Geocaching

Rhode Island's own version of the DeLorme Challenge. Please be sure to read all rules before attempting. Please email me if there are any questions.

Inspired by the DeLorme Challenge in other states, these are the rules for the Little Rhody version:

Since I no longer want to be bothered by emails from people looking for exceptions to the rules of the cache, I have to decided to make the Final Coordinates public. This means you can physically log the cache anytime you want. However, you may not log the cache online (and claim the Smiley) until you have met all of the requirements as set forth below and ahve received an email from me giving you the OK. I only want to see one note indicating you have completed the requirements and have made the Bookmark list public and viewable to all (See #3 below). I will then review your list, and verify the requirements have been met. Any Found It logs made prior to the verification will be deleted without notice. I have been lenient in this, but lately people can't seem to follow the rules - "Found It" logs will be deleted if the requirements have not been verified by me.

1. To "FIND" this cache, you must find or place a cache within each Rhode Island page/map in the Third Edition, Second Printing of "Connecticut and Rhode Island Atlas & Gazetteer", published by DeLorme and copyrighted in 2003. A WHOPPING 12 CACHES IN ALL!. You may not include caches found or hidden by you prior to the publication date and time of this cache page as determined by the reviewer's note of publication. I am limiting claims to new finds/hides only to keep things fair...there are several local cachers who probably already have the necessary numbers. This way, everyone one is on equal footing from the start.

2a. It is not necessary to purchase a copy of the DeLorme Gazetteer to participate. Here is a worksheet in PDF format with all the necessary information, including the boundary coordinates for each page. Below is an image with the high level view of the grids/pages.
2b. Note that pages 66, 73 and 75 each have two map sections. You only need to find/hide a cache in one of the sections to count. If you use one of the DeLorme digital maps, here is a text file that you can import in as a draw layer to display the grids. You can then import you bookmark GPX file to do a check to make sure all of the pages are covered.

3. The Challenge Cache is located at the listed coordinates. To verify completion, and receive the OK to log, you will need to post a note to the cache page as well as create a Bookmark List which includes the Log Date and Page Number in the Description section for each bookmark entry. The bookmark should include this cache, should be public, and "I want to share this list with others" should be checked when creating the Bookmark List. I will then verify that the location of each find is within the proper grid and email you an OK to log the cache online.

4. Generally accepted rules, guidelines and conditions for logging a cache find apply. These must be bona fide active caches listed on Geocaching.com that you have personally (physically) found and logged both at the cache and online. They may not include caches found prior to the publication date and time of this cache page as determined by the reviewers note of publication.

5. Placement of a cache on a DeLorme Atlas page counts the same as finding a cache on that page. If you choose to do this, however, you are responsible for meeting all approval and maintenance criteria with Geocaching.com. Caches that do not last 30 days will not be accepted. A new hide must be found by at least one other cacher without the hints or any other assistance from the hider before it can be counted by the hider.

6. All active (at the time of logging) physical cache types (those which contain a logbook) count as finds or hides for the Little Rhody DeLorme Challenge. Events (CITO included), Virtuals, Locationless and Traveling caches WILL NOT be allowed. For Multis and Mysteries, the posted coordinates determine which page the cache counts on for finds and where the final is located for hides.

7. If a Rhode Island DeLorme Atlas page includes space not located in Rhode Island, only active caches in the Rhode Island portion count. Each page contains a small amount of overlap onto another page, that area does not count for that page.

8. While you may have others with you when you find the final cache. Only those who have fulfilled ALL criteria for this cache will be allowed to log it as a find. Find logs by other cachers will be deleted.

9. When in doubt ask—we can discuss it or even seek guidance from others, but the final decision rests with the cache owner. While the various editions and versions of the DeLorme Atlas do not seem to have changed much in terms of page boundaries, the information in the cache owner's copy (as listed above) will be considered definitive.

Remember that this is a game and is supposed to be fun! Remembering that this is a game and is supposed to be fun for everyone, upon request, I can set the final as a Terrain 1 cache if the need arises.

The Difficulty Ratings are for the final only.

Maps are available at the DEM Website. You should let someone know where you are headed, and bring a cell phone. A caching buddy is also a good idea. Please plan accordingly, and wear appropriate clothing and shoes, and bring enough water and food for the walk. An emergency card such a this one is also a good idea.

All users of state management areas, and all hunters statewide, must wear at least 200 square inches of solid daylight-fluorescent orange material from the first Saturday of October through the end of the season, February 28. Additional information for Turkey Season!

Here's an official Groundspeak video of someone doing the Challange in one day!