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Oldest cache not yet found?


cincol

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Maybe Dakardrix, Wazat or one of the other 'Berg climbers could comment on this one.

 

Although indicated as being in Lesotho, GCNCDD sounds as though it might well be in KZN. Placed 16/12/2004 it has yet to be found [iF it still exists that is!] Are there any older "unfound" caches out there in SA?

 

Curious to know.

 

cincol

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Maybe Dakardrix, Wazat or one of the other 'Berg climbers could comment on this one.

 

Although indicated as being in Lesotho, GCNCDD sounds as though it might well be in KZN. Placed 16/12/2004 it has yet to be found [iF it still exists that is!] Are there any older "unfound" caches out there in SA?

 

Curious to know.

 

cincol

 

Is it worth the effort to go find this one seen as the guy who placed it has never found any and last logged in in 2006. I would only make the effort if i was going to be in the area but would not make a special trip for it. Like you say it might not be there, but to go to all the effort on a maybe, i somehow doubt i would make the effort, but then again if it was going to be with other plastic nutters maybe,

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Maybe Dakardrix, Wazat or one of the other 'Berg climbers could comment on this one.

 

Although indicated as being in Lesotho, GCNCDD sounds as though it might well be in KZN. Placed 16/12/2004 it has yet to be found [iF it still exists that is!] Are there any older "unfound" caches out there in SA?

 

Curious to know.

 

cincol

 

Is it worth the effort to go find this one seen as the guy who placed it has never found any and last logged in in 2006. I would only make the effort if i was going to be in the area but would not make a special trip for it. Like you say it might not be there, but to go to all the effort on a maybe, i somehow doubt i would make the effort, but then again if it was going to be with other plastic nutters maybe,

 

You know us mad nutters..... Well I think we figured it all out even on our trip... Who needs a cache if there is the reward of them views. The cache will just be a bonus. But it was put up there for someone to find so why not....

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Maybe Dakardrix, Wazat or one of the other 'Berg climbers could comment on this one.

 

Although indicated as being in Lesotho, GCNCDD sounds as though it might well be in KZN. Placed 16/12/2004 it has yet to be found [iF it still exists that is!] Are there any older "unfound" caches out there in SA?

 

Curious to know.

 

cincol

 

Is it worth the effort to go find this one seen as the guy who placed it has never found any and last logged in in 2006. I would only make the effort if i was going to be in the area but would not make a special trip for it. Like you say it might not be there, but to go to all the effort on a maybe, i somehow doubt i would make the effort, but then again if it was going to be with other plastic nutters maybe,

 

You know us mad nutters..... Well I think we figured it all out even on our trip... Who needs a cache if there is the reward of them views. The cache will just be a bonus. But it was put up there for someone to find so why not....

 

Well we hopping to be out March next year if you want to wait

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I placed a cache in Colorado, USA almost a year ago and it hasn't been found. That is nothing like the caches mentioned above but the ironic thing about mine is it is very accesible and only a 9 mile hike. I can't belive it still hasn't been found. (where east meets west) GC15RM0

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9 Mile what's that like 15 km... is that a return hike and what is the elevation like.

 

Cathedral was 18km return and we went up about 1.5km in elevation..... so it all depends on what the terrain is like.... Might be easy or it might be a tough 10 hour (But worth every step) slog to the top of a mountain peak.

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I guess it's not really that old but an epic FTF never the less still to do is "Point of No Return" - GCY3RE we placed it in our back yard 13km as the crow flys... Or 7.5km and 1180m in height from its base camp on 2nd Sept. 2006. The rating is 4&5 stars ;)

 

Then there is "Boskloof" - GCT0ED placed on 6th Nov. 2005 which has "just" (15th July 2007) been serviced by its owner shc_cache. It's on off the Marloth hiking trail at Swellendam, a pretty tasty 250m in height and 870m as the crow flys from the nearest hiking cabin... also 4&4 stars :D

 

I might put that one on my list next to do :)

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Hey Matata,

We are after 'Point of No Return' - just waiting for the right time.

Boskloof, Drosters Pass Cache and Misdadigersbos are also calling. Just not sure when we'll get to them. We have walked the Swellendam Trail twice and if we go again would like to do it as a weekend trail - skip out the Goedgeloof, Proteavallei and Wolfkloof huts and just sleep two nights at Boskloof. But we are not sure if CapeNature will allow us to do it.

