Winter Hiding Frustration

4.8k · December 21, 2003

So, I learned a lesson today. I went out to hide a large cache (a big plastic file container, big is necessary for the purpose of the cache). Well, in summer, it would have been easy, but now with no vegetation and in an area lacking thick groves of evergreen trees (Nebraska), it was impossible to find a safe place! I looked for 4-5 hours. At least I got some good hikes in. Now this could be a good thing because if I had hid it summer, it could be really exposed right now. Regardless, I ended up going home, cutting a bunch of branches off my evergreen bush and taping them all over the container with brown duct tape. I also filled a big bag with cuttings for more cover and will go back out tomorrow. Who knows whether the place I put it will be full of nettles and poison ivy in the summer?

Any similar frustrations/solutions?

24.7k · December 21, 2003

Just the same observations you made. Now when hiding a cache in the summer I pay attention to what it will look like in the winter.

One cache I did this summer was hidden in the winter. What was a nice field grew into stinging nettle, thistles, and thorn bushes, with more stinging and biting ants than I've ever seen in my life. The nettle jungle made it a hard find which gave more time for the ants to crawl up your legs...

December 21, 2003

You've given me a great idea! Why not make a natural looking geocache container? You know, like an artificial "tree" or "stump" or "bush" or "boulder?" Construct it so it looks like it really belongs, kind of "natural" but not. That way you can just place it someplace where it will "blend in" with the natural surroundings. It make take some work, but oh what a fine hide it would make! Imagine someone actually sitting on your geocache while scratching their heads in utter frustration because their GPS reads 1 foot and they cannot find the cache. Hmmmmmmm.........!

4.8k · December 21, 2003

Imagine someone actually sitting on your geocache while scratching their heads in utter frustration because their GPS reads 1 foot and they cannot find the cache. Hmmmmmmm.........!

There are several like that around here, and they are great caches! My problem is that the cache I am placing is so large that it is harder to do those things to. But I'm hoping the branches taped to it will work for now!

38.2k · December 21, 2003

There are several like that around here, and they are great caches! My problem is that the cache I am placing is so large that it is harder to do those things to. But I'm hoping the branches taped to it will work for now!

Go to a crafts store (Rag Shop, JC Moore, Michaels or whatever they have by you) and check out the plastic plant branches they sell. You can get fake ferns, evergreen branches, grass, etc.... They'll last a lot longer than real branches. You can use something like Goop household glue, or an epoxy to attach them to the box.

Edited December 21, 2003 by briansnat

2.3k · December 21, 2003

I was recently caching in NY in Nov and Dec and was very frustrated by all the leaf litter, it really slowed me down.

Here in FL, the vegetation is only 1 foot tall in the winter instead of 4 feet tall as in the summer.

2.7k · December 21, 2003

I've found one in not so a desirable place.

Now it will be covered with the white stuff for about 6 months. But when the snow melts it will still be covered and well hidden.

And I may go see how deep the stuff is in January when I have some time off.

Yesterday I even found one that was comprimised and messed up right here in town and think the owners have gone to Mexico for the winter. So that one has been put in a very safe place also waiting for the return of the owners.

Merry Christmas Carleen

1.1k · December 21, 2003

One problem you may not have thought of, Tahosa, is that if you have any winter searchers for your cache, they're going to leave a trail and handprints around your cache hide location, which will actually make it EASIER for others until the next snowfall covers up those tracks! (Been there, done this, while caching in the snow in NYC last week!).

-Dave R. in snow-free Biloxi, MS

December 21, 2003

I often wondered the same thing...and the Terrain/Difficulty ratings could also be impacted. True, the terrain may not change with the seasons, but the cache that is hidden in "bare winter" may be much more difficult to find with thick underbrush and/or heavy tree canopy during the spring, summer season. Should the difficulty rating then be changed...or at least mention made in the cache description to differentiate the difficulty rating between the different seasons?

Concerning "tracks" to the cache when snow is on the ground. Whew, I always do some very creative meandering in an attempt to throw off any muggles that may follow the tracks -- I'd rather fill a whole woodlot with snow footprints than put the cache in jeopardy.

Regards,

Bill

4.8k · December 22, 2003

Go to a crafts store (Rag Shop, JC Moore, Michaels or whatever they have by you) and check out the plastic plant branches they sell. You can get fake ferns, evergreen branches, grass, etc.... They'll last a lot longer than real branches. You can use something like Goop household glue, or an epoxy to attach them to the box.

That's a good idea. I was in a hurry to get the cache placed before Christmas (it is a Christmas theme, but permanent cache) so I did the "quick fix" but was worried about it. I think I'll go get some of that stuff and doctor up the cache a little more soon! I did place the darn thing today, but the best spot was .11 from another cache, so if my note to the approver doesn't fly, I'll be hauling it 10 miles down the road to my second choice spot and will stop at the craft store on the way.

4.8k · December 22, 2003

Merry Christmas Carleen

And Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to you (and everyone) too! Seeing the pics of Cameron's cache is a nice reminder about how caching brings people together in helpful ways.

December 22, 2003

You've given me a great idea! Why not make a natural looking geocache container? You know, like an artificial "tree" or "stump" or "bush" or "boulder?" Construct it so it looks like it really belongs, kind of "natural" but not. That way you can just place it someplace where it will "blend in" with the natural surroundings. It make take some work, but oh what a fine hide it would make! Imagine someone actually sitting on your geocache while scratching their heads in utter frustration because their GPS reads 1 foot and they cannot find the cache. Hmmmmmmm.........!

