ironman114

good to see you still kick'n an cachin'. Don't eat too much of that rat poison at once. I'll join ya on Ring of Fire, I'll be 66 them. Oh wait. You probably don't have to take that stuff. KF7AWY I have applied for K7IRN

I could hear Criminal pretty well. Not sure why he was breaking up. I could hear him in between but it was so faint I could barely hear it. I used my hand held with a rubber duck antenna. I have line of sight to Capitol peak. I can reach Gold Mountain just out of Bremerton but my signal is too weak to do anything other than trigger the repeater. If I get some time I may try a better antenna and see how my signal is.

For the old vehicle use permit, DFW regulations specified: Vehicle Use Permits may designate up to two vehicles for use. Permits must be placed in full view from outside the vehicle. Please have the license plate number(s) of the vehicle written in the space provided on the permit. That web site has been taken down but, for the next few days, you can still see it in the Google cache. We can hope that the new permit won't impose this same restriction, but it looks like we won't know until July 1. Per the Discoverpass.wa.gov site: "Q. Why can’t I transfer one Discover Pass among my vehicles? A. The Discover Pass legislation specifically states the pass applies to one vehicle. " Discover Faq

All I can say is Good. Now I will get another try to get to Noble knob with you. Just have to find time this busy summer.

I would have liked to be there with you on this one. But i am still dealing with many things pertaining to my dad's death. This summer sucks already and it doesn't look like I will have a free weekend till some time in July.

For all those saying they are going to write off State Parks do you realize this is to drive on ANY STATE LAND MANAGED BY THE DNR that isn't a road maintained with highway or county dollars. You would need a pass to go after any cache in the Capitol State Forest west of Olympia. I have a map of all state managed lands in color code. There is a lot of state land out there you now need a pass for! edit: It looks like B+L posted while I was reading this thread and formulating my response. Thanks for adding the acreages.

Wish I coulda been there. Had to help IronMaiden babysit the little shavings.

Sunday is supposed to be the nicer of the two days. Do you have a preference? I'm leaning towards fire- nothing is blooming and there's still mushy snow anywhere up high. I'm not real familiar with the area but how about heading up the Hamma Hamma then setting a course for Mildred lakes andbooting it up the trail as far as the snow will let us? Or something else. Are you talking about this Mildred Lakes? If so, how will you get there, down and around or up and over? That's the place. Normally I would do the down and around, City Navigator says 1:50 down and around, 2:10 up and around to Hwy 101 & FR #25. SO I guess it's 6 of one 1/2 a dozen of the other. I am not sure when they repair the road.Sometimes spring runoff covers the road with gravel. But You can usually make it to the Putnam Trail which climbs pretty quick. I can see snow from my house I don't know how much there may be there.

You're right, that's the one I have in my radio. My database in the laptop is messed up, but the radio has 146.620 which I have labeled as Brem2. I have that labeled Gold Mountain in my radio.

I understand that there is no "ONLINE" place to get a permit. That is why someone would have to make a personal visit to a Regional Office to meet with someone that "may" have the authority to issue one. Even if it isn't an "Official" State document. I was able to place a geocache inside the Mt. ST. Helens National Monument just by contacting the "Regional Supervisor" by phone and email. I didn't even have to visit their office. Hydnsek was even able to work with the National Parks and get permission for two geocaches inside a National Park. So by working with Local authorities sometimes geocaches can be placed. It may be beneficial if you contact the Fish and Wildlife manager that wanted you to place caches at access areas to promote the use of our lands. Who knows maybe he has the Authority to OK them! You won't know until you try.

I read all the Links provided. Nowhere did I see geocaching as absolutely prohibited. I did see this quote in all the links: "Without a permit, prohibiting landing or launching aircraft, discharging paintball guns, placing of geocaches," So if a permit was approved a geocache could be placed. Seems to be similar to the National Parks stance. I also noted this quote: "Jeff Gould, Chief, Bureau of Wildlife, presented the revised rules for public use of department managed lands. Mr. Gould stated that these rules help keep public use of Department lands consistent with wildlife habitat needs, public safety, and other management constraints. The last major update of these rules was in 1993. The proposed changes are: • Allowing the Director to delegate more authority to regional staff". Seems quite appropriate that regional staff may permit geocaches in some areas. If you look up at my link above, there is a rule there which does expressly state that placing a geocache on WMA lands is prohibited. Public use restrictions You have to scroll down a bit, look under rule 100.22 It is posted under public use restrictions for activities prohibited I did scroll down to 100.22. Yes I see it does say that placing a geocache is prohibited. But if you read again the part at the beginning of Section 100 BEFORE it say prohibited it does say that the following items 1-25 may be allowed by permission by several authorities including "Regional Supervisors".

I read all the Links provided. Nowhere did I see geocaching as absolutely prohibited. I did see this quote in all the links: "Without a permit, prohibiting landing or launching aircraft, discharging paintball guns, placing of geocaches," So if a permit was approved a geocache could be placed. Seems to be similar to the National Parks stance. I also noted this quote: "Jeff Gould, Chief, Bureau of Wildlife, presented the revised rules for public use of department managed lands. Mr. Gould stated that these rules help keep public use of Department lands consistent with wildlife habitat needs, public safety, and other management constraints. The last major update of these rules was in 1993. The proposed changes are: • Allowing the Director to delegate more authority to regional staff". Seems quite appropriate that regional staff may permit geocaches in some areas.

