When hiding a cache or a stage of a cache I always experience a moment when I am not sure exactly where to hide it, then I notice the perfect spot and an evil grin spreads across my face. Hiding this cache produced four of them.
There are two options when seeking this cache.
1: Kayaking/Canoeing. I highly recommend approaching the cache in this manner, however, due to the close proximity to the Loch Raven Reservoir, this is only possible if there has been significant rainfall in the past 1-5 days.
2: Hiking. While I placed this cache entirely on foot without using any gear I would not recommend seeking it in that manner, especially if there has been significant rainfall in the past week. If you are attempting this cache on foot then you must approach the final stage by hiking up or down the river from the nearest road. You may not approach the final stage from the sides as this would require trespassing.
Stage 1:
This stage is not located at the posted coords, locating the GZ requires darkness. Go to the posted coords after dark with a flashlight, (the stronger the better) and shine it all around until you locate the cache. The cache is not at the nearby gate with reflective tape on it, and the reflective surface does not contain the coords for stage 2. I would not recommend retrieving this stage in the dark, it would be best to locate it before sunrise and then find it, congratulate one another, and move on to the next stage once daylight arrives. When you reach the point when your kayak(s) must be unloaded I would recommend unloading them at the posted coords.
Stage 2:
This stage was relocated just after the cache was published because the container would not stay put in the original location. It is now much higher than it was originally, and much harder to get to. It has moved roughly 10’ farther from the river bank than the coords you will find in stage 1.The container should be visible from the ground (I have posted a picture so you know what you are looking for). If you would like to practice for this stage I recommend finding one of my other tree climbing caches, "Like Tarzan", which will help you prepare for the first portion of the climb. I did not use any gear (or shoes) for this climb, but you should not follow my example. This stage was easier to place than stage 3, but much more dangerous. Due to the intense GPS bounce at Stage 3 I have placed a hint in Stage 2 regarding its location and uploaded two pictures to help you identify the correct search area.
Stage 3:
For me this stage was the hardest climb. So of course I decided to place the field puzzle portion of this cache here. You have never seen the container before, though it may look familiar to some of you. When I was looking for a place to hide it my GPS kept telling me that It needed a clear view of the sky, so I gave it the best one I could find.
There are a few rules that must be followed concerning the puzzle.
1. Do not take it more than 50 yards from its original location.
2. You may take pictures of it, but you may not share them with cachers who have not found it.
3. Pay careful attention to how it is packaged, it is a very snug fit and there is only one way to make it fit properly.
Stage 4:
There are two ways to reach the final GZ, by kayaking (or canoeing) from the previous stage, or by hiking upriver from the road below it. Do not approach it from any other direction, not only would you be breaking the law, you would also be missing out on the wonderful experience that this cache is designed to give you. It should be noted that when hiking to this cache there is no actual trail, I recommend walking straight up the middle of the river.
Upon reaching the GZ it should be very obvious where the cache is hidden, the container is quite large with plenty of room for swag. I felt that the climb at this stage was the easiest, I went up and down without gear while barefoot and soaking wet. Watch out for the poison ivy here, I placed the cache without touching any but it looks like it may grow further as the summer goes on.
Cache is park approved.
FTF prize is a silver dollar.
Happy caching, stay safe.
Congratulations to Deathwish Dave, Flaffle, Flamingo Girl, and Shrinerr for the hard earned FTF. And an honorable mention for Alzarius for his assistance with S1 and S2.