Jump to content

Women Geocaching Alone


Recommended Posts

One thing that folks need to understand is the psychology of criminal types and how you can use that to protect yourself.

 

If you walk around scared in public of being mugged, you unconciously broadcast with your body language "Hey, I'm cringing and scared!". Criminal type LOOK for that kinda body language!

 

Folks walking around unconciously broadcasting fear - (or worse, fear + a need to please and appease everyone else) are unintentionally broadcasting a signal which actually ATTRACTS evil people. It's like an unintentional audition for being got. It's not your fault... it's something that has to be understood first.

 

In other words, If you walk around with that kind of "yikes! i might be attacked!" thought, you have a higher chance of a self-fullfilling prophesy ensuing.

 

Here's the deal. To change the way a criminal is looking at you and considering what to do with you, change your inner attitude and body language. Confidence, a sense of "folks, you REALLY don't want to mess with me. Period." Carry that around.

 

If someone starts to follow you, start mumbling and swearing something about "I'm so angry I'm gonna kill the next person who even LOOKS at me!" If they continue being that foolish, turn around with rage in your eyes look a little surprised, and then look at them the way a lion looks at a delicious gazelle. They'll be outta there.

QUOTE]

 

Theres VOLUMES of truth in that...

Link to comment

This has been a very interesting thread. Having had extensive experience in the martial arts and teaching self defense, I found many of the comments hit the nail right on the head.

 

I have only a few additional thoughts to add.

 

1 - We are the most vulnerable when we are distracted. So obviously when I am closing in on a cache location is when I am the most vulnerable. I use this knowledge to force myself to stop and look up from my GPS more frequently the closer I get to the cache.

 

2- Small yippy dogs make a LOT noise. Attackers don't like a lot of noise. Never assume you have to have a big mean looking dog to be safe, especially if you haven't trained it how to do it's job effectively. A couple of yippy dogs can raise quite a racket.

 

3- In order for guns to be effective it has to magically appear in your hand to moment you feel threatened AND you pretty much have to shoot first and ask questions later. A gun in the bottom of your pack won't do you a bit of good if you can't get to it in time. Also there can be no hesitation about using it. Some people have the right training and mentality for guns, most non-professionals do not. Don't waste time worrying about how to get to your gun when you should be thinking about immediate survival.

 

4 - The most important lesson I learned from my martial arts training is to never underestimate my opponent or overestimate my own abilities. On any given day, anyone could take me. Over confidence is just as dangerous as victim like behavior. I don't ever want find out how effective my fighting skills are, (aren't).

 

I cache alone about 95% of the time. I usually have trouble finding someone to go with me. I enjoy caching with friends because it is more fun.

 

Even with the extensive training I have had, I catch myself doing stupid things all the time. Each time I go out, I try to be a little smarter. I trust my gut instincts. I try to chose my caches carefully. But I refuse to limit my freedom. Telling women they have to always have someone with them, just reinforces the victim mentality. Each person has to take responsibility for thier choices and thier safety.

 

Seize every opportunity to make yourself safe, so you can enjoy your life without feeling there is a mugger around every corner. (Most assualts are committed by someone the attacker already knows, not strangers lurking in the woods)

 

Take one weekend out of your geocaching activities and take a good self defense class from a qualified instructor. Make sure it has the following content:

 

Sexual Dynamics of Assualt

Confrontation Avoidance

Confrontation techniques

De-Escalation Skills

Preventative Personal Safety Skills

Physical Self Defense Techniques (should take up no more than 25% of content)

 

Good Luck everyone, stay safe, and have fun caching!

Link to comment

I am 6'3" and nearly 250 lbs. When I go walking in parks I give people the courtesy of not following to closely on the trail and giving them their personal space when passing. I understand a man in the woods my size can intimidate some people.

 

Another cacher wrote

As a parent, I can tell you that a lone male wandering around an area populated by children tends make my "parental protection meter" go crazy. Therefore, I can only figure, that if I was by myself around a group of kids, their parents would see me as some kind of threat.

This is a reasonable fact of life. However, if you are wearing sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt you make yourself a greater threat to them. Be sensible and please don't hunt caches hidden in or around a school playground. The local police and school department will thank you.

