Don't hide your cache in a hollow tree

February 9, 2003

I have found two caches recently, one in the hollow base of a tree and another in a natural hole under a fallen tree.

These look like good places to hide caches, but they are also likely animal burrows and dens. Even if it isn't if that is where people are used to finding caches they are likely to look in other such holes that may be.

As an ex park service ranger, I have to acution folk that this is a fairly dangerous thing. More than one person has been injured sticking a hand in to such a place.

February 9, 2003

Well I bring my own hollow log. Just enought room for my cache jug, non left for a critter to claim..

____________________________________________________________

6.4k · February 9, 2003

And don't hide them on the ground under logs or rocks, there could be rattlesnakes.

Don't hide them in the swamps there could be gators.

Don't hide them in the woods, there could be bears.

As of today, there are 41906 active caches in 162 countries.

In the last 7 days, there have been 22979 new logs written by 6072 account holders.

And none of them were bit by an animal in a hollow tree....

Yet after 8 caches you're the expert.

Yup.

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

4.5k · February 9, 2003

I dont think you should say not to hide caches in hollow trees. If you think about it, a cache hidden anywhere could possibly hold some kind of threat, so maybe this statement might be more appropriate:

Use common sense when seeking a cache! Heres a couple or three for instance, watch your surroundings, watch where you step, and most definitely watch where you stick your hands...

1.1k · February 9, 2003

Man, it sounds like Mopar is kinda growly tonight.

As for the hollow tree thing, I would think that the person hiding the cache should be able to tell if the tree is in use by any critter big enough to harm you, well major damage anyway.

Big boar coon, that might hurt.

Mamma coon with young ones, ouch also.

Opossum, large rat but mostly coward.

Squirrels, tiny little chomp marks, more like a bad pinch.

The thing I would worry about around critter trees would be TICK's and FLEA's.

And that those hollow tress have a habit of falling over without notice.

And shedding bark in large chunks.

And shedding widowmakers.

And holding spiders.

As for hollow logs, I know of some loggers that where out looking at some timber and sat on a hollow tree and had there lunch. They where there about an hour and one of the guys was walking around to one end of the log and another guy happen to beat on the log with his axe. Out of the log shot a small Black Bear, just running over the other guys toes. The other guys could not tell who was squealing louder, their buddy or the bear.

Now that would get your heart rate right up there.

TTFRN, logscaler

6.4k · February 9, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by logscaler:
Man, it sounds like Mopar is kinda growly tonight.

Your right, LS. I should really steer clear of the forums when I don't feel good, and right now I have one hell of a headache. Sorry if I came off a bit harsh, but the fact is nothing is this world is 100% safe, and if it was, I wouldn't want to live here. We take risks every time we walk down stairs, or drive a car, or do our job at work. Most of us have enough common sense that these things don't injure or kill us. But they could. Same with a geocache. Everything about it COULD be dangerous, but so could just hiking in the woods, or driving to a virtual. There have been hundreds of thousands of caches logged, and while I don't pretend to read every one, if someone got injured like that, it would come to out attention pretty quick. Only once have I heard about a cacher being bit by a critter asa direct result of geocaching, and that turned out to be a hoax. Someone claimed to be bit by a nest of snakes in a cache hiding spot, but it turned out it was a co-worker or something of the hider playing what he thought was a harmless prank. There was no nest of snakes.

Becareful caching, just like your careful driving down the highway at 70mph, and you'll be fine. No need to ban any spot that potentially could be dangerous if you use common sense.

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

February 9, 2003

I have had a number of occassions where I have attempted to look or feel in small areas. I of course used sticks or other items to check the hole or crack first...something about common sense

5.3k · February 9, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Erawan:
I of course used sticks or other items to check the hole or crack first...something about common sense

If common sense is required, maybe the cache hider should put that info on the cache page

Darwinism will weed out the weak ones...

"Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand."

February 9, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Mopar:
Yet after 8 caches you're the expert.

Yup.

I don't think the cache hiding part makes him the expert but the x-Ranger thing might. I don't like hiding them in hollow logs either or hollows in trees for a number of reasons but of course you can hide it anyplace you like. I take his suggestion as a positive one.

_________________________________________________________

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

1.5k · February 9, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Mopar:
Yet after 8 caches you're the expert.

