Tofft ST825 Southwest, Tasmania, Australia
By
Geocaching Australia on 26-Apr-17. Waypoint TP7622
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | TrigPoint |
| Container: | Other |
| Coordinates: | S42° 9.076' E145° 36.862' (WGS 84) |
| 55G 385516E 5332499N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 521 m |
| Local Government Area: | West Coast |
/145.614367,-42.151267,14/400x200?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
Source: Surcom database http://surcom.dpiw.tas.gov.au/surcom/jsp/site/mark_cont.jsp?cmd=Site%20Summary&id=22087&datum=5
There is no walking track to this trig whatsoever. Park at the end of the Mt Huxley 4WD track vicinity S42 09.029 E145 36.486. Access start of 4WD track vicinity S42 06.169 E145 32.174.
The name is taken from the diagram on Surcom as thelist.map and all other maps I have access to do not list the name.
Logs
After finding some other caches on our way this was to be the last find of the day.
We drove along the Mt Huxley track, at times it was very rough and I would suggest only 4WD vehicles tackle it.
It was 14:25 when we started walking from the end of the track and having a quick bit of lunch.
We headed steep uphill into the thick bush, cutting grass, tea tree and vines. the going was hard work and we looked forward to the small openings in the brush to have a rest.
I thought the worst was over when we reached the ridge and found a star picket driven into the ground but how wrong I was.
We continued to push our way up and down along the ridge fighting our way through the closely spaced tea tree. Then it as down the ridge where it got thicker and back up a little knob and down the other side this was the worst of it we thought.
Before we headed off across a little button grass plan we plotted our way through the next bit of SH** and up the rocks to the top and to where we expected to find the trig.
At the top we had great views but unfortunately the sun didn't come out to make it better. The timber post that was originally in the rock cairn had rotted off at it's base and fallen over so we put it back in place to stand again.
After a 20min second lunch and photo break we decided to head back the way we came, The devil you know.
Apart from a couple of detours we managed to follow our route back by finding the broken twigs and foot prints we had left on the way in.
The trip back out was just as bad as the trip in but slightly quicker arriving at the cars at 16:40.
On the way back along the track we stopped and tried to get a photo of the post back we put back in place. by the time we got back to the bitumen it was dark.
The 1.3km round walking trip took 2 hours and 15 mins.
It took us 5 hours from the time we left Lynchford Road and returned.
In all I had a great time in the company of Swampy.
And a joint *FTF* with swampy
In all, a serious no-track-at-all trig with the all the west coast vegetation and geological trimmings thrown in.
This trig is definitely not for the feint hearted and also not one to be done alone.
There is Teatree at least 4m tall and probably taller, spaced just not quiet wide enough apart for you to squeeze through. There is cutting grass as tall as you and very sharp (possibly why it is named as such). There are the little vines that will grab hold of you and drag you to the ground so all the vegetation and little bugs and spiders can feast on your remains if you don't get up straight away. And so on. Then comes the button grass and the not quite so high Teatree just to thrown you off balance.
Now throw in a steep ascent, an equally steep descent along with rocks of various colours and sharpness, Conglomerate, Quartz, some mudstone and brand new boots, and you have an awesome afternoon bush bashing.
Now repeat and make the mountain even steeper!
We finally made it to the top and found the remains of this trig. We stood the wooden pole back up and noted that the base had fairly well rotted away. It will probably fall over again in the first wind. We finished the remainder of lunch before discussing the return journey. We started off and tried to retrace our steps but this was a little harder than planned once we got into the valley. It was decided to follow our route in as it was a better-the-devil-you-know situation.
Eventually our trail was picked up, shaken and brushed off and we found the steel dropper again (on the first hill) without too much trouble. We took co-odds or this just in case but I think this is not recorded anywhere.
Soon after we lost our trails and with just 54m to go, it was time for some good ol' Swampy caching! We exited the bush just 2m from where we went in!
The whole trip took around 2.5 hours from when we left the vehicles until our return.
Alby rated it 80-90 on the "Why the $&@!?@ are we here scale".
Thanks for the company Alby - I really thought this trig was going to be easy! Let's see what tomorrow brings!
