How many hunt for Geocaches at night?

December 2, 2002

I did my first night hunt for a Geocache at around 11:30 pm on 12-01-02 in some very thick wooded area and it was kinda creepy, sorta Blair Witch like. Then a herd of Deer almost ran me over on my way out.

Anyone else go out alone and hunt in the dark?

December 2, 2002

i love hunting for caches at night - provided it's warm enough (i stopped in early october) and i've got a GOOD flashlight as well as a partner.

'neko

9.1k · December 2, 2002

I'm with ya, Uptonhouse! I just logged This Cache tonight after work, in a snowstorm, in the dark. Great way to turn a 1/1 into a 3/2.

It's funny that you mentioned Blair Witch Project. To quote from the log at This Cache on my first planned night time hunt in October: "Night caching is cool. This was like the Blair Witch Project except I knew where I was, thanks to the GPS."

I've done about a dozen night-time cache hunts

(plus five or so virtuals) and I'm hooked. I use a Princeton Tec Aurora LED headlamp and a handheld D-battery maglite. What better way to keep active with caching now that the days are shorter?

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitos?

1.6k · December 2, 2002

We like the night as well. Love that "flashlight cachin'."

CR

December 2, 2002

We cache at night a lot. Not usually planned that way but since we always start after work, it gets dark long before the hike is done and the location is reached. Learned a lot of lessons about flashlight quality and quantity. Not to mention batteries. We have also searched for caches by the light of our GPSr. Didn't find it, but had lots of fun in the process!

-Jennifer

Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else. (JM Barrie)

December 2, 2002

I've had quite a bit of luck finding Micros by Moonlight. I don't have any special equipment like headlamps & cool stuff like that. I just take a Mini MagLite out of my pack when I'm close enough to start looking for the container.

I've found that Poison Ivy vines are even easy to identify by flashlight.

- If the cat had kittens in the oven, we wouldn't call 'em biscuits. -

December 2, 2002

I like night caching, both of my finds (WOO HOO!!) have been at night. It was SOOO much fun, I think it really added to the adventure and suspense.

December 2, 2002

quote:
Great way to turn a 1/1 into a 3/2.

"Night caching is cool. This was like the Blair Witch Project except I knew where I was, thanks to the GPS."

I checked out your links and saw what you mean. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who is fired up enough to hit the woodline by moonlight.

December 2, 2002

From the few night caches that I have done, I can only say that they've enhanced the experience and turned otherwise 2/2's or 3/3's into real challenges. Though as common sense dictates, I recommend you always take a caching buddy with you and have a contigency plan should your batteries go bye-bye =)

Doug

1.1k · December 2, 2002

nightime caching can make you realize how small you really are in the scheme of things. Just take a look at all the stars - on a good clear moonless night - and try to think how close the nearest star is an how long the light from it took to get here. Then think of how long man has been on this planet. Then think of how long you have been on this planet. Don't blink, your gone.

3k · December 3, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by logscaler:
nightime caching can make you realize how small you really are in the scheme of things. Just take a look at all the stars - on a good clear moonless night - and try to think how close the nearest star is an how long the light from it took to get here. Then think of how long man has been on this planet. Then think of how long you have been on this planet. Don't blink, your gone.

Logscaler, have you visited "The Total Perspective Vortex" recently?

(It's a reference to an important plot device in the Douglas Adams story referenced above ... for those who haven't read Adams's series of "Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy" books, they've been recently reissued in one large paperback as "The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" by Ballantine Publishing Group.)

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

3k · December 3, 2002

As I've mentioned in several similar threads over the eons, I like night caching very much ... especially those caches especially designed to be done at night.

Others have already mentioned that doing daytime caches at night usually increases the difficulty level, but a couple of caches I did at night were apparently easier under those conditions ... the beam of light from my flashlight caught the edge of the cache containers and reflected back. People who had searched for the same caches by day had a tougher time.

That gives me an idea ...

3k · December 3, 2002

It was getting dark pretty quick the other day.

But we got out of the woods in time. I'm pretty much blind in the dark without a good flashlight or 10, and most of the areas with caches around here are closed at sunset. I could drive further, but I think the only way I'd cache at night was if I was camping, had a partner, it was warm, and I wouldn't get arrested for being there at night.

I can't believe Zartimus hasn't replied to this thread yet! Zartimus where are you?

Cache you later,

Planet

Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right, But Three Lefts Do.

December 3, 2002

We have done a couple after dark and really enjoyed the hunt. One thing we learned is that it requires good eye protection.

December 3, 2002

We've done a few night time caches here in Las Vegas. It adds another element to caching, making what would have been a 1 or a 2 into a 3 to find. Plus, its a lot cooler at night , a plus when its over 110ºF.