Yup.

I'm not trying to start a fight, but... if the numbers "don't matter", why is it that they are so often brought in to play in order to discredit a poster?

6.4k · February 9, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Snazz:
I'm not trying to start a fight, but... if the numbers "don't matter", why is it that they are so often brought in to play in order to discredit a poster?

Actually, I don't think I've EVER said the numbers don't have some effect on things. I think to some extent they DO matter, and I've never been afraid to say it. Experience matters in everything else we do, why not geocaching? Go on a job interview and tell them that experience doesn't matter. Lets see if they hire you as the new CEO even though your fresh from that pizza delivery job and you don't actually even know what CEO stands for, but it pays 1.2mil a year, so you can do it!

I think the guy who was last running the Fortune 500 Co is more qualified then the delivery boy.

I think that someone who has only found 1,2,or 8 geocaches in his life is probably not qualified to tell people with 50, 100, or 1000 cache finds what the best way to hunt/hide a cache is.

Everyone is new once. I'm still learning. I sure know after finding 2 caches I wasn't qualified to tell people how they should hide a cache, or what the best GPS is for caching. Know what? After 125 finds I'm STILL not qualified to tell someone how they should hide a cache, or what GPS is the best. I think I can offer other people opinions based on my experiences, but thats just it, MY OPINION.

If you have virtually no experience geocaching, what makes you think your qualified to say "hiding caches here is wrong", "GPS A is better for caching then GPS B", or "I'm writing a book/movie/play about how to geocache"?

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

1.3k · February 9, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Mopar:
Experience matters in everything else we do, why not geocaching? Go on a job interview and tell them that experience doesn't matter.

Dude chill out a bit. Geocaching is meant to be fun and not be taken seriously as a job interview and such. The think the point is just use a bit of caution before sticking your hand into a place that you can't see. In other words, poke it with a stick, use a flashlight or something. Also I think if a critter is hiding in a spot where a geocache is located, it should be noted on the log so the owner can consider if he/she wants to move it to a different spot or not.

February 9, 2003

Great cache, coords were a little off, but we found it eventually. Thought we heard some movement in the log so I unloaded my 44 into it to be safe, only hit the cache a couple of times. Then I stabbed my hiking stick in there a few times for good measure. Left a lightstick, some bullet holes, and a bloodstain, took the badger. Thanks 4 the hunt.

I think badgers should increase the difficulty by at least 1/2 a star.

1.5k · February 9, 2003

badgers? we don't need no steeenking badgers!

February 9, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Snazz:
badgers? we don't need no steeenking badgers!

Are you talking about the ones that wear cheese hats?

February 9, 2003

I like sticking my hand into a hollow tree; it makes the hunt more exciting!

Lake Tahoe Geocacher

3k · February 10, 2003

If experience leads to common sense, then I'll vote for experience ... but I won't predicate that upon a number of finds. Perhaps reading this thread will provide all the experience someone needs.

I have yet to encounter a cache hidden in a hollow log or tree that wasn't revealed by my flashlight.

I think that anyone stupid enough to stick their hand into any opening (a space among rocks or an opening in an abandoned wall make just as good hiding places/habitats as the hollow tree mentioned) without first checking it out with a flashlight and, if any question remains, a stick, has earned their just reward.

It's probably indicative that cache owners do check their hollow logs, etc. quite carefully before hiding a cache, because I've never read a cache description that stated "I got bit hidin' the cache, so watch out for that varmint."

[This message was edited by BassoonPilot on February 10, 2003 at 03:40 AM.]

February 10, 2003

Look at the title of the thread - It has that awful, nasty word "don't" in it. Out of common respect for people who have been playing this game for years, hiding caches for years, and building the game to what it is today so that I can play - I don't quite think it totally cool if I pop off with a thread telling them what "not" to do.

The same thing could have been handled by simply raising a question about some common safety tips, if this person was wondering about what people do for hollow trees/logs. In this case, experience has everything to do with an answer. Because there's not a single, experienced cacher here who doesn't know what to do if they encounter such a cache. Very low on the list would be to tell someone "not" to place such a cache. It is no different than telling a person "not" to place a cache in the woods and hide it with foilage/rocks.

