This is another special cache in my "T5 caches"-Series
You might think "There's only water! How can you hide a cache there??"
Well, it's hidden at 12m depth... Which gives this cache a bit more logistics.... And also raises the question how it actually got here....
First step, you'll need to be a certified scuba diver. This can be done at any local dive center in New Zealand. The dive organizations PADI, SSI, GUE, SDI & RAID all offer the highest quality training with high standards and safety. (Read more about dive training standards here).
Oh, and some of the OWD courses actually go to this lake. So you might even be able to get the cache while doing the course....
Second, it's time for the fun dives, but be aware that Lake Pupuke is no 20m visibility dive... It's low vis and the bottom of the lake is silt which makes it quite messy if you are not careful.
There's local dive shop providers who will safely take you to dive or where you can air fills etc.
Please make sure the day of the dive you are feeling fit to dive and weather and water conditions are favorable.
Diving can be dangerous, please be safe and use common sense. No smile is worth risking your health or life. Remember, you make the final decision to go diving or not.
As mentioned before, it's low vis... And just going to the coordinates and dropping down might not even bring you to the cache... Just follow this guide to find it easily:
Required Equipment:
- Scuba Gear
- Compass
- Graphite pencil or logging under water and/or a wetnote page with your geocaching name on it if you want to photo-log
- Maybe wetnotes to note down the directions to the cache if needed
- Diving buddy (unless an experienced, fully certified solo-diver; No, that doesn't mean OWD.... There's actuall specialties for Solo-Diving! If you don't have that bring your buddy!)
- optional Water proof camera for 12m depth for taking a photo
How to find the cache:
- Park at the Pumphouse, get gear ready, do buddy checks etc.
- Enter via the ramp or jump from the pier and make your way to the Yellow Buoy
- Drop down at the yellow buoy (should be at roughly 8m depth there)
- Next to the buoy you should find a white cave-line attached to a rock - Follow that line until you reach a concrete Block where the white line ends (see attached photo for what you're looking for). On the way there you'll see the chain of the red buoy that was lost and also pass some huge reflectors someone dumped in the lake...
- Take your compass at the block and head to 270 degree (magnetic)
- After about 6-8m you should see the cache in about 12m depth. You'll know it's the cache as soon as you see it!
- Sign your name on the diving slate I attached to the sign-post or take a great photo at the cache while holding up your Geocaching name on a note
-> I'll dive here very frequently and will check. No signed name/photo and I'll delete the log!
- You can then return to the cave line (just swim to 90 degrees to get back to the line) and follow it further east. You'll pass some cool boulders and even find a Bhudda statue sitting on one of them...
- Please keep your air consumption in mind and return safely and with proper ascent rate to the surface!
- Exit the lake via the Ramp (can be slippery, be careful)