Guidelines on cache terrain rating

[+Darwinkle]

Are there any guidelines on the terrain ratings for caches? I'm putting together my first hide and want to get it right!

 

I am a bit concerned at the standardization of the rating. For example, I was on a cache with a 1.5 terrain rating and it was a nice, level area and would have been handicapped accessible.

On the other hand, I found a cache with a 1 terrain rating which would have been right on the money with the 1 rating IF YOU WERE A BIGHORN SHEEP!

 

Any thoughts?

Darwinkle

 

"If you dance long enough it WILL rain!" - Old Indian Truism

[Jomarac5]

Try here:

 

Clayjar's cache rating system

 

*****

[+briansnat]

Clayjar's rating system tends to rate caches a little high. I just go by the definitions which are:

 

Terrain

 

* Handicapped accessible. (Terrain is likely to be paved, is relatively flat, and less than a 1/2 mile hike is required.)

 

** 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.)

 

*** 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.)

 

**** 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.)

 

***** Requires specialized equipment and knowledge or experience, (boat, 4WD, rock climbing, SCUBA, etc) or is otherwise extremely difficult.

 

Difficulty

 

* Easy. In plain sight or can be found in a few minutes of searching.

 

** Average. The average cache hunter would be able to find this in less than 30 minutes of hunting.

 

*** Challenging. An experienced cache hunter will find this challenging, and it could take up a good portion of an afternoon.

 

**** Difficult. A real challenge for the experienced cache hunter - may require special skills or knowledge, or in-depth preparation to find. May require multiple days or trips to complete.

 

***** Extreme. A serious mental or physical challenge. Requires specialized knowledge, skills, or equipment to find cache.