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Cache Terrain


ddixonnkc

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We are new to geocaching and love it. We started caching with the intent of taking our children with us, but have found some of the terrain to be fairly tough at some of the caches we have been too. Is there a good way to tell if the terrain of a cache is going to be more suited for adults or kids? icon_wink.gif

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In a word: sort of.

 

The cache will have a terrain rating of 1 to 5 stars. You'll see the rating just above the description of the cache.

 

A while back, a bunch of cachers got together and created what is known as the "ClayJar Rating System" which was supposed to help standardize the ratings.

 

Unfortunately, very few people use this system to rate their caches and so there is a very wide variation in the interpretation of the number of stars.

 

In a nutshell, the ratings work like this:

 

stargreen.gif =Handicapped accessible. (Terrain is likely to be paved, is relatively flat, and less than a 1/2 mile hike is required.) In my experience, many caches marked one-star are actually slightly more difficult than this rating.

stargreen.gifstargreen.gif =Suitable for small children. (Terrain is generally along marked trails, there are no steep elevation changes or heavy overgrowth. Less than a 2 mile hike required.)

 

stargreen.gifstargreen.gifstargreen.gif =Not suitable for small children. (The average adult or older child should be OK depending on physical condition. Terrain is likely off-trail. May have one or more of the following: some overgrowth, some steep elevation changes, or more than a 2 mile hike.)

 

stargreen.gifstargreen.gifstargreen.gifstargreen.gif =Experienced outdoor enthusiasts only. (Terrain is probably off-trail. Will have one or more of the following: very heavy overgrowth, very steep elevation (requiring use of hands), or more than a 10 mile hike. May require an overnight stay.) In my experience, many caches marked four-star aren't actually that difficult.

 

stargreen.gifstargreen.gifstargreen.gifstargreen.gifstargreen.gif =Requires specialized equipment and knowledge or experience, (boat, 4WD, rock climbing, SCUBA, etc) or is otherwise extremely difficult. Hydrocaches, or caches requiring a boat or other floatation to get to are the most common five-star caches.

 

After searching for a few, you'll get an idea of how people in your area rate caches, although all our lives would be easier if everyone used the ClayJar Rating System.

 

Jamie

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