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3rd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-&-Go Cache

February 10, 2007

Back by popular demand, the 3rd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-&-Go Cache!

In 2005, 22 Vancouver Island cachers hid 49 caches.
In 2006, 40 Vancouver Island cachers hid 106 caches.

Will we be able to top that with the 3rd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-&-Go Cache?

There are 3 steps to this event. The Hide, The Go-Cache, The Event.

The Hide

The hide date this year is Saturday February 24th.

Last year, we had a 1 micro rule, this year we are going to expand on that a bit.

As with last year, micros are allowed as part of this event only if they are ingeniously disguised in high traffic urban areas, and, each cacher can count only one micro in their total hides. We are also including a rule regarding small caches this year – each cacher may count a maximum of three small caches in their total hides. How do you determine if your cache is small or regular? Geocaching.com describes a small container as “Decon container, sandwich-sized Tupperware-style container or similar, holds trade items as well as a logbook”. If after squeezing 2 slices of wonderbread and a slice of meat into the container there is no room for additional trade items, then it’s a small. And remember, food items are not allowed in caches, so remove the sandwich before hiding your cache.

We would like to see the same type of caches hidden that you like to find – mind-bending puzzles, ingeniously camouflaged urban micros, Lock&Locks in the woods, caches large enough for your trade items, etc.

There is a trophy for the cacher with the most hides. D-Tour was awarded the trophy for most hides after placing 6 caches for the 1st event. Last year, sole seeker took home the trophy with 13 hides, just one more than his closest rival, spud502.

Your caches must be hidden on Saturday February 24th.

You must abide by the cache placement rules when hiding your cache. Read the geocaching.com guidelines, and remember that your cache must be at least 161 meters from another cache. When submitting a multi or puzzle cache, include the intermediate steps in a note to the approver to speed up the approval process. Be nice to mtn-man!

After submitting your caches, please post a note in the vigps.com forums to indicate the name of the cache. On the cache page, please state that this cache was hidden as part of the 3rd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-&-Go Cache.

The Go-Cache

As the caches start to appear, go out and find them.

To qualify for the Most FTF’s, you must hide at least one cache. Last year, we had quite a few cases where a group wanted to be listed as FTF. To avoid confusion and squabbles, only one recognized cacher will be listed as the First finder.

Curious George took home the unique and beautiful Most FTF trophy for the 1st event after nabbing 5 First to Finds. Last year, squirrellydeath sought out 14 FTF for the opportunity to take home the trophy.

But it’s not all about FTF’s – just think about all the fresh air and exercise you will be getting by going out and finding all these new caches!

The Event

An event, which will be announced soon, will be held so we can get together to hand out prizes and chat about our hides and finds. You can attend the event even if you haven’t hidden any caches.

But wait – there’s more!

This year, we will be including Waymarking! There are far too few Waymarks listed on Vancouver Island – lets try to change that! There will be an award for the most Waymarks posted, and the most FTL (First to Log). To qualify for this event, you must include a photo of the Waymarked object when you post the Waymark, and when you log, even if photos are not a requirement for that category. We are including this rule so you cannot simply go through the phonebook and post all the McDonalds locations on the Island. We hope this new feature of the Vancouver Island Hide-&-Go Cache encourages all Island cachers to discover the exciting new world of Waymarking!

Questions?

We’ll be chatting in the forums. Join us!

Other Important Notes

This event is intended to be FUN! Please be considerate of your fellow cachers.

Dangers of Geocaching in and around Electrical Equipment (2006)

August 31, 2006

Written by Johnnygeo

I’ve been geocaching for about a year now. I have found many creative types of geocaches. This is what makes it fun and challenging. Lately I’ve been concerned about the amount of geocaches that are hidden in and around electrical equipment.

I am a Safety Coordinator for a Power Utility here in Alberta. It is my job to look out for the men and women who work on our electrical lines and equipment. It’s also my job to look out for the general public. One of my job tasks that I really enjoy is teaching kids at schools electrical safety smarts. I’ll go to elementary schools throughout the year to present a safety cartoon and explain in detail the indoor and outdoor electrical hazards that exist. I explain real life examples of people getting hurt really bad and death due to electricity. I show them what dangerous wires, boxes and other equipment looks like. I teach them to stay away from all electrical lines and equipment and not to play on guard rails that sometimes protect the high voltage electrical equipment.

I am asking all parents and kids not to geocache around any electrical equipment. This is power poles, electrical boxes that are in your yard or power boxes in some other location.

Please let me explain my concerns.

I want you to remember two very important characteristics of electricity.

1. Electricity always wants to go back to the ground.

2. Electricity is lazy. It will take shortcuts to get to the ground. That could be a ladder touching a overhead power line or a geocacher touching the side of a damaged electrical box.
Cars hit these types of boxes all the time and sometimes there are no visible signs of damage. Inside there may be wires loose that come undone due to impact and cause the area to be energized. (Step Potential/Ground being electrified) Also, the cabinet may become energized and when you touch the cabinet the electricity will pass through you to get to the ground.(Touch Potential) In North America we have had fatalities due to Step & Touch Potential. There is no second chance.