We also need to find a long weekend to do it in!

So much to do, so little time!

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Ouuuuh :lol: HOW I see the connection Boskloof & Misdadigersbos are both of the famous Shc_inc with several high altitude caches :D tasty, very tasty!!! Tempting to do 'em again in a "blitz-hike/climb" like Gladdebank or Arangieskop caches... in a week or two :D

 

Alternatively one could do them (all three incl. the Droster's Pass Cache) in a weekend hike: Up the standard route via Die Hoek and the Old Kraal - drop the Backpacks at Boskloof Hut, dash for Droster's Pass before supper and return via Tienuurkop (Boskloof Cache) the next day... sounds just what the doctor ordered!!!

 

Any takers :D ??? CnC ???

 

Ps I spoke to C.N. today (Ben at Marloth reserve) no problem to do just a weekend hike to Boskloof and return!

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> Boskloof hut's roof had a hole in it and subsequently the bunks were wet!

 

When was that? Cause when I phoned CN they said exactely that: the Marloth huts are leaking and hence no bookings will be taken... when I told Ben Swanpoel about that he said it's only the long drops of Goedgeloof and Proteavalley hut that are "washed-away" and if hikers do not mind to do the cat-toilet thing, they can book...?!

 

Never the less... I'll check on a date... what's your take on the partner side? The complete teams or guys only??? I might ask my boet if he feels like a hike too - We went together on my Bachelors hike to guess where: GC1B3D3, the "Bachelor's end of the road" cache on the Jonkers hoek traves... it ended up the only cache we managed to get due to the gale force winds and truly wet conditions BUT it was awesome!!!

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Boskloof was leaking Easter 2005! and Goedgeloof had a river running through the lower hut!

If Mrs. Matata is sitting this one out, I will too. I would hate to hold the guys up. Also the cold puts me off.

So it will just be the chicken then. And your Boet.

Maybe the two ladies can hang out in the town. The Mountain Huts (in Marloth- the old forestry huts) aren't too bad and they are really cheap.

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Seems there's a agreement on the Missus's sides :) Mrs Matata suggests that we meet in Swellendam on Friday evening, stay over in the hut you refered to and the boys head off in the morning for the peaks and caches :)

 

Possible dates: 18th or 25th ?

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Cool the 25th is marked!

I just had a e-mail from the Pooks, they might join but will let us know after their hike down the Fish River Canyon next week. :D Hey let's watch GCKW1B - Hot on Top :D might get a visitor next week!?

 

So much pressure - I'm going with a crowd of muggles and I might test their patience if keep venturing off after silly tupperware boxes. As it is there are several on the way to Namibia and I'm already thinking how can I visit them without getting into trouble!

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As far as I understand the cache-hike of the 25th is been shifted?! CNC is your business trip still on? Or shall we move to the 8th of August, the 08.08.08 !!! :D The pooks's back from Nam 2 (and he's done Hot on Top!!! well done man!!!) What's your take on analternative date? and if we are lucky we might get some snow again :D:)

Edited by Matata
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I guess it's not really that old but an epic FTF never the less still to do is "Point of No Return" - GCY3RE we placed it in our back yard 13km as the crow flys... Or 7.5km and 1180m in height from its base camp on 2nd Sept. 2006. The rating is 4&5 stars ;)

 

Then there is "Boskloof" - GCT0ED placed on 6th Nov. 2005 which has "just" (15th July 2007) been serviced by its owner shc_cache. It's on off the Marloth hiking trail at Swellendam, a pretty tasty 250m in height and 870m as the crow flys from the nearest hiking cabin... also 4&4 stars :mad:

 

I might put that one on my list next to do :ph34r:

You guys have but bumps....

Try ours down in the Drakensberg... I just placed one on Mount Memory in the Cathkin area. 8.5 km to the cache. From around 1400m start to 2970+ m at the end. As an Idea on the severity it will be at 6.3 km you are at 2100 m so that leaves the last 2km with a vertical difference of over 800 m.

