Edeowie Gorge Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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*This cache is listed under the name of RIPIRP16, however, mrnoo17 was with RIPIRP16 on the day of placement. If you have any queries please email mrnoo17.*
This has to be one of the most beautiful spots in SA (although I haven't seen it all yet!) an will take a little effort to get into here. There are two MAIN ways into this. The easiest I would suggest (the 4.5 terrain approach) will be from Edeowie station. This is located on the road between Parachilna and Hawker. There is a large sign (I have included a photo) as they run a BnB type of thing and are used to people coming through their property to get to Edeowie Gorge. Just wander in and ask if you can go through to Edeowie gorge. 99/100 they will say yes and will give you some further directions on how to get to the beginning of the walk. However, it is best that you have a SUV/4wd as there is a 8km track between the homestead and the beginning of the walk. This track can get a little rough from time to time, but if you are used to taking your 2wd into places that are a little difficult (like we did for many years!) just take it slowly. I highly recommend this as a winter walk, mainly because this is the rainy season and the creek is 10 times better when there is water going down the falls and pools to (skinny) dip in. [On a side note when we came here in july 2013 it was the first NORMAL rainfall that this area has had since 1995 according to the owners of Edeowie Station. Lets home that there is more 'normal' winter rains in the years to come!] Also the days are cooler of course, but just watch that you don't leave any later than 9:00am if you are travelling in the area. If you are coming in from Wilpena (the other popular option), it really is 5 star terrain or difficulty as you will need overnight gear to get in and out of here, along with a map too. There is no map required if you come in from Edeowie Station. Here is a list of things to bring if you come from Edeowie Station:
Daypack
Lunch
2-3litres of water (we drank the creek water as it was flowing at the time but you can not rely on this)
good walking shoes
gps
CAMERA
Torch (there are a couple of caves to explore and good if you need to come back in the dark)
A buddy (fairly stupid to travel alone in places like this)
Sat phone (if you have one)
First Aid kit( Although a crepe bandage will probably be the thing you need the most, with lots of rocks to roll your ankle on when you come here)
When you start out your walk MARK YOUR CAR ON THE GPS!!! we made this stupid mistake and it nearly turned quite nasty as it was just on dark when we got back to the car. Also a good idea to mark where the first trail joins the creek (you will know what I mean when you are there.) This will save lots of worries and nail-biting! When coming from Edeowie Station there will be a fair bit of walking until you get to the first waterfall. This looks intimidating to get up but there is actually a fairly easy way to get around it. When facing the falls, follow the hill on the right up about 50 odd meters until you are level with the top of the lower tier of these falls (the lower teir is the big drop and the upper tier is the little drop). Follow the contour around to a spot where there is a very easy but exposed ledge with limited but useful handholds. This will take you to what we dubbed the ‘Bunyips Bathtub’ which I would say will most winters have a little water in it. From here go to the left of the top tier of the falls and follow the small gully up to the top of the falls. Then continue walking to the next falls. This next set is where the cache will be.
Ok now for the actual cache itself. It is sitting high above the falls with a great view. It is a 200ml sistema (sorry about the small size, I must bring an amo tin in here next time) under some rocks. To get to the top of these falls, walk a little further up the hill and there is a ledge that runs a little up from the level of the falls.
Remember to stay safe, post lots of pictures of this amazing spot.
Happy Caching!
*Update 7/7/3014:* After almost a whole year, there has been just one well... almost visit. When we walked up here we came from the homestead. This way is proven to work and much shorter. Also this way displays most of the best parts of the gorge. I believe that coming from the top is also possible as on our trip, dad and I walked past where we put the cache and got past the ledge and up stream of the falls in the images.
I have now added two extra images. One reveals the location of the cache, the other is a photo of a great pool we found a little further downstream.
**Further Update 16/7/2014** I still am maintaining a 4.5 terrain. We managed without ropes, however, it is your choice whether you bring them or not.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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