Me? I do value the voice of experience. And someone with 100 more caches than I have found is someone with 100 more experiences to share. That doesn't make them "better." Nobody said that. That doesn't make them more knowledgeable, or even safer - for that matter. If I want tips on my night-time trail hikes, I want them from someone with experience finding them, not someone who "thinks they shouldn't be done."

Besides, "hollow tree" lacks a lot of definition. Trees come in all sizes. Plenty of caches are hidden in stumps, in a hollow.

Another approach would maybe not to seem to be authoratively "qualifying" oneself as more knowing about "hollow trees" due to being a ranger and perhaps asking for some tips. Because then even an "ex-ranger" could have learned that you can use a staff to explore a hollow trunk for that "thud," and that flashlights are essential for exploring dark places safely.

Maybe there are some city-slickers who have never seen a tree in the woods who might have slapped their jaw in shock and education at being told about "hollow trees," and so nobody is suggesting that repeated "awareness" is harmful. It's probably just the desk-tapping title of "DON'T" that can irritate/amuse some readers.

This is a great, fun sport. Advice should always be welcome. But the voice of reason always sounds clearer when it's also the voice of experience.

We have an experienced ex-park ranger who can share his experiences with hollow trees, and if there might be any non-outdoors-experienced geocachers, they might learn something. But there are also a lot of outdoorsmen/women here. Heck, if I spent a couple minutes browsing the forums I would immediately pick up on that, and I'd also pick up on that it would probably be best to now jump in and tell ya'll what and what NOT to do.

I do appreciate the raising of awareness, nonetheless. Because sometimes people with the "most experience" are those who display the "most carelessness" because their confidence hasn't been "checked" in awhile. I'm sure a list of potential threats and hazards could be compiled/added to if it hasn't already been done. I know I haven't seen it yet, and that might be a nice thread to have made more visible every now and then. You don't have to live in the woods to have a hollow tree bit you. Urban "hollows" can (and often do) contain used sharps (needles) which are arguable far more dangerous than a woodland hollow. There's nothing wrong with reminding folks that a good stick/knife is good for poking around - and gloves are invaluable as well (spider bites, etc).

It's always great to come away from one of these threads having learned something, and this could be one of those invaluable threads. And I can't blame Mopar. I think the problems started with the title of the topic thread - another thing we can "learn" from. CHEERS!

If you hide it, they will come.

Grandmaster Cache

Tank at: FISH WHISPERER'S LAGOON

February 10, 2003

I look at it this, to each his (or her) own. While I wouldn't condone going out and hollowing a tree out, finding a hollowed tree is perfectly find to use. I think everybody could make a stand on using any part of nature as a cache hiding spot. Placing a cache in, under, around, or on a spot could technically disturb some part of animal or micro-organisms habitat.

I think the main thing is what a lot of people have been saying, COMMON SENSE!!!

I have, and will continue to use hollow trees for cache areas. Just laying a cache out in the open is more of issue than a hollow log. Just laying a cache in the open increases the chances of a non-cacher finding it, and either taking it or turning it in. I know at a certian state park in Iowa, a main concern by the rangers there,(and not allowing caches at the current time) is worrying that a non-cacher will find the cache.

February 10, 2003

I agree with all that one must use common sense, I don't stick my hand in things without checking first and I don't need a warning on being cautious...I always figure people were smarter than that! But lately I have found out otherwise! Then I think it boils down to the law of the fittest! Maybe that is the way to get the people that came from the shallow end of the gene pool out of the way! To many people do not want to take there own responsibility and rely on suing or closing down something because they were stupid! C'est la vie, la vie!

Darkmoon

All you have to do to fly is throw yourself at the ground and miss!

February 10, 2003

I think it's alot like the fork in the toaster while it is still plugged in, if you are still alive, you won't do that again! I have found a lot of caches in hidden logs and I still have all my toes and fingers(23 at last count)(my gene pool comes from the nuclear reactor cooling side I think)!

Darkmoon

All you have to do to fly is throw yourself at the ground and miss!

February 10, 2003

The only time I get upset about sticking my hand in a hollow tree is when the cache is not in there!!

February 10, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Mopar:

Your right, LS. I should really steer clear of the forums when I don't feel good, and right now I have one hell of a headache.

