Earth Sandwich (Manawatu) Traditional Geocache
Team Maynard: This cache had a very good run but blackberry and the elements have caught up with it.
Earth Sandwich (Manawatu)
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A fiction-inspired cache in a remote location.
This cache is based on the novel "Generation A" by Douglas Coupland.
In this book, the location "-40.4083 176.3204" is mentioned specifically. Please note that this does *not* correspond to the location of this cache - more on that below - and also please note that while the author did a lot of his research for this book online, he clearly didn't head out to this exact spot to check the co-ordinates.
I think Mr Coupland used the Satellite View of Google Maps, plus the "Earth Sandwich" site (which you can look up and play with for yourself) to do his research.
The exact spot that the co-ordinates refer to is actually down a bank and on private land. You could get there either by climbing over the electric fence and clambering down the bank, or driving down the little access road and going through the closed gate.
DO NOT DO EITHER OF THESE THINGS, the cache is not there - it's on public land this side of the electric fence.
However, I think that the spot where you're probably going to park your car is the spot where Sam was supposed to be in the novel.
For me, this cache gives a fascinating insight into the process of researching and writing a book, the mind boggling accuracy of GPS and satellite imagery, and the people-connecting power of the internet.
I hope you enjoy those things, and the beautiful location as well.
When originally placed on 17/10/09, this cache was a medium sized watertight plastic Sistema container in a camo bag and contained:
-Logbook and pen
-Empty asthma inhaler
-One of those little plastic clips that does up the top of a bread bag.
Please keep the swap items consistent with the Generation A theme.
Notes to think about if you've read the book:
-There's still no cell coverage out there as of Jan 2016.
-How long will it take before there is a cache at 40.4083 -3.6796?
*Update 3 January 2013* Alfonso y Rosa ( (visit link) ) have hidden the other half of the sandwich.
Their listing is here: GC43NAF ( (visit link) ).
*Update 10/1/2016* I went back and had a look at the cache today for the first time in six years and couldn't believe how much it had changed. The landmarks are all still there but the trees are way bigger and unfortunately there is a whole lot of blackberry now. I've updated the D/T ratings to reflect this.
The cache itself is fine and exactly where it should be, but you might want gloves and a slasher.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng gur onfr bs gur ynetrfg cvar gerr, nobhg 2z sebz gur srapr.