Logs for doffy_74
05-Jan-18
Me and kiwijones at the Brandenburger Tor.
Super nice.
Not our first time though...
Super nice.
Not our first time though...
29-Sep-17
14-Jul-16
02-Mar-14
Last day on NZ before flying home.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport, with a short detour.
A quick one on a nice place.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport, with a short detour.
A quick one on a nice place.
This is the last cache of my 4 week long vacation on NZ. A lot of caches, a lot of firsts, a lot of adventures later.
This one proved harder than expected. I looked all over without finding it. There was a word in one of the previous logs that guided me to the cache. I try to keep away from TB's as much as possible, so I did not take or place any.
This one proved harder than expected. I looked all over without finding it. There was a word in one of the previous logs that guided me to the cache. I try to keep away from TB's as much as possible, so I did not take or place any.
Last day on NZ before flying home.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport, with a short detour.
A quick one.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport, with a short detour.
A quick one.
Last day on NZ before flying home.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport, with a short detour.
A quick stop before driving on towards the airport.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport, with a short detour.
A quick stop before driving on towards the airport.
Last day on NZ before flying home.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport, with a short detour.
WOW! Just as exit the car I can hear a strange roar from the sky. From the south an unmistakable wing contour appears. It's a f**king Spitfire flying straight over the picnic site. It turns south, come back again and does a roll before it disappears back south again. What a great moment!
And then I find the cache. No problems.
This entry was edited by doffy_74 on Thursday, 20 March 2014 at 09:08:01 UTC.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport, with a short detour.
WOW! Just as exit the car I can hear a strange roar from the sky. From the south an unmistakable wing contour appears. It's a f**king Spitfire flying straight over the picnic site. It turns south, come back again and does a roll before it disappears back south again. What a great moment!
And then I find the cache. No problems.
This entry was edited by doffy_74 on Thursday, 20 March 2014 at 09:08:01 UTC.
Last day on NZ before flying home.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport.
Didn't get it at all. Lucky to find it.
Found on the drive from Whitianga to Auckland airport.
Didn't get it at all. Lucky to find it.
01-Mar-14
Logging this one exactly 2 years after I visited Cathedral Cove. This was the day before I left this beautiful country after a 4 week road-trip of both south and north island. I came by kayak, I took the tour and it was actually the last thing on my list I had planned to do during my visit. The kayak thing that is. I wasn't really aware of the cave until I visited Whitianga for my last two nights here. I also did a failed attempted at snorkelling, it does not work well with a beard/moustache. So not the perfect ending to the trip (I did however see a Spitfire, as in the plane, flying overhead. That was great!
I went here after I did the kayaking thing to the cove.
Had some problems locating the cache, but that wasn't so strange. I found the cache on the ground. Put it back under the hint closest to the spot where I found it.
Had some problems locating the cache, but that wasn't so strange. I found the cache on the ground. Put it back under the hint closest to the spot where I found it.
28-Feb-14
Driving from Coromandel to Whitianga.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Driving from Coromandel to Whitianga.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Driving from Coromandel to Whitianga.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Driving from Coromandel to Whitianga.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Driving from Coromandel to Whitianga.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Driving from Coromandel to Whitianga.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Good picnic site indeed! Stayed for a lunch sandwich before driving on the narrow road along the water. Had the whole beach to myself.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Good picnic site indeed! Stayed for a lunch sandwich before driving on the narrow road along the water. Had the whole beach to myself.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Driving from Coromandel to Whitianga.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
27-Feb-14
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Driving around near Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Driving around near Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems but there was a lot snails in the final container!
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems but there was a lot snails in the final container!
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
26-Feb-14
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems but the container is smashed by the stone.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems but the container is smashed by the stone.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
25-Feb-14
On my way towards Hamilton.
A quick stop this hot sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this hot sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Hamilton.
A quick stop this hot sunny day.
No problems.
Why archived without disabled?
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this hot sunny day.
No problems.
Why archived without disabled?
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Hamilton.
A quick stop this hot sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this hot sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Hamilton.
A quick stop this hot sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this hot sunny day.
No problems.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards Coromandel (town).
A quick stop this sunny day.
Nice place! Bring torch!
No problems but the cache needs new log book.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A quick stop this sunny day.
Nice place! Bring torch!
No problems but the cache needs new log book.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
24-Feb-14
Finally!
D/T-matrix completed!
But the journey here has been long and a strange one.
I didn't know about mt Taranaki until I noticed that a fellow swede, elmter, DNF:ed here two months ago. I contacted him with some questions about the climb.
Not long after did 2 Bulbars post a note here about climbing the mountain at roughly the time I was in the neighbourhood and the planning was on.
