Vancouver BC Cache Machine

1.8k · January 7, 2004

No comments on the route, please -- I just tossed it together to see what it would look like, using month-old data, but figured I'd share. 200 miles, 73 caches, March 27. This is definitely not even close to the final route, just look at it, smile, and move on.

This would be as good a topic as any to discuss whether a Vancouver BC Cache Machine is even doable. Two cachers I spoke to this weekend had conflicting views -- one said that traffic and distances in BC make doing this an exercise in frustration; another said it would definitely be achievable fun.

I'll put a pointer in the Canada forums to direct some folks this way, too.

January 7, 2004

If you build it...we will come. & I'm not sticking any stickers anywhere ut in the log book this time. :rolleyes:

9.5k · January 7, 2004

It looks like fun and if I have a job to pay for the trip, I'll be there.

January 7, 2004

Jeff grew up in Vancouver, and we're really hoping to get up there for the cache machine. Unless something unexpected happens, we're there.

Cin

January 7, 2004

That is indeed a hefty load. A lot, if not most of those probably have a good 10-15+ minute walk to the cache. Multiply that by 75 and the driving times between them, and the most I see getting done in a day is 20-25 unless you run all the way.

However, I'd like to see an attempt made. It'd be fun!

January 7, 2004

A lot, if not most of those probably have a good 10-15+ minute walk to the cache.

It would be a different kind of cache machine but if the walks are nice I think it would be great. As long as it was "advertised" as a different kind.

January 7, 2004

A lot, if not most of those probably have a good 10-15+ minute walk to the cache.

It would be a different kind of cache machine but if the walks are nice I think it would be great. As long as it was "advertised" as a different kind.

Agreed. I love the idea of getting to lots of neat places -- not just caches by the side of the road -- though there is no shame in that either.

However if 25 caches is an upper limit to what is likely to be achievable, then listing 73 is a bad idea. It seems to me the main component of fun in a CM is the shared similar experience. If everyone were to pick and choose which 25 of the 73 to go after, a lot of the fun of rehashing the day's events over a couple of pints would be lost.

January 7, 2004

That is indeed a hefty load. A lot, if not most of those probably have a good 10-15+ minute walk to the cache. Multiply that by 75 and the driving times between them, and the most I see getting done in a day is 20-25 unless you run all the way.

However, I'd like to see an attempt made. It'd be fun!

The same situation existed at Victoria, but people seemed to get to these remarkably quickly, at least faster than I had. I think we should bear that in mind. After all, Moun10Bike got 73, was it? Add to that almost 13 hours of light.

1.8k · January 7, 2004

Easy enough -- lop off everything south of the Fraser River, and that brings us down to 60. Kill off the 11 north of the Burrard Inlet, we're down to 49. Skip another 16 in the Burnaby/Port Coquitlam area, we're down to 33.

The route is infinitely malleable at this point. I'm won't start to worry about the exact route for a month or so.

The show stopper, for me, would be if Saturday Vancouver traffic would make this event an exercise of idling on the freeways. Time spent on the asphalt is time not spent finding neat places.

January 7, 2004

The show stopper, for me, would be if Saturday Vancouver traffic would make this event an exercise of idling on the freeways. Time spent on the asphalt is time not spent finding neat places.

So you're saying we shouldn't look forward to a Federal Way cache machine any time soon. :rolleyes:

On topic, we spent a weekend in Vancouver a few years ago and I remember the traffic being a nightmare. :lol: We drove around Stanley Park a few times looking for parking, hate to do that during a cache machine. But this was in the middle of the summer on a hot day.

2.8k · January 7, 2004

How about a night-cache machine? The traffic can't be all that bad when the sun is down. And with the seemingly infinite supply of BFLs(aka: sunlight in a can) up in BC I don't see a problem :lol: :rolleyes:

January 8, 2004

I would love an excuse to go to Vancouver, BC! Sounds fun.

I tend to agree that traffic has always been pretty bad when I've been up there but that has been in the summer. Maybe it's not so bad in the spring?

Maybe an alternative would be somewhere a bit outside of Vancouver proper like Chilliwack, Port Coquitlam, or north of Vancouver and on the way to Whistler? Maybe traffic would be less a hassle outside the city itself.

