/ Derek H /

NOPE. – Arachnophobia (GC2XHEQ) – Geocache of the Week

ACK! THIS IS MY NIGHTMARE. Photo by monkeymoo5
ACK! THIS IS MY NIGHTMARE. Photo by monkeymoo5

Geocache Name:

Arachnophobia (GC2XHEQ)

 

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2/1

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Some geocaches make us face our fears. For the acrophobic, a tree climbing geocache is a test. For hydrophobics, paddle caches are terrifying. For arachnophobics, like me, this geocache is a big fat NOPE. However, just looking at the logs and photos shows that plenty of geocachers aren’t afraid and are even elated to see a gigantic arachnid coming down from a tree. The furry spider looks pretty friendly, so I’d probably conquer my fear and give it a shot.

 

What geocachers are saying:

“Jeepers had to drag me to this cache! I gave in pretty quickly, actually, when he looked in the car window with a big grin on his face. That was fun! Fave point! SL TFTC!” – jeeperspeepers

“This was a great cache, especially the day after Halloween. This is one of the best caches that I have ever seen. Thank you for the creativity. This gets my first Favorite Point!” – barefootfamily

“Pulled up and almost immediately spotted this awesome cache. We both laughed with delight (as did a few muggles passing by, who seemed to think we were getting an early start on Halloween) Very clever! Gets a favorite point from me.” – twofalls

 

What the Geocache owner, fobofobic, has to say:

“Many years ago in my neighborhood, somewhere around Halloween time, somebody placed a big black hairy spider on the post of a stop sign. I would drive by it numerous times a day and it always brought a smile to my face…When it was time to hide my first geocache, I remembered that silly spider. The idea rolled around in my head for quite some time before I came up with the final idea of where and how to place the geocache.

The feedback that I received from the logs has been humbling. I particularly enjoy hearing about families that have stopped and found it. Because the location is not far from where I live, I am able to drive by and check on her frequently. This has also given me several opportunities to meet other geocachers that I have spotted searching for it. I have to admit that I get many smiles from logs and photos, and the favorite points gives me a warm feeling inside.
I’d like to thank the cachers who have left logs on this geocache. Their kind words have encouraged me to continue to try to hide unique geocaches. Also, a big thank you to some of the local cachers that have gone above and beyond with their creativity, their ambitious caches continue to inspire me. To the geocaching community, all of the volunteers and those cachers that truly try to make the sport more interesting, I have the at utmost gratitude and respect for you. It continues to amaze me how many wonderful people there are in the sport. Geocachers are truly a unique bunch of folks, with huge hearts and quick smiles. Thank you all, for everything you’ve given me.”

 

Photos:

Two brave geocachers with the spider. Photo by oceansurf182
Two brave geocachers with the spider. Photo by oceansurf182
The beast coming down from its lair. Photo by HockeyHiker19
The beast coming down from its lair. Photo by HockeyHiker19
How you release the beast. Photo by Joe-n-Jane
How you release the beast. Photo by Joe-n-Jane

 

What’s your biggest geocaching fear? Tell us and post photos in the comments.

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog. If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, just fill out this form. Thanks!

Derek H