But due to injuries back home and a new pair of boots that was not very friendly to my feet I arrived to NZ much less fit that I would have liked to be.
And a new set of blisters early on this trip made even less likely I would be able to climb Taranaki.
But I had not given up.
When I was in Wanaka the blisters on my feet had healed enough to make a first test of body and shoes. A short walk around mt Iron went well and the next day I was joined by a German girl from the hostel on the 3,5h walk up to Rob Roy glacier 1 hour outside Wanaka. What a nice place! Highly recommended!
Next test was the Tongariro crossing, of course not as hard as mt Taranaki, but still a good test. If I would fail the crossing, I could never try for Taranaki. But during my walk I was contacted by 2 Bulbars, they had decided to postpone their walk due to bad weather. Fine. I was really not sure I could make it anyway.
For some reason I decided to go to New Plymouth even if the climb was cancelled. I talked to the DOC personnel at the visitors centre and bottom of the mountain. They thought I could do the climb and they wasn't to worried about my health. The weather the next day would be good enough to make the climb. I decided to give it a try.
Well, the first thing that I see this morning is the mountain finally showing itself to me for the first time. Since I arrived to the area it had been covered in clouds, but now the mornings first sun beams hit the top of the mountain. A good sign?
I started the climb and the weather was not only good, it was perfect. Sunny, not to warm and no wind. The climb was hard but it went ok. I was feeling bad for 2 Bulbars and his climbing company for missing out this lovely day.
When I finally reach the crater I met two elderly man having a breather. We talk and the help me take some pictures before we realise I am who I am and one of them are 2 Bulbars. What a relief! We are all here, but not in the the way we had planned.
One small problem, the crater is not the top. And the last climb is not an easy one. But I was not about to give up now.
At the top I met the rest of the group 2 Bulbars was a part of, but he had to abandoned his first attempt to reach the top. But after a while he could join us too.
After some searching around I finally found the cache, and complete my DT-matrix. Interesting that this was my last DT-combo, and the German couple we met on the top logged this as their first ever cache.
A lot of posing for the camera before the really scary descent started. Much worse than the climb!
4,5h up, 1h at the top, 3h down. It was a hard climb!
Thanks to CO, DOC, elmeter, 2 Bulbars who all have helped me up on what was one of the hardest things I ever attempted. The feeling of seeing the visitors centre was as good as to see the crater and the top.
D/T-matrix completed!
But the journey here has been long and a strange one.
I didn't know about mt Taranaki until I noticed that a fellow swede, elmter, DNF:ed here two months ago. I contacted him with some questions about the climb.
Not long after did 2 Bulbars post a note here about climbing the mountain at roughly the time I was in the neighbourhood and the planning was on.
But due to injuries back home and a new pair of boots that was not very friendly to my feet I arrived to NZ much less fit that I would have liked to be.
And a new set of blisters early on this trip made even less likely I would be able to climb Taranaki.
But I had not given up.
When I was in Wanaka the blisters on my feet had healed enough to make a first test of body and shoes. A short walk around mt Iron went well and the next day I was joined by a German girl from the hostel on the 3,5h walk up to Rob Roy glacier 1 hour outside Wanaka. What a nice place! Highly recommended!
Next test was the Tongariro crossing, of course not as hard as mt Taranaki, but still a good test. If I would fail the crossing, I could never try for Taranaki. But during my walk I was contacted by 2 Bulbars, they had decided to postpone their walk due to bad weather. Fine. I was really not sure I could make it anyway.
For some reason I decided to go to New Plymouth even if the climb was cancelled. I talked to the DOC personnel at the visitors centre and bottom of the mountain. They thought I could do the climb and they wasn't to worried about my health. The weather the next day would be good enough to make the climb. I decided to give it a try.
Well, the first thing that I see this morning is the mountain finally showing itself to me for the first time. Since I arrived to the area it had been covered in clouds, but now the mornings first sun beams hit the top of the mountain. A good sign?
I started the climb and the weather was not only good, it was perfect. Sunny, not to warm and no wind. The climb was hard but it went ok. I was feeling bad for 2 Bulbars and his climbing company for missing out this lovely day.
When I finally reach the crater I met two elderly man having a breather. We talk and the help me take some pictures before we realise I am who I am and one of them are 2 Bulbars. What a relief! We are all here, but not in the the way we had planned.
One small problem, the crater is not the top. And the last climb is not an easy one. But I was not about to give up now.
At the top I met the rest of the group 2 Bulbars was a part of, but he had to abandoned his first attempt to reach the top. But after a while he could join us too.
After some searching around I finally found the cache, and complete my DT-matrix. Interesting that this was my last DT-combo, and the German couple we met on the top logged this as their first ever cache.
A lot of posing for the camera before the really scary descent started. Much worse than the climb!