Cathedral Peak is similar although a little higher but has two steep gullies on the way. With a long, level 2km stretch between them to get your legs a little rested. Needless to say I have found the cache up there a few minutes after been placed while the owner looked at me quite bemused as i was looking in all the wrong places. But after a few hours slogging up the mountain, the cache finding part of the brain is not so hot. But there is only so many places to hide anything up there. So there are some relatively easy to find caches awaiting some eager seekers.... any takers. September looks like the time for the best weather and Rhino and I are possibly going to have a look at some finds on two other unfound caches. So if anyone is interested....

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Wazat, I am trying to remember some of my old days. I have done this trip about 15 years ago when I was still staying in Newcastle. Maybe I thinking of the wrong peak.

 

If I remember correctly then there is a Wazat factor here. :mad: Somehow I remember that we battled to get to the top. There is only one way to go and if you miss it then you will not make it. I remember a rock face which stopped our progress and if I remember correctly we had to go lower and then we found the route. Could you please send me some pictures to refresh my memory? I will appreciate it if it is possible.

 

Gerhard

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Wazat, I am trying to remember some of my old days. I have done this trip about 15 years ago when I was still staying in Newcastle. Maybe I thinking of the wrong peak.

 

If I remember correctly then there is a Wazat factor here. :mad: Somehow I remember that we battled to get to the top. There is only one way to go and if you miss it then you will not make it. I remember a rock face which stopped our progress and if I remember correctly we had to go lower and then we found the route. Could you please send me some pictures to refresh my memory? I will appreciate it if it is possible.

 

Gerhard

 

Lower down the mountain there was a part that some other hikers lost the track. They turned back but I was determined to get it and after a bit of scouting I managed to find it. Also the last bit requires you to go up a chute through a hole and then on to the top.I might not have found this had the guys coming down never told me. But it is not all that far from the first scramble after the gully. Just a few meters or so. There may be a way round as the cairns seem to lead around the side but that might be to go up the South Peak.

 

for those in question this is my new cache at Mount Memory - Sterkhorn

 

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Looking at the Photo, the flat top mountain is Cathkin Peak on the left. The Right is Sterkhorn - Mount Memory. Now Sterkhorn is a double peaked mountain with a North and a South Peak. The cache is on the North Peak. In the photo it will be the right side of the mountain, the part with the rounded top. The north Peak is not far from this and you can probably throw a stone across to it, but don't do that as it is not permitted to throw stones in the berg as it is very dangerous.

 

note that this is not an easy hike and you need to take precautions for sudden weather changes and such. The Berg is not to be taken lightly. The initial hike to the bottom is around 6.3 km to a place called blind mans corner. This is where the contour path is situated. The contour path will take you along the bottom of all the big mountains and in itself can be a very rewarding hike. The height at deadmans corner is 2100 meters. From here you start the ascent to the top. The next 2 km will take you up to the top, a muscle torturing 850+ meters higher. Hard work with a great reward....

 

And the FTF goes to .....??? ;)

Edited by Wazat
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Wazat, thanks I was there before. I was then half my weight and nearly half my age. Maybe I will visit this one day – they say good wine is not old wine but mature wine. Somehow, this is not going to help me. :unsure:

 

I was wondering if any one was thinking about going to Thabana Ntlenyana to plant a cache or just to climb it. To me this was the ultimate peak. Height is 3482 meters ASL and it is the highest peak south of Kilimanjaro. About two years ago I was on this peak with my friend Dave. Not extreme climbing but a very long trip. There is enough rock at the top to hide a cache - the remains of a volcanic eruption many moons ago. We discussed this in detail the other night, maybe one should make this a earth cache. Somehow I think that very few cachers will ever visit the location. Both the orange and the Tugela have their sources in this mountain. We are planning to visit Lesotho some time or another and we will go up the mountain during that stage. It just gives me a good feeling to stand on top of it. I do not know why I climb mountains maybe it is the challenge or the feeling when you get to the top. The view is good and the climb is not that tough. Maybe this cache will be able to stay safe in Lesotho. Are there any other cachers that have done this hike to Thabana Ntlenyana?

 

I planted three caches in the Outeniqua Mountains which have fantastic views. But at present I am worried; I was expecting some attempt to find them but nothing is happening. The one at the bottom is a walk in the park but it appears as if the majority of cachers do not like climbing and hiking too much. Maybe I am in a hurry to see a find. At present we forecast only one or two visits a year on them and the probable persons visiting them could be foreigners. I am watching these caches every night but it does get boring when no one is going up to them. Ok, now is a bad time with the weather. Maybe this is why the first to finds are probably waiting.

