Otakaro (Canterbury) Traditional Cache
Sallies: We are getting tired of having to regularly drive across town to check on this cache when it is either actually right where it is meant to be or has been muggled, removed, stolen etc. We have reluctantly decided to archive it. Perhaps someone else could hide a cache in the same general area, which deserves a cache. Thanks for all those who have searched for it, especially if you found it, over the years. Rodney and Iris.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is the final cache in the series: Corsers, Angela, Horseshoe, Dudley / Shirley, Waimairi / Okeover, Ilam and now Otakaro. These are the streams that flow into the Avon River. This is as close as a member of the public can get to the source of the Avon.
The cache is hidden in a 200ml camo snap-lock type container.
In following the Avon River to its source this is as close as you can get without going on private propery. It actually surfaces about two blocks further upstream, in someone's back yard. Beyond this point it is piped back to the spring which is not now accessible. This spring is fed by underground aquifers that come from the Waimakariri River.
If you would like to take a walk along this stretch of the river then you could park at S43 31.397 E172 33.952, walk down the alleyway, over the footbridge, turn right and follow the reserve to the cache site, heading down towards the river as soon as you come to a track. (Of course, you could just go directly to the cache coordinates if you wish!) The nearest entrance to the cache area is at S43 31.419 E172 33.785.
When you get to the cache site you will be opposite a set of steps that lead from someone's house to a carefully manicured stretch of lawn on the northern river bank. (This area is very much like the environs at the source.) At this point the GPS coverage is likely to be poor. You will have walked almost as far along the river as is possible without trespassing. The cache is at the base of a common NZ tree that is about 7 metres up the bank opposite the afore-mentioned steps! It is covered in leaves and debris. There are numerous tracks leading away from the river at this point - none of which are very well defined.
Many of you will have memories of the Avon that will come back to you as you hunt, find and log this cache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng gur onfr bs n pnoontr gerr 3 zrgerf hc sebz n evzh.
Treasures
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