+mcmom1 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Not to be discriminatory in my question, (men, feel free to contribute) but I was wondering if any of the ladies here, who geocache alone, have ever felt unsafe or experienced any weirdos while searching? I'm a single mom and I'd like to start geocaching with my son (I'm completely new to this). I've never been a big hiker or outdoorsy person but thought this might be a nice way to get into more of that stuff - starting with easy terrain caches and increasing as my skills improve. But to be honest, I'm a little apprehensive about going into the woods by myself or with my little boy. Not sure why - probably just lack of knowledge. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment
+reveritt Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 I am not a woman, but I do often go caching in the woods alone, or with an 8-year-old. 228 finds, and no bad experiences to date. There has been plenty of discussion on this topic. One approach is to attend local caching events to meet other local women, with whom you might want to go caching. Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Here' some past discussion: Women Geocaching Alone Quote Link to comment
+mcmom1 Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 thanks! very helpful thread. Quote Link to comment
+miles58 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 I don't care how you do it, you can't have as much to worry about as a man sneaking around in the bushes in the park. Quote Link to comment
+hiker49 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Another good tip (although I am also male) that I picked up from the forums is to email some of the cache finders in your area and see if maybe they want to team up. You might not get your choice of gender though. Quote Link to comment
+AuntieWeasel Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 I absolutely love being out in the woods by myself and it would take a lot to scare me out of it. So far, I've been really frightened exactly once. I was about sixty feet off the trail in a patch of woods looking for a cache. It was one of those suburban tracts of forest that is public land, but not well signposted or maintained. The kind locals tend to think of it as their own property. Anyhow, two guys on ATV's or dirt bikes went by and, just as they were opposite me, my cellphone rang. I wouldn't have thought they could hear it over their engines, so perhaps it was coincidence, but they stopped and just sat there. Didn't talk. Didn't call out. Just sat there silently. I got rid of my caller as fast as I could and decided to wait them out. They were between me and my car on the trail. I couldn't really see them, they couldn't have had more than a glimpse of me, though they probably had heard me talking. We held this standoff for a LONG time. Like maybe fifteen minutes (which feels like an eternity in this kind of situation). For all I know, they were good guys just keeping an eye on their neighborhood, but it felt distinctly sinister. It was the silence, I think. Of course, after they started the engine and roared off, weasel-for-brains still hung around long enough to find the cache. I mean -- come on -- we're talking SMILEY here. Let's have a sense of proportion. I'm much happier in a well marked park, the kind with trail maps and rangers, as opposed to a piece of neighborhood land that has just been allowed to drift back to nature. The latter all too often has camp sites with that lived-in look, complete with bits of crime scene tape. Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 (edited) ...But to be honest, I'm a little apprehensive about going into the woods by myself or with my little boy. Not sure why - probably just lack of knowledge. Any thoughts? Here's a product that may help you. Edited July 21, 2005 by sbell111 Quote Link to comment
+Iceburger Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Another usefull product is pepper spray. Most / some / all localities require some sort of Firearms permit to carry this but, it can be purchased easily without (though I'm not condoning or partaking in this) .... Ebay! It was one of the first things that went into my cache pack when we started this. I also made sure Nancy had some in her pack as we seperate sometimes while caching. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 You're likely to be safer in the woods than on a city street. Where I live I see women hiking alone all the time. Being that I also hike alone and am often filthy and carrying a chainsaw while doing trail maintenance, some look a bit startled when they see me. You can see a hint of trepidation in their eyes. Others just confidently greet me and keep on going. They don't even miss a step. Just a few weeks ago my wife and I were backpacking along the Appalachian Trail. We made camp, then went to the trail to cook dinner (to keep the bears away from our camp). We're a few miles from any road and a 20 something female comes around the bend and sees me standing there. My wife was sitting on the ground out of her view. She just greeted me with a hearty "good evening" and kept on going. Not a hint of fear at all. Someone who is up to no good can also sense fear as well as self confidence. The latter are far less likely to become prey, whether in the woods or in Central Park. Quote Link to comment
+Patudles Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 I am a grandma cacher and I often cache alone. I have never had any problems or scary times. I do not live near a big city and when I cache in the Seattle area I do prefer to have company. I also often cache with friends. Sometimes it is with other women but I also have some great male friends to cache with. But don't let fear come between taking your son out for a good time. I used to take my son camping when he was just a little guy and it was just the two of us. What wonderful bonding moments these times are. Just think of the memories you are creating for you child. Precious time with just the two of you caching together. That time can't be bought with money. Just use common sense. There are some areas to stay away from when alone. Quote Link to comment
