We have often been asked by out-of-state cachers about winter
caching in Minnesota what with all the snow and cold. One way we
compensate is to occasionally describe a cache as being "winter
friendly". But, alas, that rubric is too indefinite. A so-called
winter friendly cache can vary from one which is 20' up in the air
to one which is susceptible to being buried by even a moderate
snowfall.
Difficulty/terrain ratings tend to be summertime indices. We
propose the following additional grades for winter
friendliness:
* WF F: This is to designate caches which are not winter
friendly at all, for example ones which are easily frozen in or can
be hidden after just and inch or two of snow.
* WF D: These can survive a few inches of snow but not much more.
For example, an ammo cache can at ground level.
* WF C:This is meant to designate a passable level of winter
friendliness, one which should generally be available most of the
winter.
* WF B:These should be available except for unusual wintery
conditions such as after ice storms or blizzards or very heavy snow
falls and much drifting.
* WF A:These are almost as good as being indoors.
Please note the following:
* The designations are relevant to the cache at its location.
Getting to the cache location may be another matter but the
difficulty/terrain ratings already would take that into
account.
* Although snow depth is a main concern one should in establishing
a rating consider such negative issues as susceptibility to
drifting, potential to be frozen in even when its above snow level,
and proximity to roads or paths that are likely to be plowed or
shoveled as well as positive factors such as density of overhanging
cover.
* As with other letter grading systems one can append +'s and -'s
to give a more refined rating.
* To a large extent the rating constitutes a big hint so that no
additional hints are needed. In summertime the WF rating might be
edited out.