The >2/2 Streak Challenge Mystery Cache
The >2/2 Streak Challenge
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The cache IS at the posted coordinates!
This is a challenge cache. You must qualify before you can log this as a find online.
I wanted to take part in the August 2013 "31 Days of Caching" but wasn't looking forward to the drudgery of going out every day to pick up a lampskirt hide. How to make this more interesting? I know... I'll turn it into a challenge! I'll force myself to get challenging caches every day.
So I did. And now, I'm challenging you.
To qualify for this cache, you must fulfill both of these requirements:
- You must find at least one cache that has a Difficulty/Terrain rating GREATER THAN 2/2 each day for 31 consecutive days.
- During your streak, you have to have qualifying caches in at least 4 states.
FAQ
What does "greater than 2/2" mean exactly?
It means that the difficulty and the terrain has to be at least 2, and at least one of them needs to be greater than 2. The "lowest" qualifying rating would be 2/2.5 or 2.5/2. See this handy chart for all the qualifying combinations:
Explain the 4 states thing.
At the end of this challenge, you will have a list of 31 caches that you found on 31 consecutive days (one per day). There must be at least 4 states represented in that list of 31 caches.
How do I prove I met all the requirements of this challenge?
My ideal proof is a bookmark list of all your qualifying caches, with the date and D/T as part of the bookmark entry (see mine for an example). I will also accept any other format that includes the date found and links to the cache pages (or at the very least, GC codes). All of your qualifying caches must be logged as finds on geocaching.com.
If I find two qualifying caches on the same day, each in a different state, does that count as two states?
No. Each day can only have one qualifying cache, so only one state will be counted for that day.
Can I find two qualifiers in one day and count one for one day, and the other for another day?
No. The point of a streak is to find a cache each day. You must find at least one qualifying cache each day for 31 consecutive days.
Is it okay if I get a qualifying cache for each day that I cache and have some days in the middle where I don't cache at all?
No, that is not a streak. You must find a qualifying cache for 31 consecutive days on the calendar, not just for 31 days that you happen to cache.
Can I find more than one cache per day?
Absolutely! Go nuts.
Can I find caches in more than 4 states?
Of course!
Does a Canadian province count as a state?
Sure. I'll also accept countries and states/provinces in other countries (e.g. Australian states). Any combination of states, provinces or countries are allowed as long as there are a total of at least 4. And yes, Illinois can count as one of your four states.
Does a 2/2 count?
No.
Do I have to start this on the first day of a month?
Nope. You can start any day you like.
Can I sign the physical log before I qualify?
Groundspeak rules say you can, so go right ahead. However, you cannot log a find online until you have fulfilled all the requirements of this challenge.
Can I use this cache as one of my qualifying caches?
Challenge owners usually say no to this, but I am fine with you using this cache as your qualifying cache on the 31st day (and only on the 31st day) of your streak as long as you physically find it on your 31st day. While you can pre-sign it, you cannot pre-sign it and then use it for day 31, because then you would not have found a cache for 31 straight days which is the point of this challenge.
Can I use other challenge caches as qualifying caches?
As long as they have a qualifying D/T rating, sure. I do ask that you don't pre-sign a bunch of challenges on the same day and then log them on different days during your streak even though you qualified for them some time in the past. This is the equivalent to fudging the dates on your online logs and would violate the spirit of a streak and this challenge.
Can I use any type/icon of cache for this challenge?
Yes, I always encourage non-trads! You can use any icon as long as it has a D/T and that D/T is > 2/2. I would strongly recommend you do not use events with bogus D/T ratings, but if there is a legitimate >2/2 event, you may use it.
What if I have more questions?
Please, please, please, contact me through my profile on geocaching.com if you have any questions about the requirements. I would hate to see you do a 31 day streak and not qualify. If you have questions or are unclear about anything, please ask!
FTF
I will award TWO separate FTF's on this cache. One FTF for the first person to find the cache that already qualified for it prior to its publication, and a second FTF for the first person to find the cache that qualified for it after its publication.
In addition, there is one unactivated trackable dog tag in the cache for the first person that meets the requirements of the challenge to find the cache. If you are pre-signing, please do not take the FTF prize.
Hide
The hide is rated (what else?) a 2/2.5. Please replace it securely.
Thanks
I'd like to thank a few people who helped me during my streak:
- Mrs. Leviosa - For agreeing to my silly idea of going out every day in August to find a challenging cache, and for joining me on several finds and a road trip to Iowa to get my fourth and final state of the streak.
- Odyn - For joining me on several of my qualifying caches, helping me hide the cache, and his input on the challenge.
- Paycho - For joining me on several of my qualifying caches (including two of the three out of state finds), and her input on the challenge.
- Tzinny - For joining me on a one of my qualifying caches (one of his), even though he said he would ignore this challenge.
- All the cache owners who braved the thorns, bugs and woods to hide the caches I found during my streak. Special thanks to cigarboysmokes! I found several of his caches during my streak.
Good luck!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Sbbg uvtu