+Apollo18 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 So, how far are people generally willing to hike to a cache? I'm getting ready to hide my very first cache and obviously I want people to visit it, but I also want people to enjoy the trip and views. How far is considered to far from where you park your transportation? Quote Link to comment
Aushiker Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 (edited) Hi I guess each to their own, but I am planning to find a multi-cache which will take me four days of walking. It was set up as a four-wheel drive only cache, but I am going to turn it into two, two day circuit walks. I aslo have some weekend hike cache hides planned for the upcomming winter (our bushwalking season). Of course I don't expect a lot of finds on these ones. Regards Andrew Edited January 31, 2005 by Aushiker Quote Link to comment
+Kealia Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Totally up to you. I have caches that are less than a quarter mile to the cache as well s one that requires a 9-mile round trip. While the shorter hike gets more finds, the 9-mile cache gets better reviews. Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Totally up to you. I have caches that are less than a quarter mile to the cache as well s one that requires a 9-mile round trip. While the shorter hike gets more finds, the 9-mile cache gets better reviews. That's the general rule of caches. Quote Link to comment
+Colorado Cacher Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Lets see......I have walked up and over mountains, and then back again. Hooked, crazy, wacked, addicted? Nah, just good healthy aerobic exercise with scenery attached to it. Been to and found some really cool places I would have never seen or known about without geocaching also. Its worth it. Quote Link to comment
Tahosa and Sons Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 The majority of my caches are from 5 to 10 miles, round trip in some real back country. And there are those that just love those hikes, I'm gonna do a series cache for May 5, 2005 and it will be a real 5x5. About a 5 mile hike on the first one and a 10 mile hike on the second that wind up around 11,000 ft. Which means that you will have to hike about 15 miles just to log one cache. Quote Link to comment
+LthrWrk Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Consider first... what is at the location I want to place this cache? Distance then is secondary. Quote Link to comment
+ironman114 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 As far as my body will take me. I have one that is about 3 1/2 miles in and 2,500 feet elevation gain. This is on the way to a place that has a cache I go to all the time and it is 4.2 miles in and 3,500 feet elevation gain. Another one I enjoyed was only 1.5 miles in but gained 3,000 feet . I like most anything over 1/4 mile hike. Quote Link to comment
TahoeJoe Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Some people like long hike while others prefer drive by caches where you hop out of your car, trade swag, sign the log book and get on your way to the next cache. Others prefer something in the middle of the two, it depends on the cacher. The shorter hike caches will more than likely have more finds though. Quote Link to comment
+New England n00b Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I love longer hikes, but have less time than I want. .5 miles to the cache is usually a nice walk. Anything over 1 mile is a hike, depending on terrain. I like hikes. Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 The majority of my caches are from 5 to 10 miles, round trip in some real back country. And there are those that just love those hikes, I'm gonna do a series cache for May 5, 2005 and it will be a real 5x5. About a 5 mile hike on the first one and a 10 mile hike on the second that wind up around 11,000 ft. Which means that you will have to hike about 15 miles just to log one cache. Will special equipment be required? I'm pretty sure 4.5 is the max terrain without special equipment, but having not planted a cache like that, I don't know for sure! Sounds fun though, would be worth the effort to find it I'm sure! Quote Link to comment
WH Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Here is one that requires a 9 day round trip hike. Quote Link to comment
+AuntieWeasel Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Will special equipment be required? I'm pretty sure 4.5 is the max terrain without special equipment, but having not planted a cache like that, I don't know for sure! Well, then, he'd better require some special equipment. It's irresistible to hide a 5/5 on 05/05/05. Gotta do it The longest I've walked for one smiley is six miles, but I totally loved it. I've never not done one because of distance, that's just the longest one so far in my caching area. Quote Link to comment
WH Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Will special equipment be required? I'm pretty sure 4.5 is the max terrain without special equipment, but having not planted a cache like that, I don't know for sure! Well, then, he'd better require some special equipment. It's irresistible to hide a 5/5 on 05/05/05. Gotta do it The longest I've walked for one smiley is six miles, but I totally loved it. I've never not done one because of distance, that's just the longest one so far in my caching area. Want some help on that AW? Im not too far away from you and I think the idea of hiding a 5/5 on May 5th is great . Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Well, then, he'd better require some special equipment. It's irresistible to hide a 5/5 on 05/05/05. Gotta do it maybe he can suggexxxx..... uh require a hiking staff from El Diablo. Quote Link to comment
