On Thursday 27th Oct I teamed up with Big Matt and Farmer-Frentzen to tackle The Final Cut. This cache sits at the bottom of a 100m cliff at Diamond Bay, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Getting to the cache is the tricky part and on 2 previous occasions I’ve had to abort my attempt due to various factors. Today however, with the tides right and the weather on our side we headed towards GZ.
As we approached the waters edge the towering cliffs and roar of the waves certainly plays tricks on your mind. Then you lay eyes on the infamous ladder that must be scaled to continue your journey. Normally this wouldn’t bother too many but the ladder stops a few rungs short and the decaying safety lines do little to put your mind at rest. Big Matt was the first up the ladder, which suited us as he was our heaviest member. We were soon all up the ladder and traversing the narrow fisherman’s path towards GZ. This old trail has seen better days and in parts little remains to be seen.
Arriving at GZ we searched in earnest for the cache but for a while the prize alluded us, that was until a keen eye spied this strange container. After completing the log requirements we headed back along the fisherman’s path. The roar and crashing waves were a constant reminded of how fierce Mother Nature can be.
Negotiating the narrow ledge and rickety ladder seemed much easier on our return and we were soon at the base of the cliffs with only the gorge to climb out. Back on top we rejoiced in our feat with a few more photos of the surrounding cliffs.
On Friday 28th Oct I set off in search of the Lost World cache. This cache had been on my to-do list for some time now as it filled a hole on my well-rounded cacher matrix.
Camping at Martins Lookout overnight I set off early in the morning hoping to complete most of the walk before the heat of the day had time to impact on the area. Not far from the car I got my first glimpse of the task ahead, a 200m descent/ascent across a valley to a white cross that sits prominently on the neighbouring cliff. A well-defined walking trail leads you down into the steep valley where pockets of fog covered the way. Reaching the bottom, rock cairns and signposts ensure your path. Crossing Glenbrook Ck was a breath of fresh as the noise of birds and running water filled the air.
From the creek crossing it was straight up a steep spur, but once again a well-defined track was easily followed and at numerous spots I stopped to take photos of the morning sun filling the valley. While the vista was amazing a constant drone from the western highway was a reminder that civilisation wasn’t too far away.
Once on top I was soon arriving at Bunyan Lookout where some breathtaking views of the sun glistening city and my surrounding area were soaked up. With still a kilometre to go it was back into the bush and onwards to the Lost World. As you near the destination an old signpost ensures the route and minutes later I popped out at another lookout where the white memorial cross sits high above the valley floor. From here the cache was soon in hand. I took the opportunity to sit at the cliff edge while completing the log.
As much as I would have liked to remain at the vantage point I had to get back. My return route was a much more direct as I cut off a good kilometre of the walk by heading off track and down the nearby spur. Keeping an on the map I was soon re-joining the track close to the creek crossing. By now the sun had filled the valley and a warm uphill walk back to the car was ahead of me. Some 2½ hours after starting I was back at the car.
In the space of two days I had been rewarded with two of Sydney’s better caches. Thanks to my caching buddies and the cache owners.
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