But, hey, whatever you plan, I'm up for giving it a go! :rolleyes:

1.5k · January 8, 2004

The show stopper, for me, would be if Saturday Vancouver traffic would make this event an exercise of idling on the freeways. Time spent on the asphalt is time not spent finding neat places.

Freeways? What Freeways? :lol: :rolleyes:

1.3k · January 8, 2004

Anyone know what it takes to take a dog into/out of Canada? Chewie would be miffed if I did 30 plus caches without him.

7.4k · January 8, 2004

For Chevy, we have always just had to take a certificate of rabies vaccination. However, you may want to check with your vet just to make sure nothing has changed. The last time we were in Canada with one of our dogs was the Victoria Cache Machine last summer.

January 8, 2004

We spent a day in Vancouver on their rememberance day. From Quincy the first one we got was Iron horse on Snoqualme. We went up the back way through carnation and then up 5 to Vancouver. Spent a day in Vancouver, Imax, Spagetti Factory Stanley Park ect. We only got caches that were at or on the way to places we were already going. Then the next day cached back down the Washington coast to Yani's greek resturant in green lake. About 50 some caches and 457 miles!

On the Victoria caches. Parking...Super Bad. Especially Stanley park. And expect to pay for it too. Point Grey road has got hardly any parking and many times you are forced to park where you can and then hike back a couple blocks to the beach. There are a ton of multis and puzzle caches. I was suprised the tradionals we not more dense. Many of the caches look like they are in areas that are either undeveloped or parks but suprisingly there is MUCH more city there than you would think.

It depends where you plan to start or where you are staying. We drove through the SE section of your cache map on the way up and we decided to do most of our caching on the coast.

There are a good bunch near the beach at White rock. But you may want to hit those on your way up.

The key will be parking and targeting the parks. You can get 2-3 in some parks. Youll have to walk more but at least you'll have a place to park.

Also many of the ones we did were vandelized or missing. Make sure the ones you hunt are there.

January 9, 2004

The show stopper, for me, would be if Saturday Vancouver traffic would make this event an exercise of idling on the freeways. Time spent on the asphalt is time not spent finding neat places.

I'm afraid the word "freeway" is a relative term, Travis. British Columbia is the only place on the planet where a perfectly good freeway goes for miles and miles, then enters the city, where it is most needed, then just....stops. (Cassiar) The engineers have also discovered that if you make a road LOOK like a freeway, you can throw a traffic light on it, then sit back and watch the havoc.

Any time we travel in the Big Smoke, we depend on Marine Drive, Broadway, River Road and several other main streets. They do the job nicely. Saturday traffic will be a factor, but not a huge one. Victoria traffic is worse on weekends, (the traffic lights are not synchronized) so that will be what you should expect. At least Vancouverites are on schedule with the rest of the civilized world, and not on Island time, like we are here. If the light turns green here, and you're the second car in line, you might as well hunker down until buddy in front of you decides to go through on the yellow.

January 9, 2004

How about a night-cache machine?

That might not be a bad idea. Would the last stop be IHOP?

January 9, 2004

On the Victoria caches. Parking...Super Bad. Especially Stanley park. And expect to pay for it too. Point Grey road has got hardly any parking and many times you are forced to park where you can and then hike back a couple blocks to the beach. There are a ton of multis and puzzle caches. I was suprised the tradionals we not more dense. Many of the caches look like they are in areas that are either undeveloped or parks but suprisingly there is MUCH more city there than you would think.

Parking would be an issue to think about. The only place you should have to pay is Stanley Park, but finding parking for a large group, especially downtown and in the Point Grey/UBC area. It's hard enough to find space for 1 car let alone 10. I've also found that most of the smaller parks only have 2-3 parking spots, if any dedicated to them, and in the above areas, even residential parking is packed very tightly. There will definately be some delays just for parking and walking a few blocks to get back with the group.

Since it's a cache machine, I'm fairly sure the puzzles and multis are out, unless people want to solve all the puzzles and get co-ords ahead of time, which is usually quite possible. I know a lot of the puzzle caches have awesome hiding spots to reward you for your hard work.

