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October Cache of the Month

31/10/2013

A nice variety for me to choose from this month. Happy to report that no mint tins were harmed in this months finds. 2 runners up this month, A TankEngine neat puzzle that I started many years ago but only just now managed to visit GZ. Upper Uriarra (GC1QMBY) is an interesting puzzle that gets you to a Waypoint where you need to figure out how to operate your GPS, then a bit of a climb to some nice views. The second runner up is Long Way to the Top (GC2ABD) a hike to the ACT's second highest peak, Mt Gingera (see my earlier blog). Absolutely great views, not a hard hike (15k return) but less face it, it won't tempt to the urban mint tin hunters.

This month's winner will require a walk to a top of a hill but well worth it. This month's winner is Pacmania's "Majura Mini Matrix" (GC4K2W), a multi that takes you to the top of Mt Majura. Again, without giving anything away, gizmos are involved and that is always good value. Go on, get out there and do it, I can assure you of a smile.

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Mt Gingera - ACT 2nd highest mountain - A Bucket List Event!

27/10/2013

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Cast your mind back to those terrible fires of 2003. My first operational experience as a volunteer with the Rural Fire Service was to do an overnight shift to protect Pryors Hut and its associated Arboretum. That night, our Light Tanker plus an ACT Ranger undertook back-burning operations, to build on a fire-break created by a bull dozer. Pryors Hut is on the flanks of Mt Gingera and we watched in amazement as the mountain burnt. I never really felt safe that night on the lonely Mt Franklin Rd. I've been back a couple of times to Pryors Hut but I never made the hike to top of Gingera.

Today was the day. Had a house full of Yogi's so it was time to put some serious kilometres in. The last 30 km of access roads is a good dirt road though you need to keep your wits as there are some blind corners and the road in places totters on the side of a precipice. The road is gated shut at the bottom of Mt Ginini, but it is a good fire trail on the other side of the gate. A 5k walk gets you to Pryors Hut, then after a further kilometre, a foot pad takes you the final kilometre up to the summit (ish). The alpine scenery is stunning and you do get a feeling that you are on top of this particular part of the planet. After finding the Geocache (of course) which was smothered by literally thousands of moths, I guess baby bogongs ????, I found a nice sunny rock to rest my weary legs and eat my lunch.

The winds were picking up and some clouds blew in. It was a good 10 degrees colder than Canberra and I was glad I was wearing a couple of layers but I didn't want to get wet. So it was time to bid adieu, I probably won't climb this way again (though there some people camping on the slopes) and head back to the car. There were a few other walkers on the trail but I wasn't in a chatting mood. AFter getting back to the car, I briefly drove to the Air Navigation Facility at the top of Mt Ginini - send a SMS to say I was safe and driving, found 1 more cache. I didn't need to eat anyone else's dust on the drive home and I think I will sleep well tonight!

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Unfinished business on Mt Tennent

9/10/2013

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As the days heat up, I worked out I was running out of time to climb this beauty before the summer heat set in. Even so, with an 8:00 a departure from the Visitor Centre where it was 6 degrees, by the time I got to the Cypress Pines Lookout, it was off with the sleeveless vest (and my first ever FB selfie). A really pleasant walk, just me and my thoughts. As I got near the part that I call the staircase, I heard a rustling in the undergrowth and there was an echidna, doing its best to meld into a rock. Bit hard to get a good shot of him but that must have been the 4th echidna I have seen on Mt Tennent. One solved puzzle cache on the way up (there is a previous blog entry on my earlier attempt at a find). That grassy hollow at the top was looking so lush and green and soft, was so tempted for a little lie down. Down the fire trail for 500 metres for a bit of bouldering to find another cache I had previous problems with. All good, then it was time to turn around and go back down.

The overwhelming thought on the descent was I don't remember so many steps on the way up. I was using 2 trekking poles which aided in my stability. Whenever my mind wandered off what I was doing, I would always have a bit of a stumble. By the time I got near the Visitor Centre, I had finished all my water and was very warm.

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September Cache of the Month

1/10/2013

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Sorry, not even close. The first winner of the monthly award is YRPsych's, " A safe cache" (GC4K8N3). See below for details when it won the weekly award! Again, so few finders, probably more to do with some peoples aversion to Multis and Puzzles or getting off their ^&%^ and actually making an effort . Oh well, they don't know what they are missing out on! TFTC !

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October Cache of the Month

Mt Gingera - ACT 2nd highest mountain - A Bucket List Event!

Unfinished business on Mt Tennent

September Cache of the Month

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