If there is one thing that 2020 showed me it's that it is great to be outdoors exploring the countryside we have on our doorstep.
This occasional series of 'The Great Outdoors' caches intends to highlight some of the the places I have wandered and enjoyed where I thought a cache placement might be nice. They are unlikely to be park and grabs and may require a long day walk or an overnight stop, so plan accordingly!
I'd been wanting to walk the St James Walkway for a while now, so the long Waitangi weekend seemed as good a time as any.
After a long day's walk, I was pleased to reach Anne Hut which is a large serviced DoC hut on both the St James Walkway and the Te Araroa Trail; as such it can get quite busy. A nice evening was had chatting with trampers walking the TA Trail and marvelling at the stars after dark. A magical place for sure.
The following morning I did not rush to get going as I only had a shortish walk that day. Most people had already left by the time I got up and by the time I'd had breakfast and packed up I was the last to leave. All of which meant I had the surrounding area to myself to scout out a suitable hiding place.
The place I found is more or less in a direct line from the kitchen window of the hut. Far enough away to not be too obvious, but be discrete all the same. The cache is tucked in at the base of a large rock within sight of the hut.
Make it a safe trip
DoC list five essential steps for staying safe in the outdoors so you can have a great trip.
- Choose the right trip for you Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.
- Understand the weatherIt can change fast. Check the forecast and change your plans if needed.
- Pack warm clothes and extra food Prepare for bad weather and an unexpected night out.
- Share your plans and take ways to get help Telling a trusted person your trip details and taking a distress beacon can save your life.
- Take care of yourself and each other Eat, drink and rest, stick with your group and make decisions together.