The Cougals West Multi-Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A challenging walk to the western peak of Mt. Cougal on the QLD/NSW border.
The cache is not actually on the peak but you'll need to go there to find the clue needed to locate GZ.
The twin peaks of the Cougals can be approached from either the end of Currumbin Creek Rd in Queensland (via Boyd's Butte), or from the end of Garden of Eden Road (off Tomewin Rd) just over the border in NSW.
Approaching from Garden of Eden road is the longer route (9km return) but involves less vertical ascent as it starts on the border ridge rather than in the valley. Allow at least 6-7 hours for the round trip.
Your first objective will be to find GC1KEQF - The original Cougals cache, hidden on the Eastern Peak. From here the Western peak can be seen in all it's glory and yes, you do have to go across that razorback!
The start of the track leading to the Western peak can be difficult to locate but it is approx. 20m below the summit and is now well marked with ribbon. Once located, the track is obvious and follows the ridgeline very closely, sometimes a little too closely, so great care should be taken in the more exposed areas.
As you work your way along the ridgeline you will pass some excellent viewpoints and photo opportunities. When you reach the monster lilies, you are close. A short but steep scramble underneath the dense foliage will bring you to the summit. The summit itself is much larger than the east peak, but the views are somewhat obscured by trees.
Now to find the clue: firstly a bit of history...Back in 1864, Queensland surveyor Francis Edward Roberts was tasked with officially mapping and marking the QLD/NSW border. He left many cuts (blazes) on large trees and carved distance and direction markers on them. Many are still there today. There is one on a tree at the published coordinates and you will need to locate the blaze. It is very close to the clearing with the fireplace on the summit.
The blaze is on a (now) dead tree
and has a vertical line of 3 characters: a letter, an arrow and a number.
GZ is at:
S 28° 10.DB9 E 153° 26.AC9
Where:
A=Numeric value of the topmost letter on the blaze (i.e. A=1, B=2 etc.).
B=Direction of the arrow where up=7, left=6, down=5, right =4.
C=Bottomost number on the blaze.
D=Number of times the letter A appears in the blaze.
Checksum: A+B+C+D=20
GZ is situated along Currumbin Creek Road at a location where it is safe to park.
Enjoy and take care.
FTF honours goes to Crooked Pete and Stairman2. Well done you two.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Onfr bs gerr haqre fcbe.