Fat Man's Misery Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache requires going through a tight crack to a large ledge, great fun and a great view.
This is a fun cache on a large ledge overlooking a canyon in the land of slot canyons and goblins. THERE IS NO NEED TO GET CLOSE TO A LARGE VERTICAL DROP OR EXPOSE YOURSELF TO MORE THAN 8 FEET OF VERTICAL DROP. If you are doing this you are going the wrong way. Sandstone breaks away easily so please do not take the risk of climbing the canyon walls. Park at any convenient spot along the main road and walk over to the wash in the bottom of the canyon, empty your pant pockets at the car to make it easier later on. Proceed up the wash beyond the cove with all of the pockets and holes in the sandstone (great place for kids of all ages to play) and beyond the barrel lodged on the right side of the wash. Go just beyond the purple rock that is on the right side of the wash (if you are coming downstream the purple rock will be the first landmark you encounter). There are some obvious natural stairs in the purple rock at N38 39.904 W110 40.607. Climb the stairs and climb the band of light colored rock above the stairs by going slightly left (all directions are as you face the cliff) of the stairs to the obvious corner with the pointed rock you can use as a handhold and foothold. Once on top of the light colored rock go straight up the low angle rock or circle around to the right on the more gradual incline. There are two trees ahead of you and the crack (secret passage) is directly behind the tree to the right. If you are adult size you should remove everything from your pockets (keys, wallet) or it will rub a hole (I suggest wearing old clothing) and take of your jacket. If I have a jacket I zip everything up in it’s pocket and carry it in one hand. Protect your GPS by putting it in a side pocket if you have one or inside your shirt). The record is 210 lbs. on a 6’ frame but records are made to be broken. You may loose a few pounds of soft tissue. I find it works best facing the cliff and also dipping down a bit about 4’ before the big step in the middle. Exhale and proceed through the crack and up the big rocky chute to the left (not the crack to the right) as you come out of the crack. Near the top of the chute you will see a corner in the rock to the right with a small crack. Scramble up the corner and onto the large football field sized ledge. Stay away from the edge, as there is a lot of loose rock on the ledge. Do not roll rocks that could hit people below. My GPS had different readings at different times N38 39.926 W110 40.544 may be a reading to try if the one above doesn’t work. Enjoy the ledge and the cache. If you are still claustrophobic on the way down there is another option going down. When you get to the chute continue along the chute above the tree and to the last drainage. Go down that drainage, and climb down to the right of the small tree. (Do not try going down below the larger tree). This crack does give you about twenty feet of exposure but can be down climbed either facing the cliff or using the butt slide method. Good luck and have fun.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybbx va gur ubyr va gur tbyqra ebpx