GC3RKC1 Thunder Creek Falls (Earthcache) in South Island, New Zealand created by les

GC3RKC1 ▼

A cache by les_premos Message this owner

Hidden : 7/30/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: other (other)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

WHY THIS EARTH ?
I have always enjoyed waterfalls since I was a kid and coming there in NZ and seeing this one was a faboulous opportunity to host a cache at the opposite side of the world !

Furthermore, as there is not so many caches between Makarora and Fox Glacier, I felt that it was a great way to share this place with other geocachers !

LOCATION
The Haast river flows alongside the South Island's Highway 6 as it descends the southern alps, flowing westward, between Haast and Haast Pass in the Mt Aspiring National Park. Rain and melt waters feed the river and feeds the various waterfalls and rapids along its course.

Thunder Creek Falls is well signposted and with roadside parking for a few cars. A small track takes you on a short and easy two-minute walk through silver beech forest (wheelchair-accessible) to a viewing platform opposite where the falls tower over the river.

There you'll find a single cascade dropping water onto a rocky hollow adjoining the river itself. As you might expect, the ferocity of the waterfall depends on recent weather conditions. Fortunately, dry periods never last too long in this part of New Zealand, so you're pretty much guaranteed a good photo opportunity.

PRESENTATION
Thunder-Creek ends as a waterfall that tumbles into Haast River. Since the retreat of glacier ice in this area, the Haast River has cut a canyon the height of the waterfall. Thunder Creek, a small tributary of the Haast River, drains a short narrow valley.

Water, like ice, has left its imprint on the land. The Haast River carries huge amounts of rock debris and sediment, much of which has been deposited downstream on the valley floor, where the river becomes braided and forms numerous channels.

ICE AGES
Ice once covered all but the highest peaks in this area. Glaciers and ice sheets grew and receded in a series of ice ages spanning the past two millions years. When the glaciation was at its peak, huge glaciers flowed east and west of here.

The Haast Glacier extended beyond Haast township coastline. In the other direction, the Wanaka Glacier gouged the bed of Lake Wanaka as it flowed into the Upper Clutha Valley. The most recent period of glaciation peaked 18-20,000 years ago. Ice once rode over this area hundred of metres deep. It’s grinding impact has lowered and smoothed Haast Pass, which is 562 metres above sea level.

HOW TO CLAIM THIS EARTH?
To claim this cache, you will have to answer these questions at WP1, on your way to WP2 and at WP2.

WP 1 S 44° 02.242 E 169° 22.012
WP 2 S 44° 02.293 E 169° 21.951

At the panel before entering the path :
1/ Colour of the name of the cache on the panel at the entrance of the part
2/ How high is the waterfalls?
3/ What is the name used by locals when speaking of these waterfalls ?
4/ What is special about this pass through the Southern Alps ?

In order to prove you've been there, I need you to answer the following questions :
5/ You are now at WP 2, enjoying the waterfalls: How many vertical wooden bars is the upper plateform made of (please do not consider the ones that form the stairs ramp) ?

6/ Finally, upload with your log a photo (you could include you and/or your GPS device if you want to). It's a great opportunity to show everybody how nature may vary depending on the season, the weather or the time of the day.

Last but not least, I highly recommend Te Ara website - The Encyclopedia of New Zeland. You will learn that waterfalls are formed by several forces, including water eroding rock, glaciers, volcanoes, earthcakes, variation of water volume.

Please do not post the answers in your log or I’ll erase it.

Sources :
DOC panel at the entrance of the path leading to Thunder Creek Falls
Websites : http://www.exploring.co.nz, http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com

Additional Hints (No hints available.)

Watch

Geocache Description:

Attributes

Inventory

Bookmark Lists

Thunder Creek Falls EarthCache

Watch

Geocache Description:

Attributes

Inventory

Bookmark Lists

Treasures