[Back off! I have a...pen.]

Back off, I have a pen...

 

 

And it's leaking.

 

 

Sorry, couldn't resist.

that's right! Nothing screams "I taste too much like nerd" to a bear like a leaky inky in the shirt pocket!

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

I'll apologize if I misunderstood. For most of my life "headlights" were only on vehicles. If the headlights were on your head and you were miles from your vehicle then yes, you have to deal with the situation differently. If you were in the vehicle, then I still do not understand.

I was in the vehicle at the time. I'm sorry if you don't understand what I am trying to get across: the possible circumstance of having not seen him ahead of time, driving the very little distance up the road to the cache, us splitting up in the dark in the woods (again, not knowing he was there) & one of us encountering him while alone.

The very fact that he was even out there in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night, in the middle of the woods, acting so very strangely, just further cemented the fact that I need to be a little wiser sometimes because strange people can be anywhere.

[Awards, Achievments, leaderboards & badges (The future of Geocaching?)]

We now have challenge caches. Cachers can place a cache for those that meet a specific geocaching related challenge. If you want to foolishly look at find count as points, they are essentially giving you a point for meeting the challenge (and then finding the cache).

 

It would make more sense to me to get rid of challenge caches and instead organize a system of challenges that give awards or badges (instead of the "privilege" of logging one more cache). I'd find it much more easy to ignore some challenge if it only meant not getting an icon on my profile than I do when there is a a mystery cache half a mile from my house that requires I find some ridiculous combination of caches in order to log it. However, cachers who are motivated by challenges could still find ones to do and when they complete the challenge will have an additional icon on their profile to show for it.

 

Its people like you that I cant stand. The nose in the air, hippy, niche type, iv been geocaching longer than you brats. You think I cant have my own ideas cuz im new here? The fact that you think I have the time or the desire to make a nother profile to post this thread already speaks of the quality of person you are. I know this game is too family friendly for me to say what I really want but if you want to flame soemone for an idea than go ahead. Your probably some fat ugly nerd whos opinion I could care less about. The kind that flame someone for the slightest grammatical error. But Im going to defend my thread here. I like some of ya'lls opinions and ideas. Sure I could keep a pen and paper score sheet of my caches for myself. But I guess groing up with interfaces and mediums to show off and and compete for awards (xbox 360) (yelp) etc I would like to see an actual interface for this. At least among iphone 4 uesers. Oh and Bain, u really are retarded, albeit creative.

I had genuine interest in your idea. I am, however, completely turned off by your use of the word "retarded". You are new here, & they should not be accusing you of having a sock puppet account when all you are doing is pitching an idea, true. VERY true.

However, maybe you need to be reminded that respect flows both ways in these forums, & your use of the word "retarded" is highly offensive to many. To some of us, it is ESPECIALLY offensive because we have close family members with mental handicaps. So please choose your words more carefully in the future.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

So the 3 of us are going for this cache in the woods, & we near a cache. Right up the road from the cache (but not so near that the cache could be the excuse) our headlights fall upon a man belly crawling through the bushes. I'm not kidding. Middle of nowhere, 1 am. Full grown dude crawling through some bushes.. I'm not sure what the craziest part was. That it happened, or that we got the cache anyways..

 

I don't get it. To me the whole purpose of any self defence tool is to be assit you in getting out of an unexpected situation safely, not to win avoidable fights. What kind of circumstances could it be that you didn't just drive away and call 911?

The circumstance where you are in the middle of the woods, a mile (or three) from the vehicle, with no phone service & an encounter with a surprised animal or a human with bad intentions happens quickly.

Say we didn't happen to see the full grown man belly crawling through the bushes? Say we happily pile out of the truck & trek into the woods in seperate directions looking for the cache. Say I stooped down to look underneath some brush for the cache & all of a sudden somebody that I never knew was there is on top of me, overpowering me before I even know what's going on. In that circumstance, I don't think flipping open the cell phone as I hop into the truck is going to happen.

[New Cacher Here]

We talk we bring it up during any conversation about the outdoors, or what we do for fun. Sometimes, in response to the "what are ya'll doing this weekend?"

Not all that are interested wish to go with us at first. That's something you need to keep in mind. Sometimes they need to go out on their own & give it a shot to see if they like it. If they do, then eventually at some point down the road, you either get a phone call or run into them again, & all of a sudden they're caching buddies.

[Explain why did you choose your Users Name/Geocaching name]

It's very simple. We love Rhinos..in togas.

