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Psycho Cache Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Ngaambul: As there's been either no response from the cache owner, no cache to find or log to sign, or it's been a number of months since the last owner note. I'm archiving it to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you wish to repair/replace/make available the cache sometime in the near future (next 30 days), just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the current guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it. Should you replace the cache after 30 days has passed please create a new cache listing so it can be reviewed as a new cache.

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Hidden : 5/3/2009
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

PSYCHO Cache - a regular cache hidden in "The Crim"

This cache has all the attributes of a horror movie.

First a bridge is out and you must cross.

Then you must find the entry to the psychiatric unit.

You find the entry and realise that the unit for the criminally insane.

There is nothing but ruins there now, as the unit was abandoned 28 years ago.

You listen carefully and all that can be heard is the occasional kangaroo, but you think there may be some ghost like noises.

You walk through the rubble and imagine the screams of mental anguish of those detained inside.

Your imagination runs away with you.

And then.......

BEEP..... Your GPS machine tells you that there is a cache nearby.
It is a regular cache with a log and a few swaps.

Welcome to Morisset, the town was named after Lieut-colonel James Thomas Morisset who was Commandant of Newcastle from 1818-1823, and also welcome to a part of psychiatric history. This geocache is located inside the tall walls of the former Ward 21 of Morisset Hospital. Of course this ward was closed and abandoned in 1991 and as a consequence has been left to ruins. Morisset Hospital accepted patients for the first time on 9th May 1909, and had wards for the mentally ill, alcoholics and drugs addicts. Ward 21 was opened in 1933, in a location quite remote to the main part of the hospital and surrounded by high security and very tall prison like walls. It became known as "The Crim" because it housed the subpopulation of mentally ill who were considered to be criminally insane. The Crim was only a small part of Morisset Hospital itself (Morisset Hospital housed as many as 1490 inmates in 1963), although I could not find an exact figure of the number of patients that were accommodated in The Crim, it appears (from my estimate by looking around) as though it would have only been about 40 or 50 at most. Of course, all the patients from The Crim were transferred to Long Bay Gaol in December 1990, but the walk around this facility really triggers the imagination of what it must have been like for the inmates in this area.

Attached are some photos for you interest and although the cache can be approached from many directions (if you have a 4WD) I would suggest the following way points. This is easily accessible with a 2WD, but you must take care crossing the bridge that is out if you use the suggested Way Points. The area is in ruins, so you must be very careful if you go inside the cells as the ceilings and floors are not stable.

Program the WPs into your GPS now, and this will save you a lot of hassle.

Way Point 1 S 33° 07.526 E 151° 30.512
Way Point 2 S 33° 07.561 E 151° 29.849
Way Point 3 S 33° 07.817 E 151° 30.562
Parking Point S 33° 08.078 E 151° 30.379

more information can be found at the morisset hospital historical society. Note the 100 year celebrations of the opening of the hospital are on 9th May 2009. Click this link for their site (visit link)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

WRCF

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)