Geocache Maintenance

17 January, 2010 03:24

Yesterday, January 16th, 2010, I performed maintenance on one of my Geocaching hides.  Here is the maintenance note I posted for GC1GJYH.

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The cache container has been replaced with a more appropriate container, of the same size, that will allow the placement to be permanent without destruction for many of days. Surprisingly the original container was in perfect shape, as was the log book. Here is a short summary of my trek to perform maintenance, after over a year, and why I decided to replace the container no matter what the shape the original was in.

Summer is not winter. A wise brain once said to me once after an Owner Maintenance. I decided to take the long route and found myself trudging through 1 1/2 to 3 foot snow drifts to get to the location. I expect for some occasions, or many occasions, this cache may provide the same effort or more on your part, Winter & Summer.

So, after about 45 minutes of hiking, I arrived at the location. I found the cache in perfect shape, and it was placed appropriately by the last person whom found it.

In order to get to the cache, I took off my shoes, socks, and upped my pants; remind you this was 25F degree weather in the dead of Winter. I knew after crossing I would have to dry myself and re-establish my gear no more than 15 to 20 seconds after crossing some, umm, so called wet forest land - happened to be over the waist deep in the shallowest part.

After such a superior sensation, I made darn sure I was going to replace the container no matter what. I quickly warmed up and retrieved the cache and its contents.

Coming back is a different story. I was not about to go through a polar plunge once again, so I thought hard about what might be stable crossing.

Yes, you may have different views of what is safe and appropriate, but mind you I came VERY prepared, else I would have used the GMRS radio for my buddy in the car to come rescue me (you don't want that embarrassment do you?), and here is why:

Deciding to take another route across the wet land I had originally passed in my first route, I found myself soaked well over my waist line.

I knew something like this might happen, and I hope all Geocachers may be prepared for the same. I knew I didn't have much time until hypothermia, and I did feel it come fast, so I unpacked my spare clothing: pants, socks, and shirt. The shoes were water proof and held very tight, but by the time I started heading back, the top water soaked part of the socks quickly ran into the boots. In such a case you want to wiggle and hike like their is no tomorrow to re-generate warmth in your body.

So the conclusion, this is NOT A WINTER FRIENDLY CACHE, though IT IS POSSIBLE IF YOU DARE! ...the story is a lot longer, but I will leave that to your imagination...

The old log will be scanned in a computer picture format and placed on a website. I will put the URL (link) in the description space when this is done. HAVE A BLAST, I did.. I would do it again any time!

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HOWTO: Remove Tree Sap

28 September, 2009 11:21

The PodCacher Podcast had a caller to the show with a tip on how to remove tree sap from your hands or arms and I must pass this along.

The solution is nothing more than hand sanitizer!  It is a cheap, simple and effective way to remove tree sap from your hands after climbing to the top of the plant for your 5/5 Geocache.  You just need to use a moderate amount of the sanitizer, and the stick of the sap will disperse.

Thank you PodCacher Podcast, and your caller!

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The Ultimate Geocaching Writing Tool

07 September, 2009 19:32

I am always listening to stories of a long trek in the woods to only find the cache while not being able to sign the log because your pen is malfunctioning, the log book is wet, or the writing tool broke.  My solution and suggested purchase investement is the Zebra F-301 Ultra.

Product Description: Soft rubber Zebra grip provides the ultimate in writing comfort. Water-resistant ink won`t smear or bleed, keeping your documents safe. - [source]

Do not mix up the Zebra series of this pen.  Their is a Zebra F-301, which is not ultra, in which I have found will break in your pocket within two or three Geocache hunts.  The ultra is completely metal and will withstand the strain of a climb up a tree.

As the product description describes, it is water resistant, it will not smear or bleed making it an easy task to sign that damp or wet log book.  Be cautious though, their are several replacement ink cartridges, most of them generic and cheap, that will turn this utencil into the standard standby mistaken bank pen grab.

You will not believe what I am about to point out in regards to this gem.  I purchased the Zebra Ultra in 2002 on my first day of starting college.  It has been with me in every class and has traveled the united states since.  How can this be, college and beyond?  I am amazed myself, and a friend of this pen.

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HOWTO: Make a Hanging Geocache Container

06 August, 2009 18:53

Most everyone has their own way of creating a container to hide as a Geocache.  Although no way is best, I will show here how I made a Cache container using a bottle, such as a vitamin container, or film canister, a bracket for a computer expansion slot (just take a short drive down your street and you are sure to find an old computer in the dump), and some duck tape touched up with green camouflage paint.

Here is what the computer bracket looks like.  It covers the slots on the back of your computer.

Next use a plyers to create a second 90 degree angle at the top end of the bracket.  Here is a before and after picture.

Now take the metal bracket and duct tape the flat surfaced end to the Cache container bottle of your choice securing it tightly to withstand nature's furry.  After the bracket is tightly secured, use green or black paint to make the Geocache hide camouflaged.

And their you go, you have a Geocache container you may hang from a tree or any other clever item you choose to place your Cache.  Here is a picture of the finished product.

Edited for comment:  I used a hot glue gun and applied it to the flush end of the bracket and secured it to the container before using duct tape.  I will assume if you apply the tape with great care and strength that this is not needed.  However, you never know the rigors that the cache may go through and this adds extra protection in the case the container was pulled on to retrieve it.

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Geo Journeys & Travel with its Vast Scenic Surroundings

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