Are you a winter cacher?

[+journey4truth]

After suffocating through the humidity to get at a cache in a nearby forest, cursing flies, poison ivy look-alikes and ticks along the way, I'm beginning to think I might just hibernate this summer and go caching again this fall. Or at least switch gears by forgoing the rural caches and opt for urban caching instead.

 

Does anyone else tend to do this too? I cached all winter and LOVED it, even if there were times I had to dig under the snow to find a cache. All the wily animals are hibernating, the chances of getting ticks and PI are dramatically reduced, and I don't have to regularly douse myself in permethrin or DEET just to keep those blood sucking scum sucking insects away. There's just something peaceful about being in a forest when it's snowing, not so much when the humidity is choking you while flies buzz around and three leaved plants show up everywhere.

 

Am I the only one who feels this way? Seems like most cachers can launch into 100 degree temperatures with a truckload of ticks swarming all over them, pick up a geocache that has a rattlesnake wrapped around it and not blink an eye.

[+StarBrand]

I avoid the really hot weather but I have no real issues with caching in just about any month of the year. The 3 months with the highest number of finds for me over the years are (in order): August, March, April followed by December.

[+dfx]

each season has its own problems... for winter, this is 1) cold: when it's <-20C you either can't stay out for too long, or all the required clothing gets really cumbersome with time, 2) dark: there's only so many hours of daylight per day (which of course can be a plus if you prefer to cache at night), 3) wading through knee-deep or even higher snow is quite tiresome on your legs, plus it makes many caches completely inaccessible.

[+buttaskotch]

I, too, would rather cache in the winter than in the summer.

I have hiked in below 0 temps and hiked in 100+ degree temps. Honestly, caching in below 0 temps, 3+feet of snow, freezing rain, bone chilling winds, is much more doable, for me than stifling humdity, spiders, ticks, skeeters, PI, etc.

Many that know me, know that the summer I am usually at the beach and will do some easy P&Gs or light hike if its not too hot, I will more likely rage again come October.

 

You'll find that many people switch hobbies during the year.

[+Chokecherry]

I cached in some light snow here (like 4 inches). And the bonus with snow is the lakes freeze over making some of those caches you need a boat to reach in the summer reachable in winter. For the most part we get bitter cold temps too with the snow I don't want to be too far out in the woods here with that going on to find caches. Many areas up here have no cell coverage so if I got in trouble in winter I'd be in huge trouble.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Seasons are really good, IMO. Wouldn't it be boring if things were always the same? Late summer, we look forward (kind of) to 200+ inches of snow. Needless to say, during late winter we also look forward to summer.

 

Now, if only we could get some of this "lake effect" pushed over to Chokecherry's neighborhood!

[+StarBrand]

Seasons are really good, IMO. Wouldn't it be boring if things were always the same? Late summer, we look forward (kind of) to 200+ inches of snow. Needless to say, during late winter we also look forward to summer.

 

Now, if only we could get some of this "lake effect" pushed over to Chokecherry's neighborhood!

I think the only 2 seasons you get is "Mosquito" and "Winter".

[+Chokecherry]

Seasons are really good, IMO. Wouldn't it be boring if things were always the same? Late summer, we look forward (kind of) to 200+ inches of snow. Needless to say, during late winter we also look forward to summer.

 

Now, if only we could get some of this "lake effect" pushed over to Chokecherry's neighborhood!

 

Last winter was very mild but if we get a winter that gets going we'll get lake effect all the way where I live, but more likely we get the blizzards over and over and over again (that's when it's not -50 or -60 degrees F.).

 

The erratic weather with snow when it's not -50 concerns me with being out on poor roads in the best weather. And if it's cold you always have that chance that the battery will ice up or the car will reject the cold in general. Gotta love transmission fluid/sludge on a freezing day.

 

I enjoy some of the seasons but when the blizzards come in May or snow storms in June that is when I put my foot down.

[+journey4truth]

I love the cold, the short daytimes, not so much. I think I ought to live seasonally in Alaska 6 months out of the year, the only place where I could cache at 3 in the morning and the sun is still shining.