Maybe if you got up from in front of your computer instead of ranting about your expertise, you wouldn't have such the headache.. hmmm?

February 10, 2003

In this area of the country the Black Widow spider is actually very common. There favorite habitat is dark, cool and damp places. This would be my reason for not concealing a cache container in a hollow tree.

To date, I am not aware of anyone bitten while geocaching, but it could happen. Personally, I carry a walking stick and use it to carefully move a cache that might be guarded by something unfriendly.

I have never been bitten, but my wife was while we were watching a 4th Of July fireworks show. Coincidently, it happened in a local park where there are now several caches. What she went through for a couple of weeks was not plesant.

This being said, I would vote for common sense. Like not letting a youngster grab a cache container until I had carefully looked it over.

Use everyday caution whenever you are in the woods.

Hiemdahl

5.9k · February 10, 2003

If you're careful of the kickback, the tip part of a chainsaw will do an awesome job of hollowing out any tree. You can make the hole as large as you need.

http://fp1.centurytel.net/Criminal_Page/

6.4k · February 10, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Tubby Rower:

Maybe if you got up from in front of your computer instead of ranting about your expertise, you wouldn't have such the headache.. hmmm?

Well, actually I was already lying in bed at that time (aren't laptops great?), but since medical health seems to be your area of expertise, I appreciate your medical opinion. THANKS!

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

February 10, 2003

Check out the logs on this cache,

hollow tree

3k · February 10, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Tubby Rower:

quote:
Originally posted by Mopar:

Your right, LS. I should really steer clear of the forums when I don't feel good, and right now I have one hell of a headache.

Maybe if you got up from in front of your computer instead of ranting about your expertise, you wouldn't have such the headache.. hmmm?

Only I get to pick on Mopar! If you want to pick on him you have to go through me.

Cache you later,

Planet

"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will

give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'" - Dave Barry

6.4k · February 10, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Aladin Sane:
Check out the logs on this cache,

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=30319

Look at that! And nobody died? Guess cachers are smarter then some people think after all.

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

6.4k · February 10, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Planet:

Only I get to pick on Mopar! If you want to pick on him you have to go through me.

Gee thanks mom! You're embarrassing me in front of the other kids!

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

1.5k · February 10, 2003

I was out caching on saturday, and this bird whooshed by, very close to my head. It sounded like an arrow!

February 10, 2003

I got a blister once while caching, it hurt for a day or so.

I have a brother. We get along well now that we don't live together.

My favorite food changes often...that's just the type of person I am.

Here's what you do: Drive strait really fast and if something gets in your way, you turn.

-Let's play Global Thermonuclear War-

February 10, 2003

Here we go again with the dangerous cache thread....

One of my caches could possibly maybe be used by an animal as a den or a snake could crawl in to get out of the heat. Since I placed the thing in the "SWAMP" with wild creatures about anything could happen. A group of wayward fire ants could build a nest under the cache and bite you when you move it.

Funny thing about fire ants, they have a signal system of some kind. First the swarm all over you, usually up to your knee or elbow and then one of them gives a signal and they all start biting at once. OUCH!!

Just remember it isn't a wet lands - IT IS A SWAMP and it isn't a rain forest - IT IS A JUNGLE!

Check out this log...

Capn Skully

24.7k · February 10, 2003

Hollow anything means use your poking stick. I've seen enough of those critters to know that I will get bit if I piss them off by grabbing that cozy little cache they are slepping next to (or inside if it's tupperware and had foot).

Wherever you go there you are.

February 10, 2003

I have only been geocaching for a week but have been in the woods all my life. Doesn't matter what it is your looking for. If you don't have any common sense something bad will eventually happen to you. Was looking for a cache last week and found a coon sleeping in the perfect spot. No big deal..you look both ways before you cross the street. Same thing..right? You never know what you will find in the woods. Thats a big part of what makes it fun! Don't mean to flame anyone.

1.4k · February 10, 2003

Okay.... if hollow trees are bad, how 'bout an area that is stalked by a masked, machette yeilding, invincible maniac? Look here:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=53735

Jeff

http://www.StarsFellOnAlabama.com

http://www.NotAChance.com

If you hide it, they will come....