1.5k · January 11, 2004

After the Yakima Cache Machine, someone suggested that we rent large vans (15 Passenger) and use them to get around. Perhaps Vancouver is a place to try this.

What does it cost to rent one of these for the day?

January 11, 2004

Last time I checked (youth pastor) it was over $100 a day for a 15 passenger van. Of course I'm trying to remember a number from a few years back, and it may be way off.

January 11, 2004

To drive one you would need a CDL or a chaufers lisc. in Washington. Dont know about Canada.

January 11, 2004

There isn't any such thing as a chaufer's license in Oregon and that type of vehicle would not require a CDL (in Oregon), so you would be fine with a regular DL.

Not sure how it would work in Canada. I just know that I want to go caching...

1.5k · January 12, 2004

To drive one you would need a CDL or a chaufers lisc. in Washington. Dont know about Canada.

Actually, I beleive that a 15 passenger van is the largest one can drive WITHOUT a CDL. I'll try to check the rules to verify this. Of course the rules may be different in Canada.

Just throwing out an idea. If a local volunteer that didn't want to actually search for the caches could be found even better since then they could circle the block instead of having to find a parking place.

1.5k · January 12, 2004

Last time I checked (youth pastor) it was over $100 a day for a 15 passenger van. Of course I'm trying to remember a number from a few years back, and it may be way off.

Ok, so assume it's around $140/day. 14 passengers brings that to $10 each. Less than the cost of gas (Especially in Canada).

January 12, 2004

Yes you are right. The largest without a CDL. It could work.

January 12, 2004

Funny thing :unsure: -- The Phatboyz are going to be there (in Vancouver BC) that weekend for a hockey game. It’s kind of a boyz weekend. The game is against Dallas at 7:00.

Just to let you cachers know this will also add to the traffic for that weekend, just something to think about while you are planning.

I not sure if any of us will make any of the caches (there are a few of us that don’t cache), but we will have to wait and see what happens. It would be a shame to be in the same city as a cache machine and not do any….

January 13, 2004

I have a class "A" CDL If it is required I would be willing to take the test to get my "C" endorsment.

January 13, 2004

Yes you are right. The largest without a CDL.

It's a good thing too, or I would have been in violation of the law for the last 7 years.

Come to think of it, the officer who pulled me over in the church van last year didn't say a word.

January 13, 2004

just a suggestion that a cache machine outing in the chilliwack area including harrison hot springs and cultus lake would keep a guy busy for a couple of days. some of the caches this time of year would require a little more time because you can't drive as far on some of the roads due to snow up on the mountains but there are plenty on the valley floor.

January 28, 2004

Booked my airfare from NB today. Can't wait to go to the cache machine. :lol:

January 29, 2004

Anyone know what it takes to take a dog into/out of Canada? Chewie would be miffed if I did 30 plus caches without him.

Go HERE to see what you need to get your dog into Canada.

And HERE for dog friendly hotels in BC.

1.8k · February 1, 2004

The Vancover Cache Machine page is built, and should be visible as soon as it's approved. I've created the first draft of the route, too.

In spite of some of the warnings I've heard about traffic, I'm ready to go for it. I am placing the three Stanley Park caches very, very early in the route. Like 6:00 a.m. early.

Most of the Point Gray caches should be taken care of by 10 or 11 a.m., which should also help.

My tentative starting point is the parking lot of the Dufferin Hotel, which I know nothing about, other than Travelocity listed it as one of the least expensive hotels in the area.

Sugggestions?

1.8k · February 9, 2004

I've just posted the second draft of the route, but am facing a quandry over one location. I'd like to stop by the makeshift memorial that's been put together across the street from the infamous Picktin pig farm in Port Coquitlam. There's no cache there, but it's a location I'd like to visit. On one hand, it's a little morbid. On the other hand, it's not much different than a traditional or virtual in a cemetery. Should I include it on the final route?

2.7k · February 9, 2004

I've just posted the second draft of the route, but am facing a quandry over one location. I'd like to stop by the makeshift memorial that's been put together across the street from the infamous Picktin pig farm in Port Coquitlam. There's no cache there, but it's a location I'd like to visit. On one hand, it's a little morbid. On the other hand, it's not much different than a traditional or virtual in a cemetery. Should I include it on the final route?

why not. I figure if people don't want to go see it they'll just pass over that option. Not any different than skipping over some boxes during the course of the day.

