Where Do They Go?

[+dingermcduff]

I searched for a benchmark today in a fairly remote area that probably few people have been near. The spot was in a mine dump that had grown over. The benchmark was a 5' rod pounded into the ground with a cap on top. It was only 4.2' N-NE from a witness post--which I located. I can't fathom what could have happened to it. Where would a benchmark staked 5' in the ground, with specific directions, in an area that no one visits go to???

[+PFF]

I am puzzled when I find a large hole, indicating that a mass of cement has been pulled out. When I found my first one, I figured it was because it had the land owner's name on it and he "replanted" it someplace where he could show it off. At my second one, I supposed that the mark could have become unstable, physically, and was intentionally destroyed.

 

Now, having passed my first-year anniversary in the hobby, I've adopted the more mature theory of the Old Timers:

 

The marks are being snatched by Aliens.

 

-Paul-

[+Black Dog Trackers]

dingermcduff -

 

It's possible the mark is still there, but buried. Here is an extreme example of a witness post showing that it could be difficult to know how buried a location is.

[Z15]

I bet is buried also, found many like that. Sometimes only a few inches cover it but have found them up to 2 ft deep.

 

I would search all around the mark suspecting it was buired, the witness post could have been moved/replaced and its no longer in the same position as the description states.

[+Airmapper]

I'm new to this, but coulden't you take a long skinny rod with a sharp point and probe for a buried BM? Any rocks might get you confused but you might (In some caces) be able to assume the size of the underground object by probing with the rod. Just a thought, I've never tried it.

[Z15]

Sure, I do that all the time. I have a couple of rods about 2 ft long with a T handle in bent onto one end, ground the other to a point, painted them fluorescent pink (so they are easy to see and don't get lost in tall grass etc), use to probe the ground and as deadman to anchor the tape measure to pull distances etc.

 

I always carry shovels when I am out looking.

Edited September 24, 2005 by Z15