February 10, 2003

Oh, I see, yer talkin about usin a hole ALREADY in the log. Crickets, why didn't I think of that.

It woulda been a heluva lot easier than haulin my 'saw into the woods.

Mickey

Max Entropy

More than just a name, a lifestyle.

February 10, 2003

It's just like I tell my boys:

Don't stick your fingers anyplace you wouldn't stick your ...uh... thing.

It's good advice, I've still got all of my fingers.

Mickey

Max Entropy

More than just a name, a lifestyle.

February 10, 2003

I'd keep this topic quiet. If OSHA gets wind of it, we'll be seeing those stupid warning labels on everything in the forest!!!!

Dennis "The Menace" Mitchell

38.2k · February 11, 2003

I was looking for a place to hide a cache and I spotted a hollow stump about chest high. Perfect!

I looked inside and was startled to see an equally startled family of racoons looking up at me. Of course I chose another spot.

Still, hollow stumps seem to me to be the perfect hiding place, esp. for something as large as an ammo box. That being said, I won't reach blindly into one when looking for a cache. I use my trekking pole to poke inside, but not before knocking loudly on the outside of the stump to see if there is anybody home.

A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away. -Barry Goldwater

February 11, 2003

quote:
I have had a number of occassions where I have attempted to look or feel in small areas. I of course used sticks or other items to check the hole or crack first...

Anyone else giggling over this??

X is for X, and X marks the spot, On the rug in the parlor, The sand in the lot, Where once you were standing, And now you are not.

February 11, 2003

This whole hollow log thing reminds me of that part in the sweet 1980's Flash Gordon movie where Flash and a up and coming actor by the name of Timothy Dalton play a little contest of putting their hands in the knot holes of a stump seeing who gets bitten first. God Bless the 80's cult classics!!!! hehehe

6.4k · February 11, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by jeff35080:
Okay.... if hollow trees are bad, how 'bout an area that is stalked by a masked, machette yeilding, invincible maniac? Look here:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=53735

Very cool sounding cache, Jeff!

FWIW, they filmed the original "Friday the 13th" at an old boyscout camp in Blairstown, NJ. I didn't look to see if there's a cache there, but I bet there probably is.

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

February 11, 2003

Here's another vote for common sense: scout out your hidey spot. If there are animal tracks in the dirt, droppings, a strong odor, glowing eyes or teeth in the hollow, it's probably occupied.

My one hide so far is in a hollow log, in an area where there are hundreds of large fallen trees in a small area, due to a major straight-line wind storm two-three years ago. I scouted for a dry, shallow, somewhat exposed hollow that didn't look like a den. It wasn't much more space than the container, in fact.

Then again, after the lid broke on the cheap plastic bucket, it was ransacked by a small creature that chewed up a couple of ziplocs (no food products present).

On the other end of the spectrum, there is "Playin' Possum" at Busse Woods. Last time I was out there, there were numerous animal tracks in the snow in and out of the hollow, and a strong smell. I'd strongly consider another spot, if I were the hider.

I am Arrowroot, son of Arrowshirt. I have many names, you know

February 11, 2003

No I'm not an expert after 8 caches, I'm not an expert at all, what I am is former Park and land management professional. Just like the ones who determine whether or not cachers should be allowed to hide caches on public land.

The problem doesn't arise from the hollow that has the cache in it, it is from the hollows that are investigated by people looking for cache's because they look like "likely" hiding spots.

And yes, more that one park visitor has been bitten or otherwise injured by unwisely sticking hands, heads ect. in to animal dens.

These are the concerns people in my line of work have with caching and why many of them choose not to allow geocaching on the lands they manage.

1.3k · February 11, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by White Rhino:

The problem doesn't arise from the hollow that has the cache in it, it is from the hollows that are investigated by people looking for cache's because they look like "likely" hiding spots.

I think it depends on the area of the country also. For example, sticking your hand into a dark hole in West Texas during a hot day is asking for a snake bite or scorpion sting. However putting your hand into a tree along a commonly used trail is much less risky. But always poke around with a stick and use a flashlight. If you can't see, you don't go reaching. And always wear gloves, good gloves. When I get enough cache finds, I am going to put up my own cache but it will not be in a tree trunk or in a dark place. It will be unique.

