The Location:
The cache is close to the Kordia-owned microwave repeater (hence the cache name) that forms one part in a chain of stations that run the length of the country. This site was constructed in the 1960s to provide television service from Wellington to the Wairarapa, on to Hawkes Bay, and ultimately to Auckland so that all TV stations can be linked into a national network. The site now carries data traffic as well, providing an alternative to the nationwide optical fibre networks run by other telecommunications companies.
View from near cache site with Wellington Harbour in the far distance
The Cache:
As of October 2015, the cache is a camouflage-painted ammunition container with the original one-litre Xeonic snaplock container inside it. When placed the cache contained a logbook, pencil and sharpener, and one or two other goodies.
You can get to the cache either on foot or by mountain bike up the 4 wheel drive road used for access to the various radio installations on the mountain. The starting point is at the carpark at Tunnel Gully, near Te Marua - there is a locked gate there preventing vehicular access up the road but public access is permitted. The way is well signposted, and you will see a few signposted side tracks as you continue up the hill. Just stick to the road and you'll go straight there. The gradient is uphill all the way and quite relentless, you are climbing 600 metres in a bit over 4 kilometres of walking. The road takes you through native bush almost all the way, with beech forest predominating. Towards the top you will enter "goblin forest" with lots of moss and lichen hanging from the larger trees. If you're reasonably fit, it should take you around an hour and a quarter excluding stops to reach the cache site.
Caveats:
- The cache is located at approximately 800m altitude. It may be warm at the start, but it will be a lot colder up here and far more exposed to the wind. At certain times of the year there will be a decent covering of snow here as well. For your own safety, take plenty of warm clothing including woolly hat and gloves - we needed those when placing the cache! And do check the weather forecast before you start out!
- Make sure you take food and water with you, and a first-aid kit in case of problems.
- Keep an eye out for mountain bikers coming downhill, they may be going fast!
- Cellphone coverage is good all the way if you're with Telecom, it may be a bit patchy in places with the other providers.