Breaking Rocks on Rangitoto Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

kiwicouple: We're sure that the cache is still in place, but covered in fallen leaves from the pohutukawa. With the "asbestos" signage making access to GZ more difficult we will archive the listing.

More
Hidden : 11/14/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

An easy multi starting near the Rangitoto wharf, taking you on a short tour of some of the structures built by prisoners last century, and ending near the remnants of the prison barracks.



During the 1920s and ‘30s, prisoners from Mt Eden jail built 19 km of hand-packed roads and trails including the track to the summit, some of which are now used as walkways on the island. The island's roads to Beacon End and Islington Bay were built between 1929 and 1936.

The prisoners also built the Hall at Islington Bay and the swimming pool at Rangitoto Wharf, with input from the bach holders. The pool was filled by the incoming tide. A former bach dweller describes pulling the swimming pool plug with a heavy rope, and everyone sweeping out and cleaning the pool.

A few hundred metres from the start of the track to the summit, there is a large flat clearing. This was made by prison labour in the 1930s and was the planned site of five tennis courts and a pavilion (they never eventuated owing to lack of finance).

To find the cache, you will need to do a simple offset projection from a virtual waypoint at the remnants of the prison barracks on the island. The co-ordinates for this waypoint (WP5 = S 36 48.ABC, E 174 51.DEF), and the distance (VW metres) and bearing (XYZ degrees True) are derived from visiting the first four waypoints, which are all fairly close together.

WP1 Rangitoto Swimming Pool S 36 48.446 E 174 51.716
Find the sign nearby related to the pool’s present day use.
This will give you the south co-ordinate for WP5 . S 36 48.ABC
A = Number of letters in 2nd to last yellow word
B= Number of small print yellow lines – number of large print yellow lines.
C= Number of white words.

WP2 The Arch S 36 48.391 E 174 51.717
The sign on the arch will give you the east co-ordinate for WP5. E 174 51.DEF
D = Number of letters in 7th word
E = Number of letters in the 1st word on the 2nd line.
F = Number of letters in the last yellow word.

WP3 Summit Track/Islington Bay Road Intersection S 36 48.381 E 174 51.699
Find the 6 digit number on the sign here to get the distance of the offset. VW metres
V = The 3rd number – the 4th number.
W = The last number multiplied by 4.

WP4 Tennis Court Site S 36 48.310 E 174 51.666
Find the 6 digit number on the first sign here to get the bearing for the offset. XYZ degrees True.
X = The 5th number multiplied by 2.
Y = The sum of the 1st and 3rd numbers.
Z = The sum of the 5th and 6th numbers

WP5 Prison Barracks Remnants S 36 48.ABC E 174 51.DEF
These co-ordinates should take you to the doorway furthest to the right when facing the summit.
Do the projection VW metres at XYZ degrees True to find the final.

The Final.
The location of the final cache will give you an idea of the terrain that the prisoners had to contend with when they began the road-building on Rangitoto Island. The cache is a 1l screw-top container covered in black tape.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nobhg 15z sebz Pnvea. Va ebpxf ng rqtr bs irtrgngvba. Pnpur vf hapbirerq. Ybbx sbe oynpx pvepyr bs yvq.

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)

Advertising with Us