 

But no..it was a situation a long time ago, actually years ago, trying to set up an email account. At first I wanted it to be "professional" & tried to come up with combinations of words & numbers that I would have half a shot at remembering. Of course all these combos came back to me as "already in use", & there would be suggestions with a myriad of numbers that I would never remember. After about a half an hour of this it gets a bit frustrating. So, I simply thought of something that nobody else would be likely to use, and RhinoInAToga was born. To this day I can't even find a picture of a rhino in a toga (which would be useful for a coin) so, I suppose I did well.

 

Any time I needed to use technical support, they always got a laugh out of it. A representative at Groundspeak actually got a kick out of it too, when I needed to contact them at one point. Not just the username, but our email address behind it as well-because, of course, I did it again with the new email address. I'm not going to put it out in the open forum, though.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

I read the cachers' logs and they did not seem that bad. Just keep caching and ignore them.

[/quote

*waves hand like a Jedi* This is not the thread you are looking for..

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

Sigh... another gun thread.

It's not intended to be strictly guns.. It was originally intended to be a thread about what others carry to give me & others like me ideas on what would be reasonable to carry ourselves.

Of course, guns seem to be a weapon of choice. That being a hot button topic for many people has kind of led this thread deeper into "what you should & should not do" & "this is how I feel about guns" than the original idea warranted.

For me, that's ok, but I know some like to adhere to the topic.

I know. Really, I do. But hide and watch. It will be a gun thread.

probably.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

I used to hike alone in the woods at night all the time by myself. Yes, I too am a woman.

 

I tended to stay farther away from the city. The further out I went the less likely I was to run into the most fearful creature, man. But I was more likely to run into bears.

 

I've heard bears give a warning growl right next to the trail, in the dark, a half dozen times, but I just kept walking and talked to them, telling them I was headed out, not to worry, and they never came after me.

 

With humans, at least in the day, I know my first defense is in how I present myself. I have had guys come up behind me that seemed threatening in parks in the city. I have followed the advice I have read: I stood as tall as possible (not terribly possible for me), walked with as much confidence as possible, swaggered, turned around and looked the guy right in the eye with a look that said, "I've been looking for someone like you all day, I've got some aggressions to take out." I'll usually speak to them in a very loud deep voice full of confidence and strength. My words may be casual, but the tone is "don't f--- with me". I've had a lot of guys head the other way who had looked very threatening and were headed straight for me.

 

On the other hand, in the woods you have the disadvantage of it being dark.

The advantage is, you can pad your jacket and sleeves and look more burly and threatening than you actually are. People who attack people do scope you out to see if they can take you. Stuff socks up your sleeves before you go out. Wear a big hat to make you look taller. Whatever.

Swagger when you walk. Not like you're drunk, but like you're confident that you could beat to a pulp anyone you meet.

 

When I was doing so much night hiking I carried pepper spray and a stun-gun.

Pepper spray is good for hitting something at a little distance from you. If they grab you you cannot hit them with pepper spray, but you can hit them with your stun gun, especially if they come up from behind you and grab you. They are especially effective if you hit them in the arms.

If I am a fearful situation I'll loop the strap over my wrist so they can't take it without getting hit with it first.

 

A few times in the city I have had it in my purse and just taken it out when I felt threatened by someone. That's all that was needed. They took one look at it and were headed the other way in a second.

If just the looks of a stun-gun are enough to send someone running, I'm sure the bite of one would shock most into thinking that you were not the easy target they had previously assumed.

 

I like to stick to weapons that cannot be taken used on me and really hurt me, so knives are way out.

 

Most men are like mountain lions. They are looking for the easy meal. If you look like something that's going to cause them a whole lot of trouble, they're not going to bother.

Sure someone on crack will always be an exception, but really, how many defenses are there against someone on crack?? A big gun, that's about it.

 

Good luck.

You've got a lot of courage. Show it!!!

Thanks..but like I said, there's a fine line between bravery & stupidity, and I believe you and I both have done more than our fair share of toeing that line.

During my single days I used to hike alone with nothing but some water & my dog, camping & fishing & kayaking alone as well, & never thought twice about it. Now that I have a family, I'm beginning to think quite a bit differently. I think many people have a different line of thought when it comes to personal safety once they have children. I don't wish for this new preference for safety to keep me from doing the things I love, because that would be changing the very core of who I am. I just wish to do these things smarter.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

This is my weapon, this is my gun. This ones for killing, this ones for fun.

Bahahaha! :D

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

Clan Riffster I apologize if my info about tasers is incorrect.

