+TeamAO Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I'm planning to place a cache on a nice little island on a river that frequently floods. The island will become completely submerged and if I hid a cache there it would be pushed down river. I came across an idea that I could place the cache up in a strong tree branch way above the ground, so incase of a flood, the cache remains in it's position. I've looked through the rules and it mentions you can't bury it. Can you hide caches way up in trees? And if not, any other suggestions? Quote Link to comment
+LaPaglia Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I'm planning to place a cache on a nice little island on a river that frequently floods. The island will become completely submerged and if I hid a cache there it would be pushed down river. I came across an idea that I could place the cache up in a strong tree branch way above the ground, so incase of a flood, the cache remains in it's position. I've looked through the rules and it mentions you can't bury it. Can you hide caches way up in trees? And if not, any other suggestions? Yes you can. Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 If you have to climb the tree to retrieve the cache, be sure to note that on the cache page (I personally wouldn't want to climb a tree to get a cache); I have seen and read about caches that are hanging, anchored to another tree or something, and can be retrieved by simply untying a knot. An avid canoeist, I really like the idea of a cache on an island in a river. And I appreciate that you would be protecting it from floods. Quote Link to comment
+Ambrosia Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 (edited) I have two caches that are in a tree because of flooding. One is a camoed bison tube hanging from a stubby branch on an island (It may not flood, but I did it just in case.) The other is a tiny toy birdhouse that I bought at the local craft store (I put a warning on the site that there may be flooding on and off throughout the year, so keep checking the cache site to see if you can get to it). Both caches are safe from flooding, but easy to reach. My husband has two caches on islands that partially flood. They are in mostly water-proof containers (an ammo can would work) that are secured very well under rocks, etc. We have never lost the caches due to flooding, but maybe those islands do not flood to the degree that yours does. Edited July 12, 2005 by Ambrosia Quote Link to comment
CoyoteRed Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 Can you hide caches way up in trees? Well, if you can't then we'd be in trouble. Quote Link to comment
ImpalaBob Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I've done many air caches from bending saplings to micros hoisted on fishing lines. I've climbed one that was a ammo can 20 feet up and yes .... it was a bit dangerous. Koikeeper alone would not have been able to climb it. ImpalaBob Quote Link to comment
+Robespierre Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I have two in trees. In both cases, I made wooden boxes out of weathered wood and/or camoflaged and treated with low-gloss varnish, greased the hinge well, or used a sliding door with a pin. Both are well-covered in summer by vegetation. They are out-of-the way enough that they're not likely to be discovered with the camoflage I have given them. You need to strap the door tight for mice will like the box too, and they gnaw things. I recently got rid of mice in one. Quote Link to comment
+the hermit crabs Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 "Up There?" requires finders to climb several trees. (It does warn you on the cache page.) Quote Link to comment
+Bjorn74 Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 To place a cache near a flood prone river I had some friends engineer this really complicated plan that required an arc-welder, a few feet of rebar, a piece of steel plate and either velcro straps or magnets. I settled for getting some $.49 a foot chain from a home improvement store with a couple quick links. Give the cache about 5 feet to move and it won't go anywhere as long as it's secured well and water tight. I use it mostly to keep people from moving my caches in areas where I want the cache to stay right where I put it. It seems to be working. Quote Link to comment
+vree Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 rope and pulleys can be your friend... Quote Link to comment
+Allanon Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 (edited) Ambrosia said: The other is a tiny toy birdhouse that I bought at the local craft store (I put a warning on the site that there may be flooding on and off throughout the year, so keep checking the cache site to see if you can get to it). I loved that cache during the Wenatchee Cache Machine...and I'm even the one that found it for our group, so it has special memories for me. As for the original question, I've found them hanging from branches with the hook on the cache, with a hook screwed into the tree (not my preference, btw), and with a rope attached to it that you had to untie and lower the cache down...and was with a groups where the caches have been camo'd with leaves and even as a fur-cone...so, as everyone else has said...yes, trees are your friends. Edited July 13, 2005 by Allanon Quote Link to comment
