(This geocache was originally placed by 'Outward Bound' in 2010, and the description below is his)
Welcome to baitstation d8.
Apart from slight differences in geography, there is little to differentiate baitstation d8 from all the other baitstations in the Maaroa valley, just black plastic tubes nailed to trees, filled with poison. But I think d8 is one of the best of the 100 or so.
What sets d8 apart, is not its location, although it is picturesque, what I appreciate about it is the journey to get there. Every 2 or 3 months, I start at the cannons creek lakes, and wend my way up the creekbed, topping up stations along the way with yummy brodforum. Possums, rats, mice, stoats are all welcome for a free lunch at any of the baitstations, with the intent at keeping the vermin numbers down so the new trees being planted in the area have a chance at growing. Indications are 'we' have the population under control.
For the unique and full immersion trip, start your journey at d15 which is S 41 08 511 E 174 52 075 and follow the creekbed through gorse, blackberry and stinging nettle till you get to d8. (actually, the worst part of that trip in that regard is around d11-d12, for the most part it's quite pleasant).
The eagle eyed who do this will spot pink and blue markers nailed to trees at each station along the way. For those with more sense, you could utilize the nicely formed track, which takes you within 100m of d9, with no noxious plants to assault you along the way. For this option, take the track to the bridge near d9 at S 41 08 991 E 174 52 188 at which point you drop onto the stream for the final section. Even if you take the track for the early part of the trip, gumboots will be required to negotiate the stream on the last section, and you shouldn't attempt it after rain.
Once you get to d8 and log your find, do me one additional favor... Tell me if there is any bait left in the stations you visit, and what it looks like along with your cache log entry - I will use that information to asses when it's time to mount another refilling trip. Don't touch the baits themselves please, they aren't THAT toxic, but you should be able to see the baits at the mouth of the station without having to do that - they look like pieces of green chalk or crayons. If they are getting old, the baits get mouldly, and the vermin don't like that - this would be a valuable thing to log for me.
The cache is a 1 litre systema. Please replace the local camo.