Out on a Limb with NAOMI RUTH Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

GeorgiaTreasureQuester: This was a fun cache. However, the park no longer has the staff available to offer the technical tree climbing sessions. This cache needs to be archived.Thanks so much to all of you who enjoyed it.

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Hidden : 9/27/2007
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Out on a Limb with NAOMI RUTH


This is an arboreal cache at Panola Mountain State Park.

The coordinates will take you to the base of a beautiful Southern Red Oak. She is named Naomi Ruth. I am told that she was named after a lovely lady who is beautiful, cute and playful. Since, both Naomi Ruth, the beautiful tree, and Naomi Ruth, the lovely lady, share the same three characteristics, there could be no better name for this wonderful tree.

This geocache will give you an introduction to Canopy Adventure Research Education Technical Tree Climbing (CARE TTC.) You will have an exciting adventure exploring the tree top canopy.

The adventure will allow you to observe arboreal habitats and wildlife. The cache container is located approximately 30 feet above ground level. You will be using a rope and harness to reach the cache. The climb is a moderately strenuous activity. It is open to anyone age 8 to 80.

The instructors at Panola Mountain State Park are certified to assist individuals with various abilities to climb. So this is a wheelchair accessible geocaching adventure as well.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: First let me state that this cache may only be accessed at certain times. A geocacher MUST be with a certified Panola Mountain State Park CARE TTC instructor in order to climb. You will need proper instruction for both your safety and the safety and preservation of Naomi Ruth. YOU ARE NOT TO ATTEMPT TO RETRIEVE THIS CACHE WITHOUT PROPER PERMISSION AND PROPER INSTRUSTION. That being said, there should be at least one opportunity to retrieve the geocache each month. There are open climbs the first Saturday of each month and there are special introductory Technical Tree Climbing classes that are planned throughout the year. I’ve also been told that you may make appointments to climb by contacting the park. I suggest that you check the State Park website, www.gastateparks.org/info/panolamt, to check the times available to access the cache and call the park at (770) 389-7801 in advance of your visit to confirm your adventure.

This cache is not intended to be difficult to locate. It is here to give you the opportunity to learn about Technical Tree Climbing, which is an outdoor adventure that you should find both exciting, challenging and a relaxing way to enjoy nature from a new perspective. Notify your certified Tree Climbing Instructor that you are a geocacher and the instructor will be sure that you find the geocache (if you are having any problems finding it.) We certainly don’t want you to come for this great adventure and not be able to log your find.

You will be with an instructor when you meet Naomi Ruth. But, I just want to be sure that you stay on the proper path. This is the path to Naomi Ruth. You will park at the Alexander Lake Road entrance. From here you will walk to the geocache. Enter the Panola Mountain trail head, walk past the lake (about 500 feet from the parking area), cross the first green bridge to your left, follow the trail for about 450 feet, look to your left. There she is, the beautiful, cute and playful, Naomi Ruth.

As with any geocache, always STAY ON THE TRAIL and practice LEAVE NO TRACE OUTDOOR ETHICS.

Please be aware that there is a parking fee of $5.00 per vehicle. There is also an additional fee for the climb. Currently this fee for the open climb is $15.00. However, you should always verify the price in advance. (In my opinion this is a super low fee for the wonderful introductory instruction that you will receive.)

Panola Mountain State Park has many educational and recreational activities. There are several trails available for your enjoyment, a lake for fishing (proper fishing permit required), picnic areas, children’s playground and an interpretive center with live reptile exhibits. The park is constantly working to offer new opportunities and is always expanding. Keep an eye on their website for the ever growing offering of recreational and educational experiences.

The First To Find will find an unactivated Climbing Geocoin as their reward. This is the only time a trade item should be present in the cache. Although, it is a small size cache (a decon container), please treat this cache as a log only cache and do not leave anything, but your written log of the visit.

If you notice that the zip-lock containing the log is damaged, feel free to replace it with one of the extras in the bottom of the container. For your convenience, you will also find pencils and a sharpener inside the cache. But, as you know, it never hurts to bring your own pen.

Remember, as with any other cache, to be discrete. Others sharing the technical tree climbing adventure may not be fellow geocachers.

I can’t wait to read the log of your adventure. Please give details of the experience as the State Park will like to know how you enjoyed it.

The open climbs are scheduled as follows. But, again you should verify that the schedule has not changed by contacting the park first.


The Tree Top Excursions: Introduction Climb is scheduled the third Saturday of each month.

3rd Saturday of Month 1 PM - 4 PM from Jul 16, 2011 until Dec 17, 2011

(copied from the State Park webpage...) "Join us "on rope" for an adventure exploring the canopy above. This is an introductory climb to Canopy-Adventure-Research-Educational Technical Tree Climbing (CARE TTC). Participants will use rope and harness for this moderately strenuous activity. Meeting at Naomi-Ruth Climbing Tree... $15 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801."

Check out the Panola Mountain website for other climbing opportunites such as ZZZ's in the Trees.


Small note on cache maintenance: Cache was placed, and will be maintained, by the Park Resource Manager. (Fee is to pay for equipment upkeep and replacement, this is not a for-profit enterprise.)



Congratulations to the FTF group:
Griff-N-Go
(first to sign log and received FTF prize)
geomuse
redworm
AmmoCanGirl
EagleEyes94

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

fcbba, xavsr naq

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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