 

I love the seasons too, I just wish we could skip over summer. :X

[+The Ravens]

yes!

[+BulldogBlitz]

i'm a four season cacher...

 

of course the caveat is that i'm in the heart of texas.... the seasons are hot, hotter, hottest, 2 cold days.

 

[+eightwednesday]

I enjoy caching most in the fall and spring, I think. The humidity and heat is high in West Virginia right now and the bugs are out in full force and the sun is HOT on my pale, pale skin and it seems to have very little regard for even the highest rated sunblock out there.

 

But in January, the snow makes it prohibitive.

 

I'd rather say that I prefer caching when it is between 50 and 75 degrees out--don't care if that day is in December or July.

[+DragonsWest]

If by 'rain', 'cold' and 'shorter daylight hours' you mean Winter, well, I have most of my finds in the past year during that period. So the answer must be in the affirmative.

[+Scubasonic]

well I'm pushing my 700th day with a cache a day and I live in the Pacific Northwest so YES I cache in the winter.

 

Scubasonic

[+journey4truth]

i'm a four season cacher...

 

of course the caveat is that i'm in the heart of texas.... the seasons are hot, hotter, hottest, 2 cold days.

 

 

What two days would those be? I'm planning to visit Texas next year but if I can I'll time my visit to coincide with those days.

[+narcissa]

I enjoy caching in the winter. This winter was pretty mild, but most years we get quite a bit of snow. Some caches are inaccessible in winter, but there are plenty of caches that are actually easier to get to if you have skis or snowshoes. No bugs, no bushwhacking, no mud, no streams to jump over.

[+Gratusin]

Sure do! Winter is usually the best time for caching here in sunny Arizona. The weather usually isn't too cold, as long as you don't go up in the mountains (which we normally do to go snowboarding, where geocaching is at the back of our minds) and the snakes and scorpions are nowhere to be found.

[+briansnat]

Heat doesn't bother me but I tend to do more caching in the winter. In part because I love being outdoors in the winter and in part because I fish a lot during the summer.

[+DragonsWest]

Sure do! Winter is usually the best time for caching here in sunny Arizona. The weather usually isn't too cold, as long as you don't go up in the mountains (which we normally do to go snowboarding, where geocaching is at the back of our minds) and the snakes and scorpions are nowhere to be found.

 

Here's a swell Winter cache for you =)

[+kwcahart]

Gee, just how hot does it get up there in NYC and NJ?? Come on down here south of San Antonio in July and August and go geocaching with me. To answer the question, yes I do GC in the winter, it's nice!! ha ha ha.

[+journey4truth]

Gee, just how hot does it get up there in NYC and NJ?? Come on down here south of San Antonio in July and August and go geocaching with me. To answer the question, yes I do GC in the winter, it's nice!! ha ha ha.

 

I have a low heat tolerance. Anything north of 75 degrees and I start whining like a kid who's been deprived of his DQ sundae.

 

Actually I'd probably do much better in dry heat, but when it's combined with moisture it pretty much puts me in a violent, destroy humanity kind of mood.

[hoosier guy]

Cold has no effect on me but I melt above 75. So winter is a good time for me.

Edited June 2, 2010 by hoosier guy

[+kwcahart]

I guess I'm just the opposite, below 50F and I quit. Period!! ha ha ha ha. What I hate more than the heat are micro caches hidden in deep brush, weeds, poison ivy and thorns.

[+Gustav129]

I'm more of an "Inclament weather cacher" Less likely to run into muggles in the parks when it's raining or snowing.

[+ngrrfan]

The Monday Musketeers cache year 'round. Our trips/outings are planned around weather. When it is hot, we head to the high country and cooler temps. During the cold weather, we do caches around town, most often puzzles or multis. Or we will head south to a couple of nearby towns where the weather is usually warmer than it is here.

 

When holidays roll around..... well then it's time for a ROAD TRIP!! Often in excess of 350 miles, involving at least a possible 75+ caches, several counties, and several DeLorme pages.

