Halcyon Days (Otago) Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
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An unexpected object providing an obvious location for a cache.
When placed this 200ml snaplock contained a log book & pencil, some trading items and a wrapped FTF that may be of interest to look into.
One of many nice track combinations in the Silver Peaks near Dunedin. An approximately 6.5km walk down and up part of the Waikouaiti River valley. You should be confident with following rougher but well formed bush tracks and prepared for a sometimes steep walk of up to 3 hours (return) that is out of cell phone coverage at the cache. Always let someone know where you are going. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Coordinates given here will have the usual errors but the locations should be distinctive. All that said it isn't particularly horrible or dangerous.
Turn up Double Hill Road just north of Waitati and drive for about 7km as it changes to Semple Road and Mountain Track. There are many walks leading off this road.
Thanks to Eli The Moose for reminding me there is a significantly quicker way in via the signposted "Possum Hut Access" carpark and track start at S45 44.919 E170 29.767, a bit further along the road from the following description. I go in via the other track so often this one (usually used coming out) had slipped my mind.
However if, having driven all the way out there, you want a nice long walk to justify the fuel the next easiest (although longer) is the Eucalypt Spur track. Park near the signposted track entrance at S45 45.293 E170 29.720. Walk along the Silver Peaks track from the entrance. After about 20 minutes and 1.25km you will find a yellow tuck-through PVC blaze marking a track leading off to the right near S45 45.723 E170 29.340. Following this will take you to the cache in about an hour.
As you near the last peak of the spur near the bottom note there is a track to the right (coming down, left up) at S45 45.024 E170 29.091. This looks like a long clearing and a white blaze is visible*. For the more experienced who like a loop this is a nice alternative route back. A little vague in spots it is a slightly quicker way to return that (nearer the top) also provides a view of the ridge walked down. See below for more details.
If you have the time after finding the cache continue on to visit the nearby Possum Hut at S45 44.885 E170 28.795. From the hut you could also take a longer way back via an equally steep walk up the hill to meet the Green Ridge track just above the old Green Hut site, returning back down the relaxing Green Ridge track to the car.
More details on alternate return using Bluegum:
This does require some experience as it can be a bit vague at the start and near the top in the tussock and grass but is otherwise similar to the track down in being mostly well formed. Do keep an eye out for blazes. It does go down for a start until it crosses the creek to the neighbouring spur. The track then simply goes up this spur, meeting the Green Ridge track mere minutes from the road. You may spot this on the way in at the start - a white blaze marking one of two closely placed tracks in the trees to the right.
*See gallery image of start of alternate
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
jung yvrf orarngu