Wander back in time Multi-cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This multi will take you on an easy walk along a beautiful valley in the mountains south of Canberra. Don't be discouraged by the walk, or the distance from Canberra - I hope that it might tempt some cachers out here for the first time. I brought our daughter out here as a toddler when I spent weekends working as a volunteer on one the old structures out here, and we've been here many times on a walk, a ride or on working bees with Kosciuszko Huts Association.
This walk will take you to several historic sites, including a rustic stockman's hut and a homestead restored by KHA (visit link) (KHA was established in 1971 to protect the ageing huts of the NSW high country, and in 1990 we expanded to include ACT historic huts also.)
The walk is about 4.5km each way, with mild elevation change. You are looking for numbers at the two buildings, and a third waypoint before the GZ, where a small sistema container will give you some clues.
Your first stop will be Westerman's homestead which we first visted in the very late 1980s when it was a sad wreck indeed. Further up the valley is Waterhole hut, which is aptly named. When we first walked in here we found a big puddle inside, and drainage behind the hut remains a problem, especially in this wet spring of 2010.
Beyond Waterhole is a very quaint stand of rough bush yards, constructed of drop logs propped up with a large rock. Worth a look!
Now for the numbers. You will find 10 numbers, one of them a two digit number.
At Westermans homestead, WP2:
A = the number of rooms including the sleepout
B = the number of chimneys
C = the number of rows of bricks on the top of the taller chimney
D = the number of window panes in the main room
At Waterhole Hut, the third WP:
E = how many verandah posts (full posts across the front) ?
F= the number of planks laid side by side to make the door
G = how many rainwater tanks?
To calculate WP5:
35 deg AB. D(G+E)
148 deg A(C+G). (F-F)(F+B)(C-E)
From this container you will get some more numbers:
H = Blue
I = Orange
J = white
To calculate GZ:
35 deg A (J-C) . EG(G+H+I)
148 deg A(C+G) . H(B+I) (F-C)
If either of your calculations takes you well off the main track, then try them again. Checksums are 22,37 for the WP and 27,35 for GZ.
As with all excursions into the mountains, do not come unprepared. It can be hot walking in the summer and you will need a hat and water as the very minimum. This valley can be cold in winter, and I never leave for a trip into the mountains without a jumper - whatever the season.
Thank you to Sol de Lune for his company on the morning we placed the cache (he will log after the FTF). And a sincere thanks to Mtbikeroz who has kindly left this valley for me to place a cache around these huts (even though it has taken me a long time to complete it!)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
JC - nzbatfg ebpxf
TM- jurer ryfr, nzbatfg ebpxf