Easy as ABC (Otago) Traditional Cache
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A good long walk in the Silver Peaks area to an easy cache. Easy as ABC (Cave)!
There are actually a few possible routes to this cache. One is to use the Silverpeaks Route passing the cache "Walkways of Otago: Silverpeaks Route" and the "Bear Safe" onto Jubilee Hut, then to ABC Cave. Or there is a route (not marked very well I hear) along Rocky Ridge. There is also more of 4WD track leading to The Gap, although it is private I believe. I'm going to describe the Tunnels Track/Yellow Ridge.
Park at a quarry along Mountain Track Rd, just before a locked gate. You will have to walk to the start of the Tunnels track. As far as I know, there are no current forestry operations but keep out if see any warning signs.
You can investigate the Tunnels if you like (not much to see) before crossing the Waikouaiti River and finally arriving at the Yellow Hut. Surprisingly DoC haven't removed it yet. The track is a bit overgrown at this point with annoying gorse and long grass later on. Follow the (somewhat) marked track past where the ridge turns. It will take you to a stile over a fence, just west of The Gap.
Follow the 4WD track at the stile leading away from The Gap, until you reach the waypoint at S 45° 41.831 E 170° 27.736 From here leave the track heading Southwest and cross a fence. Follow a stream/gully curving west, then southwest around a ridge. Eventually you should see a track (not shown on topo maps) left of the stream that you go onto and follow it until the ABC Cave sign. Follow the short marked track from the sign to the cave itself and then find the cache.
Alternatively, you could not leave the track (keep on the 4WD track) and do a semi-circle until you meet the track to the southwest of the Cave).
The cache itself is a 2.4L container with a lid painted black and is not inside the cave (but not too far away). As an added bonus you get to write in the Cave Log Book and write TFTC (Thanks for the Cave!). FTF and STF can feel free to grab something with no swaps.
It took me about 4 hours to the cave and another 4 getting back (my excuses: it took me a while to find the cave and I developed leg cramps).
*SAFETY WARNINGS*
* Weather can be changeable, carry appropriate clothing
* Carry plenty of water
* Take a topo map (there is TopoOnline) and study Google Maps too
* You have to leave the track and the route past Yellow Hut isn't marked too well in places
* Consider breaking the trip up by staying at Jubilee Hut
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre gur bhgpebc abg gbb sne sebz gur pnir, pbaprnyrq ol sreaf. Irel pybfr gb n genpx yrnqvat hcuvyy.
Treasures
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