Link to comment

Im a woman and I cache alone about 98% of the time, I dont go where I feel hinky, nor do I hike in the midle of the day, where I can be caught at night or dusk in the woods. Seems as tho a lot of parks are drinking spots for the local "bad guys" or teens, so I go at the crack of dawn, and of course I carry my hunting Knife... If I can gut a deer with one slice...... :ph34r:

Link to comment

I've gone alone a few times. I was more worried about something happening to me like falling down a cliff or breaking my leg than anything else. I much prefer to go with my kids along.

 

I also feel pretty safe in my area.

 

The few times I went by myself I made sure someone knew where I was going and I took my cell phone. (they weren't very remote caches and were within cell phone range!!)

 

I've decided that going alone is not for me and will wait for the weekend and for the kids to get out of school for the summer. In the meantime, I will hunt for the few "urban" caches around here.

Link to comment
Telling women they have to always have someone with them, just reinforces the victim mentality. Each person has to take responsibility for thier choices and thier safety

Right on dude! :P

 

Oh, and women? Check out the Krav Maga self defense system. It's feisty, full of dirty tricks to take out evil muggers and can be mastered in about six weeks. No kidding.

 

I am saving up for my own training in Krav Maga... my local place is a bit expensive, but I know it would be worth it.

 

Meanwhile... if anyone ever REALLY needs pepper spray... :ph34r:

 

BigMama.gif

 

www.udap.com

Edited by Sparrowhawk
Link to comment

This is an interesting post. I, too have worried a little bit about being by myself. I will cache alone locally, but want a male to accompany when a longer hike is required, both for safety from accidents in the wild, and from coming upon an undesireable element of society. Interesting hearing others thoughts on it. I am a pretty independant kind of woman, but I do have a thought to where I go. I may check out some of that OC, thanks for the tip.

Link to comment

although i am a large male and carry legally i still find THE MOST IMPORTANT thing about personal safety is PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS no if's and's or but's oh and self-confidence....walk with your head up looking at the horizon or above

I walk 4 blocks every night from class to my car through a downtown enviroment, every alley I pass i look down, every noise i hear i look at and i know who and how many are in front of me and behind me.....it seems so simple but so many people walk around looking at the pavement

Link to comment

98% of the time I go cacheing with my husband and 2 kids. I find the family look makes us look less suspisous when there are muggles around. I do live in a very safe area but have to admit the cache I found this week gave me the willies as there marsh all around and I'm sure gator. I thought I heard something slip into the water. When I got home and read the post from the owner she says she checked on her other cache farther down the trail and the gator were very close! Now I know why I got the Willies! Guess people don't scare me but the creatures do! Thumperness

Link to comment

I am usually caching in the Colorado Springs/Colorado area by myself 99% of the time also.

 

Never ever mean any type of scare to anyone I come across in the area/woods. Usually always have my Geocaching hat on, headphones rocking, and yes sometimes I carry a firearm(have a permit), sometimes the Schrade BT01 knife-it's for my own protection when I am way back in the woods alone-I have come across all kinds of animals out here alone. Bear, rattlesnakes (Garden of the Gods trail systems), scorpions (Pueblo reservoir), Bighorn sheep, Coyotes, mountain lionless so far. It's all about my safety, not hacking somebody up in the woods. :huh:

 

Listening to and watching the Bighorn sheep walk around in the brush-or-watching the buck deer "rack" on the mesa edge, which was the best so far? Hmmmm. :o

Link to comment
IM Not a female cache im just wondering if any one has found a dead body geocaching :huh:

I know you are 13 and excited about caching, but in the forums you are expected to keep the posts on topic (somewhat anyway).

 

Now I answer your off topic question:

 

Your question is typical of a boy your age. I have seen my fair share of bodies while playing firefighter/EMT, and it isn't something you want to see. You have to remember that the body used to be a living person that was just like your dad, mother, sister , etc. so there isn't anything "cool" about it. I hope to never find a body while caching, I haven't heard of this happening (I still new to the sport) and I certainly hope that nobody ever does find a body caching!

Edited by zcubed
Link to comment
IM Not a female cache im just wondering if any one has found a dead body geocaching :(

I know you are 13 and excited about caching, but in the forums you are expected to keep the posts on topic (somewhat anyway).

