GC3GT34 The Longest one in SA (Traditional Cache) in Eastern Cape, South Africa created by whitepuff

This cache has been archived.

Knagur Green: Due to no response from the CO after the request to maintain or replace the cache, I am archiving it to, stop it showing on the listings and/or to create place for the geocaching community.

The Geocache Maintenance guideline explains a CO's responsibility towards checking and maintaining the cache when problems are reported.

Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival. This is explained in the Help Center

If the CO feels that this cache has been archived in error please feel free to contact me within 30 days, via email or message via my profile ,quoting the GC number concerned

Thank you for understanding

Knagur Green
Groundspeak Volunteer Reviewer

GC3GT34 ▼

A cache by whitepuff Message this owner

Hidden : 4/7/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The longest Bridge in South Africa

One of the undiscovered wonders of the Free State, and engineering marvels of South Africa is the D.H. Steyn Bridge or Hennie Steyn Bridge near Buthulie. The bridge is a combined road and rail bridge which spans the Orange River just outside Bethulie. It is 1,152Km (1260yds) long, and 51,5m high and thereby the longest bridge in South Africa. The Bridge is a beautiful arched bridge near the town, spanning the Orange River at Bethulie, connecting the Free State with the Eastern Cape. Its around 30 km form the N1 highway and therefore very little people know about this impressive structure crossing a part of the Gariep dam. From the N1, one needs to pass through Buthulie on your way to this cache and this will expose you to the simple karoo life and small farmers town of Bethulie.

Southwest of Bethulie is the Gariep Dam (also known as the former Hendrik Verwoerd Dam), an artificial lake over 100km (62miles) long, with an area of 374sq.km (44sq.miles), which was built in 1971 by the damming of the Orange River. The fourth largest artificial lake in Africa, with a dam wall 90m (300ft) high and a maximum capacity of 5958 million cubic meters (1314 billion gallons), it is part of the Orange River Project, a large and complex irrigation scheme for the distribution of water from the river. In 1975 the 82.5km (51mile) long Orange River Fish Tunnel was opened. The world's longest water tunnel, with a diameter of 5.35m/17.5ft, it conveys water from the Gariep Dam into the valley of the Fish River and thus ensures an adequate water supply for Port Elizabeth.

The cache is hidden on the bridge and there is ample parking on the bridge as its very wide and you can drive up to right next to the cache. Also take a minute to appreciate the splendid view of the dam and the surroundings. FTF honors goes to Skillie&Krappie

Note that the GPS accuracy on the day of hiding the cache was +-3m so remember to use the hint to find the cache. A thin tool like a piece of wire will help retrieving the container.

Small note on cache maintenance: There is a local cache guardian. Name and contact info on file with geocaching.com.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

va n fznyy ubyr haqre gjb przrag fynof

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)