Background
what3words was started in July 2013 as a way to map the entire globe by dividing it in to 3m x 3m squares, and giving each one a unique name. There are 57 trillion such squares, each with its own address which can be communicated quickly, easily, and with no ambiguity. Using words means that non-technical people can accurately find any location and communicate it more easily than any other system. It also means that people living in places where they have no postal address, now have a real and findable address. Take a look at this TED Talk (all links open in a new window) about it, by one of the founders, Chris Sheldrick. It's only 5 minutes and 18 seconds long, and absolutely fascinating!
The Cache
All of the caches, barring the final one, are in pill bottles, like this:
This is a 17-point cache designed to take you to the suburbs of Porirua City. In each suburb listed below, you will find one waypoint cache. Please do NOT take the cache clue or container with you! You will need a pen and notebook with you, to write down the details of the next waypoint: the suburb you are headed for, the what3words coordinates, and the hint. The final waypoint, and logbook, is in Whitby. If you prefer, here is a handy sheet for you to print out, with all the suburbs listed, and the approximate distance to the next waypoint. Please do note that the entire series is about 112.6 kms long. The distances were calculated using the closest street address, and then having Google Maps calculate the shortest driving route between the waypoints.
In order, here are the suburbs which you will be visiting:
- Aotea
- Ascot Park
- Camborne
- Cannons Creek
- Elsdon
- Judgeford
- Mana
- Papakōwhai
- Paremata
- Pāuatahanui
- Plimmerton
- Pukerua Bay
- Rānui
- Takapūwāhia
- Titahi Bay
- Waitangirua
- Whitby
Solving The what3words Addresses
Sample Clue
The first clue takes you to the first cache container in Aotea. If Aotea had been a waypoint, then it would have had the hint card shown above. In the clue in Aotea, you will find the next three words, and the hint. Then it's off to Ascot Park you go, to find the clue which will then send you to Camborne, and so on. The final hide, with the logbook to sign, is hidden in Whitby. Please note that all the clues will be in pill containers, but some of them are quite sneakily hidden. We've tried our best to get as close as possible to the actual location of the hides, with the what3words location, but some of them may be a few metres off. Use the hint and your natural Geocacher's brain thinking "If I were to hide a cache, where would I put it?" to find the next waypoint.
In Whitby you will be looking for a 300 ml Sistema semi-camouflaged container. In it you will find the log book (obviously) and some swag which, at the initial cache placement, was the following: 3 dice, a smiley face magnet, a metal pencil sharpener, a key tag, a small post-it note block, 2 strong magnets (size of a $2 coin, maybe useful for your next hide?), and a foil kiwi made by the geo-offspring.
A Note About Using what3words And Google Maps
This is particularly pertinent for the Pauatahanui waypoint (use the hint for that one). In general we have found that the what3words and Google Maps actually align pretty much perfectly. One thing that we have noticed is that the roads seem to be not entirely in the correct place in some areas, and they don't line up with the satellite imagery, so do make liberal use of using satellite mode.
Reminder
Please take a pen and paper with you, to write down the what3words locations as you go. Please do NOT take the clue with you as you will break the puzzle!
Tools You May Find Handy
Like pretty much every modern system these days, what3words has a smartphone app. For Android users, go here and for iPhone users, go here. The company itself has a help page for the app, which you can find here. It's a good idea to download the app and get used to using it, before setting off on this cache trail. If you want to find the GPS coordinates for a what3words address, one useful website for this is Geocaching Toolbox.
A Request
If you encounter difficulty finding any of them, or suspect that a waypoint clue has been muggled, please DO NOT HESITATE to get in touch. This is a long multi, and it is in no-one's interest for it to get broken.
A Special Note About the Plimmerton Waypoint
For your safety, please try to approach this waypoint from SH1, ie. from the ENE. It will be a lot easier to park and you can turn around there, to head back out to Pukerua Bay.
Please note that some of the hiding areas are in VERY high muggle areas, so do use stealth and caution when retrieving the waypoint hides and noting down the next set of what3words and the hint, before replacing the waypoint hide where you found it, and ensuring it is properly hidden. Thank you!
Happy hunting!