 

Now I answer your off topic question:

 

Your question is typical of a boy your age. I have seen my fair share of bodies while playing firefighter/EMT, and it isn't something you want to see. You have to remember that the body used to be a living person that was just like your dad, mother, sister , etc. so there isn't anything "cool" about it. I hope to never find a body while caching, I haven't heard of this happening (I still new to the sport) and I certainly hope that nobody ever does find a body caching!

Well said, but cachers have found bodies before.

Link to comment
IM Not a female cache im just wondering if any one has found a dead body geocaching <_<

I know you are 13 and excited about caching, but in the forums you are expected to keep the posts on topic (somewhat anyway).

 

Now I answer your off topic question:

 

Your question is typical of a boy your age. I have seen my fair share of bodies while playing firefighter/EMT, and it isn't something you want to see. You have to remember that the body used to be a living person that was just like your dad, mother, sister , etc. so there isn't anything "cool" about it. I hope to never find a body while caching, I haven't heard of this happening (I still new to the sport) and I certainly hope that nobody ever does find a body caching!

Well said, but cachers have found bodies before.

I Have been caching for 3 years

what I said was i was i was new to the forums

Link to comment
IM Not a female cache im just wondering if any one has found a dead body geocaching <_<

I know you are 13 and excited about caching, but in the forums you are expected to keep the posts on topic (somewhat anyway).

 

Now I answer your off topic question:

 

Your question is typical of a boy your age. I have seen my fair share of bodies while playing firefighter/EMT, and it isn't something you want to see. You have to remember that the body used to be a living person that was just like your dad, mother, sister , etc. so there isn't anything "cool" about it. I hope to never find a body while caching, I haven't heard of this happening (I still new to the sport) and I certainly hope that nobody ever does find a body caching!

Well said, but cachers have found bodies before.

I Have been caching for 3 years

what I said was i was i was new to the forums

Then you must have just gotten your account 6 months ago.

Link to comment
:lol: dont worry i dont think it is cool.

It was just a freaken :lol: aaaaaarrrrrrrrr never mind

Pluse my dads a fire fighter to. you probaly know himmm he dose a race called Quest for a cure <_<

I doubt anyone knows him. If you don't stay on topic and stop posting all these really off-topic topics people are just going to start ignoring everything you say.

 

Learn how to spell

Link to comment

i cache alone often i dont carry a gun but could -i carry a cell phone - but i am a 4th degree black belt and a weapons specialist with a staff or escrimina sticks I carry a hiking staff....and can use it quite effectively - but the best advice is its all about location.... always be aware - there are places that i dont feel safe in alone - geocaching or not i save those for caching with a friend. even in rural america i have noticed nomatter how romote someplace seems there is always evidence that someone without regard to property or nature has been there.. trash, beer cans, gun shells ect. nobody is faster than a speeding bullet or can take on multiple attackers without getting injured... its not worth it.... I go with my gut ....

and if a place feels unsecure I leave....i have nothing to prove....

Link to comment
I say to myself when geocaching alone " I truly doupt that some bad guy is hiding behind a tree in the middle of the woods for who knows how long in the hopes that a lone woman will come buy. More of a threat is walking down a sidewalk where a preditor knows that eventually a lone woman will surey come by."

That is my thought also but my folks yesterday gave me a whole song and dance about how "careful" I need to be. I went in search of one the other day and ended up leaving shortly after I started because I got a wierd feeling. I've done other ones by myself and have been fine with it. Use common sense I guess.

*off to find a good caching stick*

Link to comment

I cache alone most of the time. I find that when I take friends, I don't find the cache lol. Since I live in Alaska it is legal to carry firearms but normally I just carry a big can of counter assult. I figure if it can stop a grizzy bear, it can stop a person. I will be getting another gun this summer (got rid of them all when the kids were getting to be toddlers) as I am going into the Brooks Range this summer for an extended back country trip.

Link to comment

Hi All!

Interesting topic. A few observations, My Mom worked at a court house and dealt with criminals, not one on one but a clerk in the courts and she said most of the nastiest criminals were just non descript everyday looking people. The tatooed toothless "criminal" type usually were in a bar fight. I mention that because the rough looking guy may come to your aid while Percy Ribbon clerk is following you.

