The perils of being a proactive CO

[+barefootjeff]

Yesterday, with light winds, favourable tides and mild temperatures, I apparently paddled my kayak up the bay to do a check on that T5 cache that was pinged by the Cache Health Score algorithm a few months back (the one that had one DNF which was turned into a find a week later). I say apparently, because, judging by what happened to me and the slime stain on the shorts I'd been wearing, after taking photos of the cache and logbook I must have slipped on the rocks while climbing down and banged my head. Somehow I managed to paddle the kayak back to where I'd parked the car, get it strapped on and drive back home without mishap. I only have the vaguest dream-like memories of any of that, and nothing at all of the earlier part of the day, and it was only when eating dinner I started to realise something was wrong and took a taxi to the local hospital. Still waiting on the results of the CT scan, hoping it's nothing too serious.

 

It's enough to make me want to become a maintenance shirker .

[+cerberus1]

Well, your noggin's working well enough to put words together.

Scary stuff, isn't it?

Wondering what transpired, and if/who/what you mighta hit along the way with no recollection .

 

I had similar (but OT - work related), a story+ while on stilts (insulation).

Already dyslexic, so how much damage can a cement basement floor really do?

 

No shirking. Hope you get better soon.

[+barefootjeff]

I just got the CT scan results and there's no damage - phew. Be careful folks!

[+justintim1999]

Yesterday, with light winds, favourable tides and mild temperatures, I apparently paddled my kayak up the bay to do a check on that T5 cache that was pinged by the Cache Health Score algorithm a few months back (the one that had one DNF which was turned into a find a week later). I say apparently, because, judging by what happened to me and the slime stain on the shorts I'd been wearing, after taking photos of the cache and logbook I must have slipped on the rocks while climbing down and banged my head. Somehow I managed to paddle the kayak back to where I'd parked the car, get it strapped on and drive back home without mishap. I only have the vaguest dream-like memories of any of that, and nothing at all of the earlier part of the day, and it was only when eating dinner I started to realise something was wrong and took a taxi to the local hospital. Still waiting on the results of the CT scan, hoping it's nothing too serious.

 

It's enough to make me want to become a maintenance shirker .

 

If I were you I'd have worked it out with my reviewer and saved the trip, literally. Unless you just felt like getting out for the day.

 

Hope everything turns out negative and your back at 100% soon.

[+fizzymagic]

If I were you I'd have worked it out with my reviewer and saved the trip, literally. Unless you just felt like getting out for the day.

 

You seem to be under the impression that reviewers are agents of Groundspeak. Officially, that's not true; they can only recommend archival, not implement it. And even that is stretching the bounds of legality.

[+Team Microdot]

If I were you I'd have worked it out with my reviewer and saved the trip, literally. Unless you just felt like getting out for the day.

 

You seem to be under the impression that reviewers are agents of Groundspeak. Officially, that's not true; they can only recommend archival, not implement it. And even that is stretching the bounds of legality.

 

Our local reviewer archives plenty of caches

[+barefootjeff]

Yesterday, with light winds, favourable tides and mild temperatures, I apparently paddled my kayak up the bay to do a check on that T5 cache that was pinged by the Cache Health Score algorithm a few months back (the one that had one DNF which was turned into a find a week later). I say apparently, because, judging by what happened to me and the slime stain on the shorts I'd been wearing, after taking photos of the cache and logbook I must have slipped on the rocks while climbing down and banged my head. Somehow I managed to paddle the kayak back to where I'd parked the car, get it strapped on and drive back home without mishap. I only have the vaguest dream-like memories of any of that, and nothing at all of the earlier part of the day, and it was only when eating dinner I started to realise something was wrong and took a taxi to the local hospital. Still waiting on the results of the CT scan, hoping it's nothing too serious.

 

It's enough to make me want to become a maintenance shirker .

 

If I were you I'd have worked it out with my reviewer and saved the trip, literally. Unless you just felt like getting out for the day.

 

Hope everything turns out negative and your back at 100% soon.

It wasn't so much about the GHS ping, which was resolved when the DNFer found it a week later; that location gets a fair number of imbibing muggles during the summer school holidays although it's well concealed in a spot the muggles probably wouldn't be poking around in, and I'd been intending a visit once the weather was more favourable for the kayak run up the bay. I suspect all our recent rain has made the rocks a lot more slippery than they were when I placed it, so when I'm feeling up for another visit (with a friend next time) I'll consider moving it if it really is dangerous after rain.

