On Saturday, at 9:00AM, we will have a semi-competitive, somewhat organized, get lost in the woods, geo-fun caching activity (Please see the details about The Gauntlet below.). After the caching activity, we will be serving cooked animal and ice cold drinks. Please feel free to bring a dish of some sort (baked goods are always welcome!)

We have placed a series of caches along a beautiful trail in Potts Preserve. The posted coords are the end point where there is plenty of parking available. Teams will be given the necessary information and coordinates and will be taken to the "Starting Point" and abandoned... er, I mean, dropped off.

From the Starting Point, teams will hike back to the end point. Along the way it will be necessary to find all caches. Also, there will be a list of "Targets" to find to earn "Bonus Points. These will be scavenger hunt type items. Some are existing features and some will be planted just for the event. In addition, there will be a number of special items placed at points along the trail. They will be numbered. Each team will draw a number unique to their team and will need to locate and retrieve the special items bearing that number for additional Bonus points.

Points will be calculated as follows. First of all, it's golf style scoring - the lower the score the better. The number of minutes it takes to complete The Gauntlet will be your Base Score. To that will be added Penalty Points for any caches DNFd. From that total, we will subtract the Bonus Points. The lowest score wins.

It is HIGHLY recommended that you form teams of 4 to 6 adults. The trail, while well kept and blazed, has many spots where it is possible to take a wrong fork. If a team has to focus all its attention on staying on the trail it will likely miss a lot of targets. And vice versa. Therefore, there is an advantage to having a larger team allowing delegation of attention. However, due to logistical requirements, all team members must be able to fit in one mini-van. The mini-van in question can seat the driver, plus six adults, semi-comfortably for a short trip. We can probably squeeze in a few kids (literally) on top of them. In any case, the driver will be comfortably seated. Please post the name and composition of teams on the cache page.

Prizes - We are asking all participants to bring a prize to contribute to the prize table. A range of $5 to $10 would be fine. Teams will then select prizes based on their score with the better scores choosing first.

Trophy - The Best Cacher In the Land - Traveling Trophy Will be awarded to the winning team.

What to Bring - Each team will need a GPS and a Digital or Instant Camera. Also, a clip board may be handy as there will be some reading and writing involved. Walking/poking sticks will be a big help. Water is probably a good idea too. There will be one stop along the way where water, fruit and snack bars will be placed, but depending on your needs, you may want to bring more. And bug spray. Lots of bug spray.

Trail Conditions - The trail is mostly firm and dry, though there are some damp and/or muddy spots. There will be little if any bushwhacking involved. For the most part, it's an easy well marked trail.

Time/Distance - The total distance will be approximately 4 miles but that is still being finalized.

Weather - We are having regular discussions with TPTB (i.e. we are praying) for good weather, but we plan to go rain or shine. I mean, after all, we'll be back at base warm and dry regardless.

Starting Coords - If I told you that I'd have to kill you. They will be provided at 9AM at the posted coords on the day of the event.

A prize will awarded on both a Team and Individual basis for the best Geo-shirt. To qualify for the best individual shirt award, you must have a unique shirt. To qualify for the best team shirts award, all members of your team must have the same shirt (or a theme).

This cache was placed by a member of the
Northeast Florida Geocachers Association