Sunday, December 06, 2009
North Spit Bushwhacking
Today Rod and I joined forces to tackle a couple of new caches in the swampy lowlands of the North Spit.
The first cache was Big Guns (by lanidrax2). The title was quite appropriate because we had to walk by some duck hunters on the way and the area immediately around the cache location was littered with spent shotgun shells! Spending a little time studying this area on Google Earth is highly recommended to avoid constantly backtracking each time one encounters shallow ponds. Eventually we found the right path into GZ and happily discovered we had beaten Mr. Copper (Eric) to the FTF! Sweet!
Just as we were leaving the area a familiar figure decked out in camo Carharts approached…..yup, Mr. Copper! We noted the tell-tale expression of disappointment on his face as he realized he would be signing #3 on the logsheet! Rod and Eric made introductions then we parted way after some fun geo-yakking.
Mr. Copper “I Found It!” - Big Guns Cache
As it turned out, we met up again as we made our way back to Rod’s vehicle. Eric was just getting back to his vehicle and offered to give us a ride. When he learned we were headed for a second lanidrax2 cache - Skull ‘n Bones - he asked if we minded him tagging along. He was first finder a couple of weeks ago. I’m positive he wanted to have a good chuckle seeing how we would approach this cache hunt.
Once again, Google Earth planning was used prior to heading out to this cache but sometimes that doesn’t always mean you’ll successfully find the best way through this swampy area. Long story made short….we missed the best access pathway and ended up thrashing through tall grass, thick huckleberry brush and low spreading willows FAR too long before finally getting our hands on the cache. As is true so many times, we discovered the quickest and easier access route on the way back to the vehicles.
Mr. Copper & Rod taking a break from the Skull n Bones bushwhack
I fear we will be returning to this cache since Bad Duck hasn’t hunted it yet. We’ll want to come along if only to see his approach strategy…..maybe from the comfort of lawnchairs some distance from the cache! Another iced tea, please!
It’s always a kick having others along for the fun! Enjoyed hunting these with Rod and having Eric join in.