This cache has been archived.

slugdeath: The replacement cache has gone missing; this is no longer a good spot for a cache so we are archiving, rather than disabling until we can replace. Thanks to everyone who looked for the cache - we hope that you learned something about the Western toad.

GC3RGNG ▼

A cache by slugdeath Message this owner

Hidden : 7/29/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Replacement cache very close to original location; the hint will help you find it.

Watch Out - Western Toads!

Although BC looks big enough for all of us to move around, some of our smallest inhabitants need a little protection when they have to change home. This story of humans helping amphibians literally to cross the road made us smile but also brought home to us the problem of human encroachment on wildlife habitats as we humans look for new places to live.
In Canada, the Western Toad (Bufo boreas) is found only in BC and Western Alberta although its habitat stretches down into the US where it is on the Near Threat List. For most of its life the Western Toad in our area spends its time in the uninhabited forested areas like the slopes of Mounts Elk and Thurston near Chilliwack. However, just as salmon are driven to return to their spawning grounds, the toads are driven to return to their ponds and lakes from where they emerged as toadlets.
In summer the newly-hatched generation heads up hill for their forested adventure but first have to cross a six metre strip of asphalt road on their way. Fortunately, an enlightened Chilliwack City Council closes the through road for a short period to allow tens of thousands of migrating toadlets to cross the road at Ryder Lake, while locals and Fraser Valley Conservancy helpers lend a hand.
This cache is situated between the two key breeding ponds where the high mountains rise up to the east. As this site is near the annual traffic detour, it may necessitate a longer walk to reach during the July/August migration period. Please note that there is no public access to the ponds so respect the local landowners’ boundaries.
We chose this spot as our first cache to celebrate this amazing annual migration and our own migration to BC.
For more information on the Toad Migration contact Chilliwack City Engineering http://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=1818 or Fraser Valley Conservancy http://www.fraservalleyconservancy.ca/

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Jul qvq gur gbnq pebff gur ebnq?

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)