+Ladycacher Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Hello! I have two boys 7 and 4. I mostly geocache with my 4 year old when my seven year old is in school. I sometimes do get the creepy's, but nothing that has ever stopped me. I do carry mase with me though, by request of my husband. I am 26 and attractive (not trying to be bold here) and my husband worries. My problem going with a young child is getting him into certain spots. It isn't easy carrying a 44", 45 pound child when trying to get up a hill. I have had to abort some just because of him...I am careful what I take him into. Living in Texas there are plenty of things that the woods and brush hold that could bite. Anyhow happy geocaching! I am glad that I am not the only mom with a child in tow....now to find some around here to go with..... Quote Link to comment
+Bear Paughs Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 My honey is not inclined to do outdoorsy stuff in the spring or summer, so for hiking and now geocaching it's usually just me and our 7 and 9 year old boys, sometimes just me. I have no trepidation whatsoever. I agree that you're in more danger in the city streets than out on the trail. But I still can't wait until it cools down enough in the late fall for him to come and join us as he's promised. Quote Link to comment
+TeamAO Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I'm 14 and sometimes I cache alone. These are my "precautionaries" that are a must incase of a run in ith a "weirdo". *cell phone *knife (for protection) *15 pound fanny pack full of geocaching essentials that if they met said weirdos head at enough speed should hold him down for a while In my little experience I haven't encountered anyone, but I've always thought of what I'd do in the situation. The best thing you can do, is know what you would do in the situation if it occured. Quote Link to comment
+Team Cotati Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I'm 14 and sometimes I cache alone. These are my "precautionaries" that are a must incase of a run in ith a "weirdo". *cell phone *knife (for protection) *15 pound fanny pack full of geocaching essentials that if they met said weirdos head at enough speed should hold him down for a while In my little experience I haven't encountered anyone, but I've always thought of what I'd do in the situation. The best thing you can do, is know what you would do in the situation if it occured. Suppose the weirdo is packing? Quote Link to comment
+TeamAO Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I'm 14 and sometimes I cache alone. These are my "precautionaries" that are a must incase of a run in ith a "weirdo". *cell phone *knife (for protection) *15 pound fanny pack full of geocaching essentials that if they met said weirdos head at enough speed should hold him down for a while In my little experience I haven't encountered anyone, but I've always thought of what I'd do in the situation. The best thing you can do, is know what you would do in the situation if it occured. Suppose the weirdo is packing? Well let's say that a member of our team is licensed to "pack" too. Quote Link to comment
+superhoser Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 i the permit and i pack, i have been in a couple creepy areas and glad i had my side arm. i have never had to un holster it but when going out into some of these urban woods with my son i would rather have the averages on my side. Quote Link to comment
+Robespierre Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Big, black 100 pound dog. Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 (edited) Another usefull product is pepper spray. Most / some / all localities require some sort of Firearms permit to carry this... Not true. I also made sure Nancy had some in her pack... Has she tried, even once, to see how long it would take her to get it out of the pack and on target? Might be better on a belt or pack strap. I'm 14 and sometimes I cache alone......*knife (for protection) I SO hope you’re kidding. Edited July 22, 2005 by Criminal Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I still prefer my option. She's not eating the cat. I swear. Quote Link to comment
+Isonzo Karst Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 The most dangerous thing you do is drive your car and the most dangerous place you drive it is within 3 miles of your home. Me, woman, cache alone woods urban suburban. I concern myself about wasps. Easy to get stung feeling around under stuff in all three environments. Quote Link to comment
gettinolder Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 don't be a victim........carry a firearm. I have found eveything from dead bodies to abandoned stills (I'm in rural NC) in the woods. I ALWAYS take a siedearm with me, ESPECIALLY if my kids are with me. There is a reason we are at the top of the food chain. Quote Link to comment
dveillo Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I still prefer my option.She's not eating the cat. I swear. no but she's eating the rabbit Quote Link to comment
+Katydid & Miles Stone Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 See our cache, Grave Circumstances . MS Quote Link to comment
+flask Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 i do not carry firearms, not for any reason. i cache alone for prolonged periods of time, often living in my car for days. i have only had one encounter with a weirdo. i have had more frightening experiences both in degree of fear and in frequency of incident on my road bike on state highways. be alert. don't give in to fear. Quote Link to comment
