10th Annual Hard Core Event: Socially Distanced Event Cache

Hardcore Event Video

This event will be naturally Socially Distanced by Mother Nature because she likes it that way while you are exploring her swamp.

Get ready and get set for another challenging Hard Core Event!  Those who dare will be journeying into a very wet swamp in search of five [5] Traditional and one [1] Multi cache.

There’s safety in numbers when venturing into the swamp so come on out and join the crowd…because the gators enjoy a little variety in their diet.

The 10^th Annual Hard Core Event is scheduled for Saturday, February 27th beginning promptly @ 8am and lasting until approximately 1pm, or until the last cachers drag themselves out of the muck.  The weather will have no bearing on the event…literally is gonna happen no matter what the weather is.

WARNING: The terrain for this event IS very treacherous so keep that in mind.  You will likely encounter a lot of marshland, briars, smilax, 7’ tall cat-tails, ticks, poisonous plants and/or venomous reptiles and with a little luck perhaps an alligator…or two.  There are many downed trees in the area and large holes where stumps burned out from a fire that occurred many years ago.  In some areas the ground is quite soft even though it may appear solid or firm.  It is possible to sink in up to your knees at least if you aren’t careful.  I would recommend a walking stick/pole to be used as a probe to test the area where you want to step.  Or…..stay at the end of the line and watch where everyone else steps…HA HA.

ENTER THE SWAMP AT YOUR OWN RISK DURING THIS EVENT AND DO NOT BRING CHILDREN.  REPORTEDLY MANY YEARS AGO A CACHER TOOK A 12-YEAR OLD WITH THEM TO ATTEMPT ONE OF THESE CACHES ON THEIR OWN OUTSIDE OF THIS EVENT. THE CHILD MADE CONTACT WITH A WATER MOCCASIN AND WOULD LATER LEAVE THE SWAMP IN AN AMBULANCE. HE WAS RUSHED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE WOULD REQUIRE SEVERAL DOSES OF ANTIVENOM.  YOU ARE ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND SURVIVAL ON THIS EVENT.  NEITHER THE ALABAMA STATE PARK SYSTEM, THE CACHE OWNER OR GEOCACHING.COM [GROUND SPEAK] ARE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES INCURRED DURING THIS EVENT.

There are NO snack kiosks or water fountains where we are headed so bring plenty of what you need in order to keep your energy level at its peak.  A BIG breakfast is a good preparation but you’ll quickly discover that you are either thirsty and/or a little hungry when we reach the midway point.  This is NOT your typical “walk in the park” by any means.  

Event Day

Find a place to park while at GZ and we’ll form up into a group for introductions and a brief Q&A. 

Group Route:

Begin at GZ and walk SE along the road until you reach another road to your left located @ [N30 16.067 W087 39.014].  Take a deep breath and plunge into the swamp wherever you please.  There may be a Geo-Trail from last year’s exodus still visible.

The 1st cache we'll be headed to is GC471W0 [Cold Feet].  From there we will make our way to GC34EEW [You'd Have To Be Crazy].  Then from there we will make our way toward the beginning of the multi GC5030W [Just Plain Mean].  After that, by following the given coords for the other multi-stages you will see a pattern forming and the route will begin to take shape.