Edited March 28, 2017 by barefootjeff

[+Team Microdot]

It wasn't so much about the GHS ping, which was resolved when the DNFer found it a week later; that location gets a fair number of imbibing muggles during the summer school holidays although it's well concealed in a spot the muggles probably wouldn't be poking around in, and I'd been intending a visit once the weather was more favourable for the kayak run up the bay. I suspect all our recent rain has made the rocks a lot more slippery than they were when I placed it, so when I'm feeling up for another visit (with a friend next time) I'll consider moving it if it really is dangerous after rain.

 

Were you barefoot at the time?

 

I cache in walking boots and have found that they offer so little purchase on wet rocks that I end up creeping along like a snail on any wet rock with an incline but on rare occasions where I've gone barefoot, to wade across a river for example, I've found it quite painful on the soles of my feet

[+justintim1999]

Yesterday, with light winds, favourable tides and mild temperatures, I apparently paddled my kayak up the bay to do a check on that T5 cache that was pinged by the Cache Health Score algorithm a few months back (the one that had one DNF which was turned into a find a week later). I say apparently, because, judging by what happened to me and the slime stain on the shorts I'd been wearing, after taking photos of the cache and logbook I must have slipped on the rocks while climbing down and banged my head. Somehow I managed to paddle the kayak back to where I'd parked the car, get it strapped on and drive back home without mishap. I only have the vaguest dream-like memories of any of that, and nothing at all of the earlier part of the day, and it was only when eating dinner I started to realise something was wrong and took a taxi to the local hospital. Still waiting on the results of the CT scan, hoping it's nothing too serious.

 

It's enough to make me want to become a maintenance shirker .

 

If I were you I'd have worked it out with my reviewer and saved the trip, literally. Unless you just felt like getting out for the day.

 

Hope everything turns out negative and your back at 100% soon.

It wasn't so much about the GHS ping, which was resolved when the DNFer found it a week later; that location gets a fair number of imbibing muggles during the summer school holidays although it's well concealed in a spot the muggles probably wouldn't be poking around in, and I'd been intending a visit once the weather was more favourable for the kayak run up the bay. I suspect all our recent rain has made the rocks a lot more slippery than they were when I placed it, so when I'm feeling up for another visit (with a friend next time) I'll consider moving it if it really is dangerous after rain.

 

Being a CO is not easy. All the perils and no smiley. It's a wonder any maintenance gets done at all.

 

Get well.

[+J Grouchy]

I took my kids out to Stone Mountain a few weeks back. We walked some of the trails (and I DNFed a few caches). Along the way we came to a slick patch of exposed rock with a small stream of water flowing over it. I made certain to warn my kids of how slippery it can be and urged them to be cautious walking over it. They got over it well enough and when it was my turn, I put one foot down and it immediately went out from under me. I landed right on my hip, getting soaked by the water and for about ten seconds I was too stunned to speak...scared my daughter pretty bad. It was pretty embarrassing and my hip joint hurt for a full two weeks after that...like the joint itself, not just the surface where I landed.

 

Anyway...just a painful reminder that I'm 42 and not made of indestructible materials like I used to be. It's one reason I don't ever do stupid culvert caches or any cache where I might end up hurting or killing myself and not being found for days or weeks. I say "one reason" because culvert caches are stupid anyway...I mean, who the heck wants to crawl around in a storm sewer?!?!

[+narcissa]

I just got the CT scan results and there's no damage - phew. Be careful folks!

 

Glad there's no damage, but I hope you recover some memories of the paddle. It sounds like it was probably nice!

[+J Grouchy]

I just got the CT scan results and there's no damage - phew. Be careful folks!

 

Glad there's no damage, but I hope you recover some memories of the paddle. It sounds like it was probably nice!

 

I'm thinking maybe he needs to check for tattoos...

 

[+Team Microdot]

I just got the CT scan results and there's no damage - phew. Be careful folks!

 

Glad there's no damage, but I hope you recover some memories of the paddle. It sounds like it was probably nice!

 

I'm thinking maybe he needs to check for tattoos...