I hike around in a state park, and truthfully the people with unleashed dogs make me insane! Put Fido on a leash please! There's kids and drop offs etc. and even if your dog is friendly, at least where I hike if you get startled you can go 50 ft down into a lake on some trails, besides people can complain and dogs will be banned alltogether. Oh yes, stepping in dog doo on the trail isn't pleasant. I'm a single male, but I won't alter plans if Moms or kids are around. If I need to walk across a public playground I will. That said, I'm not going to stop and stare at a jungle gym or swings or anything and really, a single male on the up and up isn't gonna be lingering where kids are.

Link to comment

I hike around in a state park, and truthfully the people with unleashed dogs make me insane! Put Fido on a leash please! There's kids and drop offs etc. and even if your dog is friendly, at least where I hike if you get startled you can go 50 ft down into a lake on some trails, besides people can complain and dogs will be banned alltogether.

Sorry to get a little off-topic but just wanted to respond to this bit :huh:

 

In many places it is illegal to have your dog off-leash on trails, but it seems a lot of people either don't know this or don't care :huh:

 

In places where it ISN'T illegal it still really comes down to training-- if the owner can't keep the dog within a safe, visible distance from themselves and can't call the dog back immediately when another hiker or an animal comes into view, they shouldn't be off-leash.

I just wish people would think about this before letting their dogs off-leash (or letting them run amok on a retractable long leash even) and perhaps then more area would consider becoming dog-friendly.

Link to comment

It's very true CCC...I hike at Point au Roche and there are dangerous drops to the Lake in the order of 50' to the rocks. Even friendly dogs come barking and any 5 year old in a panic would tumble down. Even if the dog isn't dangerous. Speaking of which I've seen the little guys go beserk, and I actually saw a huge German Shepherd whose owner wasn't nearby on the trail just sit 6' away and just ignore me totally while I was walking by..to the point it didn's even look up at me licking it's foot.

Edited by Elmer Fishpaw
Link to comment
I always geocache alone. To me, it's no big deal, but I do carry a cell phone. I'm an older woman, and look like a grandma, so I doubt that some crazy sex fiend will stalk me. This is a relatively safe rural area of the country too, with no big cities even remotely near.

rape is not a sex crime alone. it is a violent crime. it is a crime of power over another person. most of the boston stranglers victims were older women. when an 80 year old woman is raped and killed in her house, it isn't because the rapist found her attractive. the rapist wants power and control over his victim. age is no protection against being a rape victim.

The Boston Strangler killed 11 women. 6 were between 55 and 75. However, the other 5 were between 19 and 23.

Link to comment

Even reading these "scary" stories don't change my mind about caching alone. It is simply too much fun.

 

I might keep some of the cautions in mind, but I'm basically a pretty fearless person. In fact, yesterday I was in a Target store when I heard three teenaged boys giving a middle-aged man a hard time. I went over to that isle and walked right down between those kids and watched them put the aluminum baseball bats back on the shelf.

 

I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't done that, but I wasn't going to let an altercation begin if my presence would distract everyone and calm tempers.

Link to comment

A new worry. I have a Garmin Rino 130 these have locaters on them . Anyone with a 130,120, 110 can locate and follow me.

These work this way. You can ask it to find anyone in range aprox 1 mile. It gives the coordinates actually shows them on a map.

Farfetch maybe but can happen. I will still cache alone anyway But I will find the setting to shut this off.

just a FYI

Link to comment

I mostly cache alone, especially on challenging longer distance hikes. I usually choose forest trails and bushwacks in the wilderness type destinations and thumb my nose at the suburban micros and roadside cache and dashes on the way.

 

My feeling is this:

 

1) The most dangerous part of my trip is the drive to the trailhead.

 

2) Carrying a weapon greatly increases my chances of getting injured by a weapon.

 

I was nervous once when I saw mountain lion tracks in the snow. I was alone and more than a mile from the TH. I got some great photos and was pretty thrilled after I returned to the car.

 

I crave solitude and feel spiritually renewed everytime I get out there. It is worth the mythical risk of encountering the boogieman.

Link to comment
I cache alone 98% of the time.  I am never afraid.  Of corse, I am never really alone, as I have the power and protection of Jesus.

 

Sometimes I carry a firearm, but then I am hunting big game, not caches.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff, and my Colt .45, they comfort me.