 

Thanks for the info – maybe one day I can log the cache.

Gerhard

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I planted three caches in the Outeniqua Mountains which have fantastic views. But at present I am worried; I was expecting some attempt to find them but nothing is happening.

 

I have a theory: Cachers are often computer geeks and gadget freaks who walk around laden to the hilt with GPS, Blackberry, Blueberry (?), cellphone and camera. They are often, but not always not predisposed to hectic energetic activities. Then you get hikers that are interested in the outdoors and are quite energetic, but largely ignorant and disinterested in gadgetry. I have been on several outings with a hiking club lately and they tend to look at me with a slightly bemused and quizzical look in the eye when I wax lyrical about geocaching.

 

We just have to accept that the mountaintop/remote caches will be visited very seldom, but that still makes them worthwhile. It adds another dimension to a hike when one can visit a cache on a mountaintop - gives one a sense of belonging and connectivity, amongst other things. Even if they only get visited once in many years - it would still give someone the pleasure of finding it - and that makes it worthwhile.

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On these notes I must say that Thabana Ntlenyanahas in fact winked its eye at me as i paged through books. Yes it is a long hike and probably more a walk in the park compared to the smaller free standing peaks. But that element is there.... Nothing higher on the Southern half of the continent. Very tempting indeed. Kilimanjaro is however also flirting with me to no end. How in heavens name I could afford it I don't know but she calls....

 

Sure the majority of cachers seem to be scared of even the mildest bump on the earths crust but what is life without a challenge.I waited 30+ years to go beyond the contour path, past blind mans corner and up to Sterkhorn. My dad did hikes in the berg them 30 years ago and he said it was very beautiful up there. One day I will do what my dad did. Little did I know he only did the contour paths and never went beyond that. But the idea in that small boy that I was so many years ago was of my dad the hero... I would say to people my dad was up there on that mountain i would say.A childs belief was what cemented it in my minds eye. I was going to go there too. My dad is now a frail old man who shuffles round due to a few strokes. His eyes lit up as i showed him the photos I took from the top. He hardly recalls the hikes but remembers the views as been just so beautiful.... I realise that it is not wether you get to the top or not, it is in the joy of been in amongst the mountains and seeing little streams tumbling over rocks, gurgling as they go. Walking along the top of deep valleys covered in lush vegitation, walking beneath the cover of large trees enjoying the shade from a hot sun, sitting on huge boulders and enjoying the spray of a waterfall. The Drakensberg is not about getting to the top but rather feeling free. We agreed on the hike to Cathedral Peak. Even if we turned around halfway it was still worth the effort. A stunning view can show up at any corner you go round, every little hill you crest, anywhere. Geocachers may in reality be a bunch of Geeks with all sorts of amazing Items. Ask me I have now 4 kinds of GPS two camera phones and a cameraI use Geocache Navigator and have to take pictures of everything. I love to keep a tab on how much further and higher I have to go and check out the topographical maps like the Bearded Vultures overhead keep an eye on me. Yes I am a IT Specialist and I work all day and every day with computers but I also love the outdoors, In particular I like Mountains. The higher I go the better I feel.Put me on rocks and I am in my element. Why? Cause it is freedom, no noises of traffic, no smog, no taxis, no boss, no worries other than if the weather changes, which it does, quite quickly.And like The Pooks said, it is not about the cache, but rather about the joy of been on top of something and enjoying the view, the freedom, the achievement. Not everyone can climb a mountain. But while you can it is waiting, and if you do you will understand that they can bring out so much more in you. And even if you only make it up the foot hills, nature will be sure to reward you. So come on, get out them hiking boots and grab enough water and sling that hiking bag over your shoulder cause there is a lot more than just a cache waiting up there for you.... Oh and let me know so I can go with....

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:D I could kick my self now that I did not place a cache during our last weekend hike/climb up Rabiesberg... after all this could have been a introducer to the WC's mountains for Wazat :D yet there's still "Point of no return" and untill that one hasn't been FTF'd I'm reluctend to place another high cache.

