Please read the cache page in its entirety, it’s not the same old pablum from previous years. This year it has that and a little more.
Preface
To quote last year’s event...
(Which mimicked the previous year’s incident...
Which was heavily based on a shindig that happened about 1 prior revolution of our earth’s orbital rotation...
Which was a spin-off of another year’s situation which happened approximately 12 months earlier...
Which was very similar in nature to another thing which happened, 365 units to the left of the linear math line you learned about in the 2nd grade.)
Welcome to another rendition of the annual "Freezin' For No Reason" event.
Note the terrain rating. This, as always, is meant to be a little tougher to get to and may not be for everyone. Make sure you log a will attend or put this on your watchlist in case changes are made in the coming weeks. Also note the new location, we'll be near Calumet County Park, just not on land.
This year is the fifth year of the event! How many of you have made it to all of them? Oddly enough, I haven’t!
Safety
Note the parking location. It is the closest location to access the event from land. There are many places to access the lake, however, I would NOT suggest driving onto the lake as the ice may not be thick enough to support the weight of a vehicle. I also suggest using the buddy system, I would never go out on the ice by myself, and you shouldn't either. Some climbing will be necessary crossing some ice shoves. Don't worry, they aren't that big, but again be careful.
The event
Now with all that said... if you find yourself bored at the above-mentioned time and date and have literally, nothing better to do, why not go "Freezin' For No Reason"? Or if you're just not smart enough to stay home where its warm and comfy, meet me out on the lake to discuss your latest caching adventures... like walking on water.
Common sense would dictate that you may encounter rough, jagged edges, steep drops, cold weather, slippery conditions, strong winds, and possibly a polar bear (it's technically possible).
New this year
I’ve been struggling with the need to change things up for this event, to keep things new and fresh, for those that visit. For those that have been attending these events since the beginning, you’ll remember that the first two years were held in the upper section of the park, deep in a non-plowed campsite. The third year was held out on the ice, requiring cachers to climb over a technically difficult although unassuming ice shove. And last year, I forgot to order the Ice Shoves.
Two years on top of the hill and another two out on the ice, a pattern had emerged. Following that pattern into the 5th year, inevitably we find that a new location must be procured. My initial thought was to move inland to a new park. However, a remarkably large amount of feedback has garnered a desire to keep this semi-unique location. After many months of deliberation, using algorithms, and an abacus; the event location has in fact been changed. This year the event will be approximately 10 feet south of the previous location.
And one last thing,
A quick announcement for those making the trek this year.
First, safety. I haven't been out to see the ice in a few weeks. As always there is an inherent danger on the ice and getting to the final WP. More on that final WP in a minute...
Similar to last year, due to the extremely frigid temperatures encountered during a “Freezin’ for no reason” event, we are setting up a Heated On-shore Temporary Chocolatey Old-fashioned Cup Of Aqua (HOTCOCOA for short) location.
Experts tell us that warm liquids and fuel (in the form of calories) can go a long way in staying warm and safe. The HOTCOCOA location can assist with both of these requirements. See other waypoints for location of the HOTCOCOA location. And please stay safe. Please note the HOTCOCOA location is not an official Geocaching event, simply a means to stay safe. There will be no smiley or logbook at the HOTCOCOA location.
Now back to that whole final WP thing. This year's event will be held at the posted coordinates. You'll know where to go, there will be a sign, it will be made of poor quality, try not to knock it over.
However, for those of you that are a little more adventurous, you'll have the opportunity to find WP1, and then see if you can navigate from there to the final WP. Best of luck, this will not be no small challenge.