The Saga of the Frozen Dozen Traditional Cache
Hidden : 2/1/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


The Saga of the Frozen Dozen

or

To the Walls of Jericho. And back.



Gather round as I tell a tale of two states, twelve people, low temperatures, and one heck of a good time. The adventure took place a mere seventeen days after the turn of the New Year. Twelve intrepid adventurers gathered shortly before nine on a frigidly cold morning.

  • Hoot Owl
  • Tiger130
  • Sniperchicken
  • bitbrain
  • lacey38655
  • one third of the endoriders
  • two thirds of nelms3
  • FamilyInFilm
  • CodeMission
  • Abiectio
  • and -boatman-

The group began their descent amidst shivers and chattering teeth. The temperature was barely into double digits at eleven degrees. Farenheit. Back and forth the Frozen Dozen followed the switchbacks of the trail ever downward towards the goal

As we travelled down the path we encountered many things. We even managed to capture on film a sighting of the ever elusive sniperchicken. It looks as if it might be his lair in the background.

After a few miles the terrain flattened out but the challenges did not cease. Instead the Frozen Dozen faced a challenge that could have had dire consequences on such a cold day. Water. Fortunately there was a way across already in place. Unfortunately it might not have been the most "level-headed" way of crossing.

After a short refueling break the Frozen Dozen continued on their trek. For a short while the terrain was pleasantly level.

As the group continued on they encountered another creek crossing. This one also had a method of crossing in place. It also had an endorider to point the way to the Dozen's goal.

Shortly after the Frozen Dozen made their second crossing they encountered two rest areas side by side. The first, a primative campsite, had some people camping. The second, well, let us just say it was a good thing that no one in the group had to use that site.

The trail continued on and despite the temperature cold was forgotten. Legs were already beginning to ache but the goal was drawing ever closer and the steps quickened.

Closer and closer they were with every stride they took. The Dozen just had to squeeze out just a bit more effort before reaching their goal.

One more creek crossing and the Frozen Dozen would be successful. This time though there was not a way to cross already in place. Tiger found one way across.

And Hoot Owl found another.

Success! The Walls of Jericho had been reached and found!

Despite achieving their goal the Frozen Dozen pressed on for there were more sights to see. Just a short distance upstream they came across an interesting mix of ice and water.

There had been suggestions that the Dozen needed to follow the river as far upstream as they could. Codemission and bitbrain checked into one possible path.

The path was quickly discarded as being too tight a fit.

A different path was needed so a different path was chosen for the Frozen Dozen felt compelled to keep moving forward.

Finally after much clambering and climbing the Dozen reached the end of their path. Nothing was left but to enjoy another moment of triumph before turning back.

Overcoming confusion as to where the trail out lay the Frozen Dozen began their trek towards home. Fighting bouts of sleet and snow they pressed onward and upward. Backs were hurting and legs were aching as the Frozen Dozen worked their way slowly back up the trail taking increasingly frequent rest stops.

Though the trail was long and challenging the Frozen Dozen, as they have come to be known, triumphed. They made it to the Walls of Jericho and back. They left nothing but footprints but took countless memories. It was truly a challenging and incredible experience.

The Frozen Dozen found eight of the ten caches in the Walls of Jericho area. Two of these hides were a focus of this cache page. They are The Walls of Jericho GCVG0G and Inside the Walls Earthcache GCZCG4. If you get the chance, go hunt these caches. While the hike is tiring the experience goes beyond words and pictures. It is truly amazing.

This hide is nowhere near as tough. The total hike should be somewhere between 2.5 and 3 miles depending on the route you choose. I would highly reccommend parking at the listed coords and following the trails back to the cache. While the views aren't as impressive as The Walls of Jericho they are still nice. You may even be fortunate enough to run into some wildlife. When I was in the area scouting this hide I ran across deer, ducks, cranes, and a flock of wild turkeys. The container is a lock and lock. Please rehide with care as it is located fairly close to the trail.

Placed by a member of GOWT

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

haqre rnfgrea snyyra ybt

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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