Solar Max

Thanks for the kind words Curious George. I just wish people would go to my harder caches too.. Leech Falls is indeed the name of the cache If you would like to go some time, a car can get you there, even an Oldsmobile (inside joke). Or, I can go with you, as I have made a few trips to it now, because I enjoy it so much. It is at: /www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=20538 I hope you get as much of a kick out of this one as I have. It was my second ever cache.

Hey CG, ANY cache that takes me outdoors is a good one. If I fail, so be it, if I succeed, that's neat too. I don't believe there IS a good method or a bad method to do caches. There are just different types of caches. I note that the words "STRESSED" are being used to describe those who chase, or do not chase these other types of caches. I actually know someone who has stated that he feels "pressured" by the urgency to do a cache. I refuse to let someone else stress me, or not, on an activity that I choose for recreational purposes. As I have stated, I have done a KFWB cache, and am working on others, so I don't believe there is a right way or a wrong way to do anything. I just think that the rules should be followed by everybody who hides or seeks a cache. I am with Rockcrawler, however: Trading down is not possible with $1000 in a cash. These statements should not, therefore, be made. I applaud Team KFWB for their generosity, and their enthusiasm for the sport, but I don't feel I can make a fair trade at any of their caches. I won't take all the money either, or even half of it, but that's a moral decision on my part. AS for meeting new cachers and seeing new places: I was doing that before Team KFWB, and will continue to. As I said, they have added a new dimension to caching, which I welcome, however the Sport is now moving toward financial gain as the prime motivation, not going new places and meeting new people. They are undoubtedly important, but they are now secondary. (Shameless plug for a cache: I returned to Leech Falls for the third time today, just to see it, and accompany a cacher who hadn't been there yet. If you Cash-cachers haven't been to this one yet, you owe yourself the sheer pleasure of the view. ( Did I say it right, eroyd? When do I get paid?) ) Having said all this, I am not trying to be critical of Team KFWB. They have added a new motivation for other cachers, and how can that be a bad thing? Get them out there, cuz.. "If I ain't sweatin', I ain't cachin'.."

Congrats, eroyd on your camera. What did you spring for? I went for a Fuji. It seemed the best for the money, and I'm happy with the pics. I just wish we weren't limited to 100K Uploads. Doesn't do justice to the pictures usually.

Hey Dagg, I see where you're coming from, but believe me, if it were about numbers, I would have done a LOT of "locationless" caches, as others around here have. I have done NO locationless at all. I admit that I have been more active than some around here, but that is because I am not native to this provinc and I am depending on YOU and eroyd and Plantman to show me places that I never knew existed. On the flip side, though, if I fail to find a cache, I try to return if possible. I made 3 trips to San Juan Alpine, being defeated by darkness, and flat tires, and a false presumption on our part about where the cache would be, before finally getting there. If it were numbers, I would have saved the fuel and time at San Juan, and made a trip somewhere else and done 5, instead of just one. Once again, I prove my niavete. I really thought that this sport was about going to new places, and the hunt, and that sort of thing. More and more, I hear people say the money helps spur them on. Not me. I still go to the top of the mountain because it's a mountain. I have done a KFWB cache, and may do more, but it won't be for the money.

Thanks for the responses, folks, especially eroyd, jrav and Dagg. I did not say that I would NOT be doing these, I meant that I questioned the ethics of caching for cash. Jrav, and Dagg, if you'll look at my profile, you will see that I do try for the harder ones, and am now deep into researching "punishment" by Dagg. With luck, and spare tires in my trunk, my partner and I should have it Sunday morning. (Boldly go where no Oldsmobile has gone before). Rednecks and Wildflowers may have to wait until next spring, but ya never know. If I can get someone to go with me (wanna volunteer, Team jrav?) I would love to do Empress Mountain. Goldguru has been the greatest addition to uour sport since Team Dagg. (If I ain't sweatin' , I ain't cachin'. Mariner

How about Mt Prevost outside Duncan? Just beautiful up there. Birds I View is a close second: [This message was edited by MarinerBC on November 19, 2002 at 11:39 PM.]

I got skunked at Fragile Fish. Maybe I won't be able to find my way to the Polar Bear swim... I'll show up if I can anyway tho. Bring the cache to me, You can keep the salmon sandwich.

KEWL! Cacherunner and I did TWO Polar Bear swims on Jan 1-02, one in the ocean at Sooke(6 degrees) one in Elk Lake (3 degrees) Count us in, name yer poison! Oh yah, I'll only show up if coast gives me a hint as to where the Fragile Fish %#$^^ cache is....

I note with sadness, a change in how the sport is done here on Vancouver Island. It used to be great hikes, to new places, reading hilarious log entries, and the thrill of the hunt. No more. No it's about BIG $$$ and expensive software, and plotting coords in Australia, to draw a line to a toilet bowl somewhere near the coast line. After 193 finds, I am now a dinosaur I guess. I did one team KGB cache, and was not thrilled by the money or the site. Does anyone else think that maybe the sport has changed for the worse? Perhaps it's time for me to retire, if it's all about the money.

Perhaps Jeremy should be contacted, and the Student in question should be deleted. I am totally against deleting logs, unless they are inflammatory or demeaning in nature, which these clearly were not. I note, as well, that Team OPP has no logs at present on said cache page.

Hey Coast, we had a great time at Newcastle on Labour Day. There was also one before that in Victoria in August. Are you setting one up in Cortenay?

That hasn't begun here on the West Coast yet, and I hope it doesn't. The fun of the hunt should be followed by taking in where you are, and recording what you went through to ge there, or what the view is like, or whether you hate the Toronto Maple Leafs. Say what comes to you. Don't throw a card in, and move on. It demeans the Sport.

So far I have to go with Heart Attack Hike (GC3FA9) Just for the views. A Straight up 414 Meter climb. Just great.

So far I have to go with Heart Attack Hike (GC3FA9) Just for the views. A Straight up 414 Meter climb. Just great.

Can anyone tell me how those ferries work to and from Newcastle? Are the hourly, or....? How far a walk is it to the campground? Maybe I should get the coordinates.

I like the idea of Rathtrevor. Easy to get to from both ends of the Island, close to caches if some folks want to do that, and nice beaches. I really can't see getting a fungal infection, because that's just media hype. I'm sure most of us who spend time in the woods as much as we do have been exposed many times already. Unfortunately for some, I'm still here. Rock on...

I like the idea of Rathtrevor. Anywhere else would be good, as well, but what if some of the folks camping want to peel off a few finds while there as a group effort? Wouldn't on the Island be better than Newcastle, with not nearly as many? (I can't remember how many it has )

I like the idea of Rathtrevor. Anywhere else would be good, as well, but what if some of the folks camping want to peel off a few finds while there as a group effort? Wouldn't on the Island be better than Newcastle, with not nearly as many? (I can't remember how many it has )

Here on the Island, we signal using that left side Gearshift thingy. If ya wanna go right, push it down, left, ya push it up. If after 25 km on Hwy 19, it's stlll on, just keep them guessin'. I like the date, can probably switch a shift to be there. May or may not camp, but definitely count me in.