My most frustrating cache is my Psycho Vertigo cache. I had the idea of where to place it in 2005 or 06. But I drug my foot in placing it. A week before I was going to do It I got a call from another cacher to beta test their newest cache. It was where I was going to place mine. But the owner didn't activate it and kinda dropped from the scene. Later I found out they had pulled it and AGAIN someone placed one at the same place but in a less imaginative way. This one I figured would disappear soon and since the cache owner never found any more than the first five I thought he might not replace this one when it disappeared. I was right but it took close to a year. But I rethought mine and placed the first waypoint just outside the 528' circle, and the final across the canyon and bridge from his. The final was stolen first. I replaced it and moved it a few feet to a more hidden spot among the framework. Since then the first waypoint consisting of two stainless washers stamped with wp #2 coordinates and zip tied down to grating hanging over the side 350' above the creek have gone missing twice as well as the last replacement set placed under a RR tie for three times stolen. Another cacher decided to help me replace the coordinates by writing them on the old rails. I would have preferred not to write on or damage the structure since it is on a historic register. WP #2 a magnetic film can has gone missing once also. After the one placed at the opposite end went missing my wife placed one close and it has remained trouble free. It is time for me to get a new set of washers ready since spring will be here soon and I will probably to take need another trip out there.

You'd make at least one friend - I'd love to get a free sandwich for finding a cache! Most of the free sandwiches in the world are worth what you paid for 'em. A pack of coupons that would fill a cache are either gonna all go to the next finder or they will end up a soggy, messy, lump in the bottom of the cache. Sounds more like a case for a bad container that shouldn't even have a logbook in it.

I was just thinking the same thing. My mom grew up in Colorado and lived in the San Luis valley @ 7,500' elevation. It is very flat there.

Too bad we missed this one. Looks like everyone had fun. I missed getting out in the snow this week.

I like the wording much better now. I amy do this challenge but it may take me a long time. I don't own a GPS that can download any info, so now this one is doable as I like off trail hikes and caches.

What a great day and a great way to end the year. I got to try my new tires in deep snow, make a good hike and had sunshine all day with some good summit views. Late afternoon sunlit trail What more could you ask for than good friends and good health. I had those on this trip too! My new valve seems to be working fine. Seat belts still bug me on the incision but pack straps don't. Dueling JetBoil stoves making hot lunch and some hot coffee.

I hiked in temps in the teens to DNF a cache I figured we wouldn't find anyway. We hiked to over 4,5oo foot level. Snow and cold is COOL!

Your list is very similar to the kit that I bring with us on every hike. We basically carry what you have plus a whistle, signal mirror, space blanket, 2 lighters, and a tube tent. Maybe we are over-prepared and the entire kit weighs about 2 pounds but I feel better having it with us. Survival gear is good to have. But if you have never broken it out of your pack and actually used it it is useless!! Have you ever tried to fish??? What would you use for bait? would the fish actually bite the bait? Have you ever tried to start a fire under less than ideal conditions with your fire starting stuff?? If you haven't proven to yourself that you are proficient with starting a fire with these items they may FAIL you.

It looks like I will be meeting with ya all in Silverdale. I'll have Big Red (the truck not the wife).

I'll be coming via Shelton. Either to meet you in Silverdale or taking my truck up 101 to Quilcene to meet. I'll have to see about fuel costs. I have room for 4 in the truck. 5 if you real buddies

Bikes work for Vista house. although you may have to push them uphill for a major part it is all downhill going back. They will work for part of Psycho as it is an old RR grade, but two culverts have been removed and the one closest to the cache would be impossible to take a bike through. I would lock the bikes if only taken part way. Ironman style isn't a long walk. Lost RR depends on which way you approach. Have fun.

Geez, give a rest dude. We can't all just head out at the drop of the hat. Who was it that couldn't go on the Decemmber HOTM because they had better things to do, not that there's anything wrong with that sometimes life just gets in the way. I really think you're swell though. Reading a forum post is one thing but sometimes schedules have to be checked, plans made and/or rearranged or a multitude of other things and that can take a lot more time than it takes to just read this thread. Oh yeah I'm in. I'm talking about the many people who never go on these hikes/snowshoes. It seems like the same handful of people, seldom anyone new. Why? I can only guess they are nervous about being in the forest, or lack confidence in their ability, lack the gear, or some combination thereof. Everyone is invited! Give it a try! Well my $0.02 worth. If it involves snow the answer is no. I grew up north of Chicago in the snow belt. I do not find snow a fun place to play. As for ability, I have a bum ticker. I don't like the idea of what the doctor wants to do to fix it. I'll live with it. What this means is I don't go up slopes very fast and steeper the slope and higher the elevation the slower I go. I don't want to hold others back. As for being in the forest, I have no problem walking around in the tree farms around my place alone, but then I'm not making big elevation gains. Quite frankly I wish I felt I could go on some of the hikes when the weather is better but just don't want to be an anchor. But I do like to look at the pictures and dream. Thanks for the invite, but please keep the pictures coming. While I don't know the extent of your bum ticker, I had one for years. December last year I went on the HOTM on Snoqualmie. I was at the back of the group but I wasn't alone there. I went at my pace and with the caveat the if I felt I couldn't make it I would head back down. Everyone respected that. Six months later I had open heart surgery to replace a defective and failing valve. Six months after surgery I have gone on two snowshoe hikes. I feel better but still hike at my pace. Don't sell yourself short. As for not liking snow, I don't like working in it. But a walk in the woods brings me a whole different perspective of the white stuff and layers keep me warm along with something hot to drink.

OK, that's just funny! But seriously, when I heard this guy on the local public radio station, what was amazing was how loud nature was IF you weren't mixing it up with man-made sound. He played exquisite recordings of (very) distant thunder and snow melting. We listened to the roar of snow falling in the Olympic Mountains just yesterday and I didn't have to drive all the way up to the west side to do it.