 

I am fortunated enough to have those "hills" - compaired to KZN - in my back yard - or even with in our farm boundary :D yet even up here in our Mountain retreat ther seems too little time to go climbing around... yet last weekend we really had a ball again, you'd love it Wazat, not quite as steep maybe but tough never the less: Start was Simonskloof at 775m then up to 888m and with in 1.8k's down to 440m but now the real baby started, in true Matata style bushwacking up through old protea fields (Not even CapeStorms fabrics are strong enough they admited to withstand that kind of torture :D ) for 5km to reach the summit of Rabiesberg at 1666m just in time for sunset.

 

ec45125d-ac13-4fdf-a49a-9efa9b0d7cec.jpg

 

Rabiesberg on the left, the Saw Edge Peak and on the right "Point of No Return" on Keeromberg at 2073m asl

 

Our camp with set up just 100m below the summit and on Sunday the next day we proceeded in the rain and fog into the neck below Saw Edge Peak at 1400m and further down to 1100m before climbing another wet ridge back up to 1460m when finaly the rain "kind-off" stopped and presented us with a 250deg rainbow :D Now came the real mission of our hike the search of the endangered Sawedge Sugarbush - Protea holosericea... well needless to say we seemed 2 month too early I guess and will have to come back when she finally flowers :D a k later we joined the world of jeep tracks again for a final 5k's in time for lunch and a change of dry cloths...

 

All in all THAT's what life is all about and similar like in your case Wazat, my dad was only too happy that his genes passed on even if I myself makes use of a stick now to help those joints along where my mind takes 'em nothing seems to last 30 odd years not even us :D

 

But yeah those mountains have it in them :D and next time there'll be a cache again with some WC altitude :D

Edited by Matata
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even if I myself makes use of a stick now to help those joints along where my mind takes 'em nothing seems to last 30 odd years not even us :D

 

 

And those of us that are on the wrong side of 50!!! :D

By the way, Droster's Pass is 1350 metres asl. - Koloniesbos is at 200metres. Enjoy!

That B&B is sounding most appealing!!!! :D

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even if I myself makes use of a stick now to help those joints along where my mind takes 'em nothing seems to last 30 odd years not even us :D

 

 

And those of us that are on the wrong side of 50!!! :D

By the way, Droster's Pass is 1350 metres asl. - Koloniesbos is at 200metres. Enjoy!

That B&B is sounding most appealing!!!! :D

The wrong side of 50 doesn't stop some people. I was paging through a book while there and there was a guy of 83 climbing up some mountain face... But I see your point. That is why there are they roadside caches I guess. Look I myself am getting on in years now, although i don't admit it too often. I have scoliosis from around my mid twenties and my back really kills me at times. My knees click and I have a bit of a gut. So by no means is a climb up the mountain easy for me even. But I am aiming at the young guys mainly here, what you gonna let this just shy of 40 years old ballie put ears on you.... LOL.

 

Mmmm now I am getting tempted for them WC caches, mmmm....

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:laughing:;)

particular I like Mountains. The higher I go the better I feel.Put me on rocks and I am in my element. Why? Cause it is freedom, no noises of traffic, no smog, no taxis, no boss, no worries other than if the weather changes, which it does, quite quickly.And like The Pooks said, it is not about the cache, but rather about the joy of been on top of something and enjoying the view, the freedom, the achievement. Not everyone can climb a mountain. But while you can it is waiting, and if you do you will understand that they can bring out so much more in you. And even if you only make it up the foot hills, nature will be sure to reward you. So come on, get out them hiking boots and grab enough water and sling that hiking bag over your shoulder cause there is a lot more than just a cache waiting up there for you.... Oh and let me know so I can go with....

Wazat, I loved your comment – you captured the essence of the climb. My family sometimes find it hard to understand. As a young child we have done many hikes in the Outeniqua Mountains. We discovered many things - for example there is a cave in the Outeniqua. We searched high and low but could not find it. My brother was present when we found it in our young days. We agreed on the area but could not find it. My brother left early for some business and I decided to climb the mountain on my own.

 

It was during this stage my family asked me why I am doing it. Every time when I am down in George I climb the mountain. How many times must one climb to the top to be happy. I could not explain this. I then stated that it is there and I love the feeling of the hard work, there is no bull – it is like facing yourself and your limitations. The next is the feeling what you get to stand on top. It is something I can not describe. First it comes from the inside the relief that you made it – a proud feeling and a feeling of achievement. Then it is external – the beauty and the scenery and a feeling of peace even when tired.