4wheelin_fool Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 Chain or tether it to the bottom of a tree, and make it able to float, so it doesnt stay underwater too long and if some one is caching during high water they can find it. Quote Link to comment
NatureFish Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 Simular to the rope-and-pulley mentioned above, a neat one here uses green spider-wire fishing line thrown over a high branch. The line forms a loop that hangs down the tree tunk - you have to reel the cache down, sign it and reel it back up. The container is a brown bison tube. Quote Link to comment
+wandererrob Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I recently found a cache that was up a tree with some dark green rope tied up over a branch then down to a low branch. Untie the know and you can lower the cache. No climbing required, but it was above ground so it took me a while to find. I think most people, like myself, tend to look low and don't think to look high, so it'd add some challenge. Quote Link to comment
+Greymane Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I, too, have found suspended caches. The first I found was one of the most challenging I found to that point. The question is, if you have a suspended cache, should you have to post latitude, longitude AND elevation on the cache page?!? Quote Link to comment
+fly46 Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 My first hide is 6' up in a tree. Quote Link to comment
+Kite and Hawkeye Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 (edited) Can you hide them with a boat? Can you hide them in a moat? Can you hide them in the air? Hide them, hide them anywhere! Edited July 12, 2005 by Kite and Hawkeye Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 My, my; have no despair, Poetry flourishes, in the air! Quote Link to comment
djhobby Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I placed this one a few weeks ago and the few people who have found it seem to like it. Hopefully none of the locals will read this page and realize where it's at: Un-Fair Facts Quote Link to comment
+TeamAO Posted July 12, 2005 Author Share Posted July 12, 2005 Speaking of locals. This place is a PRIME fishing spot known for miles around. This island is probably 40 long and 15 feet wide. The trees are thick but, is there anyway around a micro in a situation like this. I don't want it muggled, but I would really like to place a cache there. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment
+Deliveryguy428 Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 Better yet, hide the cache in the air, in the plain sight even and make people figure out how to get it down. There is one in JX Fl like that. You see it just looking down at you and you have to go figure out how to get it down from its spot Quote Link to comment
+Gecko1 Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 It sounds fun! I personally love climbing. If the island floods, you could even canoe up to the tree. Quote Link to comment
+TeamAO Posted July 12, 2005 Author Share Posted July 12, 2005 The area is known for "ravagers" who if they found this cache, would most likely be the first to get some M-80's and couple beers and, "watch that sucker splode". Yes, I live in Southwest PA. Any ideas to hide it so only geocachers know of the location? Quote Link to comment
2oldfarts (the rockhounders) Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 If you have to climb the tree to retrieve the cache, be sure to note that on the cache page (I personally wouldn't want to climb a tree to get a cache); Why must it be put on the cache page if it is properly rated? Depending on the tree it might be a D/T of 3*/3* or 3*/4* or something in that neighborhood. With a higher Terrain rating you know that you will need to expend some effort to get the cache before you even head out. Depending on the tree, this oldfart may or may not choose to climb up and retrieve it. John PS - Shirley is NOT into tree climbing! Quote Link to comment
+Ambrosia Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Speaking of locals. This place is a PRIME fishing spot known for miles around. This island is probably 40 long and 15 feet wide. The trees are thick but, is there anyway around a micro in a situation like this. I don't want it muggled, but I would really like to place a cache there. Any suggestions? My bison cache is right where anyone can see it, and it is in a heavily trafficked area. It is up about 6 or 7 feet in the tree, on a stubby branch. Never seemed to have any problems with it being found by non-cachers. Quote Link to comment
+Ambrosia Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Ambrosia said:The other is a tiny toy birdhouse that I bought at the local craft store (I put a warning on the site that there may be flooding on and off throughout the year, so keep checking the cache site to see if you can get to it). I loved that cache during the Wenatchee Cache Machine...and I'm even the one that found it four our group, so it has special memories for me. Why thank you! I've wanted to be able to post this pic on the cache page, but it would be a giveaway. So I'll post it here! This pic was taken right after it was placed, so eventually it weathers to a more greyish brown color. Quote Link to comment
