Mt Ossa EarthCache
Hidden : 2/24/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


Mt Ossa is Tasmania's highest peak and is a good example of a “relict” nunatak1 (from the Inuit nunataq). A nunatak is an exposed rocky peak that protrudes above an ice field like an island. It is a “relict” nunatak because the last ice age peaked some 20000 years ago and so Mt Ossa is no longer surrounded by ice. Nunataks are commonly comprised of resistant rock and jagged in appearance partly because of freeze-thaw weathering of the rocks. Mt Ossa is made of resistant dolerite rock. Nunataks today only occur in tundra. At this time GZ would have been protruding above a sea of ice as far as the eye could see along with other nunataks such as Mt Pelion East, Mt Pelion West, Paddy’s Knob, Mt Oakleigh and Barn Bluff. Lower places like Marions Lookout would have been buried beneath ice. Below the slopes of the nunataks you can see the flat ground left by retreating and abrasive glaciers. Mt Ossa and other Tasmanian peaks are named from Greek mythology. Thus, the Aloadaes (the twin giants) attempted to pile Mt Pelion on top of Mt Ossa in their efforts to scale Mt Olympus, the home of the gods. The saying "To heap Pelion upon Ossa" means "to add more problems to an already difficult situation".

To claim this cache you must answer the following questions:
1. How high is Mt Ossa (clue – see sign post on main path)?
2. What is the resistant rock that Mt Ossa is made of?
3. There is a trig point at GZ – what are the letters and number on the metal disc?
4. Is the trig point at the highest point on the mountain – if not why not?
5. The jumble of large boulders (some over five metres square) on the northern side of the summit suggests that Mt Ossa may have been taller at one time. What natural forces do you think caused the rocks to form this configuration?

Send you answers by email but don’t wait for a reply before you post. We’ll check them once you list as “found”. The track up Mt Ossa is for the reasonably fit and should be only attempted in fine weather – if it is cloudy you will see nothing anyway. Take a raincoat, sunhat, and water and always expect a change in weather. Cover your pack at the track turnoff because of the currawong birds. Well done if you climb - enjoy the views. Some say that you can see the ocean from the top – can you?

Permission has been given from Parks and Wildlife to put in this geocache.
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