Tahosa and Sons Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 (edited) Will special equipment be required? I'm pretty sure 4.5 is the max terrain without special equipment, but having not planted a cache like that, I don't know for sure! Sounds fun though, would be worth the effort to find it I'm sure! Level 5 for Terrain can be a misnomer, I have one that requires a high clearance vehicle or a jeep, But the walk to the cache is only about a 1/4 mile. So is it a level 5 for terrain. One needs to take into account the effect the altitude and what altitude sickness is. Here is a general description of the trail. (Name withheld until cache release) Description: The ***** Mountain trail can be reached via the ******** trailhead on the southern end and the ******** Park Road on the northern end. There is ample parking at the ******** trailhead. The trail travels along the edge of the ******** Peak Wilderness. It begins at an elevation of 8,150 feet west of the ******** trailhead and steadily climbs to an elevation of 11,190 feet near ****** Mountain. Follow the road to the **************** for about .3 miles to reach the trail. The trail climbs up the steep, open hillside making many switchbacks. It then travels about .5 miles to where it intersects the ****** and ****** Fork trails. From here the trail travels northwest along the ******* Ridge for 4.6 miles to ****** Mountain. The upper end of this trail is badly eroded and very rocky, making it difficult to hike or ride horses on. Near *****l Mountain the trail becomes faint where it crosses the tundra. There are some rock cairns to help mark the way. Hike Profile. From my own personal experiences it is a level 5. And one is going to have to do the first part which is another cache that requires a 5 mile round trip, just to get some information about where the second cache starts. Edited January 31, 2005 by Tahosa and Sons Quote Link to comment
+AuntieWeasel Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Want some help on that AW? Im not too far away from you and I think the idea of hiding a 5/5 on May 5th is great . Good heavens, WH, I didn't mean I was going to do it. I think my shins would explode or something. I was just applauding Tahosa's excellent idea. I might've managed a 4/4 on 04/04/04, but the boat has already sailed on that one Quote Link to comment
Aushiker Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 (edited) Here is one that requires a 9 day round trip hike. Thanks for that. That would be a special tick indeed. Sadly the cache does not appear to be there anymore. Andrew Edited January 31, 2005 by Aushiker Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I'll walk as far as necessary. Of course the longer hikes are put off until I have the time. I currently have a cache that requires a 12 mile hike on my to-do list and hope to get to it some time this spring. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 The majority of my caches are from 5 to 10 miles, round trip in some real back country. And there are those that just love those hikes, I'm gonna do a series cache for May 5, 2005 and it will be a real 5x5. About a 5 mile hike on the first one and a 10 mile hike on the second that wind up around 11,000 ft. Which means that you will have to hike about 15 miles just to log one cache. Will special equipment be required? I'm pretty sure 4.5 is the max terrain without special equipment, but having not planted a cache like that, I don't know for sure! Sounds fun though, would be worth the effort to find it I'm sure! Not really. The definition for 5 star terrain states: "Requires specialized equipment and knowledge or experience, (boat, 4WD, rock climbing, SCUBA, etc) or is otherwise extremely difficult.. Quote Link to comment
velma13m Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I am a lazy 13 year old so i guess that for one cache 1 1/2 miles if it is supposed to be a great cache, i would go all the way! Quote Link to comment
+DaveA Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 So, how far are people generally willing to hike to a cache? I'm getting ready to hide my very first cache and obviously I want people to visit it, but I also want people to enjoy the trip and views. How far is considered to far from where you park your transportation? It depends. I like to cache with my kid who is 5 with some corrected heart defects, but he still can't be exercised too hard(no competitive sports). I took him on a 2 mile multicache with some hills and that is about the max I think I would try with him. I think 5 miles is about the longest I would do by myself unless I had an entirely free day (no family or work responsibilities) in which case I might go longer if I felt the experience would be worth it. The location would be key, I would want to see something worthy of taking photos of on the way or at the location. If the location was ho-hum then I would expect to find a $100 bill as swag. Of course any 5 mile hike in a natural area is likely to be worthwhile. Quote Link to comment
rescue557 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I am a lazy 13 year old so i guess that for one cache 1 1/2 miles if it is supposed to be a great cache, i would go all the way! Quote Link to comment
