THREE THUMBS ST221 Buckland, Tasmania, Australia
By
AlbyDangles on 10-Dec-16. Waypoint TP7499
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | TrigPoint |
| Container: | Other |
| Coordinates: | S42° 36.087' E147° 51.838' (WGS 84) |
| 55G 570874E 5283080N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 524 m |
| Local Government Area: | Glamorgan-Spring Bay |
/147.863967,-42.60145,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
A Trig Point is a virtual cache which requires a cacher to locate the Trigonometric Station at GZ.
A trig point (also known as a Trigonometric Station) typically consists of a black disc on top of four metal legs or concrete pillar, resembling a navigation beacon. It is also accompanied by a metal disc, which is located directly below the center point of the tripod or on top of the pillar itself.
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.
These points were regarded as valuable to surveyors, providing reference points for measuring distance and direction, and assisting in the creation of maps.
To log a find on the Geocaching Australia website, you will need to include a picture of the trig point, along with your GPS receiver and (preferably) yourself. Long distance / telephoto type pictures are against the spirit of this cache. You are encouraged to leave a description of your journey in your log to help others in finding the trig point.
Please respect local laws and regulations when searching for trig points. If you believe that a trig point is located on private property or in a dangerous location, you may archive the cache, by clicking on Log this Cache and place an "Archived" log on the Geocaching Australia website.
If you feel that you can add to the description of this trig point or adjust the difficulty / terrain ratings, please feel free to edit this cache and amend the information suitably. Vandalism of the cache description or other information will result in your account being terminated.
Additonal Information
Start of track and limited parking is at S42 36.430 E147 52.658.
Recomended walking time 2 hours
Logs
Have wanted to do this cache for a long time - have been part way in before but never to the Trig
Started the walk at 1210 hours and was back at the car by 1355 hours Sainting the cache at 1247 hours stopping to enjoy the scenery for some time
For the return trip, I travelled 270 km by car
Even though I parked only 1.2 kms from the Trig; I walked a total of 5.86 km requiring 7913 steps and burnt 1228 calories doing so
Got to the trail head and then began my walk to the trig over a well defined track albeit fairly rocky in places
Lots of small lizards along the way but no wriggle sticks [snakes] nor blood suckers [leaches] again today
Plenty of bird life - their songs made the trek even more enjoyable
At GZ, I took the obligatory pics and a few others
Thanks for the cache, the exercise and the fun
Cheers OldSaint
My Finds: GCA 3189; GC 3545; TOT 6734
Some time ago, well eight months ago I was caching on the East Coast and had just found a cache in Orford. So I thought I would go for a drive along the Wielangta Road to find the caches on Three Thumbs. I had to wait for a little while for some muggles to leave before I could find the cache near the look out. After finding that one I headed off to find another on a little way up the Three Thumbs Track. There was no one here so I had the place to myself to find that one but it did take a little time before I found it. After finding the two caches already listed I thought about going off to see if I could find the trig point. I started to head back to the car as I was a bit tired and hungry and needed to get back home. As I was walking back down to the car it was nagging on my about not going up to the top and seeing if there was a trig still there. The little voice in the back of my head saying turn around and go and find it finally convinced me. So I turned around and retraced my steps and walked back up the hill past the cache I found earlier and continued on.
At the top of the Three Thumbs I found the traditional trig point beacon very easily. Near the beacon was a lovely old rock shelter that would have been a great cubby in it’s day.
The views from the top are lovely looking over towards Orford, Triabunna and Coles Bay in the distance.
Wielangta
In the south east of the island, there was once a thriving timber town known as Wielangta. In its heyday it had a general store, bakery, blacksmiths’ shops, a school and of course several saw mills.
Wielangta was ravaged by bushfires in the 1920s and abandoned in 1928.
All we saw was forest. The town has disappeared.
This is some of the beautiful blue gum forest we saw along the Wielangta forest drive.
The forest has re-grown and like most forest in Tasmania is now falsely considered pristine wilderness. But within the forest there is a rusted boiler and decaying tramlines — all that remains of the once thriving timber town known as Wielangta.
Wielangta forest is home to the swift parrot, wedge-tailed eagle and broad toothed stag beetle.
Parts of the forest have been cleared felled and then burnt by timber workers since European settlement. And the forest has always regrown.
Found on the 10th of December 2017 at 1545
TFTC
Took about 20 minutes to get here from the start of the walking track.
