Canso Crash Cache Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

CalamityCanine: This cache has now been archived, much to my sadness. It is a great spot that Parks Canada does not want us to visit as it does not fit into the official trail system.

It would appear that the unofficial trail to this 60 year old piece of Canadian History is not meant to be used by people. The Geocache here has caused a stir, not because of the number of visitors it brought to the areea (very small), but because of visitors not properly prepared for the 45 minute walk.

Our of respect for the wishes of Parks Canada I have removed the Geocache, effective last Sunday, August 15th. That being said, if you are at all curious about hunting for air plane wreck sites this one is rather amazing to visit.

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Hidden : 9/27/2003
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Cache site is a well visited aircraft crash site of historical note.

On February 8th, 1945 a Canso Flying boat took off from the Tofino airport. As it was ascending the aircraft lost power in its port engine. The pilots made efforts to stabilize the aircraft, but without the use of both engines the aircraft went down, stalling just before impact.

The plane came to rest on a slope at the bottom of a small hill. Twelve people aboard. Twelve people survived. The aircraft has remained in its crash position for almost 59 years. The area it now sits in falls within the Pacific Rim Park. The aircraft is in surprisingly good condition.

The trailhead coordinates are as follows:
N 49.05.327 W 125.49.287

You will find an old communications/radio building at the coordinates below. Do not enter this building as it is contaminated with lead and asbestos.
N 49.05.091 W 125.49.207

You may wish to take note of a large bomb crater as you walk to the crash site:
N49.04.741 W125.49.268

The crash site itself is well visited.

This hike is not meant to be a hunt, but rather to take you to a piece of history. The aircraft has been graffittied over time. Please avoid disturbing the wreck. Do not take souvenirs - it is completely illegal.

The trail is a nice walk in, with a time of between 30 and 60 minutes needed. I would highly recommend rubber boots. Do not leave the trail to avoid water and mud holes; there is talk of removing permission to visit this site if the trail keeps widening. Follow the trail tape. When we set the cache there had been two weeks with no rain and we still encountered mud well above the ankle, if not close to the knee. You may wish to have the GPS on and follow your track log on the way out - the swampy area looks totally different in reverse.

Parking will be a problem. I would recommend getting a ride to the trailhead as there is no parking at the trailhead itself. The other option is to park at the parking area on the road to Radar Hill, near the highway. It is $10.00 a day in the summer, free in the deep winter.

I have visited several other aircraft crash sites in BC and this is tied for the most spectacular and memorable. The nice thing about this one is no one lost their life in this crash, though a few ended up pretty banged up.

Have fun and remember your camera!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur pnpur vf uvqqra ng gur ebbg bs n ynetr Prqne gerr. Vs lbh ner fgnaqvat orybj gur cynar, ba gur evtug fvqr bs vg, lbh jvyy frr n Prqne ng nobhg gur fnzr ryringvba nf gur evtug jvat. Ybbx ng gur onfr bs guvf gerr ba gur bccbfvgr fvqr sebz gur cynar. Va n ubyr va gur ebbgf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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