Boulder Bank Baches (Nelson/Marlborough) Traditional Cache
Boulder Bank Baches (Nelson/Marlborough)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A small traditional cache near some interesting and typical kiwi baches located on Nelson's Boulder Bank.
Stuart (10) and I walked to the Boulder Bank lighthouse and on our way back to the car stopped in at one of the baches located along the way. It so happened that one of the residents there is an ex work colleague and he told me some of the history behind these baches. Seemed like an interesting enough spot to place a cache too.
Some of the history of the baches:
Opinions vary over how old the baches are. While some were built in the 1940s and 1950s, others are believed to have grown from overnight accommodation roughly made by local fishermen in the 1880s and 1890s.
Though most of the baches have been innovatively constructed and added to over the years with everything from timber and corrugated iron to driftwood and a few hefty logs, they are considered locally as true icons of the original kiwi bach. Mention their possible demolition to local folk, and the response is indignant, angry and quite impatient with anyone who does not recognise their worth as heritage buildings.
The Boulder Bank is Crown land that has been managed by the department since 1992 and since then owners have been issued with five-year renewable licences.
The Department of Conservation has seriously considered the value of the baches in recent years and debate has included whether the baches should be demolished in order to return the Boulder Bank to its natural state as much as possible. The only other building on the bank is the now-decommissioned lighthouse, brought to Nelson from Bath, England, in 1861 and erected the following year. It is registered as a Category I historic place and is a popular tourist destination with visitors.
However, the department's technical support officer for historic resources, Steve Bagley, says the baches are a historic component of the Boulder Bank and, to locals, they are considered "very much an accepted part of the landscape."
In my own opinion, these baches are full of character (and characters) -each one unique - and part of the historical landscape of the area. If you visit the cache, take time to check out - without being intrusive - some of the baches. There is one to the east of the cache which is surrounded by works of art created by its owner from all manner of found materials.
To get to the cache you have two options:
1. About a 6km walk (each way) from the car park at the end of Boulder Bank Rd.
2. Over the water / mud flats in a more direct approach by boat, kayak, swimming.
If you are walking - Although the walk is essentially flat, the Boulder Bank is just that, a bank made of stones of all shapes and sizes, so not the easiest of surfaces for walking. Do wear sturdy shoes and carry water - there's plenty of it about but not a drop to drink.
If you are approaching by water - That is definitely not my area of expertise. It is expected that all standard preparations and safety precautions should be taken.
And the cache? It is a 400ml clear Sistema container with log book, pencil, eraser, sharpener and room for a few small swaps.
Its location should be fairly obvious on final approach. It is not too close to any of the baches. Please replace as found.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre fgbarf ng bar pbeare bs gur boivbhf srngher.
Treasures
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