Special Equipment

[+mongoose39uk]

So caches requiring the use of a boat should be a 5*.

 

So all the caches on the IOM should be 5* then

They're all local caches, for local people. There's nothing for you here.

 

 

that looks familiar

 

Local Cache for Local people

 

[+Happy Humphrey]

 

that looks familiar

Yes it does!

[+mongoose39uk]

Ah caches with some quality

 

Whoops, seem to have hijacked the thread.

 

Apologies, any one want to bring it back on please.

Edited February 29, 2008 by mongoose39uk

[+purple_pineapple]

Whoops, seem to have hijacked the thread.

Apologies, any one want to bring it back on please.

 

go on then, I'll try!

 

Is it worth proposing an extra attribute for "additional equipment required", and make it clear this is different to specialist equipment such as ropes and so on?

 

What do people think?

[markandlynn]

I used clay jar for one step and thats what it gave me.

 

Our description does not tell you what or where the first stage is, in the case of when Cache U nutter did it we exchanged emails where he had determined the nature of the cache, other finders did this through multiple visits to the area in question one of clay jars questions is about multiple visits.

 

Also it is possible to retrieve stage one through physical means sandvika did it this way (took two visits) and one other had a back up plan to do it another more physical way.

 

Also a few logs for stage two talk about the treacherous mud slope the final cache is hidden on.

 

Does a torch count as special equipment ? well if you dont have one and the cache needs it then its certainly special equipment.

 

As said before clay jar does not work for these types of cache or for puzzle caches either where the difficulty of the puzzle affects the rating.

 

I would like to see a seperate rating for difficulty of puzzle and a different way of rating terrain (along the lines of the handicaching site or the quick and easy way GUK had it set up) but as it would involve updating all the caches out there for it to work consistently its probably not going to happen.

 

Also a 5 terrain in Scotland is not the same as a 5 in Shropshire.

[+Happy Humphrey]

I used clay jar for one step and thats what it gave me.

 

Our description does not tell you what or where the first stage is, in the case of when Cache U nutter did it we exchanged emails where he had determined the nature of the cache, other finders did this through multiple visits to the area in question one of clay jars questions is about multiple visits.

 

Also it is possible to retrieve stage one through physical means sandvika did it this way (took two visits) and one other had a back up plan to do it another more physical way.

 

Also a few logs for stage two talk about the treacherous mud slope the final cache is hidden on.

 

Does a torch count as special equipment ? well if you dont have one and the cache needs it then its certainly special equipment.

 

As said before clay jar does not work for these types of cache or for puzzle caches either where the difficulty of the puzzle affects the rating.

 

I would like to see a seperate rating for difficulty of puzzle and a different way of rating terrain (along the lines of the handicaching site or the quick and easy way GUK had it set up) but as it would involve updating all the caches out there for it to work consistently its probably not going to happen.

 

Also a 5 terrain in Scotland is not the same as a 5 in Shropshire.

I haven't attempted your cache so I'm not really qualified to criticise the terrain rating. I don't think that a torch counts as "specialized equipment" though. A torch is something you could borrow or buy quite easily and cheaply, and no special skills are needed to operate it. So if you need to pass through a tunnel on the way to the cache, it wouldn't automatically become 5* Terrain just because a torch is essential.

 

I take the "specialized equipment" on the Terrain score to be something like abseiling or climbing gear, and to get 5* it should be necessary to use this to be able to get anywhere near the cache. I think that the principle is that even the physically fit will be be unable to reach the cache location without a lot of planning and preparation, use of unusual skills, and probably quite a bit of time. A cache halfway up a hard rock climb is an example.

A remote Canadian cache may need no specialized equipment, but the other parts of the Clayjar system could ramp up the terrain rating by taking into account that you need to bivouac on the way there and wade rivers.

 

The "very specialized knowledge, skills, or equipment" on the Difficulty score means something like a difficult puzzle where you'd need the ability to translate an ancient language (without any translation tools), or solve a difficult mathematical equation, or that you'd have to pick a lock to access the cache. In other words, you may or may not be able to get to the cache area easily, but

a) it's hard to find out where to go at all, or

you know where the cache is hidden, but it's guarded in such a way that normal equipment or physical ability is not enough to get hold of the log book.

[+purple_pineapple]

 

So if you need to pass through a tunnel on the way to the cache, it wouldn't automatically become 5* Terrain just because a torch is essential.

 

I take the "specialized equipment" on the Terrain score to be something like abseiling or climbing gear, and to get 5* it should be necessary to use this to be able to get anywhere near the cache.

 

I agree totally. The problem is, how do you differentiate between the two sorts of special equipment - ie abseiling gear, which probably merits a 5*, and a torch, or screwdriver, or spanner, which probably wouldn't merit any extra terrain rating... It is often said, (and I tend to agree) that the only thing a cacher can be presumed to have with them is a GPS - anything else could class as specialised equipment according to Claygate.

 

The "very specialized knowledge, skills, or equipment" on the Difficulty score means something like a ...

 

I hadn't noticed the word 'very'! Aruguably, a screwdriver or torch isn't VERY specialised equipment I suppose!

[+Happy Humphrey]

The problem is, how do you differentiate between the two sorts of special equipment - ie abseiling gear, which probably merits a 5*, and a torch, or screwdriver, or spanner, which probably wouldn't merit any extra terrain rating... It is often said, (and I tend to agree) that the only thing a cacher can be presumed to have with them is a GPS - anything else could class as specialised equipment according to Claygate.

It's specialized (specialised, really ) equipment. I think that means gear that you'd have to be trained to use, not something you could just buy in a hardware store and start using after a quick glance at the instructions.

 

A good example of a 5*/5* non-puzzle cache would be one where you abseil down a cliff to find a box with a padlock that you have to open by picking the lock.

[+Cache U Nutter]

[

 

A good example of a 5*/5* non-puzzle cache would be one where you abseil down a cliff to find a box with a padlock that you have to open by picking the lock.

 

Watch this space...................!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have plans for the next few days!

[+purple_pineapple]

A good example of a 5*/5* non-puzzle cache would be one where you abseil down a cliff to find a box with a padlock that you have to open by picking the lock.

 

My thoughts as well...

 

 

Watch this space...................!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have plans for the next few days!

 

don't you dare! Its bad enough hanging off bridges without having to pick a lock while doing it!