 

I packed my bags and I was ready to rumble or to stumble. It was only then my wife suggested that I should plant caches. This was not planned. We then delayed the hike and the next morning we bought some proper containers and goodies as I had none with me. Murphy’s Law then happened. The next day it started to rain and it drizzled for about two days. The peak was covered with mist and it was not good. The family then suggested that we should go to Cape Town but there was more rain and flooding that side. On the third day the rain started to clear and the caches were planted.

 

The only thing I feel frustrated about is the caches at Swellendam. Since 2006 no one bothered to find them. It was on our hit list but we could not get to it. We targeted them because the owner went to check on them and he found them in good condition. It looks as if he really wants someone to find them. I am sure that the hike is good and that the cache owner wants to show us something good. The positive is that he is interested in maintaining his caches and he wants someone to find it. I done a lot of studying – the area and information on the hike and it is not a walk in a park but also not that dangerous. If all is well I will attempt it next year.

 

Thabana Ntlenyana is however still on my list. Maintenance is an issue and I can only get to it in about 3 months time. This will not be acceptable to the reviewers. If I turn this in an earth cache then it should be ok or if someone can be found that can maintain it. I personally do not like to shift my responsibility so the earth cache is the one to go. An earth cache could survive the locals. On the other hand it could be no good because there is no cache or a log to sign. I also believe that the majority of cachers will not like the earth cache. So we have some sort of planning to be done on this one. The best part of this trip is that everyone can do it. If you are a lazy person or do not like to hike then you can do it on horse back. They get very close to the top.

 

From September to February is rainy season in Lesotho. It is not the rain that bothers me but the lightning. What is the chance of getting struck by lightning if you are standing at the highest point south of Kilimanjaro? ;) I do not have to answer this one. Up to October it is the snow that bothers. Maybe this will happen soon. I will inform you as I do pass through your town.

 

Gerhard

Edited by gerhardoosMPsa
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It was my pleasure!!! :D:):blink:

 

Thanks for joining in and well done to all of you. Battlerat for spotting the FTF's, Cownchicken for showing us that caching starts on the other side of 50! The Pooks for the awesome photos and my brother the GeoMuggle in the team (when will we see a cache in that Pomagranate orchard???)

For the stats: 3 caches (2 of em FTF's), 33.5km hiking and a total ascent of 1900m all in two days - well done!!! below our route, Day 1 = Yellow, Day 2 = White.

 

fcca5822-875f-44df-9663-4b20daa41aff.jpg

 

What one next?????????????? :)

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There is only one thing that is difficult for a cache owner that planted a cache on a mountain. I watch them every night and I notice that some cachers are watching them as well. Nothing is happening with these caches. I am now thinking that I made a mistake to hide them on the mountain. I would not like to see one of my caches rated as one of the oldest ones not found. My brother is planning to visit them but he is delaying it for a cacher to find them as a FTF.

 

I planted 3 caches on 1 July 2008 on the Outeniqua Mountains.

Mountain Cross

This is an easy hike of about 5 km. Even with snow on the mountain you should be able to get to this one.

George Peak

On the other hand the George peak cache should be manageable by the average cacher.

Cradock Peak

Could be difficult for the average cacher and level of fitness.

 

We are going down to George during March 2009.

 

Questions:

1. Should I remove them if there are no finds on them?

2. How many hits/year can one expect on these caches? I would love to see some estimates.

3. Should I plant any other caches in the Outeniqua Mountains?

4. We drafted a proposed earth cache for one of the peaks in Lesotho but at the moment I am not sure if we should publish this one. Should I go ahead and wait for years to pass before this is found?

 

I would like to see some postive and negative comments on my questions.

 

gerhard

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Gerhard

 

I really like the existence of mountain/remote caches, but one needs to accept that they will rarely be visited. Even here in Cape Town the mountain caches seldom get visited after the regulars have been there. But that does not mean they need not exist.

 

The game has to an extent moved to a numbers game, where if a cache has not been found frequently (or a cacher has not many finds) it is a bad sign. But that is the beauty of the game - there is space for all sorts.

