The Devil made me do it- Night Cache
For your safety please read all of this description
The year was 1816, a small group of treasure hunters venture into the
forest in search of the Devil's Chest, but they never returned home.
The local police and many volunteers searched but nothing was ever found.
There were rumors that the group had just moved away, but folks living
near the area keep reporting strange events in the woods near the groups last
known location.
Strange white and blue lights can be seen every night.
Fast forward to the year 2016.
I was hiking with my 2 dogs along an old trail, when one of
my dogs ventures off into the woods, as he would not come back to
me, I had no choice but to follow him.
Once I caught up, he was sitting and staring at something, his head
tilted to the side as if he was watching something (or some one)
He was frozen in place and would not move. I hooked his leash on his
collar and started to pull.
It was at this time I had noticed the sun was setting unusually fast, it was getting dark.
As I turned on my flash light, a thousand eyes were staring at me, the glow from my
light causing everyone on them to sparkle.
Just like that my dog was instantly broken from his trance.
I quicky rushed along the trail trying to get out of the forest.
As I moved further and further along the trail, I could not help but
notice I was drawn off the trail into the woods.
It must have been 2 or 3 times I caught myself 20-50 meters off the
trail, I was scared but kept moving.
Something was luring me deeper and deeper into the darkness.
I knew only one thing, I must fight the urge to go into the trees.
Back to the trail I would go each time.
I do not recall what time I made it back to the truck, nor how long I was
in the woods, what I did know was I would NEVER go back there!!
So Geocachers, do you have what it takes to to find the Devil's Chest?
Are you brave enough to venture into the woods at night?
Will you have the right tools to survive?
I hold no responsibility for what happens to you.
This is a HIGH D/T cache for a reason.
Allow me to offer some assistance to help you on your journey.
Pack the following safety equipment
A GPS and extra batteries as you could be in the woods 1-2 hours.
A phone in case you get lost or injured (I got good reception at all stages)
A good (white) flashlight
A good (black) or UV light
A magnet (preferable on a stick)
Bug spray
Water.
Long clothes and good footwear (Terrain in spots is nasty)
Now some advice to complete this night time Geocache
All stages are N 44° 14.xxx W 076° 39.xxx
Take your time, more light is not always better.
When you leave the main trail and start your bushwhack(s)
notice its plural, waypoint the trail where you leave it.
This night cache has 3 stages before the final 50 meter bushwhack
over some very awful ground, please go slow.
When you see a yellow arrow, put away your GPS and start walking
the direction of the arrow into the woods, stop when you hit
spider webs (you'll know what to do then).
If you bush whack over 50 meters at any stage you have gone too far!!
Photo's are welcome and I encourage stories about your adventures,
I only ask that you do not include any spoilers in your photo's
or logs.
Please be safe, travel in groups, but if you must go alone,
let someone know where you're going.
This cache is rated a 4.5 / 5 for a reason
The Difficulty of 4.5 is due to the stages and bush whacks
the T rating is for special equipment.
The true T rating varies between a 1.5 and a 4.5 in spots
This night cache could be done in the daytime, but most likely
you will get stuck at the black light stage and make this 1-2 hour adventure into
a 3-5 hour adventure as there are many decoys that will
take you to incorrect locations, that may seem correct until you
end up lost.
This Geocache is meant to be an adventure, have fun with it
but be careful with each stage.
Best of luck and HAPPY NIGHT CACHING.
This Geocache is among many being hidden for Discover L&A Mega Event
taking place on August 20th, 2016. All DLA2016 Geocaches
will be published on August 16th, 2016 to allow time for non-locals
to build PQ's and routes.
DLA2016 participants are encouraged to wait till 9pm Friday August 19th after
the concert to seek this night cache