 

 

I thought I recognised that image - cool movie

[+bflentje]

Yesterday, with light winds, favourable tides and mild temperatures, I apparently paddled my kayak up the bay to do a check on that T5 cache that was pinged by the Cache Health Score algorithm a few months back (the one that had one DNF which was turned into a find a week later). I say apparently, because, judging by what happened to me and the slime stain on the shorts I'd been wearing, after taking photos of the cache and logbook I must have slipped on the rocks while climbing down and banged my head. Somehow I managed to paddle the kayak back to where I'd parked the car, get it strapped on and drive back home without mishap. I only have the vaguest dream-like memories of any of that, and nothing at all of the earlier part of the day, and it was only when eating dinner I started to realise something was wrong and took a taxi to the local hospital. Still waiting on the results of the CT scan, hoping it's nothing too serious.

 

It's enough to make me want to become a maintenance shirker .

 

If I were you I would just go ahead and archive all of the caches in question. Clearly if they're too dangerous for you they're too dangerous for the rest of us. Please oh please help protect us from ourselves and archive them immediately.

[+Ambrosia]

I took my kids out to Stone Mountain a few weeks back. We walked some of the trails (and I DNFed a few caches). Along the way we came to a slick patch of exposed rock with a small stream of water flowing over it. I made certain to warn my kids of how slippery it can be and urged them to be cautious walking over it. They got over it well enough and when it was my turn, I put one foot down and it immediately went out from under me. I landed right on my hip, getting soaked by the water and for about ten seconds I was too stunned to speak...scared my daughter pretty bad. It was pretty embarrassing and my hip joint hurt for a full two weeks after that...like the joint itself, not just the surface where I landed.

 

Anyway...just a painful reminder that I'm 42 and not made of indestructible materials like I used to be. It's one reason I don't ever do stupid culvert caches or any cache where I might end up hurting or killing myself and not being found for days or weeks. I say "one reason" because culvert caches are stupid anyway...I mean, who the heck wants to crawl around in a storm sewer?!?!

Scary. I did something similar recently while we were visiting our daughter on the coast. I was trying to take some pictures of big rocks on the beach, and didn't realize that the thin film of algae on them was slicker than snot. I went down hard, but no one saw. I don't like making a spectacle of myself , so I didn't say anything and did my best to get through the rest of the walk. I told my husband later, and had some nice big bruises and swelling for a while.

[+L0ne.R]

Broke my right leg while looking for a T2.5 cache that was missing. If it had been there I probably wouldn't have had the break because I wouldn't have had to continue searching the area. But it didn't stop me from caching. Well, it did for 2.5 months but then I was back at it.

I have a cache hide on slippery rocks (especially after a rain). Not giving that one up, really nice spot, lots of great comments from finders (even those that DNF the tricky hiding spot). I'm still maintaining it after 10 years and visit it twice a year. But if I knocked myself out, to the point of not remembering driving or visiting the cache (but photographic evidence that my body went into automatic pilot), I might think about not going solo while caching (then again, maybe not--I like caching alone).

[+J Grouchy]

Broke my right leg while looking for a T2.5 cache that was missing. If it had been there I probably wouldn't have had the break because I wouldn't have had to continue searching the area. But it didn't stop me from caching. Well, it did for 2.5 months but then I was back at it.

 

Correlation? Hmmmm....

[+L0ne.R]

Broke my right leg while looking for a T2.5 cache that was missing. If it had been there I probably wouldn't have had the break because I wouldn't have had to continue searching the area. But it didn't stop me from caching. Well, it did for 2.5 months but then I was back at it.

 

Correlation? Hmmmm....

 

Good thing barefoot Jeff didn't knock himself out for 5 months for his T5 cache.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

I took my kids out to Stone Mountain a few weeks back. We walked some of the trails (and I DNFed a few caches). Along the way we came to a slick patch of exposed rock with a small stream of water flowing over it. I made certain to warn my kids of how slippery it can be and urged them to be cautious walking over it. They got over it well enough and when it was my turn, I put one foot down and it immediately went out from under me. I landed right on my hip, getting soaked by the water and for about ten seconds I was too stunned to speak...scared my daughter pretty bad. It was pretty embarrassing and my hip joint hurt for a full two weeks after that...like the joint itself, not just the surface where I landed.

 

Anyway...just a painful reminder that I'm 42 and not made of indestructible materials like I used to be. It's one reason I don't ever do stupid culvert caches or any cache where I might end up hurting or killing myself and not being found for days or weeks. I say "one reason" because culvert caches are stupid anyway...I mean, who the heck wants to crawl around in a storm sewer?!?!

Scary. I did something similar recently while we were visiting our daughter on the coast. I was trying to take some pictures of big rocks on the beach, and didn't realize that the thin film of algae on them was slicker than snot.

