NCIS - Basic Training
NCIS - What is it?
The NCIS (Nelson Caching Insomniacs Society) is a series of "Night" caches conceived and put out by Kiwi_Explorer and beltfamily. Some of them are put out individually, and some of them as a team. Night caches are generally designed to be easier when done at night, as it requires light to be seen in a way that may not be obvious during the day.
NCIS - How do I do it?
If you have never done a night cache before, you should probably start with this one to get the idea. Especially because some of the harder ones in the NCIS series will challenge how you pick up clues along the way. At a minimum you will need a LED torch / flashlight. The most basic models sell at less than $10 at your local electronics / gadget store:
About this cache
Basic Training is just that - a simple night cache to figure out how it all works. Bring a torch and go to the published coordinates. Turn the torch on and hold it right next to your head at eye level. Now shine it around until your torch light reflects back to you. Go to where the reflector is. From that point, shine it around again, until you pick up the next reflector. You may have to step left a bit, or right a bit, or anywhere within a few meters of where the current reflector is before you can pick up the next one. Something else may be obscuring it. Look high. Look low. Crouch down... Once you see the next, go to it. Be aware that the direction may change. Be aware that sometimes it may trick you and send you back where you came from. Just find the next one, and continue. How do you know you're at the end? With this night cache, you will find more than one reflector at some stage. Once you do, the cache is very close by. Use the hint to help you find it if you need it. If this is your first night cache ever, then well done! Now you know the basics. Look for other NCIS caches to see if you can do other ones. There will be tougher terrain, there will be harder puzzles, there will be deliberate "mistakes" you have to work out, and much, much more....
This cache takes place in Richmond, and should take about 15-20 minutes to complete. You can try to drive if you want, but it will be much easier to walk this one out. Car to car is 1.1km. Car to cache is about 820m.
Pro Tip
Sometimes a single reflector is obscured or missing. Although we will check the trail occasionally, you may be doing it when one (or more) are not there. In that case you need to "guess" where it may have been, walk there, and see if you can pick up the trail from there. It is actually quite satisfying to pick the trail back up rather than always being able to see where the next one is. We won't deliberately miss one out on this night cache... but we may do it deliberately with some of the others ;)
NCIS - The Series
Here is a list of other caches in the series that you might like to try:
NCIS: Basic Training by beltfamily (Rated: Beginner)
NCIS: Night Sport by Kiwi Explorer (Rated: Beginner)
NCIS: Old Abe's Night Lights by Kiwi Explorer (Rated: Beginner)
NCIS: Marlborough Chapter by Kiwi Explorer (Rated: Beginner)
NCIS: Tear along the dotted line by beltfamily (Rated: Moderate)
NCIS: Cat & Mouse by beltfamily (Rated: Moderate)
NCIS: Pupu Springs by beltfamily (Rated: Moderate)
Please report any problems to the Cache Owner. This night cache should not present any major challenges. If you genuinely lose the trail and can't pick it up within another 60-80m, we probably have one or two markers missing, so please let me know and I'll check it out.