+Prairie Dog Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I would walk/hike farther if I new it was a regular size container with some good trade items. I don't enjoy busting my tail just to find a film canister with only a log. Quote Link to comment
+Cherokeecacher Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Four Cache Loop (GCD100) is a four part multi, that requires a 10 mile+/- loop to be hiked. This cache is very popular in Souteast Texas. Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Furthest one I have done is about 5 miles one way but I would be willling to go further if it was an area that I want to see and a quality non-micro at the end. However, most people won't go much more than about .5 miles one way. Any further and there won't be a lot of finds (but thats ok too!). Quote Link to comment
+maleki Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Would love to do 1 longish cache a day rather than drive point to point for a bunch of short ones. Hard to find many longer than .3 or so in an urban area with most being under .25m. Always nice when you can string 5 or 6 from the same parking to make a nice half day or so. Also tough to find nearby when you cache a lot. Guess I should move... Quote Link to comment
+Apollo18 Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 Wow, thanks for all the replies guys! If I'm understanding you correctly it sounds like, there really isn't a distance limit as long as "its worth it". That said, it also sounds like for those caches that are "quickies" or "kid friendly" the max distance is between half a mile and one mile. Quote Link to comment
+Harry Dolphin Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 Long distance caching? I've done a few. Did a 12 miler on the AT north from the Delaware Water Gap. Three caches. It was a lot of fun! Sometimes, I like the long hikes. I've done a number of 3-5 milers. Depends on my time availability. My brother, on the other hand. does a number of very long, day hikes. (Including oe that he was the only on to find, in July 03.) I'll do some long hikes, incorporating a few caches, along with a section hike. My sister, Circles, and I did the Presidential Traverse, Crawford Notch to Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire, last summer. Okay, so it was not a caching trip, but we managed to bag two caches along the way: Lake of the Clouds Hut, by KBer, and Mount Washington Memorial. 24 miles, and 9000' of climb in four days (so, we're slow!) And if I decide to put up the Mount Washington Cam as a Web Cam, there'll be a third cache on that section. Both caches are available as day hikes, if you so choose. That being said, Most of the caches that I've done are less than two miles of hiking. Quote Link to comment
ThePup Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 As a cacher with a 7 month old and a 3 and a half year old, we don't go for really long walks. If it were just my wife and I, we'd probably be happy to hike all day long, but the kids are a handful, and just can't handle walks. The longest we've had to walk was 2Km (About 1.3 miles) one way, and that was too much for the kids - I wound up with 21 kilograms of 3 year old on my shoulders for the better part of the trip. So, for now, we stick to stuff that's gonna need less than about 500m (1/3 mile) walking. Bit disappointing, but it's what we need to do for now. When they are older, we'll go further. Quote Link to comment
+Apollo18 Posted February 1, 2005 Author Share Posted February 1, 2005 ThePup, I feel your pain I have a six year old and a five year old, and until the youngest hit about four anything outdoors was an adventure, that made me pine for my Army days. Droping ninety pounds of ammo in razor-edge boxes into your ALICE, throwing that bad boy on your back, hoisting a 26-pound weapon and stepping out smartly...is nothing compared with precariously planting a squirming three year old on your shoulders and giving them nothing to hold onto but your hair. Quote Link to comment
+chaos reloaded Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 I walk 12-14 miles a day on average at work, and I've been known to go just as far when hunting... granted I'm new at geocaching but I'm sure I'd do a 6-8mi in 6-8mi out hike for one. Quote Link to comment
+Milbank Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 So, how far are people generally willing to hike to a cache? I'm getting ready to hide my very first cache and obviously I want people to visit it, but I also want people to enjoy the trip and views. How far is considered to far from where you park your transportation? For me anything over 4 miles round trip is to far. Quote Link to comment
TahoeJoe Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 My favorite distance would be around 4 to 5 miles round trip on foot and around 15 to 20 miles on a bike in the backcountry. Quote Link to comment
velma13m Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 [What is this supposed to men i am sure mosed kids my age would post the same thing!] Quote Link to comment
+shawhh Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 i'll go however far it takes. wish there were more long hikes in my area than there are. -harry Quote Link to comment
