GC5ZF93 Travertines in Truso valley (Traditional Cache) in Georgia created by woy23

GC5ZF93 ▼

A cache by woy23 Message this owner

Hidden : 7/21/2015

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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:

Truso is a scenic valley, that stretches to the west from Kobi and Almasiani settlements on Georgian Military Highway to the border of South Ossetia in the length of about 30 km. Tergi river springs there. It is very sparsely populated area and there is no public transport there. And not even a real road...

Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, cream-colored, and even rusty varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot spring or in a limestone cave. In the latter, it can form stalactites, stalagmites, and other speleothems.

Travertine is a terrestrial sedimentary rock, formed by the precipitation of carbonate minerals from solution in ground and surface waters, and/or geothermally heated hot-springs.

The most famous tourist sites with occurrence of travertine include Pamukkale in Turkey or Yellowstone National Park, where it forms cascades of natural lakes.

Travertine can be found in Truso valley, on the right bank of Tergi river, too. It's even protected as a 4,2 ha large exclave of Kazbegi National Park. However, it is funny and paradoxical, because of the only road to upper part of valley leading directly over travertine field. And due to the fact that herds of cows usually "graze" on it.

The cache:
The cache is just a PET bottle preform. There is only logbook and small pencil inside. Due to its size, there will be probably no place to drop any TB or GC.

The cache has been placed directly on the border of Kazbegi NP exclave, under the travertine overhang. YOU DO NOT NEED TO ENTER THE TRAVERTINE FIELD OUTSIDE THE ROAD! Please, reach the cache around through the meddow.

Access to the cache:
There is no public transport, but you can hire a off-road taxi in Stepantsminda, that takes you to Kvemo Okrokana settlement. From here, travertine fields are about 5 km away. There is a "road" that leads along the left bank of Tergi river, passes Truso gorge and crosses the river to the right bank cca 2 km before you reach travertines.

If you are not strictly limited in time, I suggest you to continue to Ketrisi and Abano settlements. There you will see remains of abandoned villages and also, for Georgia so typical, stone towers.

Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travertine
www.ebrd.com/english/pages/project/eia/45542atbc.pdf

Small note on cache maintenance:
There is a local cacher who assist me with cache maintainance.
Despite this, I would be thankful if you help with minor maintenance according to your capabilities.