Cache of
the Month
February 2009!
A big thanx to all of you who voted
for and helped this cache be voted "The Oz Final 2.0" Wisconsin
Geocaching Association's February cache of the month in
2009!
CACHE
CREDITS
There have been many
cache hiders whose caches we found that helped inspire us in our
cache hides:
1) The Tapps intoduced us to "Natural" hides
2) Mr Greenthumb's great themes and neat containers
3) Kodiakid's unique and creative hide methods
4) The Ecoranger's "Evil Monkey" caches
5) Doctor Dolittle's great puzzle and themes
6) Most of all, we dedicate this cache to the person who has
inspired us the most in our hides and this one in particular,
RANGER BOY. His hides could easily be Cache Of the Month every time
he puts one out, yet he doesn't seem to get the recognition he
deserves. For everyone who enjoyed this hide you can thank Ranger
Boy for his influence on us.
CACHE DIFFICULTY
*PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD
THIS CACHE AS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE OF ITS 5/5 RATING.
This cache can be done by
almost EVERYONE. It is designed to be FUN, but somewhat
challenging. The ratings are only by a technicality a 5/5. I wanted
to be a 5/5 to attract attention around the area and perhaps beyond
this area so people could have a fun adventure. Yes, it will
require some time and some searching at times and yes there is some
challenging terrain at times but it can ALL be done safely.
Multiple teams caching together is encouraged as it only makes it
more enjoyable. Give it a try--you can do it!
1. The site for the final multi cache will
involve, dense tree cover making satellite reception spotty at
times, there is also burrs, mosquitoes, swampy areas, bushwhacking,
lots of fallen branches and logs, knee deep snow at times, hilly
terrain, a pine forest, a river, tree climbing, thorns and
beautiful scenery.
2. I WOULD NOT ADVISE GOING AT NIGHT AS IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS AND
VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCATE THE WAYPOINTS. IT MIGHT BE A
GOOD IDEA TO NOT DO THIS ONE ALONE IF POSSIBLE AND BRING AN AGILE
PERSON WITH YOU. RUBBER KNEE HIGH BOOTS MIGHT BE NEEDED AT ANY
GIVEN TIME ALSO.
3. You can blame Josh for 2 of the waypoint hides as they have is
own personal touch to them.
4. All waypoints are very findable year round.
5. Why is this final cache a 5/5?
Difficulty: There is a cumulative effect: the difficulty of
the 5 helper caches, the difficulty of each of the waypoints on the
final, the difficult terrain on 3 of the helpers (including
possible high water and small creek crossings), the small size of
almost all the containers or waypoints involved, and the driving
distance between the caches.
Terrain: The 5 star terrain is based on the final cache
alone. Several waypoints are a 4 terrain on their own. The over-all
terrain is a 3 to 3.5 due to hills and uneven terrain. There is
also a possibility that part of the multi may require navigating
standing water at wet times.
6. Since this is a 5 star cache and to keep it fun for everyone
please no hints from previous finders.
CACHE HISTORY
This final cache container
began as a container found by accident in the woods. While
collecting leaves for a school project I spotted this object that
seemed out of place. I later learned from my son that it was a
geo-cache. I soon became hooked on this great hobby and the rest is
history. I have gained possession of that container which is now on
its 4th hide!!
It seems its magical as it brings adventure with it! Conrats to the
8 teams who went through the gauntlet of finds to log the final
container in its first location:
Doctor Dolittle
Puzzler& Burrgirl
3 Hawks
Wywrdson
Zemmy
Teambeek
Pharmgirl
Braidbeardsgang
The Oz final had to be
moved...yep, we picked up the entire Emerald city and moved it!
Unfortunately, trouble followed the container again and a property
issue has claimed the first hide site. A search was undertaken and
new and possibly even more challenging location has been located.
Thus, the magical container has a new home a new Emerald
City!
THE CACHE SERIES
It will not be
easy to get to this elusive container but it will be a fun
adventure. You will need to now find 5 "helper" caches which are
required before heading for the final. The final itself is now a 5
part multi cache consisting of 4 very small yellow bricks leading
to the final regular size container. The five helpers each contain
a number needed to start the journey on the yellow brick road. Each
"helper" will present its own challenge and the five caches are
located in four different counties. DON'T FORGET TO WRITE DOWN THE
NUMBERS FROM EACH ONE! The five helpers and their web
links:
The Cowardly Lion
GC1KPXZ
The Tin Man GC1KPY4
Dorothy GC1KR5X
Scarecrow GC1KPXP
Toto Too! GC1M8RH
The Journey begins at these coordinates:
N43 Scarecrow. Lion + Dorothy
W088 Tin Man. Toto Too!
Permission given for
placement. The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to
Terry Heuser of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by
means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the
notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it
to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager
information can be obtained at: (visit link)
FTF Dr. Dolittle (at night) 2) Team of:
puzzler&burrgirl-pharmgirl and teambeek 3) Zemmy