Floating Stone Cache...maybe

[+SpookyDame]

I want to make a cache to honor a cacher in our area who always tries to bring magic to this game with his hides. I've been kicking around ideas and came up with floating stones suspended from a fishing line- one of those stones containing a micro with a logbook. The bottom stone is real, the next few stones could be free sliding so that a person could pose with those resting in their hands and the rest of the stones fixed in place, appearing to float into the air. I roughed out the idea yesterday in the garage and will be testing it for a few days in my yard. Here's the test hang in the garage...kinda blurry.

 

[+J Grouchy]

Looks cool...just be prepared to do a lot of maintenance runs for this one.

[+cerberus1]

Very original idea for a hide !

- But I kinda agree with J Grouchy.

 

Something as simple as the mono degrading in sunlight, to "the clueless" getting tangled up in the line.

[+SpookyDame]

I agree..durability could be an issue...the first issue being the paint on the foam stones. I used several coats of exterior grill/high heat paint on the fake stones...not sure how they will hold up over time in the woods & elements. I don't mind maintaining a bit (it gets me out) and exploring other materials. It's in Delaware so wherever it is, it's close by, and easy to maintain for me. I could use a hypertufa recipe for the stones maybe with perlite instead of peat moss or sand...really try to stay on the light side. I might have to get a heavier type of fishing line too. I could also paint the stones black with bits of red ( of which I also have a can of high heat aerosol for some reason) and build a fake campfire..maybe call it "Embers" or something along those lines. I dunno...a cool idea I want to explore and try to build a cache ( or caches) around.

 

Do you really think a cacher could get caught up in this? I'm still somewhat new to caching and have had no problems other than several mugglings but I have heard tales from other cachers about ham fisted cachers busting containers up. Another newbie q- what do you mean by 'mono'? Styrofoam?

[+J Grouchy]

I agree..durability could be an issue...the first issue being the paint on the foam stones. I used several coats of exterior grill/high heat paint on the fake stones...not sure how they will hold up over time in the woods & elements. I don't mind maintaining a bit (it gets me out) and exploring other materials. It's in Delaware so wherever it is, it's close by, and easy to maintain for me. I could use a hypertufa recipe for the stones maybe with perlite instead of peat moss or sand...really try to stay on the light side. I might have to get a heavier type of fishing line too. I could also paint the stones black with bits of red ( of which I also have a can of high heat aerosol for some reason) and build a fake campfire..maybe call it "Embers" or something along those lines. I dunno...a cool idea I want to explore and try to build a cache ( or caches) around.

 

Do you really think a cacher could get caught up in this? I'm still somewhat new to caching and have had no problems other than several mugglings but I have heard tales from other cachers about ham fisted cachers busting containers up. Another newbie q- what do you mean by 'mono'? Styrofoam?

 

I think "mono" is short for monofilament...the fishing line.

Simple things like wind, animals, stray branches, weeds/vegetation...all can (and one or more likely will) cause issues at some point. Then there are muggles, obviously...and even any cachers not paying attention (yes...I said it...we've all been there, not seeing the obvious in our search for a "hidden container"). All stuff to consider. I hope you manage to make it work well. If so, post pictures!

Edited May 31, 2016 by J Grouchy

[+cerberus1]

I agree..durability could be an issue...

Do you really think a cacher could get caught up in this? I'm still somewhat new to caching and have had no problems other than several mugglings but I have heard tales from other cachers about ham fisted cachers busting containers up. Another newbie q- what do you mean by 'mono'? Styrofoam?

We've noticed cachers unable to close a simple ammo can. Whadayou think?

 

Monofilament.

I could see folks twisting (another killer of mono besides the Sun), or bunching the stones in their hands, and upon release, it's tangled within itself.

- People do odd things. and not something that even pmo can solve, since being a pm doesn't guarantee intelligence or common sense.

 

We had a stage in a series that had a medium bison hanging from mono.

Just one Summer of Sun beating on it, and the wind swaying that weight, snapped it free of its tether.

- Replaced it with fishing wire, and it's still good today (in use elsewhere).

[+SpookyDame]

Monofilament- derp! Yes- the fishing line in the pic is well over 30 years old. I'll replace it with fishing wire which is a great idea! I don't know what that would look like but if I don't like the look of it, I could camo that with some light rope..it would give the appearance of tethered stones (and be clearly visible to clumsy cachers). I found this video a few months ago and thought what a great cache it would make but wasn't sure how he built the rig. I need to look up 'giant bobble head construction DIY' to get this right-

Edited June 1, 2016 by SpookyDame

[+cerberus1]

The wire I got at Cabelas was 20#, and was the same diameter as most 4# test monos.

I've seen 12# wire that looks like spider web, but haven't used it myself.

[+SpookyDame]

I have this hanging in my yard now, near a few ponds. It's been a few days and other than sliding stones, there's been no issues. We're expecting severe weather in the next few days so this will be a great test run. I haven't switched out the fishing line for wire yet but probably will depending on how the next few days go. GLEEE! I hope this works out. I don't usually look forward to bad weather but in this case I'll make an exception.

[+cerberus1]

So how'd it hold up?

[+T.D.M.22]

So how'd it hold up?

 

Should have held up fine. You know what they say; A floating stone gathers no moss.

[+SpookyDame]

It held up well! It's still hanging in my garden from a tree- I've held off on placing it because I haven't found the right location or setup yet.

[+cerberus1]

Cool.

[+BunnyandClyde0106]

Great idea, would love to find something like this !!!!

Edited August 9, 2016 by BunnyandClyde0106

[vargl]

So how'd it hold up?

 

Should have held up fine. You know what they say; A floating stone gathers no moss.

I was thinking a hollowed stone tethered to the bottom of a stream bed could work..

[+SpookyDame]

I think I'm placing this cache next week, going to check out a nice piney forest with little to no muggles. I wont have to worry about vines taking over the rig- nothing grows in this area except pine trees and fungus. I've got a hollow stone for the base and a small waterproof container for log, swag etc. I dont know what to call this cache- I'd like to dedicate it to a few cachers who always go the extra mile when creating their caches, ready to reach out to new cachers when they need a hand. Something along the lines of "Magic Makers"? or "The Magic of Caching"? I dunno....