MapFreak is my nickname in another caching world, so I thought a
cache with this name would be appropriate.
This is a four stage multi cache. Starting at the posted
coordinates, you will find a physical container with the
information you need to reach each of the stages, one in each
"quadrant".
Probably one of the most important tips on this is to do this one
with confidence. If you think you are on the right track, you
probably are
. To let you know you are in the
correct vicinity, I will hang some surveyor's tape near stages
2-4 with GCYGN1 written on it.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ! There
will be waterproof copies of the above map provided in the first
stage container (ammo box). Please take one per caching group and
mark it up however you wish. I will place about 15 copies in it to
start. I'm not expecting a whole lot of traffic on this one but if
you do notice the maps are running low, please let me know.
HOWEVER, Please DO NOT take the map for stage 2 or any of the
remaining stages. Please copy the information you need onto the
waterproof map provided. It should be simple as long as you pay
attention to details.
Since most of my knowledge of maps has come from trial and error or
just simply staring at them, I've used multiple tools along the way
to help me read them. All of those tools I've used are found in the
first stage container. Feel free to use them but PLEASE return them
so the next potential finder also has the same luxury. Some may be
helpful to you, others may not. I'm not suggesting any of tools
specifically since there are multiple ways to get the information
you need and advance to the next stage. Even if you don't have a
clue how to read maps, you will probably get some ideas after
looking in the first stage. Part of the reason for this cache is to
encourage you to read maps proficiently. (Once you've mastered
that, using one with a compass is a whole differnt story
).
This was designed to get more difficult with each stage. However
stages two and three are a toss up depending on if you are better
at reading maps or better with sense of direction. They are
opposite of what I originally intended, but the placement and flow
ended up better the way it is.
Each stage is relatively close to the trail. Stages two and
three you should be able to see from the trail but stage four you
CAN NOT SEE FROM THE TRAIL. That includes the tape. However,
you should not have to go more than 200 feet from the trail to find
it. That's 200 feet as the crow flies, of course. All the terrain
is relatively level. That's why I chose this location. The terrain
3.5 is due to the overall length of the trip. Of note this is
fairly easily do-able on mtn bike or horseback.
Some notes:
- Total distance you will travel for this cache is about 8.5
miles or 14 km. That is if you do it correctly and stay on the
trails.
- Some of the roads and trails have changed from what is shown on
the map. Follow your instincts and stay on the trails. There will
be help provided with those differences when needed.
- Since you guys are geocachers and not S&R or USFS, these
maps are all in WGS84 (NAD83) Datum! This should be the factory
setting of your GPSr.
NOTE on last bullet: IF YOU BRING A COMMERCIALLY PRINTED MAP, 95%
chance it is NAD27 (CONUS) Map Datum. You can still work between
both, but you will probably confuse yourself. If you do, certainly
make note of which data set your GPSr is set to when you enter
waypoints.
To get to the cache starting point, turn on to Cheese Camp Road
which is just south of Robb's Hut on Ice House Road. You will be
heading towards Van Vleck Bunkhouse which is about 6 miles in. When
you get close, stay to the right on paved roads and follow the
signs towards the wilderness parking lot or Tells Creek Equestrian
Camp. If you do the cache correctly, you should not cross the
wilderness boundary so you shouldn't need a permit.
Special thanks to
calkids
for the root idea of this one
that I took and twisted.
Just in case you don't want to chance it or return to the first
stage when you are done, some of the items provided are a ruler,
protractor, calipers, calculator (included in many GPS models,
also), and well as some miscellaneous other tools.
10/20/06: I've been thinking about this one and I'm going
to make it easier for ya. I'd like to encourage more visits here so
here it goes... You can log this cache as a find if you find ANY of
the stages from Stage 2 on. If you do find Stage 2, you'll probably
be excited to do rest but there IS a possibility that you may run
out of time since this is in a rather remote area. The only catch
is that you need to state in your log which stage you ended up at.
You'll also need to bring some sort of log book, because right now
there's only one in the final stage. BTW - I do check on my caches
frequently.
Moreso, if you do find Stage 2 or 3 and don't make it to stage 4, I
will allow a SECOND find
if you come back at a later time
to finish it up. However, no more than two finds and one of
the two has to be the final stage.
This may also encourage you to check out the starting area of
what is still my favorite cache to date, found or hidden,
Tells
Me Again.
CONGRATS
TO LFLOOD FOR BEING THE FTF AND FIRST TO FIND ALL FOUR
STAGES!