[+Misha]

I love following Footy Prints in the Snow

[+Firefly911]

What I hate more than the heat are micro caches hidden in deep brush, weeds, poison ivy and thorns.

I agree. Things can get VERY overgrown here in the summer. Not fun. We prefer caching in the winter when the jungle overgrowth is beat back a little bit.

[+ngrrfan]

I love following Footy Prints in the Snow

I love leaving all kinds of false trails in the snow.

 

I left one trail that someone thought I was still there a day later. Tracks leading in but nothing coming out.

Took me a bit to do it but oh was it fun.

[+drfred]

"winter" is a relative term here in AL.

 

"winter" generally means no poison ivy...

 

"winter" occasionally means snow, but usually just a dusting...

 

"winter" is only about 1-2 months of the year here...

 

So yes, poison ivy free is a great thing, and moderate temps are a great thing too - not many people relish caching in 95+ weather. But caching year-round is the ultimate end...

[FaithCacher]

After almost being carried away by mosquitos the past three days, I'm really looking forward to caching in the fall and winter. The heat and humidity is a whole other story. LOL

[FaithCacher]

"winter" is a relative term here in AL.

 

"winter" generally means no poison ivy...

 

"winter" occasionally means snow, but usually just a dusting...

 

"winter" is only about 1-2 months of the year here...

 

Yep, same here in MS.

[+simpjkee]

Winter is the best time to go hiking for caches in the desert around Phoenix. The rattlesnakes are asleep and the weather is nice and cool. In the Summer, it's nearly impossible to hike here. Most caching in the Summer is urban caching.

 

To hike in the Summer, I'll go to Northern Arizona where it is much cooler. I also love to hike in Central Texas while on vacation in the Summer. The Texans I talk to always warn me that AZ is a dry heat and the humidity in Texas makes it hotter, but it's nonsense. The hottest Summer days with humidity in Texas are easily hikable and much cooler than even the typical AZ Summer day.

[+K T S]

For those of us in the colder areas winter is not so bad; you can always put on another layer of clothes, but in the summer there is only so much you can remove

[+BulldogBlitz]

I guess I'm just the opposite, below 50F and I quit. Period!! ha ha ha ha. What I hate more than the heat are micro caches hidden in deep brush, weeds, poison ivy and thorns.

 

found a cache spot like that yesterday.... nettles... PI... thorns... possible snake pit. 20 minutes of circling it, hoping the GPSr would point elsewhere eventually.... it never did. i hope it means the CO just wasn't thinking... instead of thinking "hey, look at all the PI/thorns/nettles/snakes, let's hide a cache there!"

[+journey4truth]

I love following Footy Prints in the Snow

I love leaving all kinds of false trails in the snow.

 

I left one trail that someone thought I was still there a day later. Tracks leading in but nothing coming out.

Took me a bit to do it but oh was it fun.

 

Somebody tried to do that to me once. The forest looked like a scene out of Harry and the Hendersons, but I still found the cache.

[+journey4truth]

I guess I'm just the opposite, below 50F and I quit. Period!! ha ha ha ha. What I hate more than the heat are micro caches hidden in deep brush, weeds, poison ivy and thorns.

 

found a cache spot like that yesterday.... nettles... PI... thorns... possible snake pit. 20 minutes of circling it, hoping the GPSr would point elsewhere eventually.... it never did. i hope it means the CO just wasn't thinking... instead of thinking "hey, look at all the PI/thorns/nettles/snakes, let's hide a cache there!"

 

He must have placed it in the winter.

[+brslk]

If I didn't cache in the winter I would only be caching about 4 months of the year.

I prefer early spring and fall though. Less leaves on trees. Less bugs and a moderate temperature.

[+cr4zybilly]

I just counted about 25 chigger bites from my caching trip this weekend.

 

And I thought I liked bushwacking.

 

That crap is gonna have to wait till the fall...

