easier to find from long distances like other nearby Trigs. A few examples are in the images below:
[Image seen only is web browser, not in apps]
Trig points are generally located at the top of hills or points of prominence in the landscape. Many provide unique views and challenges, with some being difficult to get to. Accessing these Trigs is at your own risk. Please respect local laws and regulations when searching for trig points. If on private property, always seek permission to visit the Trig beforehand. If you think this trig listing should be archived because it is inaccessible, no longer exists, or is in a dangerous location, please log a 'Needs Archiving' log with explaination.
To log this trig as found, take a photo of the Trig with yourself or your GPS or something that represents yourself and proves you were there. Upload the photo with your found log. Other photos of the trig or area are always welcome.
If you can add information to this trig listing, such as access instructions or interesting facts, please add it at the botom of this description. All GCA members can use 'Edit this Cache' to add these details.
--- Access best from Yarrangobilly Caves Exit onto highway. Walk past the mobile service tower and find your way to GZ. Trig did have a galvanised iron nail in concrete at the centre, and 4 rock pile footings holding timber posts which in turn held up corrugated iron vanes. Timber parts are gone but the rest remains.
Logs
It didn't take too long before I was at the trig location. It was another of those quad timber tower things with corrugated iron vanes. The vanes were found in the grass a couple of meters away. The nail in conc was easily found where it should be. The four rock bases for the stand were there. I popped the vanes ack up near the central nail. I took the photos required. I sat for a while admiring the rocks. I headed back down to the car. Nice little walk. Cool find.