Your GPS has led you to the GZ, and you found the container.... 20 feet above you in a tree. Unfortunately, there are no climbable branches within reach. Time to get out those Tools Of The Trade (TOTT)!
Of course, every cacher should be prepared with one TOTT:
A pen. (or something else to sign their name on the log!)
If a specific tool is required to access the cache or log, the CO will select the "Special Tool Required" attribute, and they will sometimes let you know what is required (but not always).
Many cachers have a "Bag of Tricks" filled with common gear. Some of the common TOTT:
•GPS Device. It's hard to find a cache without one, whether it's a top of the line handheld hiking GPS or your parent's hand-me-down smartphone. Phones are also useful if you need to phone a friend for help, and a camera is nice to have for either that epic selfie at GZ or for that amazing view of the sunset from the bluff.
•Extra Pens or pencils. In case your favorite pen goes dry or your pencil breaks. Pencils are a good idea for winter caching, as ink pens don't always work well in cold weather.
•Extra Paper. If a log is full, let the CO know in your log, and if there is room, add a new piece of paper for others to sign.
•Bug Spray. Heading into the woods? You'll want to spray down to avoid ticks and mosquitoes.
•Flashlight. You never know when you might need to look in a dark place, even in broad daylight. Many of us even use head lamps to keep our hands free. Flashlights are also needed for night caches.
•HIking Stick. Whether it's a branch you found near the trailhead or a telescoping aluminum trekking pole, a hiking stick helps navigate uneven terrain, as well as poking into places that you don't want to put your hands.
•Leather and/or rubber gloves. In case you have to protect your hands from rusted metal, poisonous plants, or some kind of unknown black goop that's collected in a hollowed out tree stump.
•Magnet. Some cachers carry a magnet for hard to reach metal containers. This could be either a small magnet on the end of a string, or a telescoping magnetic pick-up tool.
•Mirror. Using mirrors often helps you look in places you can't actually see, and can aid in stealth.
•Pocket knife / Multi-tool. A Swiss Army knife can come in handy, particularly if you have a knife with a tweezers (to extract logs from micro containers), pliers (to gently extract caches from tight spots), or screwdriver.
There are many more tools that cachers use on a less regular basis. Things like ladders, boats, waders, and telescoping poles can come in handy for some caches.
Cache is a small container inside a camo'ed PVC pipe just off the trail. To access the container, you will need either a magnet or a bottle of water (20oz shuld do it). DO NOT REMOVE THE PVC PIPE FROM IT'S LOCATION. If attempting this cache in cold weather, please do not use water. Make sure to write down the number written on the lid of the bottle, you'll need it for the final exam.
To pass Lesson 6, sign your name and write an appropriate log, mentioning which tool you used.
Experienced Cachers: Feel free to list any tools you regularly use that are not mentioned above (there are probably many).
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Jayne Collins 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: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/findapark.html