4,5h up, 1h at the top, 3h down. It was a hard climb!
Thanks to CO, DOC, elmeter, 2 Bulbars who all have helped me up on what was one of the hardest things I ever attempted. The feeling of seeing the visitors centre was as good as to see the crater and the top.
23-Feb-14
Having a chat with DOC people about the possibility of actually climbing the mountain. They said go and the weather seems to be ok tomorrow, so I probably will.
I described what GC is all about to them and I offered to show one of them this cache. How embarrassing if I would not have found it...
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
I described what GC is all about to them and I offered to show one of them this cache. How embarrassing if I would not have found it...
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
22-Feb-14
Day after the crossing and I feel fine. Wanted a find in National Park before I leave. Didn't find it at once but it was there.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
A nice place and a sad story.
The GPS did not work well in here. And I didn't get the hint. So I search on the wrong side of grave. Was about to give up and leave when my GC senses started tingling. But by then a couple had join me at the grave and I had to wait for a while before they left again.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
The GPS did not work well in here. And I didn't get the hint. So I search on the wrong side of grave. Was about to give up and leave when my GC senses started tingling. But by then a couple had join me at the grave and I had to wait for a while before they left again.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
I am on my way to New Plymouth.
Nice view. Had a short lunch break before I am off again.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Nice view. Had a short lunch break before I am off again.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards New Plymouth via the Lost World Highway.
Didn't know this was archived, it is still there and in good health if I remember correctly. Odd thing to do, go to archive without disable...
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Didn't know this was archived, it is still there and in good health if I remember correctly. Odd thing to do, go to archive without disable...
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
On my way towards New Plymouth via the Lost World Highway.
Didn't know this was archived, it is still there and in good health if I remember correctly. Odd thing to do, go to archive without disable...
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Didn't know this was archived, it is still there and in good health if I remember correctly. Odd thing to do, go to archive without disable...
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
This one should have a couple of attributes that warns about the risk. It is kind of steep one metre from the cache!
Found on my way towards New Plymouth.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Found on my way towards New Plymouth.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
21-Feb-14
I went for this even if it was obvious this place was used as a public toilet. No wonder, this is the only place for a long way that offer some sort of protection if you need to go...
The crossing is a last test to see if to climb mt Taranaki was possible at all.
No problems
The crossing is a last test to see if to climb mt Taranaki was possible at all.
No problems
The crossing was a really nice experience on my 4 week NZ vacation. If I ever get the chance to do it again I would probably turn around and go back down the way I came. Beyond this point there mostly "downhill" 
To get to see the good stuff on the way up and down is a much better idea!
To get to see the good stuff on the way up and down is a much better idea!
This is truly a beautiful place!
And still it is a very dead and sterile place.
I feel I understand that short dude a lot better now. The dude who hiked all over NZ and ended up here. It's a really long documentary...
And still it is a very dead and sterile place.
I feel I understand that short dude a lot better now. The dude who hiked all over NZ and ended up here. It's a really long documentary...
20-Feb-14
Found on my way from Rotorua to National Park with a quick skydive on the way.
Great view!
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
Great view!
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
I took a short break and looked for the cache before I continued with the crossing. No mt Doom for me today.
The last test to see if to climb mt Taranaki was possible at all.
No problems
The last test to see if to climb mt Taranaki was possible at all.
No problems
On my way from Rotoroa to National Park.
I had to make a stop for a "quick" (it was anything but quick) skydive. The weather was way to good to just drive past this opportunity. It was nice, not great.
I had to make a stop for a "quick" (it was anything but quick) skydive. The weather was way to good to just drive past this opportunity. It was nice, not great.
Found on my way from Rotorua to National Park with a quick skydive on the way.
I didn't realise this until later, but this is where I was yesterday. I took a bath in the hot spring together with a couple of other guests at the hostel I stayed at.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
I didn't realise this until later, but this is where I was yesterday. I took a bath in the hot spring together with a couple of other guests at the hostel I stayed at.
Sorry for the late log. This is one of many founds during my four week visit to NZ.
The date here may differ from the one in the log book, both could be a day off from actual log date.
I walked the crossing in great weather, it was sunny but not as hot as it was the day before.
This was the final test for me to see if I was at all capable of climbing mt Taranaki (I came to NZ it worse shape than I had planned and my boots did not work well with my feet), that is the small hill to the west of mt Doom (I can't remember seeing Taranaki from mt Doom, but it was clearly visible from Taranaki!)
This was the final test for me to see if I was at all capable of climbing mt Taranaki (I came to NZ it worse shape than I had planned and my boots did not work well with my feet), that is the small hill to the west of mt Doom (I can't remember seeing Taranaki from mt Doom, but it was clearly visible from Taranaki!)
