The Bombing Range (Auckland) Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

funkymunkyzone: A maintenance run up Muriwai has revealed the unfortunate truth that despite little change to the coastline over the first 3.5 years of this cache's existence, some time in the past 12 months the sea has taken about 20m of dunes, including this cache. Our apologies to the owners of the trackables that were lost with this cache - it just could not be forseen.

A new cache "The Bombing Range II" has been hidden, replacing this cache, but in a position further inland.

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Hidden : 6/30/2007
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
5 out of 5

Size: Size: large (large)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is located about 6km South of the Kaipara Bombing Range at the northern end of Muriwai Beach.

The Kaipara Bombing Range at the top of Muriwai Beach is used by the New Zealand Defence Force for training and testing of munitions and equipment. Seeking this cache will NOT take you into, or even particularly close to the restricted area (about 6kms further up the beach). You should not visit the actual bombing range, for obvious reasons.

Prior to placement of this cache, the NZDF used the range as recently as early May 2007, when they were training in the use of their P3-K Orion aircraft for bombing runs. 18 practice bombs and six MK-82 depth bombs were dropped. The skills the pilots and aircrew learn in these exercises are also transferable to use of torpedos from the same aircraft.
You will need a 4WD or off-road motorbike/ATV of some sort to get to this cache as it is located about 21.5 kms North up the beach from the Rimmer Rd beach access point, or 37.5 kms up the beach from the southern access point next to the golf course.

DO NOT attempt this cache in a 2WD car, and DO NOT go near or enter the restricted area. Also, please DO NOT drive or ride into the dunes.

Some clambering up a steep sand bank will be required in order to reach the cache, but the cache (a 20L cammo painted bucket) is not very hidden in order to make the cache easy to locate once you have made the journey up the beach. The coordinates for the cache have an estimated accuracy of 2.0m.
The last 15kms (or so) of the beach, approaching the cache from the South, has cliff-like sand dunes where high-tide comes right up to the base, so you need to make sure you have time to get back down the beach before the tide comes in. If you aim to head for this cache an hour or two before low-tide then you should have plenty of time.

Somewhere north of Rimmer Rd, you will lose cell phone reception so please let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to be back. Also be very careful driving on the beach and be courteous to all other beach users (mainly fishermen and motorcyclists up this end of the beach).
Entrance to the beach can be made near the Muriwai golf course (37.5 kms to the cache) at S 36 48.697 E 174 25.237, or from Rimmer Rd (21.5 kms to the cache) at S 36 40.846 E 174 20.020. Access to the beach from Rimmer Rd is for serious 4WD's only, and is open from 7am to 8pm each day.

Most of the way along the beach you should be able to travel at around 70-80 kph, but please drive to the conditions and within your abilities and the capabilities of your vehicle - we really don't want anyone to hurt themselves hunting this cache. Please slow down when passing other beach users, and be very careful turning on the sand, especially when moving from the hard wet sand to the softer sand further up the beach as your front wheels can dig in and flip your vehicle.
Happy caching!

FTF!!! glyn(the only one) + KiwiGary

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre n cvar gerr ng gur gbc bs gur qharf.

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)


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