Gone Native - Fuchsia excorticata (Wellington) Mystery Cache
Gone Native - Fuchsia excorticata (Wellington)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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We recently surpassed our 3,000th find and were given a cache (thanks drawp) to commemorate the milestone, so thought it was time to highlight a little known track to the caching community and add some more flora to the native series.
Gone Native - Fuchsia is hidden part way up a track which links to the Belmont Hills tracks. Continuing on up the track beyond the cache will eventually bring you out at the bunkers on top of the Belmont hills. Heading slightly North, you can link up with the road which comes back down to the Belmont residential area via Hill Road. It has been a number of years since I completed the full loop, so I'd generously allow at least four hours for the walk. Please feel free to advise via your log if you complete the loop, and I will update the listing accordingly.
Fuchsia excorticata, or the New Zealand Fuchsia is a New Zealand native tree belonging to the family Onagraceae. It is quite common throughout most of New Zealand, especially around creeks and rivers. It is easily recognised by the characteristic appearance of its bark, which peels spontaneously, hanging in red papery strips to show a pale red bark underneath.
It is the largest member of the genus Fuchsia, growing up to a height of 15m.
There are a couple of unmissable fuchsia's visible just up the track from the cache site, and just prior to the cache are some great views across the valley.
The listed co-ordinates take you to the start point of the track. Note that you are better to drive past this start point, turn around further up the road (carefully), and park on the opposite side of the road and slightly uphill from the start point. Please also note that you are beside a school, and so always be on the lookout for children, especially at the start and end of school days, which mean this road is very busy with traffic.
There are a couple of things you need to do to solve this cache. It may pay to do a little preparation before you head out.
The native Fuchsia tree is also known by another name. a = how many times does the letter "o" appear in that name? b = How many times does the letter "u" appear in the name + 5?
Standing at the given co-ordinates, there are four signs close by and clearly visible.
c = on the blue sign with red lettering, the final word has how many "o"?
d = how many red words on the blue sign?
e = how many letters in the word on the green sign - 1?
f = how many letters in the word following "Sweetacres" + 2?
g = how many large words on one side of the green sign + 4?
h = how many red letters in the middle word on the blue sign - 1?
i = how many words on the bottom line of the teal sign at the start of the track?
Final; S41 a0.fdb, E174 gi.ehc
The track is a little steep in places and could be slightly greasy if wet, but is generally in very good condition. The final is just off the track out of view. There is no need to damage the local environment.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
TY Shpufvn, oruvaq, 1z sebz genpx.
Treasures
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