Reflections of a Glacial nature (Lake Matheson) EarthCache
Reflections of a Glacial nature (Lake Matheson)
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Allow a minimum of 40 minutes for the return walk via a swing bridge for this earthcache, or complete the full lake loop circuit walk in 90 mins.
From the starting point, you will be required to walk to the start of the loop track, and then follow it in clockwise direction (ie. take the left fork) until you reach the viewing platform.
Lake Matheson is a glacier created lake.
During the Fox Glacier "Te Moeka o Tuawe" last major advance it spread across the coastal plains towards the sea dumping huge piles of rock as moraines along it's edge. Approx 14,000 years ago it retreated and left a depression at this location. Filling later with water, it became Lake Matheson.
The term "Kettle Lake" is often used to describe the formation of this type.
A depression left behind when partially buried ice melts after a glacial retreat.
Most kettle holes are less than two kilometers in diameter and less than ten (10) metres deep.
The dark brown colour of the water is the result of organic matter leached from the humus of the forest floor. When the lake is still, it has mirror-like reflection properties.
The first section of the walk, to the Jetty Viewpoint, may be suitable for assisted wheelchairs.
After crossing the clearwater suspension the walk takes you past tall kahikatea and rimu as well as a rich profusion of smaller plant varieties.
The jetty provides a magnificence mountain views of Mt Cook / Aoraki and Mount Tasman reflected in the dark waters.
Earthcache requirements
Continue along the walking track in a clockwise direction until you reach the viewing platforms. There are informative signs at this location
1. Message me via my Geocaching profile with the answers to these questions: the number of steps, including landings / platforms at this jetty site.
2. At the viewing platform, enter the waypoint
S 43 26.34
E 169 58.042 into your GPS.
This should be in close proximity to the opposite shore from the platform. You will need to determine the distance from the platform to the above supplied waypoint. This should give you a measurement of the width of the lake. Message me your calculation.
3. In your log describe the visibility of the mountains and the cloudiness of the lake. Also note the weather at the time of your visit - ie. wind, temperature, cloud cover, snow, rain etc.
Photographs of you at the site are welcome........ it is always fun to see pic's of the lake as the seasons change.
Visiting at sunrise is the time for the best reflections.....
Logging Etiquette: Geocache hiders sometimes go through a great deal of planning to place their caches. And Earthcaches, particularily take a lot of setting up. As a result, they'd like to hear your feedback on whether you liked or disliked any aspect of the hide, or if you feel that some cache maintenance is required.
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Remember - the log that says "TFTC" or "easy find" or "Nice hide" - hiders have already read that log hundreds of times already. We hope that your log will be different and worth opening the email to read!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Continue along the walking track in a clockwise direction until you reach the viewing platforms. There are informative signs at this location
1. Message me via my Geocaching profile with the answers to these questions: the number of steps, including landings / platforms at this jetty site.
2. At the viewing platform, enter the waypoint
S 43 26.342
E 169 58.042 into your GPS.
This should be in close proximity to the opposite shore from the platform. You will need to determine the distance from the platform to the above supplied waypoint. This should give you a measurement of the width of the lake. Email me your calculation.
3. In your log describe the visibility of the mountains and the cloudiness of the lake. Also note the weather at the time of your visit - ie. wind, temperature, cloud cover, snow, rain etc..]
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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