+CompuCash Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Can you hide caches way up in trees? Well, if you can't then we'd be in trouble. as a seller of Bison (or Bison type) tube that just invite hanging - ya - you would be in trouble - nice products too - cc\ Quote Link to comment
+TeamAO Posted July 13, 2005 Author Share Posted July 13, 2005 Can you hide caches way up in trees? Well, if you can't then we'd be in trouble. as a seller of Bison (or Bison type) tube that just invite hanging - ya - you would be in trouble - nice products too - cc\ Two questions in that case. One can I see a picture of the bison tube? And two, if, say, I'm not into the "buying stuff online" ordeal, where would you say a "retail" store would have them? Quote Link to comment
+Ambrosia Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 They come in a couple different sizes, anywhere from an inch and a half long to two inches long. You can get them in a gazillion colors, but they're real easy to paint or cover with camo tape. REI sells them for around 3 bucks, and other outdoor stores may sell them in your local area. They are considered a keychain, so that is where you will find them in the store. I actually found some at a mini mart by the cache register near my town. I bought every silver one they had. Quote Link to comment
+BilboB Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 I just found a cache in Ohio that was a thermos with a floor tile tied to it for weight, and then tied to a tree on the bank with rope. The coordinates were for the middle of the river and once you "found" the rope, you reeled it in, logged the cache and then threw it back out to sink in the middle of the river. Pretty clever cache if you ask me. Quote Link to comment
+CompuCash Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Can you hide caches way up in trees? Well, if you can't then we'd be in trouble. as a seller of Bison (or Bison type) tube that just invite hanging - ya - you would be in trouble - nice products too - cc\ Two questions in that case. One can I see a picture of the bison tube? And two, if, say, I'm not into the "buying stuff online" ordeal, where would you say a "retail" store would have them? go to Longs or Walgreens (or whatever big drug store in yer area) and look for pill cases. They have some nice plastic ones that don't cost too much - You can use a pill bottle also - paint it up and afix a string to hang it - you don't have to spend a lot of money on this stuff - there are a lot of goodes around that are even 'free'. Check out your local Dollar store too. cc\ Quote Link to comment
+TeamAO Posted July 14, 2005 Author Share Posted July 14, 2005 If I hide the cache is a "Buffalo" container, will any items fit in it. If not, what would be the size of the container that would be appropriate to hang off of a tree without being noticed for 40-50 feet away and will hold an item or two with a log book? Quote Link to comment
+wimseyguy Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 I have become so accustomed to looking for bison tubes starting at 6' and running to 30' that it took me 45 minutes to find one 1' off the ground last week. I have also seen much large containers up and away. Usually I spot the rope or line before I see the cache. Quote Link to comment
+Happy Bubbles Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 One of my favorite caches that I found was in a tree. It was concealed in a tree with an open center shielded by low-hanging exterior branches, and the cache itself was suspended waaaay overhead. But you didn't have to climb to get it - the end of its string was down near the ground, and by unhooking a caribeaner you could lower the cache down to where you could get to it. Quote Link to comment
CoyoteRed Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 If I hide the cache is a "Buffalo" container, will any items fit in it. If not, what would be the size of the container that would be appropriate to hang off of a tree without being noticed for 40-50 feet away and will hold an item or two with a log book? I've seen a few decon containers hanging in trees. You could reach them from the ground. These come with a clip and are OD green so it's pretty much ready to go. We've put a SAW can up in a tree once. We still have an undisclosable number in trees. (In case, locals are reading.) You could even put a rubbermaid up a tree. Make or buy a camo bag and hoist it up! Quote Link to comment
evilcacher Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 (edited) I have one in a tree...I had to do it this way so when the lake floods it wouldnt wash it away...its securly fastened to the tree in a way so that if it ever comes up missing then it had to be a geocacher that takes it... Infamous Travel Bug Prison-Oklahoma Branch Edited July 15, 2005 by evilcacher Quote Link to comment
+Susieiz Posted July 16, 2005 Share Posted July 16, 2005 (edited) Thanks for starting this topic. Lots of good info. My first hide will be river access only on an island on the Shenandoah. I am considering a pulley system in a tree. Our 100 year flood plain has flooded twice in the five years since we bought the place...island, field, forest and all! Thank goodness the house is on a hill! Edited July 16, 2005 by Susieiz Quote Link to comment
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