+royta Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 I am a lazy 13 year old so i guess that for one cache 1 1/2 miles if it is supposed to be a great cache, i would go all the way! You're not that lazy. You put forth the effort to change your font and color. Quote Link to comment
+Team Snoopy Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 With a 4 and 7 year old, the hikes we do are not much more than a mile in and mile out. On a good day when the youngest has eaten and we have plenty of snacks for him along the way, lol. We've come up with lots of fun games for them to play along the way to keep them going. We did do a 4 mile round trip with the youngest...he slept very well that night! With just dh and I we like the longer hikes (5-10) round trip. Even longer if it is bike accessible. But where we are, there are not many, if any, that far! Quote Link to comment
+Greymane Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I find that a long hike for one cache is boring for the kids (13 year old and 6 year old). I like places where there are several caches in one area or a nice multi. If the area is generally interesting, that helps, too. We have a park that has about eight caches nearby. In over 1500 acres, that spreads things out a bit, but not too much. You don't want to saturate the area, but try to keep the interest. Quote Link to comment
+cache_us_if_you_can Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I hiked 7 miles roundtrip for a DNF. Three different times. Fourth trip I found it Quote Link to comment
+JanniCash Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Although very new to geocaching, I get the sense that in 95% of the cases "drive through cache" == "McToy content". Can one say that? Jan Quote Link to comment
+cache_us_if_you_can Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Although very new to geocaching, I get the sense that in 95% of the cases "drive through cache" == "McToy content". Can one say that? Jan Not always. I've found a lot of drive up caches that were great and there was no McToy in sight. I've also done some that are an all day trip into the woods just to find a box full of broken McToys. IMHO, it's not just what's in the box that makes a cache great. It's what you see and do on the way. Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 Although very new to geocaching, I get the sense that in 95% of the cases "drive through cache" == "McToy content". Can one say that? Jan <PSA> you CAN, however it's not good form to "bash" one type of cache over another. every cacher has their preferences and every cache has its merits. it's almost like it's "the cool thing" (ie easy way to be 'accepted', like PC users who bash Macs! ) to gripe about a certain type of cache but it's not really necessary. </PSA> Like cache_us_if_you_can said, there are some well-done "drive up" caches, and some poorly done ones. There are some well-done caches that require long hikes, and some poorly done ones. Thanks for listening. Quote Link to comment
+CurmudgeonlyGal Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 I hiked 7 miles roundtrip for a DNF. Three different times. Fourth trip I found it <sigh> 20 miles RT for a DNF. I'm going back... but if I DNF it again, that'll be the last time I make the trip up that particular mountain. I don't particularly care what's in the can when I get there... as long as there's a log book, I'm a happy grrl. -=- michelle Quote Link to comment
+Right Wing Wacko Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 I hiked 7 miles roundtrip for a DNF. Three different times. Fourth trip I found it <sigh> 20 miles RT for a DNF. I'm going back... but if I DNF it again, that'll be the last time I make the trip up that particular mountain. I don't particularly care what's in the can when I get there... as long as there's a log book, I'm a happy grrl. -=- michelle In the snow... uphill both ways? Quote Link to comment
+chaos reloaded Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 I'm getting ready to do a 10 mile hike to a cache tomorrow. Quote Link to comment
+Blaidd-Drwg Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 I'm sure many of these points have been made, but here I go. Many of the caches I've found recently in Oklahoma are, hidden in the center of a briar patch 100 yards from edge, which is reached after crawling on hands and knees or duckwalking for 1/4 mile through thick low handing blackjack oaks. Several have involved 1/2 mile walks before reaching the difficult part. I think this about pegs my fun meter. I don't mind longer hikes, but I do like to balance the pain to find ratio. I've been know to walk longer trail systems, but they are in pursuit of multiple caches hidden at various points. I believe that you will find limited finds of true 5/5 caches. Quote Link to comment
kayaker22589 Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 For a Micro- 1.5 miles For an ammo can- 15miles For a 5 gallon bucket or bigger- anywhere Quote Link to comment
+LindyF Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 I like a 2-3 mile hike on an average with an ocasional longer one time permitting. Quote Link to comment
+-Hammer- Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Here is a cache with a 13 mile hike which rewarded the first finder with $100. I was laid up with a broken shoulder at the time so I couldnt participate in this one. I would love to find this one. This is my favorite place. Check out some of the pictures in the log. $100 cache Quote Link to comment
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