February 9, 2004

O/T, but Travis, it looks like you're being flattered. Or maybe just imitated:

Bellingham Cache Machine:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...be-6706e259651a

1.8k · February 9, 2004

Flattered, imitated, obsoleted... same thing :huh: I'd heard about the Bellingham event before it was released, and the only thing I don't like about it is that I'm not going to be able to make it :lol:

I think I've got another one in Bellingham sheduled for January 2006. No biggy.

I did make it to the Beaverton Cache Machine last year. That was a lot of fun, in part because I didn't have to put it together

February 10, 2004

O/T, but Travis, it looks like you're being flattered. Or maybe just imitated:... Bellingham Cache Machine:

For the record, I asked Travis for permission to use his cache machine concept before I created the BCM Cache Event. I did not want to start and international incident, but after all, you are invading us at the end of March. :-)

Consider it a warm up for the biggy in Vancouver, minus the rubber glove treatment at Canada Customs an the way north.

I created it as an Event as there is quite a few Vancouver cachers that have been wanting to cache in Bellingham (only 10 minutes from the border) for sometime. Also, as Travis has advised, his schedule for a CM in Bellingham is 2 years away. I think there may be a few more caches to add to that route between now and then.

Hope you all can make it to Bellingham on February 28th.

February 11, 2004

As long as dates aren't changed.... I already paid my airfare from New Brunswick. I can't wait.

3.1k · February 11, 2004

Before I'm done caching I really want to do one of your cache machines.

1.8k · February 11, 2004

Before I'm done caching I really want to do one of your cache machines.

Like the Portland/Vancouver WA machine June 26-27?

3.1k · February 11, 2004

Before I'm done caching I really want to do one of your cache machines.

Like the Portland/Vancouver WA machine June 26-27?

Yeah, exactly like that one

checking calender........

gotta move this......

heh heh heh

February 11, 2004

Before I'm done caching I really want to do one of your cache machines.

Like the Portland/Vancouver WA machine June 26-27?

I keep telling ya those dates are all wrong. :lol:

I will most probably as things stand now be in France.

July would be much better or a couple of weeks earlier in June.

February 13, 2004

Will be spending a romantic :unsure: Valentine weekend with my wife in Vancouver... with maybe some caching on the side (I have not told her yet; she is more of a "parks are for birds, let's stay in and watch an old movie" type person).

Shocking lack of urban micros in that town. Not many in Stanley Park either.

The jury is still out -- in my mind -- on group caching. I remember reading some logs from last summer's Spokane machine, things like: "My notes say I did this one around 10am, but I really don't remember..."

I remember each of my measly 90+ finds, solos every one.

Anyway, best of luck.

Edited February 13, 2004 by GO West

3.1k · February 13, 2004

yeah we're gonna do this. I've never group cached but I've gone with a buddy a time or two and it's fun.

1.8k · February 27, 2004

So... which hotel should I make reservations at?

7.4k · February 27, 2004

So... which hotel should I make reservations at?

I was wondering that myself, Travis. We need to find one that is dachshund friendly.

1.3k · February 27, 2004

So... which hotel should I make reservations at?

I was wondering that myself, Travis. We need to find one that is dachshund friendly.

I was looking at this one for Chewie and me.

It also has high speed wireless internet.

7.4k · February 27, 2004

We need to find one that is dachshund friendly.

I was looking at this one for Chewie and me.

It also has high speed wireless internet.

SWEET!!

1.8k · February 27, 2004

It seems pricey, compared to some others I'm seeing at Travelocity ($50 USD or less). And I'd wager that it's not free wireless access. For example, the Bellevue Hilton offers wireless access, but it's like $10 a day. Yow! I'll scrape up an AOL CD somewhere and take advantage of 1045 free hours first

bcgeocaching.com's forum is suggesting we try Priceline.com, or Century Plaza hotel and spa at Burrard and nelson. It sounds like we're hitting the town in the off-season, so it could be cheap.

The exchange rate, as of today, is $1.00 USD = $0.75 CAD

Vancouver BC Cache Machine

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