2018-05-09 -36 174

From Geohashing
Wed 9 May 2018 in -36,174:
-36.7327959, 174.5603556
geohashing.info google osm bing/os kml crox


Location

Mountain Bike Track, Riverhead Forest, Auckland

Participants

Plans

Noticed that today's Geohash was in the Riverhead Forest, so, having the day off work, I decided to take my Mountain Bike to Riverhead Forest to find the hash before 4pm. Plan is to cycle along what google maps calls "Strip Rd", and then onto "Forestry Rd" which should take me close to the hash point.

Expedition

Drove there and parked at the entrance to the forest, at what google maps calls Strip Rd at about 3:20pm. Carried my bike over some fallen pine trees at the entrance, that have come down in the big strom we had last month. There were a lot of fallen branches partially blocking many of the tracks and trails as I progressed.

Cycled along "Strip Rd", and then turned right into "Forestry Rd". Large gravel laid in places, and muddy puddles in others, and a forgotten cycle-helmet, meant I was quite cautious with my riding. Passed several sets of beehives. Passed the closest point to the hash, so had to back-track to it. It was right where a Mountain Bike Track finished, so headed up that to the Hash Point, which was beside the track.

Arrived at the Hash Point at about 3:40pm. Built an "XKCD - The Internet Was Here" out of fallen pine tree branches and took photos in each direction. Had a drink and a muesli bar. Left the Hash Point at about 4:10pm.

Headed up the Mountain Bike track which came out onto Strip Rd, for an easier ride back. Tried to ride around the southern side of the fallen trees, but couldn't get all the way. Carried the bike over trees and past pools of muddy water. Noticed that my bicycle pump was gone, left my bike, and retraced my steps looking for it. Got back out to Strip Rd, so took the northern route past the fallen pines which was easier than I remembered from coming in, and was much easier than where I ended up with the bike. Bush-crashed back through to my trail, and on to the bike, and then got it out, back to the car. Headed back in for another look for the pump to no avail. Then I remembered taking a photo of the bike in the middle of the fallen trees, so I checked that, and the pump is visible in the photo, so I definitely lost in it that last 30m. Scoured it backwards and forwards twice over without finding it. Decided to give up, and head back out the way I had bush-crashed in, and found it lying on the ground there. I had obviously had a quick look at that route with the bike originally, but given up and went the other way. Pleased to have found it, I headed home.

Photos