Fort Cox Ecology Traditional Cache
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Thanks for the past fun,
erik - geocaching.com admin
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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On this geocache hunt you'll follow an ecological transect study put in place by the Fort Cox College of Agriculture and Forestry in conjunction with Oregon State University (USA). The transect is marked by 1m poles at 50m intervals going up the side of a hill. Near the top of the hill the cache is hidden!
This cache is not for the weak geocacher! The terrain getting to the top of this transect study is very difficult in some spots and is covered in Acacia bushes and other thorny plants. Wear insect repellant for mosquitos and ticks. During the summer months carry a hiking stick to detract snakes. Bring plenty of water and snack food.
The transect begins at S32 44.416 / E27 2.162 and continues east up the hill. If you follow a straight line you'll find marker poles at 50m intervals. On the way up the hill you'll see the vegetatation and trees change drastically-- towards the bottom of the transect the land has been severely damaged by cattle and goat grazing, and many of the trees have been removed by the local settelers for firewood and home building. As you move farther up the slope the large trees begin to reappear and the acacia kuru growth is not as bad.
To get to the start of the transect follow the tar road from King William's Town (S32 52.896 / E28 13.590) west to Middledrift (S32 49.530 / E26 59.220). Just about 1.5km before you get into Middledrift there will be a turn off north onto a gravel road for Keiskammahoek. Follow this gravel road a small distance past the sign for Fort Cox College and turn north, there will be a large rock in the center of the turn here. Continue north past the "old" Fort Cox College area, over the crest of a small hill, and over a river. Turn right after the river and follow the road south until you get to the small group of 7-8 houses. Park, greet the locals, tell them you're studying the transect if they ask, and climb up the hill to the first transect post (above).
Additional Hints
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Treasures
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