Canoe 4 Cache Traditional Cache
SC_Reviewer: Replaced at new location.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Aiken State Natural Area in the South Edisto River Swamp. Canoe or Jon boat required to retrieve cache. Easy to find but requires paddling (boating) skills to handle current on narrow winding river.
Other Coordinates that could help
Canoe Put in: N33 33.629 W081 29.601
.13 Mile as a crow flies (Not river miles) to Cache
Primitive Camp Ground Take Out: N33 33.457 W081 29.110
.42 Mile as a crow flies (Not river miles)to Cache
Public Boat Landing: N33 33.355 W081 29.048
.57 Mile as a crow flies (Not river miles) to Cache
Take Out Dock: N33 33.355 W081 29.048
.79 Mile as a crow flies (Not river miles) to Cache
Cabin Last Take Out!! N33 33.049 W081 28.898
.90 Mile as a crow flies (Not river miles) to Cache
Total river miles from Put in to Take out dock = 1.75 miles
The cache is on the South Edisto River. There is a fee to use the park, $2.00 per person over 15, $1.25 per person over 65, and free for any one 15 and under. You can also launch and take out your own boat at the public boat landing on the State Park Road. This landing can be used when the park is closed, but I would not recommend going after dark though.
You can rent a canoe from the ranger for $12.00 per day, if you do not have a boat. They will give you life vests, paddles and run a shuttle to get your car down to the take out.
This cache should be easy to find, but the river can be tricky especially at flood levels. I would NOT recommend, bringing anyone who can not swim, very small children/ baby on this cache hunt, due to a possible canoe turn over. A life jacket is a must have item with a whistle. You need to have it on, when you are in the canoe!! You may see an occasional Alligator, so I would leave all dogs at home too. This river twists and turns a lot and is very narrow. The web site canoeaugusta.org contains hints on how to paddle rivers like the South Edisto. Also check out photos of trips on the South Edisto River under Updates on this web page. If the river is at flood level or you are not sure, ask the ranger. If the put-in dock is under water or just above the water the river is flooding!! I would wait for another day to try for this cache if it is at flood levels!!
The cache is not in the main river channel. It is up a slough out of the strong currents. You should look for a slough and not try to bushwhack even if the cache looks close to the river. Trying to get out of the canoe in the current (especially in a turn) is a good way to turn over. So get out of the current and up in the slough before you look for the cache. At most water levels you will be in your boat to get the cache.
Things to watch out for:
Poison Ivy, it is growing on most of the trees and stumps.
Snakes, most are non-venomous, all are fun to look at, but don't mess with them and they will leave you alone too.
Swift currents, they push you where you do not want to go.
Logs under the water or just on the surface, you get stuck on them, and then the current can flip the canoe. Then your body can get stuck in them under water.
Over hanging branches, they will knock you out of the boat or flip the boat.
Wasp and Hornet nest hanging on low bushes over the water, most are found around August and September but you can find some nest active year round.
Swamp Goddess or Water Nymph, you have been on the river too long, go home, and come back another day.
The cache is an ammo box hidden in the swamp.
The cache at start up was filled with:
FTF: Naturescape CD and glasses strap
Lucky Duck Travel Bug # 428498
Ascent Travel Bug # 543567
4 pair of new dry socks if you get your feet wet.
Go Jo Hand cleaner packs
Bobble head man
Watch face
Shell from coast
Toasti Toes 2 sets
Hot Hands 2 sets
Ear plugs 1 set
Clear badge pocket
Cell phone belt clip
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[The cache is ]arfgyrq vafvqr bs gur fjnzc tbqqrff, Alffn flyingvpn.
Treasures
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