Sunday 20 Feb 11 – Geocaching on Wireless Ridge, Stanley

Uranus

The caches are hidden within the route that forms part of the Planet Sculpture walk. This is a scale replica of the planets in the solar system and starts at the Sun in Stanley, heading out towards Mt Tumbledown and then returns along Wireless Ridge and Moody Brook. It seemed like a reasonable walk from the route card, besides the sun was shining and I was sure my three amigos would be up for a spot of geocaching. When we parked up at Moody Brook the wind wasn’t as obvious as we would find it along the ridge! The first cache was under a mile away and our climb on to Wireless Ridge was fairly effortless. The easy spot was the planet Uranus which stood out obviously from the surrounding rocks. 

Neptune

We were looking for a cache hidden in a crevasse – but from the scenery where do you start?! The cache was located and we duly signed the log book. On to the next one… Neptune. Remember I said it was windy? The wind blowing along and across the ridge was cruel! We tried walking on the higher ground where the terrain seemed flatter but we were getting sandblasted! Where was the sand coming from??? The GPS didn’t seemed bothered by the rocks and we were so busy looking at the view and jawing that we almost walked past the planet Neptune. 

This one less obvious in its position in front of a jaggy crop of rocks. Cache retrieved and log book duly signed we dropped off the ridge for shelter from the wind as we headed off to find Pluto. The GPS was pointing over to Mt Tumbledown but when we reached the old road we decided to quit. We were still a mile away from the cache, with an uphill hike and a minefield to walk around. Pluto will have to wait until I do the Mt Tumbledown battlefield tour! And my three amigos? One geocaching convert and all three enjoyed the walk. I’d call that a success!!