I just completed the latest update to my geocaching statistics using a new geocaching tool called “My Geocaching Profile”. At this point I saw that I have a big gap in the hard terrain and hard difficulty area….this is the highlighted section below.

So what does it take to get a difficult geocache? I recently got a 1.5 Difficulty & 4 Terrain geocache at Sunset Cliffs Beach and thought I’d share the adventure….

We arrived at the site and were met with lots of Danger signs like this one? Does this mean you can’t go down there? The geocache logs state that kids are here all the time with their families…surely if a kid can do it, so can I? (I’m thinking I am terrible at peer pressure and this is just a really good example why!)

We decide to go down and boy is it tough. We have the GeoPuppy, Watson, with us which of course makes it more difficult. But if a kid can do this, so can I. That’s my mantra for this whole experience….Eventually we make it down and have to take a photo to show how great (or crazy?!) we are.

Then we have to find the geocache. The log stated that the GPS unit is not going to do very well and that you should expect it to bounce around a bit so if you get within 50 feet that is as good as it gets. Right then, so we are only left with this whole area here then?

The iPhone geocache app saves us as it includes photos from others and my Oregon 550t GPS unit only has the text. Without that we were going for a blind cache search (something you do find many cachers adamant about) but we take the hints and steer towards the wet, damp cave. Really, in there? Would they expect us to climb in all the way there? Of course they would….And I send in Bangers to save the day.

Hooray we found it and can add a find to the Terrain 4. Now we just have to combine with a Difficulty of 4 and we can get one of those quadrants marked off. There is another Terrain 4 further up from Sunset Cliffs Beach….but we’ll leave that for another day.

In case you want to go get this geocache, the GC Code is GC22A6Y Surf Rock. Have Fun!

A 5/5/ geocache is one that is Level 5 difficulty and Level 5 terrain. The scale is from 1-5 so it is the hardest one out there. I’m not sure how many exist but in the San Diego area I think you are looking at maybe 10 of these.

The email crew decided to make it a geocache event and hike together to the location. We scheduled it for Jan 2nd to welcome in the new year and to start getting those extra holiday cookies off our bodies.

I’m not sure what I expected, the reviews suggested it was quite a difficult hike, but I’m young and reasonably athletic, so no problem, right?

Well, this ended up as a 9 hour hike in the attempt to get the 5/5 geocache El Capitan GCDAO6

Alas, it was not to be today – but the geocaching crew that went did get loads of caches on the way up – and are determined to go up again in a few weeks.

Happy New Year – this was a great 14 mile hike – great way to start the year!!

el cajon

Map your trip with EveryTrail

I remember that I would often think “there was a geocache like this?!” (in a library, looks like a stick, under a lamp post…)

So, this geocache blog post has a one minute video on How to find a geocache video

Interested in finding this geocache too? GC1PKY7 – Hanger

And when you find it, the joy of looking in a geocache hide is not there. It takes forever to get out the log (if you can get it out) and even longer to get it back in.
I have just stopped trying to write the log anymore and save my update for the online file at www.Geocaching.com

well that is the rant for the day. please do not hide these nano geocaches out in the field, there are so many more types that are more enjoyable to hide and find!

Was at Torrey Pines State Reserve to complete a nice walk at the beach and a couple of EarthCaches. Along the walk there was an unusual object on the beach – have seen a seal on occasion – but his was much larger – and the shape made it odd to determine what it was. Is it the San Diego version of the Montauk Monster?

Interested in knowing more about EarthCache geocaches? This blog entry talks about the certificate levels and this is an example of an Earthcache in Zimbabwe, Africa.

Disclaimer: All caches will be located in Southern California

Puzzle #1 – Kings & Queens of England – GC1PZ7D

Puzzle Details from Geocache Site

A puzzle cache to celebrate the monarchy of our homeland – England. Should not be too hard to find the answers, but likely not when you are out in the field.

1. Number of wives that King Henry VIII had = A
2. Month that Harold II died =X? B=X-3
3. Queen Elizabeth I almost died of smallpox in 156Y. C=Y+1
4. How many children did Queen Victoria have = Z? D = Z-3

Cache is locate at coordinates:
N 32 54.AB1
W 117 13.CD1

Cache is a micro cache with room for a log only. Bring your own pen.
Congrats to PQGeoTrekkers for FTF

I enjoy geocaching as a couple – and always wondered about other geocachers – but never really went to the next step of meeting others.

Well, the weekly email update from Geocache provides a list of events that are local and was seeing this event called “World Wide Flash Mob Event V – San Diego Old Town” over time and it just drew my curiosity. As the time grew closer – I decided to go and attend the event.

The event sounded so interesting – in 15 minutes you would:

• Meet other geocachers
• Trade items
• Sign the geocache log
• Do a bit of CITO (Cache in Trash Out)
• Eat with fellow geocachers (or should I say “kiss” them)
• Leave in a organized fashion and carry on with your day leaving the people around you dazed and confused…

We both attended the event and it was really fun!!! Met someone that works at the same place too – small world indeed!

The best way for me to get a view of geocaches in an area – and I use this for any trips is to use the Google Maps feature on the Geocaching member site. I type in a location (like a zip code) and …ta-da…the results are available to see.

Details of some of the San Diego Geocaches I’ve found include: a Podcache in Balboa Park and finding all 70+ geocaches on Black Mountain.

The geocaching ranking site is a lovely little geocaching tool provided by D Runner.

Drum roll…here are the results…Number 2,340 in California and number 30,790 in the world.

The fellow geocachers we saw are a California geocaching couple called J&J who were ranked #26 in the world!!!! WOW! We were following them on a trail today in the geocache logs – so what an honor. The J&J couple have found over 11,000 geocaches!!!

Bangers & Mash might have a little way to go to catch up to J&J, but hey, the only way is up, right?!

The beach was indeed beautiful, but I did not see those crystal clear blue skies I was hoping for…

I still managed to find a few San Diego geocaches anyway and have some fun in the process. But I sure am glad I decided to pack my scarf and gloves “just in case” for this cold weather geocaching!