Idea: Most Difficult Cache Challenge In The USA

[+Sparrowhawk]

Here's an idea for you folks...

 

Create a multicache meant to be THE most difficult cache adventure in the entire USA. The way it would work goes like this:

 

Determine the most insanely difficult caches in each of the 7 major regions of the US.

 

For instance:

- South and Southeast could be represented by either the famed Tube Torcher in South Carolina or Quantum Leap in Texas. (or give cachers a choice between the two?)

- The Northeast could be represented by Blood & Guts in Virginia (aka Iron & Stone)

- Midwest: ???

- Great Plains: ???

- New England: ???

- Northwest: ???

- West and Southwest: ???

 

Cachers are to complete every cache in every region. Cache owners can verify that they did so.

 

After they complete the seven caches, they have the face THE cache... a very large container located in ya-gotta-be-kidding territory such as a mountain in northern Alaska, or... or... errr... insert your own version of the near-impossible here. (Snoogan's back yard perhaps?)

 

Trade items in that cache would be an amazing walking stick, or trophy cup or some other "badge of honor" item. First finder prize: a specially-struck gold coin for the occasion, or something equally cool. And no, you wouldn't have to trade up.

 

If a cache is archived, the Uber-Cache Challenge would not be suspended, just a note is posted that XYZ cache is going to be replaced with the ZYX cache instead to represent that region.

 

What do you think, sirs?

 

And what would constitute THE most difficult cache in each of the 7 regions?

Edited March 28, 2005 by Sparrowhawk

[+Team GPSaxophone]

The most difficult cache I've heard of in my area is THE FALCON CHALLENGE

[+Cow Spots]

West and Southwest could be represented by Giggles or the dragonfly scroll.

[+tands]

Don't forget The Mother of all Caches Part IV - The Big Kahuna

 

Nobody has ever done this one in just one day!!!!

 

- T of TandS

[+cache_test_dummies]

Strictly in terms of terrain, the toughest cache that I know of in New England is Owl's Head.

[+Markwell]

Yea - there needs to be qualifications on difficult. Is this "terrain" level or "difficulty" level.

[+Sparrowhawk]

Yea - there needs to be qualifications on difficult.  Is this "terrain" level or "difficulty" level.

For any theoretical challenge like this, why not both?

 

(Just kinda having fun with the whole concept... I don't have the means to actually make it happen...)

Edited March 28, 2005 by Sparrowhawk

[+briansnat]

Hey, since was Virginia in the northeast? You can't call anyplace they eat grits for breakfast the northeast!

[+Sparrowhawk]

Hey, since was Virginia in the northeast? You can't call anyplace they eat grits for breakfast the northeast!

Tell that to Groundspeak. It's on the forum page.

 

Northeast

Talk Geocaching in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.

Forum Led by: Keystone Approver, NJ Admin

[CoyoteRed]

- South and Southeast could be represented by either the famed Tube Torcher in South Carolina...

Actually, it's in NC. Not that it matters.

 

Wouldn't this just be a bonus cache for those that have completed the requisite caches?

 

I think Tube Torcher has it reputation because it can be done in a day, it takes you to places most people have never been, is fun, and while physically challenging, most people can work through it. Hard just for the sake of hard doesn't necessarily make a good cache. I think "hard" and "challenging" are really two different things.

Edited March 28, 2005 by CoyoteRed

[+Scoobie10]

I would have to pick The Journal for the midwest. A true 5/5.

 

Scoob

[+wimseyguy]

I don't think you can fairly compare Tube Torcher and Quantum Leap fairly. I'm also not sure that TT is more difficult than High Water.

I'll say no more.

[+WildGooseChase]

Make sure you've actually found the cache before nominating it. Some extreme geocaches are, let's say... exagerated a bit.

[+AtoZ]

What are you looking for. There is a cache in Colorado maybe only few cachers in the would could do. It is a 5.10 rock climb so would that qualify. Or the one that demands a rappal or SCUBA dive. There are others that are just over rated hikes. How would you make them so that they have a equal bases. Then again what you call a 5/5 someone else may see as a walk in the park.

It would be hard to get this together and then who has the resources to do them all. O'well it is a nice way to see some listing of caches in other parts of the country.

cheers

[+Scoobie10]

Make sure you've actually found the cache before nominating it. Some extreme geocaches are, let's say... exagerated a bit.

I found The Journal almost a year ago. It took 10 hours and about 13 miles of hiking and we finished it in one day. It requires no special equipment for SCUBA or boating or anything else for that matter. Just long hikes over rough terrain, code breaking and problem solving. It really is an awesome cache and is worth the drive from almost anywhere to find it.

 

Scoob

Edited March 29, 2005 by Scoobie10

[+WildGooseChase]

Make sure you've actually found the cache before nominating it. Some extreme geocaches are, let's say... exagerated a bit.

