I've been off-roading for about 30 something years so decided it
would be appropriate for my first cache to relate to something I
really enjoy. So it's in an area I like to camp in, and it's theme
is off-roading/camping.
The cache is seeded with a variety of 4WD vehicles (toy, not
real), a small sewing kit, a vehicle emergency escape tool, a knife
sharpener, a headband to hold a small Maglight, and a travel bug.
It draws it's name from the Land Rover travel bug I left, a
Matchbox "Forest Rescue" Land Rover Discovery.
I've rated the difficulty a 3. Hopefully that's close, if you
think otherwise, let me know and I'll consider changing it. Terrain
is a 4.5 because you will definately want high ground clearance
(like a PU) and in wet weather you'll most likely want 4WD. If
you're a novice off-roader, I suggest going with another
vehicle.
There are several ways to get to the first stage and depending on
which you take, you will need to turn around on a narrow forest
road. You'll not want a very long wheelbase, or you will have to
continue on a very rough road to find a better turn around spot
(I've no idea how far that might be). My Discovery made the u-turn
with no problem, but make yours at your own risk.
The cache itself is made from 6" PVC pipe about 18" long. Two of
the stages are made from 2" PVC pipe about 3" long. Please orient
them with the plug at the lowest point when replacing, to help stay
dry. You won't need to leave the road for stages 1 or 2. For each
stage I took 3-5 readings and averaged them.
June 3, 2006 -- I finally made it
out to check on this and everything was in place except Stage One
which is MIA, so I replaced it with another, a bit further along
the road. It's a 2" PVC pipe cap with threaded plug.
December 15, 2006 -- Remember with
this, and all 4WD caches, tread
lightly.
When I was inspecting my cache recently I saw where people had made
a detour around a mud hole, cutting a new trail. I know many others
use these forest service roads besides geocachers, but we, at
least, should abide by the tread lightly ideals. We don't want the
Forest Service closing these trails, which they have already done
in some areas nearby.
That said, I'm upping the terrain to a 5 because it REQUIRES 4WD and high ground clearance. And even with
that, do not attempt it unless you are prepared to hike, or ford
water up to 20" deep and deep mud (meaning don't do it alone, or
have good recovery gear). By following these guidelines you won't
be tempted, as others have been, to bypass obstacles and make new
trails for fear of getting stuck.