Benchmark Challenge on Oak Orchard Creek Mystery Cache
8pointbuck: Time to start archiving these to make room for a possible new batch in the future!
Benchmark Challenge on Oak Orchard Creek
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To log this cache, you must first have logged thirty benchmarks on Geocaching.com. Cache logs without thirty five NGS Benchmark finds shown on your Profile WILL BE DELETED! Maintenance help is always greatly appreciated due to the overwhelming chore of maintaining the sheer number of water caches-please replace wet logs, missing containers etc if you can. Most are just scrap pill or vitamin bottles which we cammoed and zip tied as we went.
This is a challenge cache. The cache IS at the posted coordinates however you must meet certain requirements to log it as a find.(otherwise sign the log and post a note for now until you do meet the requirements) This cache is similar to one we enjoyed while on vacation recently in Maryland. We're hoping this cache will challenge you to look for benchmarks and the next time you look at a cache listing, you will click on the all nearby benchmarks link. Failure to follow listed rules WILL result in your “found” log being deleted. The rules/requirements: 1. You must have earned at least thirty benchmarks. 2. You must provide proof of your benchmarks by either listing them or having them publicly available for viewing. The cache is a challenge cache located on a popular stretch of beautiful Oak Orchard Creek between Medina and Waterport. The cache is part of our plan to place more caches of varied difficulty/terrain ratings for all to enjoy. 4.5 terrain rated caches are particularly hard to find locally. This local series is placed on a navigable waterway and is best accessed by using two vehicles, strategically placed and kayaks. It is however not necessary to use a kayak (thus not a true 5), and with much effort, able to be accomplished with hip waders or just an old pair of sneakers and a serious desire to get wet-your choice, but the 4.5 terrain rating should tell you how much fun that would be. At times, water levels can be quite high and water fast moving-use common sense. When the Erie Canal is draining, water levels will be at least a foot higher than normal. When the cache was placed, it had not rained recently however water was still moving swiftly in sections. Creek depth probably averages only 2-3 feet. Coords were taken using a Garmin GPSmap60CSX and averaged. This section of waterway is approximately a mile and a half long and you should allow at least two hours to complete all the caches. These caches were not intended to be overly hard or strenuous, we just wanted to introduce you to this beautiful and popular waterway. If you kayak, you could conceivably reach all caches without having to exit your kayak. Bring along a fishing pole as well. We caught several fish while placing the caches. Those who choose to bring only one vehicle will experience a potentially hard upstream return trip or an approx. 2 mile walk back to your vehicle. Suggested Parking coords: Vehicle 1(public launch site): Slade Road: N 43 15.012 W 078 23.682 Vehicle 2: Town of Ridgeway Highway Garage or near Horan Rd bridge: N 43 15.884 W 078 23.179
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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