| NOTE: THIS CACHE IS AT THE POSTED COORDINATES. HOWEVER, YOU FIRST MUST QUALIFY TO LOG IT AS "FOUND." |
Some caches get found regularly. Other caches don’t get found for long periods of time – if ever. Typically, lonely caches are older caches that are either located in remote areas w/ challenging terrain, are seasonably accessible, or are more difficult puzzles or multis – or even combinations of the above. They don't pump up your numbers, but these caches do create great memories.
Reasons for completing the challenge:
Hike a quiet mountain trail, and you'll long remember the crisp air, curious wildlife, and magnificent views. Go places you've never been before on bikes, quads, or kayaks. Strap on climbing gear or snowshoes. Lonely caches are the ones you have to earn.
Watch out, though! Once you find your first lonely cache, you might become addicted. Most other caches will pale in comparison, and geocaching will never be the same.
The Challenge:
Your challenge is to find active lonely caches, with the following stipulations:
1. Caches can be located anywhere to qualify.
2. Only caches that have not been found for AT LEAST 6 months qualify. A cache must have at least 6 months of “lonely” time. A cache found last on 6/13 and then by you on 12/10 would not qualify for this challenge.
3. “Lonely” time is defined as the time between the last log and your log. In the case of a FTF, it’s the time between placement and your log.
4. Find enough qualifying caches for a total 100 points. More about this in Scoring, below.
5. This is not a “yeah, I’ve done that” kind of challenge. This is an incentive to “get out and do that” kind of challenge. Therefore, only "lonely" finds ON OR AFTER the posting date of this cache will count – including FTFs.
6. For obvious reasons, caches without a physical log to sign (i.e. virtuals, etc.); do not count towards this challenge.
Scoring:
Caches with NO finds for at least 6 months previous of your log = 6 points.
Caches with NO finds for at least 9 months previous of your log = 10 points.
Caches with NO finds for at least 12 months previous of your log = 15 points.
Caches with NO finds for at least 18 months previous of your log = 25 points.
Caches with NO finds greater than 18 months will be awarded 5 points per month (i.e. 19 months = 30 points, 20 months = 35 points and so on).
FTF Clause: Being the “First to Find” a cache adds 10 points to your total (i.e. a 9 month unfound cache will give you 10 points per above plus 10 additional points giving you 20 points toward the 100 points needed)
Trackable Clause: If a trackable item has been sitting in the qualifying cache for more than 6 months and you successfully rescue it then you will receive an additional 6 points for each trackable.
Logging:
Generally accepted rules, guidelines, and conditions for logging a cache find apply. These must be bonafide caches listed on Geocaching.com that you have personally (physically) found and logged.
A logged cache cannot be used by a second cacher until it goes unfound for at least six months. However, many of you regularly cache as teams of two, three, four, or more. I know; I’ve seen your logs. Therefore, team finds on a single cache at the same time DO qualify each team member for this challenge. For the purposes of this challenge, "Teams" means a group of cachers, each with their own account. As this is a time sensitive challenge; for the benefit of other cachers, please log your find as soon as possible.
A "logged cache" means logged online. For example, if a hunter stumbles across a lonely cache and signs the log, but never logs it as found online, the signature does not count toward its lonely time. Time is measured between the last online log and your online log.
In your online log please list the lonely caches you have found to complete this challenge. Please include the following for your qualifying finds:
GCXXX - Cache Name – FTF(Y/N) – Last Found Date – # of Qualifying Trackables (if any); Your Found Date – Qualifying Points.
Total your qualifying points for all caches.
The difficulty rating is for the challenge itself. This cache should be easy to find. Please place the cache back exactly how you found it.
If you have questions, please feel free to post a note on this page, or e-mail me. Thinking this challenge is next-to-impossible? At the time of this cache listing I personally own 39 caches that qualify for this challenge!