 

That would be a good name for cache on algae covered rocks.

 

Would felt soled shoes be considered "special equipment."

 

 

[+cerberus1]

Didymo.

[+Ambrosia]

I took my kids out to Stone Mountain a few weeks back. We walked some of the trails (and I DNFed a few caches). Along the way we came to a slick patch of exposed rock with a small stream of water flowing over it. I made certain to warn my kids of how slippery it can be and urged them to be cautious walking over it. They got over it well enough and when it was my turn, I put one foot down and it immediately went out from under me. I landed right on my hip, getting soaked by the water and for about ten seconds I was too stunned to speak...scared my daughter pretty bad. It was pretty embarrassing and my hip joint hurt for a full two weeks after that...like the joint itself, not just the surface where I landed.

 

Anyway...just a painful reminder that I'm 42 and not made of indestructible materials like I used to be. It's one reason I don't ever do stupid culvert caches or any cache where I might end up hurting or killing myself and not being found for days or weeks. I say "one reason" because culvert caches are stupid anyway...I mean, who the heck wants to crawl around in a storm sewer?!?!

Scary. I did something similar recently while we were visiting our daughter on the coast. I was trying to take some pictures of big rocks on the beach, and didn't realize that the thin film of algae on them was slicker than snot.

 

That would be a good name for cache on algae covered rocks.

 

Would felt soled shoes be considered "special equipment."

 

Don't tempt me!

[+barefootjeff]

Yesterday, with light winds, favourable tides and mild temperatures, I apparently paddled my kayak up the bay to do a check on that T5 cache that was pinged by the Cache Health Score algorithm a few months back (the one that had one DNF which was turned into a find a week later). I say apparently, because, judging by what happened to me and the slime stain on the shorts I'd been wearing, after taking photos of the cache and logbook I must have slipped on the rocks while climbing down and banged my head. Somehow I managed to paddle the kayak back to where I'd parked the car, get it strapped on and drive back home without mishap. I only have the vaguest dream-like memories of any of that, and nothing at all of the earlier part of the day, and it was only when eating dinner I started to realise something was wrong and took a taxi to the local hospital. Still waiting on the results of the CT scan, hoping it's nothing too serious.

 

It's enough to make me want to become a maintenance shirker .

 

If I were you I would just go ahead and archive all of the caches in question. Clearly if they're too dangerous for you they're too dangerous for the rest of us. Please oh please help protect us from ourselves and archive them immediately.

Ironically in the description for one of the waypoints of this cache I have in bold letters "Treat any wet rock as extremely slippery until you are sure that it isn't." but at the time I placed the container, I didn't think that was likely to a problem at GZ. The cache is on top of the rock shelf in the centre of this picture, with easy (or so I thought) access up from the right.

This is pretty tame compared to many other bushland caches around here and rocks that become slippery when wet are everywhere, so I think immediate archival is overkill. As I have no memory of the accident, I'm only surmising that this is where I fell but I could just as easily have gone off exploring after I'd taken my photos of the cache or even slipped over and hit my head on a rock near the car park when pulling the kayak out of the water.

Edited March 28, 2017 by barefootjeff

[+Crow-T-Robot]

Wondering what transpired, and if/who/what you mighta hit along the way with no recollection .

 

 

[+bflentje]

Yesterday, with light winds, favourable tides and mild temperatures, I apparently paddled my kayak up the bay to do a check on that T5 cache that was pinged by the Cache Health Score algorithm a few months back (the one that had one DNF which was turned into a find a week later). I say apparently, because, judging by what happened to me and the slime stain on the shorts I'd been wearing, after taking photos of the cache and logbook I must have slipped on the rocks while climbing down and banged my head. Somehow I managed to paddle the kayak back to where I'd parked the car, get it strapped on and drive back home without mishap. I only have the vaguest dream-like memories of any of that, and nothing at all of the earlier part of the day, and it was only when eating dinner I started to realise something was wrong and took a taxi to the local hospital. Still waiting on the results of the CT scan, hoping it's nothing too serious.

 

It's enough to make me want to become a maintenance shirker .

 

If I were you I would just go ahead and archive all of the caches in question. Clearly if they're too dangerous for you they're too dangerous for the rest of us. Please oh please help protect us from ourselves and archive them immediately.

Ironically in the description for one of the waypoints of this cache I have in bold letters "Treat any wet rock as extremely slippery until you are sure that it isn't." but at the time I placed the container, I didn't think that was likely to a problem at GZ. The cache is on top of the rock shelf in the centre of this picture, with easy (or so I thought) access up from the right.