Now, that does sound interesting. I think I will work on something like that.

Thanks Clown knife, Jeff24

December 22, 2003

they sell rocks with a hollow under it for micros on geocaching .com. someone with better skills can provide the link maybe.

2.7k · December 22, 2003

One problem you may not have thought of, Tahosa, is that if you have any winter searchers for your cache, they're going to leave a trail and handprints around your cache hide location,

That was easily taken into consideration, the Cache is in the Rocky Mountains at around 10,000 ft. And when it snows up there it stays for 6 months or more and nothing is found. Unless you have a snow shovel and a metal detector.

9.4k · December 22, 2003

One problem you may not have thought of, Tahosa, is that if you have any winter searchers for your cache, they're going to leave a trail and handprints around your cache hide location,

That was easily taken into consideration, the Cache is in the Rocky Mountains at around 10,000 ft. And when it snows up there it stays for 6 months or more and nothing is found. Unless you have a snow shovel and a metal detector.

I like hunting caches in the snow, since I don't get the chance to do much of that down here.

2k · December 22, 2003

Found one today in the snow. I was surprised that I walked right up to it, stuck my hand in the snow where I thought it should be, and, volla. There it was. I won't get that lucky again in the snow.

I planted one yesterday ... hopefully the location will shield it from some of the deeper snow, but time will tell.

2k · December 22, 2003

Let me see, rocks in the winter, okay got it. Now lets try rocks in the summer, okay got that. Huummmmm. <Scratching head.> What are you guys talking about seasonal changes .

I paint my ammo boxes either basalt black and red, sandstone biege, or granite gray. Carry one of each and I'm always ready to plant a cache.

4k · December 22, 2003

they sell rocks with a hollow under it for micros on geocaching .com. someone with better skills can provide the link maybe.

You can get basically the same thing at most department stores or greenhouses in the garden center. They're called Keystones and are made for hiding house keys. Much cheaper than gspeak ones. I got half a dozen for $5 last year.

9.4k · December 22, 2003

they sell rocks with a hollow under it for micros on geocaching .com. someone with better skills can provide the link maybe.

You can get basically the same thing at most department stores or greenhouses in the garden center. They're called Keystones and are made for hiding house keys. Much cheaper than gspeak ones. I got half a dozen for $5 last year.

Send some my way!

4k · December 22, 2003

they sell rocks with a hollow under it for micros on geocaching .com. someone with better skills can provide the link maybe.

You can get basically the same thing at most department stores or greenhouses in the garden center. They're called Keystones and are made for hiding house keys. Much cheaper than gspeak ones. I got half a dozen for $5 last year.

Send some my way!

Ok, I just emailed a couple to ya!

9.4k · December 22, 2003

Ok, I just emailed a couple to ya!

Haven't you heard of UPS?

4k · December 22, 2003

Ok, I just emailed a couple to ya!

Haven't you heard of UPS?

D'oh!!!!!

I'm still number one!

9.4k · December 22, 2003

No, that honor goes to Doc-Dean today

4.8k · December 22, 2003

BTW, the cache was just approved.

December 22, 2003

BTW, the cache was just approved.

Wow, you've got some cool stuff in there!

RobertM

Geo 25

Edited December 22, 2003 by RobertM

1.2k · December 22, 2003

Those are some nice Goodies, Too bad it's a bit out of my caching range

The cache I hide I hung on a branch deep in a tree. hopefully this will keep it obscure and above the snow.

9.4k · December 22, 2003

Hmmm...Christmas in Nebraska...

No, I'd have to go through Kansas to get there...I've heard they don't like Sax-totin' Smurfs there...

4k · December 22, 2003

Hmmm...Christmas in Nebraska...

No, I'd have to go through Kansas to get there...I've heard they don't like Sax-totin' Smurfs there...

That's right.....our border patrol sends the flying monkeys to get ya!

9.4k · December 22, 2003

I could go around and go through Colorado, but I've heard someone there is gunning for me. I'm not sure which way would be worse

2.3k · December 22, 2003

Some real nice items in the cache...

Why don't you place some in my area...

but you can leave John Denver at home

4k · December 22, 2003

I could go around and go through Colorado, but I've heard someone there is gunning for me. I'm not sure which way would be worse

Worse? Come on, dude, you're going to Nebraska ! How much worse could it get?

(Sorry, carleenp, I just had to say it!)

2.3k · December 22, 2003

54 today... I hope it doesn't snow soon!

4k · December 22, 2003

54 today... I hope it doesn't snow soon!

41 and dropping here.....supposed to get freezing rain this evening.

4.8k · December 22, 2003

Worse? Come on, dude, you're going to Nebraska ! How much worse could it get?

This coming from a person in Kansas!

4k · December 22, 2003

Worse? Come on, dude, you're going to Nebraska ! How much worse could it get?

This coming from a person in Kansas!

I share your pain, girlfriend!

9.4k · December 22, 2003

I could go around and go through Colorado, but I've heard someone there is gunning for me. I'm not sure which way would be worse

Worse? Come on, dude, you're going to Nebraska ! How much worse could it get?

Did I forget to mention, I'm in New Mexico?

December 22, 2003

BTW, the cache was just approved.

...and found already, too!

2k · December 22, 2003

dadgum, some fast girls out in NB!

Winter Hiding Frustration

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Join the conversation