 

-

 

I mean to cast no dispersions on Jesus, or any religious beliefs, but there are many "faithful" that are hurt, injured, or permentally disabled by life's trash.

 

Myself and a female date were in a large national park (in PA.), many years ago, and we came around a turn in the trail, and came upon four of the scuzziest people that you would want to run into in the woods.

 

I said (to myself) "Jesus, get us out of this".

 

No such luck... I will spare you the details. We both wound up in a hospital - I had three broken ribs and was beat to a pulp.

 

And she got the worse of it.

 

I never saw her after that - she blamed me for not "defending her".

 

I never go to lonely places unarmed anymore... and it saved my 7 yo son and myself from a carjacking that was unsuccessful because of my .45.

 

TrackRat

Edited by TrackRat
Link to comment
If I had a license to carry, I would, but it's dadgum near impossible to get one here. So I have a stick. Ahem. It's sad, but it's something.

Never, ever underestimate someone with a stick. Take up a martial art called kali (Cali?) or escrima. It's Phillipino stick fighting, and it is an EXCELLENT self defense art for man or woman.

 

Seriously, I believe all women should take some form of martial art for self defense. And ladies, should you ever be attacked, just remember: There is no such thing as a fair fight. Someone laying a hand on you gives up their right to have sight, hearing... the ability to have children at a later date, and in extreme cases, to live. Even if you are bare handed, you have knees, fingernails, elbows, etc. -use them-.

 

But that measly 'stick' can be vicious and successfully keep away an attacker, if you know how to use it. Like any weapon - whether hand, stick, knife or gun - you have to train in it to use it well.

Your absoulutly right! And the thing about a stick is that they are legal in every state and sometimes they are everywhere if you break yours or need one. I carry a "walking" stick but its not used for walking...its there just in case I need it for other things. I have trained for years with it and have been able to hold back a fellow "expert" that uses a pair of nunchucks. Never underestimate the power of a stick.

Link to comment

I have only done a couple of midday caches on my own, but I know I will be doing more on my own since my husband and I have such different schedules. I am used to hiking alone and going on long trips by myself and the thought of geocaching alone doesn't bother me. I was lucky enough to be raised by a police officer and so I started learning self defense and good observation skills very early. When I go hiking alone I make sure someone knows exactly where I am going and when I will be back. I also take the basics like my cell phone, first aid kit, etc and my 38 is usually with me too. Above everything else, I ALWAYS listen to my intution and stay aware of my surroundings. If you listen to your gut, it will never fail you. :P

Link to comment

Until my husband died I always had a partner to cache with. Now I cache alone a lot. I have set up rules for myself regarding where I will cache and how far from the car I will venture-I use a positive attitude and I know it does help. I also agree that safety should be taken into account when setting up the cache. A rocky hill climb will eliminate quite a few cachers before they even get out of the car. Alone I will not go more than .20 miles from the car and less if it is dense vegetation. A bad looking neighborhood will get crossed off my list, and if I'm not familiar with the territory will sometimes just not do that cache-. I traveled from AZ to AR this summer by myself and did about 35 caches in the two weeks,-but I had printed out at least twice that number and for one reason or another did not feel comfortable doing them. This winter I have found a female partner, much younger than me, and we go caching 1-2 times a week. This week we found a loaded gun at a cache in downtown Tucson. Sometimes it's hard to tell where the dangers are. I also carry pepper spray-and have some at several convienient places-car, house, by bed, in pocket. and yes, I'm a senior citizen with over 500 caches.

Link to comment
If a woman hears "Dueling Banjos", she's perfectly safe. A man, on the other hand...

 

But seriously, I firmly believe geocaching should be done with a partner unless you know it's in an open and public location.

Seeing how your in TX and I am in SC, the whole banjo thing is worse for me then it is you. In TX I would be more worried about getting executed.

 

I have only met one female out caching alone and she was headed to the same urban cache I was, as for caches in the woods, always take someone, no matter male or female, and never just kids.

Link to comment

I have been wanting to go out alone since I have more down time then my husband, since I do not work during the week. I do not think I would feel very safe conpletely alone so my rottie and pit cross would go with me both very well mannered and even though very friendly most people cross the street when they see us coming. so let see what happens, cause I really need more finds!! ;)

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...