Prince George Cache and Release 2023 (PGCAR) START LINE MEET AND GREET EVENT
Saturday September 9 2023
9:30am-10:15am
Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park picnic shelter (behind museum by adventure playground). If space is occupied we will meet at the picnic table closest to the Little Explorers Garden behind the Fort/train tracks beside museum.
Autumn is a beautiful time in Prince George. The summer sun has lowered, the mosquitoes have died back, the temperatures have cooled and geocachers are just getting fired up! It marks the time for the 15th annual seasonal release of dozens of geocaches to be found within 100 k㎡ Prince George. PGCAR was started by Plumbrokeacres many years ago as a way to grow the game locally and to release fresh caches for the fall season. It remains one of the most popular and active events for geocachers in the PG area.
Attendance at the start line is not necessary to participate in PGCAR. All caches will be released onto the Geocaching.com website by 8am on September 9 but it is a great way to start the weekend by meeting up with your fellow cachers over a cup of coffee. General location maps may be available courtesy of PhoneyHomey and there may be side-quest activities to participate in (caching Bingo anyone?!) and a raffle for all those who mark “will attend”.
There are all kinds of different caching styles on PGCAR weekends; casual caching before a Costco run, competitive cachers who are out for FTF’s, marathoners who plan to find every last hide and beyond, families, carpool carloads, one and dones, geo dogs, and single and ready to mingle cache lovers. By meeting on Saturday morning you may be able to strategize (or smack talk) with your competition, plan to meet up with…or avoid…your frenemies on the road, collect tips and tricks, catch any typos, and maybe find a caching partner. Grab a few phone numbers in case you need to call a friend in the middle of the deep woods. Bring any travel bugs that you want to be discovered or moved along.
As always on PGCAR weekends there is the traveling coveted (dreaded) OOOPS Award to be handed out to a cacher who inevitably falls into misfortune on this weekend, or in the past caching year in general. In the past the award has been given for police interventions, getting stuck in ditches while being chased by a bear, misprinted coordinates and more. Will you be the recipient this year? Gather your tales of caching woe and share at the start event and/or finish event so the award can be passed on from the current award of shame holder ‘jbz99’!
Event will happen rain, snow or shine so come dressed appropriately for the outdoors in a public park. If you need help loading your gps or using the app there will be knowledgeable folk on hand to give you guidance (unfortunately there is no guaranteed wifi at start line location). Coffee and snacks will be on hand for a power boost to your morning!
PS.If you have the Adventure Lab app, there is a lab to be completed at this park!
HIDING CACHES
If you are hiding for PGCAR 2023 (everyone is encouraged to hide at least one please!), please put “ insert title here: PGCAR2023” as your cache name, and be sure to note “please release on September 9 2023 at 8:00am for PGCAR2023” in ALL your reviewer notes of your PGCAR caches. Hides can be placed up to 100km in any direction from town centre (use the 'landmark' compass: Summit Lake, Purden Lake, Cluculz Lake, Hixon)
Hides must be in place at least three weeks prior to the event; no later than August 20th in order to meet reviewing timelines. Painted and stuffed containers are available!
Additionally, please email PhoneyHomey (Eldon) at pgcarph@gmail.com two or preferably more weeks ahead with your cache info/coordinates so he can create maps and a gpx file to be available at the event. He does this out of the goodness of his heart and at his own expense so please be respectful of his time and give ample notice. And as always, THANK YOU FOR HIDING!! Without you, caching in PG would be boring in the fall!