Sometimes equipment just fails. The insulating factors that protect the public may fail due to age and possibly energize the box.

The City of Edmonton transformers have a voltage of 13,800. That’s over 100 times the voltage in your wall that you may use when you plug in a toaster. Imagine that going through you. Just don’t take the chance.

I am asking in behalf as a Safety Professional and Geocacher please not to hide caches on or around electrical equipment and not to even look for a cache that may be on or around any electrical equipment. If you believe that it is in a hazardous zone please contact the person who placed the geocache. If that is not a successful route please contact the person who approved it. Most of the time the approver of a geocache is not aware that it is in a dangerous zone. Let’s look out for each other.

Thank you for listening to my concerns and play safe,

Johnnygeo

Public Input Opportunity on the Parks Canada’s Draft Policy for Geocaching

July 26, 2006

Parks Canada is requesting an open public review across the nation of the latest Draft Policy for Geocaching.

The July 06 policy and comment form are available on the Canadian Geocaching Association website.

Comments must be submitted by August 11, 2006.

2nd Annual VI Hide-and-Go Cache – Wrap up

March 12, 2006

We thought the success of last years event would be difficult to top, but 38 cachers hid 106 caches for the 2nd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-and-Go Cache.

A great time was had by all at the Hide-and-Go Cache Bash 2006, where every cacher who hid a cache was presented with a commemorative mug.

The Most Hides trophy went to sole seeker with 13 hides. Sole Seeker narrowly squeaked past Spud502 who had 12 listed before the deadline.

Squirrellydeath took home the trophy for the most First to Finds. His 13 FTFs was more than double his nearest competitors.

One cache hidden during this event was so outstanding it deserved a trophy of it own, so Roswell’s Logbook by Roswell was awarded The Golden Lock&Lock.

A new award this year, the Special Merit Award, was presented to viguy for outstanding sportsmanship and allegiance to the ideals of geocaching.

Congratulations to all the award recipients.

A huge Thank you goes out to everyone who made 2nd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-and-Go Cache such a big success, and Thank you Cyberchasers for the prizes!

View the summary of caches listed for this event.

2nd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-&-Go Cache

February 9, 2006

Last year, during the 1st event, 22 Vancouver Island cachers hid 49 caches. Will we be able to top that with the 2nd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-&-Go Cache?

There are 3 steps to this event. The Hide, The Go-Cache, The Event.

The Hide

Hide a cache, or two, or three (you get the idea) on Saturday February 25th.

Last year, we didn’t have any rules regarding the type of cache hidden, but we’re afraid that people might aimlessly scatter micros all over the island in an effort to take home the beautiful “Most Hides” trophy. This year, micros are allowed as part of this event only if they are ingeniously disguised in high traffic urban areas, and, each cacher can count only one micro in their total hides. We would like to see the same type of caches hidden that you like to find – mind-bending puzzles, ingeniously camouflaged urban micros, Lock&Locks in the woods, etc. – no one wants to take a 5k hike only to be skunked by a micro hidden in the woods with 20, accuracy. 😉

There will be a trophy for the cacher with the most hides. Last year, D-Tour was awarded the trophy for most hides after placing 6 caches. Will D-Tour be clearing another spot in their trophy cabinet, or will another cacher try to top these hide champions to take the Most Hides title?

If you absolutely can’t get out on Saturday February 25th, you can hide your cache(s) ahead of time. When you post your cache please add a note to the Approver, stating that your cache is part of the Vancouver Island Hide-And-Go Cache Event and is to be approved with the other event caches on Saturday February 25th.

Keep the cache placement rules in mind when hiding your cache. Read the geocaching.com guidelines (http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx), and remember that your cache must be at least 161 meters from another cache. When submitting a multi or puzzle cache, include the intermediate steps in a note to the approver to speed up the approval process.

As you submit your caches, please post a note in the vigps.com forums to indicate the name of the cache and the cache listing site on which it appears. On the cache page, please state that this cache was hidden as part of the 2nd Annual Vancouver Island Hide-&-Go Cache.

The Go-Cache

As the caches start to appear, go out and find them.

Last year, Curious George took home the unique and beautiful Most FTF trophy. Only cachers who have hidden caches for this event are eligible for this coveted prize. This trophy must be handed over to the new winner each year, so will Curious George attempt retain to his title, or will another cacher claim this title, leaving a bare spot on Curious Georges mantle?

But it’s not all about FTF’s – just think about all the fresh air and exercise you will be getting by going out and finding all these new caches!

The Event

An event, which will be announced soon, will be held so we can get together to hand out prizes and chat about our hides and finds. You can attend the event even if you haven’t hidden any caches.

Questions?

We’ll be chatting in the forums.

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