Recently I was in NJ on a buisness trip, and I introduced two of my co-workers to geocaching. We went out in the dark and found five that first night, all in the rain as well. They were so hooked that we spent the whole afternoon and evening the next day finding ten more.

Shannon

VegasCacheHounds

1.3k · December 3, 2002

I've cached at night, as late as 3am. The furthest I've been into woods at night was about 3/4 mile, but that was an open field for part of the way. Otherwise, I limit the night forays to caches that aren't too far from the road. One thing I've noticed is some parks in North Jersey are pretty well-lit at night with streetlamps and spotlights.

Of course, there are lots of roadside virtuals here that can be done at night.

December 3, 2002

Is it legal to be in the area of your "Cathedral" cache at night, or does the area close at sunset?

Thanks....

We enjoy caching at night, sometimes it is the only time we can do it.

December 3, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by Planet:

I can't believe Zartimus hasn't replied to this thread yet! Zartimus where are you?

I was busy almost becoming the next candidate for the 2003 Darwin awards (see log). I made a new rule the other night halfway up a mountain in snowy Gatineau Park at 1:00am. After almost sliding off my 3rd cliff into the darkness (luckily I balled myself straddling a tree before going over) I decided that I will not cache alone at night in mountanous regions I've never been too before. It was quite peaceful lying in the snow making out my last will and testament while the Coyotes howled nearby. It looks much nicer during the day however

Many kilometers away on the wrong side there is a ski-hill. I took this pic before they chased me away on a skidoo.

To top it all off, when I got out alive after not finding it (a stupid miscalculation on my part) I ran into a RIDE program (Police checking for drunk drivers) and they asked me to pull over and explain the huge flashlight, bullwhip and Batman Mask and cape in my passenger seat.

I still love caching at night though. Summer is better but in the winter, during a full moon the snow reflects the light beautifully. You can see fine. Some are more night-friendly than others though, and it pays to be careful so you can live to cache another day.

It's a heck of a cache by the way, check it out! It's just not very night-friendly.

The Missing Piece

December 3, 2002

Night caching is the best. And were I'm from it is starting to catch on.

December 3, 2002

We got addicted to caching at night after our 3rd cache (i believe...) It was a cache at a local airport that required us to go after dark. It was a rush, as was evertime afterwards. I would say that about half of our finds are night-finds. It's really quite a rush to walk through a forest at night, not knowing what's on either side of the flashlight beam. It is nice to have a caching partner on the night hunts though. I wouldn't recommend it alone. Since we've started doing this around the area, a couple other caching teams have done it with similar enjoyment. I dunno about them, but we're hooked.

-Zach

-Team TSA-

December 3, 2002

I did a cache at night in a semi-remote wooded rural area in Georgia (at the birthplace of Jackie Robinson). It was pretty spooky and a neat experience, although I think I prefer the daylight. It didn't help that my flashlight was giving out and I kept running into briars and the backlight on my GPS was broken at the time.

December 3, 2002

I like to use a filtered light, so as not to ruin my night vision. I have a big sabrelight with a red filter and a small green pelican Versibright that I clip on to my pocket for reading maps and the GPS, the green light makes reading map detail easier. The green lights also attract less bugs. I sometimes tape the versibright onto the bottom half of a walking stick, as disturbance and other clues show up better in low angle light. I will turn on my unfiltered headlamp, which has a high and low beam, but usually only after ending the search on the walk out. I get really pissed when a bumbling cyclops, shines his blinding light in my eyes.

December 3, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by BassoonPilot:
As I've mentioned in several similar threads over the eons, I like night caching very much ... especially those caches especially designed to be done at night.

Cool, where can I find a list of ones made for the nocturnal types?

3k · December 3, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by CT Trampers:
Is it legal to be in the area of your "Cathedral" cache at night, or does the area close at sunset?

Thanks....

We enjoy caching at night, sometimes it is the only time we can do it.

And I appreciated your e-mail. No, it's not open at night. I changed the cache page to reflect that the area is open from one half hour after sunrise to one half hour before sunset. Thanks for the reminder!

Cache you later,

Planet

Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right, But Three Lefts Do.

December 4, 2002

I enjoy geocahing at night, nite vision equipment are fun (but spendy) tools to use for this purpose, but I generaly use a head-lamp for hands-free use and/or maglight and turn it on only when needed. A little snow, warm clothes makes for a great time, but be careful of thin ice in lowland areas, and other possible hazzards.

December 4, 2002

Yah I tooooo really love night hunts.

December 5, 2002

Has anyone who is into night caching ever run into the law while poking around a public park at night?