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

I vastly prefer winter caching, at least in the rather moderate Alabama winter. Rambler doesn't do snow.

 

They say blubber is the world's best insulator, so I'm like a crock pot - I simmer all summer.

[+The Kamikaze Clan]

We have one specie of dangerous snake in sweden, and it´s not to bad. Like a bad wasp sting to most people. Here in the southern part we have no bears or other large predators. The largest cat there is are the Lynx. There are a few wolfes, but they are not present at the more populated areas. But we have...

 

...Mosquitos!!!!! I live on the edge of the atlantic ocean. There are very few mosquitos here, and if I see just one I goes almost viking berserk. "Ahhhhh, I´ll move to an island out in the ocean!!! I need nerve poison to kill it! Ahhhhhhh..."

 

Winter caching brings no mosquitos, or ticks, or those small biting thingies that can kill a cow then many enough, or vipers. I do like to watch the vipers, but I don´t like them to perforate me. My region in the summer is a "holiday paradise" with mugglers everythere. Much calmer in the winter.

 

[+e-bird67]

Considering that right now, I have a poison ivy rash all over my face, and pulled 15 ticks off me last night, I'm beginning to long for winter. Only problem with winter hiking is that the poison ivy is still poisonous, but very difficult to spot.

 

Unfortunately, it's pretty much dark in the winter when I get off work, so I'll have to vastly cut down on my caching activities.

[+roziecakes]

I love to cache all year long, as there are different challenges presented by each season Fall is always my favorite season though, for so many reasons.

[+D'Hedgerunners]

After suffocating through the humidity to get at a cache in a nearby forest, cursing flies, poison ivy look-alikes and ticks along the way, I'm beginning to think I might just hibernate this summer and go caching again this fall. Or at least switch gears by forgoing the rural caches and opt for urban caching instead.

 

Does anyone else tend to do this too? I cached all winter and LOVED it, even if there were times I had to dig under the snow to find a cache. All the wily animals are hibernating, the chances of getting ticks and PI are dramatically reduced, and I don't have to regularly douse myself in permethrin or DEET just to keep those blood sucking scum sucking insects away. There's just something peaceful about being in a forest when it's snowing, not so much when the humidity is choking you while flies buzz around and three leaved plants show up everywhere.

 

Am I the only one who feels this way? Seems like most cachers can launch into 100 degree temperatures with a truckload of ticks swarming all over them, pick up a geocache that has a rattlesnake wrapped around it and not blink an eye.

[+D'Hedgerunners]

After suffocating through the humidity to get at a cache in a nearby forest, cursing flies, poison ivy look-alikes and ticks along the way, I'm beginning to think I might just hibernate this summer and go caching again this fall. Or at least switch gears by forgoing the rural caches and opt for urban caching instead.

 

Does anyone else tend to do this too? I cached all winter and LOVED it, even if there were times I had to dig under the snow to find a cache. All the wily animals are hibernating, the chances of getting ticks and PI are dramatically reduced, and I don't have to regularly douse myself in permethrin or DEET just to keep those blood sucking scum sucking insects away. There's just something peaceful about being in a forest when it's snowing, not so much when the humidity is choking you while flies buzz around and three leaved plants show up everywhere.

 

Am I the only one who feels this way? Seems like most cachers can launch into 100 degree temperatures with a truckload of ticks swarming all over them, pick up a geocache that has a rattlesnake wrapped around it and not blink an eye.

I enjoy the winter and fall much more than the summer for judt those resons mentioned

[+Herb and Beans]

I started caching in the winter as long as it isn't ridiculously cold and windy.

So far, I don't mind any season.

[+journey4truth]

I love to cache all year long, as there are different challenges presented by each season Fall is always my favorite season though, for so many reasons.

 

Ditto, I hate it that it goes so fast too, although one trick I've learned is to travel north where fall starts early, then gradually move further south as the season progresses. That virtually guarantees you'll enjoy peak fall foliage from September to November. Of course I have a full time job so I have to balance between that and the crazy mad dashes I make to get as much out of autumn as possible.