Whangaehu or Whanga where?-(Rangitikei) Traditional Cache
Whangaehu or Whanga where?-(Rangitikei)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Whangaehu is a small rural village, 15mins South of Wanganui. It consists largely of a school, a church, a garage a community hall,and a marae. There is beach access at the end of Whangaehu Beach Road, although it's through private land, public are welcome to use it, as long as gates are left as found. Although not the nicest of beaches i.e. lots of driftwood and fairly rough sea's, it is a place to be during whitebaiting season,and good for fishing.
We have lived here for nearly 5 years now, & felt it was time we put Whangaehu on the geocaching map. The cache is placed at a fairly popular rest area, for day travellers & freedom campers alike. There are some pretty good views of Whangaehu valley & the river from the top of the hill, but unfortunately, not at the rest area, because of the trees.
Whangaehu river is probably best known in connection with “The Tangiwai disaster”. On the 24th December 1953, 11 carriages from the “overnight express” fell into the Whangaehu River. (further up river). The bridge carrying the North Island Main Trunk Railway over the river had been badly damaged just minutes earlier by a lahar from Mount Ruapehu. 151 of the 285 people on board were killed, making it NZ's worst rail accident. Lahars are a constant reality along the Whangaehu river, with Mount Ruapehu being one of the most lahar-prone volcanoes in the world. “Since historic observations began in 1861AD, more than 50 individual lahars have been recorded in the Whangaehu Valley alone, the “natural” outlet to the summit Crater lake”. (refer. “Bulletin of volcanolgy” article). The last major lahar warning was in March 2007. The river banks held, & there was no serious damage or injuries reported.
The cache is well hidden to prevent it being muggled, as this is a well used “rest area”. Please take as much care as possible not to damage it's camo when searching for it.
Please be aware that there is an electric wire just the other side of the boundary fence.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Chyy fgenvtug hc – qb abg gjvfg.
Treasures
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