No worries, Brother. I suspect it's a matter of misdirection on the salesman's part, combined with misinformation from the media. Many stun gun dealers like to toss the term "taser" out as if it were a generic term for any shock producing device. The media does the same thing. There is very little in common between a Taser and a stun gun.

 

A Taser utilizes a very specific electronic signature that matches the electronic pulse our brain sends to our muscles. Because the pulse from the Taser is stronger than the pulse sent from the brain, it over rides it, effectively shutting down the central nervous system.

 

Stun guns, on the other hand, use various degrees of current/amperage to create a pain compliance device. The two things which make pain compliance devices ineffective are; 1 ) There are situations where they have no effect. Certain drugs, large quantities of alcohol, and mental outlooks can all impede the effectiveness of a pain compliance device. 2 ) You have to be in close proximity to use them. If you are close enough to touch the bad guy with your stun gun, he is close enough to take it away from you.

Thank you for this information. You have effectively ruled out stun guns for me. As I stated earlier, I do know someone who can take one to the gut & keep going-& he is not a large person. That, coupled with what you have to say, leads to me saying "no" on this one.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

I just carry a baggie of fake dope, and toss it into the brush if there's trouble. It usually keeps them busy while I make my escape.

Is that how I'm supposed to explain it to the LEOs that often pull over to inquire what we're doing?

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

Sigh... another gun thread.

It's not intended to be strictly guns.. It was originally intended to be a thread about what others carry to give me & others like me ideas on what would be reasonable to carry ourselves.

Of course, guns seem to be a weapon of choice. That being a hot button topic for many people has kind of led this thread deeper into "what you should & should not do" & "this is how I feel about guns" than the original idea warranted.

For me, that's ok, but I know some like to adhere to the topic.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

Ok, after tonight's caching experiences I believe at the very least bear mace is going to be purchased & I'm definitely thinking more seriously about the concealed license.

We were lucky tonight, & had a sitter & another cacher to accompany us. We still had to go at night, but we could all hunt together-not a bad deal.

So the 3 of us are going for this cache in the woods, & we near a cache. Right up the road from the cache (but not so near that the cache could be the excuse) our headlights fall upon a man belly crawling through the bushes. I'm not kidding. Middle of nowhere, 1 am. Full grown dude crawling through some bushes.. I'm not sure what the craziest part was. That it happened, or that we got the cache anyways..

Fast forward to later in the night (or earlier this morning, however you wish to look at it) I step in fresh bear poop while searching for a night cache. We hear a lot of popping & cracking of sticks & hear something big moving around very near to us. Too close for comfort. That cache we did NOT stick around to get.

Yup. Definitely need to be smarter about this, & prepare ourselves against a bad situation. Some nights just pour on the crazy.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

<snip>

I'd rather get beaten with my own stick than shot with my own gun.

<snip>

 

haha not only is it funny, it's a good point

 

Difference is I know how to use one, but obviously you don't.

 

SS

Now, now..it was just a funny observation. If surprised, they aren't sure of themselves with a gun. Not an argumentative point, just a point to consider. One that we should all consider for ourselves before being put in that position. That's all BD was saying..

 

RT not BD. Not that I disagree.

Oops, sorry about that.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

We love night caching but are not as brave as you - we stick to urban caches!

I don't think it's bravery on my part. More like stupidity. But there's a fine line between the two.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

<snip>

I'd rather get beaten with my own stick than shot with my own gun.

<snip>

 

haha not only is it funny, it's a good point

 

Difference is I know how to use one, but obviously you don't.

 

SS

Now, now..it was just a funny observation. If surprised, they aren't sure of themselves with a gun. Not an argumentative point, just a point to consider. One that we should all consider for ourselves before being put in that position. That's all BD was saying..

 

Yes I know, There are Many times especially at night that I find myself alone after a FTF, I have been legally carrying for a few years now. I am happy to report that there has never been a time that I have considered drawing my weapon because as mentioned it is truly, only as a LAST resort in a life and death situation.

 

SS

I hope that is always the case, that you never have to use it. At the same time, I'm glad you have it if you need it.

As will be the case if I decide to do the same.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

A couple of sticks of dynamite with short fuses works pretty well, too. Just don't forget that Bic!

Haha that way I can blow us both up when I end up plowing headfirst into that tree! Excellent. Kind of like a "If I don't win, nobody wins!" situation. I like it.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

<snip>

I'd rather get beaten with my own stick than shot with my own gun.

<snip>

 

haha not only is it funny, it's a good point

 

Difference is I know how to use one, but obviously you don't.

