BCT - Been There, Found That: A Challenge! II Mystery Cache

THE CACHE

This is a Challenge cache so to log a 'Find', as well as signing the log, you must also meet the criteria listed below. You may sign in advance of qualification and log a 'write note'.  'Found' logs that do not meet the requirments will be deleted. The cache is at the listed coordinates.

1. Find, sign and log at least 1 cache with the "a Challenge Cache" attribute in each of six different countries.
2. Caches that you have found in the past, including archived caches, will count towards this Challenge Cache.

You may use this Challenge Checker to see if you qualify. We would be grateful if you would add the result to your log.

Blackwater Canoe Trail

This is one of a series of caches along the Blackwater. Although the trail extends 20km from Maydown Bridge to Lough Neagh, this series is concentrated between Blackwater Town and Verner's Bridge. It is approximately 12km in length if done in a single trip, but there are public exits at Moy and The Argory so the trip can be done in smaller pieces. The river is generally quite lazy and it is possible to paddle against the flow for a lot of the year.

The caches were placed using sit on Kayaks and a special tool. I do not recommend inflatable kayaks as some of the placements are not friendly to that type of craft. Any other type of craft is at the finders discretion and at their own risk.

The series is a mixture of hangers, tie ons and several that will require exiting the river. The hangers were all placed high above the winter floods and as such will not be reachable without a special tool. Others are lower and are tied in placed. These should not be untied for obvious reasons. The few that require landing are definitely safe from all but the ice caps melting completely.

Safety (mostly kayaking based)

1. Be competent in the use of whatever craft you use.
2. Wear a personal life jacket or buoyancy aid. The canoe should be sufficiently buoyant to remain afloat if you capsize
3. It is recommended not to canoe alone
4. A canoe may be difficult to see from a larger craft so carry a whistle
5. You do not need to be able to swim a long distance but you should have sufficient water confidence to deal with a capsized boat and get ashore safely
6. Carry water and snacks.
7. Wear adequate clothing, prolonged immersion in cold water leads to hypothermia, sun even in Ireland can burn quickly on a good day.
8. Leave details of your journey with a responsible adult.