+Bear Paughs Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 I just picked up a few personal alarms to place in caches (and plan to keep one for myself too.) Deep in the woods with no one else around they won't do much other than scare someone away if there is an encounter (hopefully they'll do that.) For more urban caches in scary areas maybe they'll help one of us ladies feel secure if there are some unsavory characters lurking about. Quote Link to comment
+WishOnAStar Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 Please don't let your fear of the "maybe" keep you from enjoying this sport/hobby/recreation. If you allow your fears to curb your enthusiasm, you have let the bad guys overpower you...and they didn't even have to enter the woods! Be smart...stay alert...and remember that the journey IS the reward! Quote Link to comment
+FourRiverRatz Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 my best advice would be to follow your instincts. If it doesn't feel right, don't go there. YOU have to decide your comfort level, and your safety zone. Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 (edited) I still prefer my option.She's not eating the cat. I swear. no but she's eating the rabbit It was a cat, actually. The pic is of Shilo. He had a habit of bringing all the neighborhood cats home to be groomed, loved, and generally slobbered over. Shilo got her own cat, Dumber (pictured), after she brought home the neighbors cat and all her kittens. A while back Dumber passed away (the dog didn't do it). They got Shilo a new cat, Shadow. Shadow is not yet a fan of Shilo's attentions. Edited July 25, 2005 by sbell111 Quote Link to comment
+greyhounder Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 I still prefer my option.She's not eating the cat. I swear. no but she's eating the rabbit It was a cat, actually. The pic is of Shilo. He had a habit of bringing all the neighborhood cats home to be groomed, loved, and generally slobbered over. Shilo got her own cat, Dumber (pictured), after she brought home the neighbors cat and all her kittens. A while back Dumber passed away (the dog didn't do it). They got Shilo a new cat, Shadow. Shadow is not yet a fan of Shilo's attentions. Great picture & story! I'm a female and frequently cache alone & unarmed. I have had self defense training though. I do feel that a certain amount of self-confidence (even if you have to force it! []) does help -- don't present yourself as a victim. I've never been in an uncomfortable situation. But then again, maybe I'm just not bright enough to see possible dangers Cache On! Quote Link to comment
+multiblex Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 I don't know about down South, but over here in the West this is true: Don't worry about people so much as animals that would like to eat you (such as Mountain Lions). I carry a large knife for that reason, when I hike alone in remote areas. In areas closer to the city, I think that a couple of posts earlier nailed it on the head - people up to no good can perceive fear - but as well, can perceive confidence. Quote Link to comment
+Leapin' Lizards Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 Ya know, I'm thinking a lot of it has to do with how comfortable and familiar you are with your surroundings. I once thought I'd be clever and go cache hunting in the evenings while on a business trip in a totally unfamiliar city. Finished up the work for the day, buzzed out to this trail around a lake, happily started clomping around the lake towards the cache - and ended up being tracked by maybe half a dozen local late-teens-early-20s hang'er out'ers that somehow didn't feel right. They may have been OK, but I didn't know anything about the area, could have been wandering into Drug Central for all I know, and a sudden realization that nobody knew where I was made all my mama's dire warnings about being mugged, raped, tortured and killed all seem much more pragmatic than usual. I ditched the cache and beat feet the rest of the way around that lake at double speed, so I could get back to the truck and spend the rest of the evening watching TV from the safety of a hotel room. Eeesh. And now when I think about it, it was one of two things: - I'm an idiot. They were just bored kids, and I was paranoid. - I'm an idiot. Nobody knew where I was, I could have disappeared easily, no way to defend myself or call for help, and just tromping around through unknown territory. Either way, there seems one logical assumption. Quote Link to comment
+One Crazy Girl Scout Leader Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 I cache with : my kids son 12 girls 9 & 7 sometimes with boyfriend sometimes alone sometimes with our mutts sometimes we all go!! Don't let the thought stop you from doing something that is so fun for everyone! The only weirdo's I have came across are : Bitting Ants, Bugs going up kids nose Growling Raccoon at night and that dog friend of Cujo on the first leg of a mult cache here in Indiana Glad I didn't carry my gun. Half the time I forget my flashlight My dog would just lick them to death. Just enjoy yourself! Do easy caches first then the hunt for that one or this one will take over your worries. Quote Link to comment
+Shadow's Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Im not a lady but I offer this thought. If you have it you may not need it, if you dont and need it your up a creek and it could be your last one. What it is, is up to you, friend, dog, gun, pepper spray, big stick,.... what ever. Cell phone, dont leave home with out it. There are times that I like to be alone but most of the time its more fun to share those times with someone. Quote Link to comment
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