Cache Mania

The new Grand River Conservation authority geocaching policy is fairly straightforward and doesn’t differ substantially from other policies in this part of the province.

Here are some highlights from the new GRCA Geocaching Policy:

• Cacher must complete the “Cache Information Form”
• No specified limit to the number of caches in an area, limit to be determined by the GRCA designate.
• Only on marked trails
• Only 1 meter from trail, I can see this being a bit contentious.
• The area superintendent determines acceptability.

Overall there are no surprises in this policy.  Now that there is a policy we can start to officially place caches in GRCA parks.  I think it’s time for me to get a season pass.  You should to if you are going to place a cache in a pay-for-use park.

Tags: Geocaching, Grand River, GRCA, hides, locations, property rights
Posted in Geocaches, Places | 4 Comments »

The following list was compiled by Gregory Pleau (NorthernPenguin).

How to Spot a Geocacher

1. They’re the one constantly picking pine needles and cedar bits out of their coat pockets.
2. They’re the one walking in circles around the spruce tree, while the dog waits on the trail.
3. They are the one standing beside that lamp post, trying to not look suspicious as you walk past.
4. They are the one that knows what a used ammo can, a rubbermaid container and a film canister have in common.
5. They are the one carrying a plastic grocery bag around inside a film canister with the word CITO on it.
6. They are the one muttering something about it only being a 1.5 / 2
7. They have an insect shaped barcode on the back window of their car
8. They’re heading outside with a GPS in weather that would keep the postman home
9. They’re the one that can’t walk 100′ on a trail without saying “That would be a good spot for a cache”
10. They are the ones standing under the bridge instead of walking across it
11. They keep repeating the phrase “Why have you brought me here?”
12. They have an XBox360, PS3 or a Wii, and it has an inch of dust on top.
13. They hang film canisters in their Christmas tree.

Greg has other talents. He is also the person behind the Ontario Trails Project. Crowdsourced trail data for Ontario.

Update:  A couple more were submitted by res2100 as comments but moved here for easier reading.

14. When at the store signing a credit card receipt, you accidentally sign your geocaching handle instead of your real name.
15. You buy items in the grocery store that comes in containers that would make excellent geocaches.

Tags: geocacher, Geocaching, humour, northernpenguin
Posted in Rants | 2 Comments »

I’d like to put a geocache in the GRCA’s Shade’s Mills conservation area but I can’t.  The park superintendent doesn’t allow it.  I wondered if this was a specific park rule or applied to all the conservation areas that are part of the GRCA.  Does the GRCA have an official goecaching policy?  Not Yet.  I’m not one to sit idly by when I want something to happen.  Not only do I live close to Shade’s Mills but I am also close to the GRCA main office.   I was out running errands today and I decided to stop in and see if I could talk to someone about the lack of an official GRCA policy.

When I stopped in I had the pleasure of meeting the Manager, Conservation Area Operations.  He was a very helpful individual.  He explained to me that the GRCA has had minor problems with geocachers in the past and would like to do something to get a better handle on the situation.  They are currently discussing internally the idea of an official policy but as yet do not have one.  He expects to introduce a policy in 2010.

He has been in touch with the conservation authorities for Hamilton and Halton regions.   These two authorities already have official geocaching policies.  It is safe to assume that any policy the GRCA enacts will be similar to those already in place at the neighbouring authorities.  I got the impression that the GRCA would like to allow geocaching in it’s facilities along as it’s done in an ecologically sensitive sustainable way.

Follow these links for Hamilton and Halton:

• Hamilton Region Conservation Authority Geocaching Policy
• Halton Region Conservation Authority Geocaching Policy

Tags: Geocaching, Grand River, GRCA, Policy
Posted in Geocaches | No Comments »

Nature’s Air conditioner 30 deg outside and you can see your breath in the cave.

Tags: "Niagara-on-the-Lake", adventure, Bruce Trail, cave, Geocaching, mine
Posted in Geocaches | No Comments »

Tunnel under the old Welland canal. It was a lot of fun seeing the old canal. This tunnel was only used for 25 years. Even tunnels back then had style. Why don’t they make things like they used to.

Tags: adventure, canal, Geocaching, tunnel, Welland
Posted in Geocaches | No Comments »