It's time to acknowledge and celebrate a Gold Coast Icon! And hopefully log its first find!
Further, to acknowledge the subtle engineering skills of the most legendary hider Monkey Maker - well played Sir.
That's right. If you are unfimiliar with this 'poor old girl' (CO quote 1/1/23), Rocket GC6WXYP was placed on 11/11/2016 by Monkey Maker and has been causing skinned knuckles, dikky knees, crook backs, frustration and chagrin ever since. All for zero smileys!
If you don't believe me check out these snippits from the logs:
- You certainly made monkeys of us today!
- Ha ha. Well that's another hour we won't see again.
- Stop laughing now please MonkeyMaker!
- My 11th visit I think?
- Monkey maker you win 😂😂😳
In simple terms - 'no one has found it yet'
Some statistics:
- 147 official DNFs (I know there have been HEAPS more not logged)
- 39 Write note (all sorts of conspiracies and records about this cache)
- 11 Owner maintenance (most recent 14/8/26 so we know it's there)
- 4 Post reviewer note (keeping MM honest since 2016)
- about a billion frustrated geocachers (I made this one up)
Some leading theories:
- It's not a rock
- it is a rock
- it's on a string
- Covered hole in the concrete
- end of a long PVC pipe
- flat between the pylons
- it's at the top and the bottom simultaneously
- Parallel universe
Recognising that there will be a lot of interest in this event but limited space at GZ, I'm planning the release of an Adventure Lab and at least three new geocache in the area. It means some of us can focus on Rocket while others enjoy the surrounds. All who sign the logs on the day can claim FTFs for these cache. I don't want twenty people surrounding Rocket GZ!
IF Rocket is found, the actual finder is entitled to the first online log then all event attendees can claim a joint FTF. I have cleared this with Monkey Maker. Means we all get to log an FTF even if we are in the park. Makes it fair and gives an extra incentive to attend. Must be an attendee at the event for this to apply!
The meeting point is the Rotunda at Takasu Gardens for some giveaways and other incentives. Please bring a small plate to share.
On a practical note, I know there's been a problem with rocks being strewn on the footpath so please be mindful at the conclusion of your search to return everything as it was found. Maximum six people at any one time searching for Rocket. Please bring a high vis covering for your turn on Rocket watch.
At the end of the day it's just a good excuse for us all to gather, have a few laughs, talk about geocaching and find some new cache. I hope we find Rocket but if we don't we can have an 11th anniversary event in 2027.
I AM GUR