February 11, 2003

We had a hide that we had to repair because of a critter and they were not in a hole or hollowed out tree. I know that is not the point of this amusing thread which basically comes down to two things and both rely on common sense and most of us have that.

1. Hollowed out places are cool and if the churns of life start to destroy that place we can always relocate or archive our cache.

2. Use a stick and reach with it first.

It ain't rocket science!

Wags, Russ & Erin

6.4k · February 11, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by White Rhino:
No I'm not an expert after 8 caches, I'm not an expert at all, what I am is former Park and land management professional. Just like the ones who determine whether or not cachers should be allowed to hide caches on public land.

The problem doesn't arise from the hollow that has the cache in it, it is from the hollows that are investigated by people looking for cache's because they look like "likely" hiding spots.

And yes, more that one park visitor has been bitten or otherwise injured by unwisely sticking hands, heads ect. in to animal dens.

These are the concerns people in my line of work have with caching and why many of them choose not to allow geocaching on the lands they manage.

And you are totally correct, I'm sure people HAVE been bit sticking a hand in a hollow tree. I also know people have been bit by snakes stepping over a log. I know people have been bit/attacked by rabid animals for no reason whatsoever. I know people have been attacked by fireants just because they didnt watch were they stepped. And, to tie into another thread, I PERSONALLY know people who WISH they would die already because of the effects of Lyme Desease caused by a tick bite. So, if you consider those other factors, you probably should not hide a cache anywhere. We should stay out of the parks, and encase ourselves in a plastic bubble whenever we leave the house. There are risks involved in everything we do, every day, and in the grand scheme of things, the risk you mention is pretty far down on the list. All it takes is the slightest bit of common sense to reduce the risk you mention to almost zero. To suggest that something be banned for everyone because of a few people lack common sense is down right insulting to me, and lots of other people. Every day some idiot talking on a cell phone or something runs a red light and causes an accident. Should we ban driving cars because of that? I'm sure if you had started off by saying "I'm a former park ranger, and saw plenty of careless people get bit by putting hands in hollow trees without looking first, so please be careful when searching for caches", you would have got a much better response.

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

February 11, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Mopar:
To suggest that something be banned for everyone because of a few people lack common sense is down right insulting to me, and lots of other people. Every day some idiot talking on a cell phone or something runs a red light and causes an accident. Should we ban driving cars because of that?

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

You know I feel the same way. Recently some folks wanted the airlines to ban peanuts on airplanes. Why?? Because one person in 50,000 is deathly allergic to eating peanuts. The smell of a bag of peanuts may set off a reaction in the one rare person.

My company just spent $800 per person for ergonomic chairs because the people in my office are too dense to stop and take a break from typing.

I see parks with elevated board walks for trails because the powers that be are afraid a person may touch a stinging nettle or trip over a nutria rat on it's way to the park trash cans.

Our country is becoming a place of wimpy do gooders.

Capn Skully

38.2k · February 11, 2003

quote:
The problem doesn't arise from the hollow that has the cache in it, it is from the hollows that are investigated by people looking for cache's because they look like "likely" hiding spots.

Since I started visiting this forum, I've seen posts complaining about the dangers of caches in urban parks, underwater, near cliffs, near roads, in trees, caves, in tick infested areas, among litter, near broken glass and more. Now we have someone who is sounding the alarm about hollow logs and stumps.

Maybe I should just forget about this sport. It's too darn dangrerous. I guess I'll have to stick with skiing, whitewater canoeing and playing goalkeeper in an indoor soccer league (you wanna talk dangerous, try the last one!).

I'm sure Mr. White Rhino means well, but he's just another example of those who are trying to make our world a safe and vanilla one, with foam bumpers on every surface.

I'm willing to bet that way more geocachers have been hurt by stumbling over logs, or in car accidents on their way to the cache site, than have been bitten by an animal while reaching into a hollow tree. I've read hundreds, if not thousands, of logs and have yet to read of such an incident.

I'm not going to say it won't or can't happen, but it's a relatively minor risk and one that can be greatly reduced by using little common sense. Taking a shower is probably more dangerous statistically speaking.

A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away. -Barry Goldwater

[This message was edited by BrianSnat on February 11, 2003 at 06:01 PM.]

Don't hide your cache in a hollow tree

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