This is pretty tame compared to many other bushland caches around here and rocks that become slippery when wet are everywhere, so I think immediate archival is overkill. As I have no memory of the accident, I'm only surmising that this is where I fell but I could just as easily have gone off exploring after I'd taken my photos of the cache or even slipped over and hit my head on a rock near the car park when pulling the kayak out of the water.

 

Good thing I was kidding. My philosophy is that the more stars there are the better.

[+Viajero Perdido]

I just got the CT scan results and there's no damage - phew. Be careful folks!

Great to hear, and thanks for the reminder.

 

Adventure = LIFE.

 

Today I spidered partway down a cliff, checking all the T4.5 places before thinking, wait a minute, this is only a T3!

 

Maybe another piece of advice should be, don't turn off the brain.

 

That which does not kill us, makes us stronger. Keep on adventuring.

[+geodarts]

I am happy that the scan came back with good news. Still, I hope that barefootjeff takes things slowly since concussions may not show up on CT scans.

 

You never know when something will happen. I joined a group last week to kayak around sea caves for an earthcache. My wife and I were the only ones with kayaking experience - although not with that type of kayak with that type of launch. But in any event it was embarrassing to be the only ones who flipped a boat. And we won't talk about the time a branch broke in a tree as I was climbing in search of a cache or a turkey attacked me while I was biking. Of course I have been known to trip on a sidewalk.

 

It looks like a fun location. I wish I were there!

[+barefootjeff]

I am happy that the scan came back with good news. Still, I hope that barefootjeff takes things slowly since concussions may not show up on CT scans.

 

You never know when something will happen. I joined a group last week to kayak around sea caves for an earthcache. My wife and I were the only ones with kayaking experience - although not with that type of kayak with that type of launch. But in any event it was embarrassing to be the only ones who flipped a boat. And we won't talk about the time a branch broke in a tree as I was climbing in search of a cache or a turkey attacked me while I was biking. Of course I have been known to trip on a sidewalk.

 

It looks like a fun location. I wish I were there!

Thanks. I think the CT scan was mainly to rule out anything more serious, but yes, I'll be taking things easy for a while and will take a friend along next time I go to check on that cache. It's a beautiful spot and at the end of the bay is a nice waterfall - it's one of the waypoints in the cache along with another set of falls further upstream. Anyone who does it has earned their T5!

[+The Leprechauns]

So you're basically saying that your Geocache Health Score went up, but your Geocacher Health Score went down?

 

I am glad that you're OK, barefootjeff. And, I love looking at the photos for that cache.

[+Mudfrog]

Jeff, glad to see that everything came out fine.

 

There have been many times when i went alone because terrain was just too tough for the cachers i hang with. I look back and realize it wasn't a good idea to go alone but on the other hand, gained some of my most memorable and enjoyable caching experiences from those trips.

 

Your picture shows a beautiful area to bring cachers to. Would love to try for some of those one of these days.

[+thebruce0]

Wow, well, just goes to show that accidents can happen at any T level... glad everything's good and you're ok.

Makes me very glad that I didn't get a bigger gust of wind when phooning on a 1' wide 4.5m high crossbeam over a rural road... granted that wasn't for a cache, but to celebrate the find.

 

Sometimes I wonder if we take treeclimbs for granted too. I have some friends who've either slipped or had a limb break while up in a tree and come away with some minor injuries... but all it takes is a short tumble to lose control and face some very serious personal damage. If you lift your head and jab your eye on a small twig, imagine the potential for a misplaced branch during a fall... =/

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Wow, well, just goes to show that accidents can happen at any T level... glad everything's good and you're ok.

Makes me very glad that I didn't get a bigger gust of wind when phooning on a 1' wide 4.5m high crossbeam over a rural road... granted that wasn't for a cache, but to celebrate the find.

 

Sometimes I wonder if we take treeclimbs for granted too. I have some friends who've either slipped or had a limb break while up in a tree and come away with some minor injuries... but all it takes is a short tumble to lose control and face some very serious personal damage. If you lift your head and jab your eye on a small twig, imagine the potential for a misplaced branch during a fall... =/

 

I don't think you were around at the time but there was a CO from NY that posted a bunch of photos related to a tree climbing cache he created. Several of them were of his brother (I think) in a hospital bed, with what appeared to be some significant injuries after falling from the tree while *hiding* the container.