 

South Africa, being the beautiful country it is, just needs a few caches out there to say to the world that this country does not just consist of cities. There is a world out there to explore for those who want to.

 

You need to do what you feel comfortable with. You have already, by expressing your concerns in this message, started to reach your comfort zone about placing remote caches.

 

You should look at the cache listing for Skyline Path GCWHZJ and read the story about a message left in a bottle on the early 1900's that was found recently. Our world is too into instant gratification. The Egyptians built structures to last 4000years, the Romans built structures to last 2000 years - these days we build structures to last 50 years. You are going to have to think in terms of 5yrs for a find on remote caches - that is the nature of the beast.

 

To summarise: If I were you I would not remove the mountain caches, but don't expect many finds on them - if any!

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I think that mine will rate as the fastest Drakensberg cache to be found from the date it was placed. I mean High altitude cache. Aside from the Cathedral cache which I found a few minutes after it had been placed while I was still climbing, mine is due for a FTF next weekend and one of the cachers is going to have this possibly as a First cache to find....

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Gerhard

 

I certainly wouldn't worry about your caches - they have only been there for 2 months! That is not a long time for a remote cache. Here in the desert we have similar situations where many of the caches are only accessible by 4WD vehicle and then not alone either. For a year to go by for a FTF is not uncommon. many have been 6-9 months before being found, and then another 9 months for the next find! Granted, we do not have the volumes of cachers that SA does, but that ahould matter. When you have some time browse through some of these caches - not the city ones - and have a look at the time lapsed between placing and FTF's. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.asp...amp;x=4&y=7

 

Happy caching

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I have received the answer, basically plant them and forget them – someone will come along but do not expect anything – there are cachers out there that will visit them; but they are a minority.

 

I like my caches and I love to read logs even if they are negative. Maybe if they mature with the years it will be nicer to read the logs.

 

Next time I will plant a couple more on the old ox wagon road called the Cradock Pass. There are a couple of very interesting spots and it is quite amazing to walk the same path which was used by ox wagons. Maybe someone will be interested if there are 6 caches in that area. Maybe leaving a R200 note as first to find will also help to get them moving. ;)

 

I read some of the logs in the valley of sand. Eish, this is a different world.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Gerhard

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Anlufu, you will make my day. If I have one find on them I will be able to relax. Anlufu are you one of the cachers watching these caches? I notice that there are two and I am very keen to know who they are and if I can assist them in any way.

 

If you go you can drop me a sms the night before. I will be on standby the next day for any problems. I know the mountain like the palm of my hand. A DNF is not good reading material.

 

We stayed with a friend in Mitchell Street during our last trip. She has this dream to stand on top of George peak. This is one of the reasons why I planted these caches – to act as beacons of challenges for her. She has problems with her knees but she has done a lot of walks in this area and she completed about all the caches with my brother. She was also with my brother when they visited your cache on the mountain. A bad one was when they got stuck in the mud with the 4x4 below the old George dam about two years ago. This was the fault of my brother. As he went over the hill he suddenly realised that the road is completely washed away but it was too late. :) She volunteered to do the winching in the rain and mud. My brother on the other hand volunteered for the steering inside the bakkie. That day she realized that she is tougher than she thought she was. This was her first ever severe off-road situation and she eventually winched them out of the trouble. Ok, it took 7 hours but they eventually got out.

 

She does not know this but I will volunteer to go with her to visit the mountain cross cache which she should be able to get to. If she handles this cache easily then me we have to discuss how we are going to get her onto George peak. I walk fast but rest more – she walks slowly but she keep on going.

 

;) By the way I am still flabbergasted about those poor donkeys we visited. I still can’t get to the idea that gangs are using donkeys to practise their stabbing techniques. People have abused them but yet after rehabilitation they still come to you with for attention and a pat with no fear. We will visit them again on our next trip to George; this time we will be armed with carrots.

 

Gerhard

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Thanks Gerhard. Please leave those caches right there, I will be up there as soon as this weather warms up. I'm sure there will be snow on the mountain tonight. I guess if Wazat is on his way, I'd better hurry up. I don't think I'll any problems getting there - and if your friend wants to come along - she's welcome.

 

Sadly here in the southern cape we have the worst cases of animal neglect and abuse in the country :unsure: And don't forget - those donkeys love bread too.

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