Papatahi (Wellington) Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A cache placed in the Orongorongo Valley, it is placed at the start of the Papatahi Crossing track part way up the North Boulder Creek.
There are two ways of getting to this cache.
Option 1: By using the Catchpool and Orongorongo tracks into the Orongorongo Valley in the Rimutaka Forest Park or using the Whakanui Track starting at Sunny Grove in Wainuiomata. Once in the Orongorongo Valley tramp up stream towards North Boulder Creek, you will need to make river crossings to get to this spot. From the end of the Orongorongo Track this should take 2-3 hours and then from the end of the Whakanui Track taking take 1.5-2 hours. From the bottom of the North Boulder Creek up to the start of the Papatahi Crooing Track is about 800m, you will need to cross the stream a number of times to get to the track. Look for orange triangles pointing up stream.
Option 2: Tramping up the Wharepapa River and the using the Papatahi Crossing track from the Waiarapa side of Rimutaka Forest Park. From Ocean beach to the strart of the Papatahi Crossing is about 6-7km, follow the (big) orange triangles to the start of the track and then follow the (little) orange triangles. This is a very steep track, tramping boots are a must, the track is very overgrown in places and alot of muddy and boggy parts.
With either of these two options it can take anywere between 8-12 hours return, yes it can be done in one day but staying in one of the many DoC hut's in the area or bring a tent and stay on one of the river flats.
The cache is placed aprox 2mins from the start/end of the Papatahi Crossing track on the Orongorongo River side. The cache is a 1l container, clear and will blue snap locks.
When placed the cache contained:
Log book and pen
Energy bar
Shampoo
Rugby Ball
Bag or raro
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
haqre yrnavat gerr jvgu benatr znexre ba vg, L gerr, ybbx sbe evire ebpxf.