I was out 'caching once and got a bit too far down the trail before it got dark and I was finding my way out in the dark. When I made it back to the car there was a park ranger waiting for me, mostly to make sure I made it out. I didn't get reprimanded, but it was clear they were serious about closing at dusk.

Anyone had any problems with this? I suppose technically you could face prosecurtion in a worst case scnerio.

- Dekaner of Team KKF2A

1.3k · December 5, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by Dekaner of Team KKF2A:
Has anyone who is into night caching ever run into the law while poking around a public park at night?

Nearly. I was already at an external (not in the park) parking area at a state park in PA when the park ranger came around to inform me that the park was closed. I've heard of some NJ cachers being given a hard time for being in parks too late.

6.4k · December 5, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by StayFloopy:
I've heard of some NJ cachers being given a hard time for being in parks too late.

Hmmmm, I would be one of them. Check out my Dec 15, 2001 log on this cache. Still, I really enjoy night caching, I guess it adds a little thrill factor to it. I can remember doing one real late at night that really creeped me out. Kept hearing some sort of low-pitched growling off in the woods. This was in an area where bears are fairly common, and bobcats are not unheard of, so i was a bit freaked. I just kept reminding myself that if something was actually tracking me as food, I WOULDN'T hear it.

Tae-Kwon-Leap is not a path to a door, but a road leading forever towards the horizon.

9.1k · December 5, 2002

Things I've learned from night caching experiences:

If the park road has a gate that's open when you drive in, don't assume that it will still be open after you find the cache.

If you encounter a locked gate when driving out, don't assume that there isn't an unpaved maintenance road that winds through the woods back to the public roads.

In the dark, what you think to be park property .2 miles from the cache, and therefore a good parking place, may actually be private property.

Homeowners sometimes call the police when they see someone walking across their field at 9 p.m. in November, wearing an LED headlamp and carrying a maglite.

Sometimes police officers can be really helpful, if you honestly explain an inadvertent trespassing mistake, and what it is that you are doing, and they will give you a police escort to a legal parking place with best wishes to have a safe and fun hike.

Even when parked legally on public property that is open at night, expect encounters with law enforcement. They're only doing their job, and will quickly send you on your way if you aren't breaking any rules, once they determine you're harmless.

Turning off your light and hiding behind a tree or a rock works really well sometimes.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Next time, instead of getting married, I think I'll just find a woman I don't like and buy her a house.

December 5, 2002

We haven't actually set out with the intention of doing it in the dark, but we have run out of daylight on the way back to the jeep before.

Maybe this weekend I can get them out in the dark...sounds like fun.

Me ambivalent? Well..... yes and no.

December 5, 2002

This is the new one!

Me ambivalent? Well..... yes and no.

December 6, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by Uptonhouse:
I did my first night hunt for a Geocache at around 11:30 pm on 12-01-02 in some very thick wooded area and it was kinda creepy, sorta Blair Witch like. Then a herd of Deer almost ran me over on my way out.

Anyone else go out alone and hunt in the dark?

I've hunted several geocaches at night, but in urban areas. I don't like the countryside at night. Too spooky! Too many freaks out!

December 6, 2002

Yes, I do cache at night. When the moment hits me, regardless of the time of day, I make the run.

It adds an interesting twist to the enjoyment of geocaching to say the least.

I have a cache that I've placed. Most of the items in this cache are reflective, including the logbook. Try it and you might like it. I DO!

December 6, 2002

Night Caching We Love It!

We have started out on caches in the dark about 45 times, and I can't tell you how many times it was dark when we finally got back to the car!Caching under a full moon is the best

As for run ins with the law after dark, well one time. The Ape project mission 5 found us looking for the cache at midnight after they posted a new clue. We were walking out of the canyon at 3:30 am when we ran into one of Monrovia's finest. After explaining what we were doing 50 miles from home at that time of night in a pitch black canyon, the officer wished us well shook his head and drove off.

Jeff

December 7, 2002

Read about my latest night caching log from Dec. 7. Here. Even after this, I love the Aurora. I think we need to create the 'Blue Light Brigade'.

"I can't find the longitude for the North Pole"

December 7, 2002

I planted my only cache so far at night. I kept running into spider webs that were spun across the path, which made it quite freaky.

I have also had a no-find (found later during the day time) and 1 find at night, just before a big thunder storm.

December 10, 2002

quote:
Originally posted by ValCor:
I've hunted several geocaches at night, but in urban areas. I don't like the countryside at night. Too spooky! Too many freaks out!

The way I look at it, the other freaks in the forest had better watch out for me. Out of my way, I'm hunting Tupperware dammit!

"Software isn't released, it's allowed to escape."

How many hunt for Geocaches at night?

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Link to comment

Join the conversation