I found The Journal almost a year ago. It took 10 hours and about 13 miles of hiking and we finished it in one day. It requires no special equipment for SCUBA or boating or anything else for that matter. Just long hikes over rough terrain, code breaking and problem solving. It really is an awesome cache and is worth the drive from almost anywhere to find it.

 

Scoob

Sure would like to do a cache like that someday!

[+fly46]

Just a thought, but would the bonus cache ever get found?

Because first you're talking about people getting one find a day (if even - I've read the logs from snoog's cache) in each of seven US regions and THEN going to an eighth area and finding another such cache. The logistics of it are pretty out there. I mean, even if you hopped in your car, drove straight to one of the caches and then did all of them, you're still talking three weeks of work for seven caches.

[+fishingfools]

I have found both Tube Torcher and High Water. I think High Water is a bit trickier to do the TT, but I was more comfortable with Tube Torcher. Had a blast doing them both.

[CoyoteRed]

When you start comparing hard caches you quickly realize the limitations of the accepted rating system. Sissy's Snarky Walk #1 is rated 5/5 by the Clayjar Rating System, but really isn't that hard--very little mental energy is required, two people have completed it solo (though not smart), and some have completed it in a well under 4 hours.

 

Once you get to certain point there is no allowance for something harder. That's not to mention some things will artificially inflate the rating but doesn't mean it is harder in reality.

 

You can't reliably use ratings to judge the harder caches.

[+Vinny & Sue Team]

Here's an idea for you folks...

 

Create a multicache meant to be THE most difficult cache adventure in the entire USA. The way it would work goes like this:

 

Determine the most insanely difficult caches in each of the 7 major regions of the US.

 

For instance:

- South and Southeast could be represented by either the famed Tube Torcher in South Carolina or Quantum Leap in Texas. (or give cachers a choice between the two?)

- The Northeast could be represented by Blood & Guts in Virginia (aka Iron & Stone) ...

 

...After they complete the seven caches, they have the face THE cache... a very large container located in ya-gotta-be-kidding territory such as a mountain in northern Alaska, or... or... errr... insert your own version of the near-impossible here. (Snoogan's back yard perhaps?) ...

 

...And what would constitute THE most difficult cache in each of the 7 regions?

 

If you want something totally sick in the Mid-Atlantic region, you might wish to try any of our Psycho Urban Cache series between #2 and #10, but the sickest by far, in my estimation, is Psycho Urban Cache #9 - Hot Glowing Tribulations, waypoint ID GCTA5E. For a bit of a hint, consider the following points about the final stage: abandoned nuclear reactor containment building; contaminated with radioactive waste, with toxic chemical waste and with friable asbestos. Much of the fresh rodent feces in the area carries hantavirus.

[+Duke of Earl]

How about a seven continents multi? Or fifty states? Not that I'm in any position to do them, but are there any such ultra-wide area multis in existance? One sort of similar in our area called "Peace Arch" requires getting two parts of the final coordinates with one part hidden in North Carolina and the other in British Columbia - but the point is to collaborate by email with cachers in the other area, not to have to visit both in person.

[+Vinny & Sue Team]

Here's an idea for you folks...

 

Create a multicache meant to be THE most difficult cache adventure in the entire USA. The way it would work goes like this:

 

Determine the most insanely difficult caches in each of the 7 major regions of the US.

 

For instance:

- South and Southeast could be represented by either the famed Tube Torcher in South Carolina or Quantum Leap in Texas. (or give cachers a choice between the two?)

- The Northeast could be represented by Blood & Guts in Virginia (aka Iron & Stone) ...

...After they complete the seven caches, they have the face THE cache... a very large container located in ya-gotta-be-kidding territory such as a mountain in northern Alaska, or... or... errr... insert your own version of the near-impossible here. (Snoogan's back yard perhaps?) ...

 

...And what would constitute THE most difficult cache in each of the 7 regions?

If you want something totally sick in the Mid-Atlantic region, you might wish to try any of our Psycho Urban Cache series between #2 and #10, but the sickest by far, in my estimation, is Psycho Urban Cache #9 - Hot Glowing Tribulations, waypoint ID GCTA5E. For a bit of a hint, consider the following points about the final stage: abandoned nuclear reactor containment building; contaminated with radioactive waste, with toxic chemical waste and with friable asbestos. Much of the fresh rodent feces in the area carries hantavirus.

Just a quick note: Due to a large number of requests from folks dying to see the cache listing page, we have (at least temporarily) removed the Premium Members-Only status for this cache, to allow regular (non-Premium) members to view the cache listing. Enjoy!

[+Two Geeks and a GPS]

Bill & Gary's Excellent Adventure

For the Midwest (Michigan, to be exact)

This will take all day for sure, most people split it up into two days. They make a new version every year and it is only active from May-December.

Can't wait for version5 in May!