 

SS

Now, now..it was just a funny observation. If surprised, they aren't sure of themselves with a gun. Not an argumentative point, just a point to consider. One that we should all consider for ourselves before being put in that position. That's all BD was saying..

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

Any tool can be a weapon. I like Blue Deuce's suggestion of a sturdy walking stick. If you're planning to use it defensively there are many varieties of martial arts that include stick fighting (kendo and kung fu both come to mind -- but there are others). Certainly, whatever tool/weapon you choose to carry, choose something you can enjoyably* practice with often. When you need it, you don't want to miss or have it taken away from you.

 

---

* enjoyably: because if it ain't fun you won't stick with it.

That's why I'm considering a concealed license. I'm a dang good shot, and enjoy shooting.

I'm not so sure about a walking stick..unless I did get some training. Honestly, with my family, I don't have the time for formal training. It would end up with me trying to swing the stick like a ball bat & racking it up against trees in mid swing, as the trees are dense in the forests around here.

Also, with me being of the smaller variety, & (yes, I'll say it) a woman, it would probably be stripped from my grasp in the event of a struggle with another human being. Woman have a disadvantage when it comes to upper body & arm strength; that's just the way it is. (Unless, of course, they have a lot of the aforementioned training.).

The chances of "the psycho serial killer" (dun dun duuuun) being another woman? Slim to none. I do like the idea of a taser...although I have known someone that took multiple taser shots to his body & kept right on going..I'm still fond of the idea.

The tasers that law enforcement carry are severely underpowered compared to what is on the market these days. You can get a taser that will do much more damage.

Also if you plan on carrying a gun I suggest you get into some IDPA competitions. They will help you react quicker under pressure if you did need to use the gun.

Both good points

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

<snip>

I'd rather get beaten with my own stick than shot with my own gun.

<snip>

 

haha not only is it funny, it's a good point

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

WOW! FTF hunts must be very interesting in your areas.

Haha! actually, we rarely participate in FTF hunts..only on the rare occasion that we get the notification while we're already out. No, there's another reason we mostly go at night, & we have to take turns so we always go one person at a time.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

Smaller variety, little upper body strength, shouldn't matter. You can kill a man with your bare hands -- just a couple properly placed fingers. A stick or other tool just expands your options so it doesn't have to come down to hand combat -- but you have to be prepared.

That's exactly what I was saying.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

Any tool can be a weapon. I like Blue Deuce's suggestion of a sturdy walking stick. If you're planning to use it defensively there are many varieties of martial arts that include stick fighting (kendo and kung fu both come to mind -- but there are others). Certainly, whatever tool/weapon you choose to carry, choose something you can enjoyably* practice with often. When you need it, you don't want to miss or have it taken away from you.

 

---

* enjoyably: because if it ain't fun you won't stick with it.

That's why I'm considering a concealed license. I'm a dang good shot, and enjoy shooting.

I'm not so sure about a walking stick..unless I did get some training. Honestly, with my family, I don't have the time for formal training. It would end up with me trying to swing the stick like a ball bat & racking it up against trees in mid swing, as the trees are dense in the forests around here.

Also, with me being of the smaller variety, & (yes, I'll say it) a woman, it would probably be stripped from my grasp in the event of a struggle with another human being. Woman have a disadvantage when it comes to upper body & arm strength; that's just the way it is. (Unless, of course, they have a lot of the aforementioned training.).

The chances of "the psycho serial killer" (dun dun duuuun) being another woman? Slim to none. I do like the idea of a taser...although I have known someone that took multiple taser shots to his body & kept right on going..I'm still fond of the idea.

[Back off! I have a...pen.]

So, for reasons that cannot be changed, I often cache at night. This usually lands me in the middle of the woods by myself at some point, if not often, during the night.

During these times, while listening to various noises in the brush & imagining Bigfoot or a psychotic serial killer, I always wonder at the stupid decision I have just made to do this. Then (and it never fails) I do it again.

So, I have thought about it, & instead of wandering into the woods by myself with a pen & a flashlight, I'm going to acquire some things to make sure I have at least minimal protection from either wild animals or other people..instead of a half-***ed plan to blind whatever it is with my weak flashlight, throw my pen in the general direction of eyeballs, & then make a run for it. (Which would inevitably involve me running headlong into a tree at some point during my flight. & really, let's face it, I don't run that fast. It would be a pathetic attempt at a getaway.)

So, what are some things that ya'll bring along with you to protect yourselves if needed? I've heard of bear mace, & thought about getting my concealed license, even though there's some areas you can't carry a concealed weapon. Give me some ideas! Thanks in advance.