6666

07/21/2017 By YamaGypsy
Out on a cache run this morning exploring new areas for future hikes. This looked like a simple multi so I decided to attempt it. After a quick stop at the first stage I made my way to the final. Keeping K-trackers log in mind and the d/t I stuck to a safer route and soon had the cache in hand. Sl, thanks!

07/13/2017 By K Trackers
Prior to this cache, I have found 1,524 2D rated caches. I can honestly say this one was the hardest of the lot.

I've noticed this cache from previous trips down Rampart Range road. It has a cool backstory, it was lonely (I keep track of lonely cache stats for challenges) and I intended to come after it at some point. Today was not supposed to be that day, but I had DNF'ed on the nearby GCW537 Ormes Peak and still needed a cache for the day. I was chased off Ormes Peak due to the Thunderstorms and Rain. It was still a concern, but I decided to press on anyway. I can hear my own voice replaying in my head, "I'll just stop here really quick and pick up that Ernie cache." I'll wager Custer had similar thoughts right before the Battle of Little Bighorn started.

Within a few minutes of leaving the dismount point, the rain started. The rain wasn't that bad, so it was a extra treat moving through some waist and chest high brush...water coming down on you, from your side, and up from the ground. For that reason, this short hike reminded me more of Hawaii than Colorado. Eventually, I made it to GZ and conducted a diligent searched in a 20' radius; coming up empty. I eventually expanded my search radius to 40 feet, 80 feet in some places. I assumed that the cloud cover was impacting my accuracy; in hindsight I should have checked instead of assuming. Eventually, I resigned myself to recheck the ground that I had already searched. Going back to where GZ plotted, I searched the nearest possible hide site...again nothing. My spidey sense was tingling, and for the first time I aggressively stuck my hand down...eventually uncovering the first waypoint. In the almost two years since Snailman found it, in those two years mother nature and reclaimed the container and I was lucky to find it. It had taken me about 30 minutes to make this find. Capturing the coordinates, I moved on to the final.

At the final, I was confronted with the cool rock feature. The search was much tougher here, taking almost an hour to make the find. Based on where the GZ was, I had to search at every elevation level. After working the entire feature, once again I had to go down to ground level to start all over. I slipped on the wet rock and fell about 10 feet from one rock level to the next. Fortunately my muscle memory from when I was on jump status kicked in, so I was able to tuck my head and turn to allow my shoulder and elbow to take the impact. This is now the second cache I have bled for. I had three ugly cuts on my arm and elbow, but I was pretty mad at not finding this cache after all of this effort. This time I did some more squirrely searching once I got to ground level. I expended more effort than a 2D entails, but I'm used to caches from this CO being tougher than expected. At some point during my re-ascent, I found a area I had not searched yet. Unlike the first waypoint, this time the GPS did lead me astray, so I had bypassed this spot. I soon had the cache in hand after only a 45 minute search. 2D rated caches normally don't get a victory photo, but this one sure will. I normally don't look through logs in caches, but sassdil's signature caught my eye. Under her name she wrote, "I never did find the 2.5T route to this cache." Well said and I can relate to that.

It was a great treat that this cache was lonely, it was one of the reasons I came after it. I keep track of lonely stats for challenges and personal satisfaction. With this find, I now have (counting only 1 year or more lonely) a total of 107 years,5 months lonely time on 55 caches from 11 North American States & Provinces.

Thanks to the CO for another tough cache and fun hunt, minus the blood stuff. Since the Devil himself seemed to be working to stop me from making the find, feel free to change the name to 666. TFTC.

11/08/2015 By SnailMan1
I did park at a designated parking area so that added a little bit of distance to my journey. It took me a few minutes at the 1st WP before I was on my way. It would have been faster if I would of read the description. Once I reached the final I could not locate the container. I final sat down and reviewed the coordinates I had copied down and saw that I had input them incorrectly into the GPS. I was about 60 ft away from where I needed to be. Once I arrived at the "real" GZ it still took me awhile before I spotted the container. On my journey I walked through the dead forest. I saw lots of dirt, lots of weeds, some grass and other plants. I was surprised to see a number of shoulder high aspen patches. The aspens seem to be making a good comeback. I saw one 3 in high pine tree. Thanks for the multi!

07/02/2015 By COpackrat
This hike was a little bit longer today as the road was closed off at 38 57.181 104 57.057 - let's hope it's just temporary and will reopen soon. The walk was worth it, though, and found both stages in good shape. Continued along the ridge to the next cache after signing the log. Thanks for the nice placement!

11/27/2014 By hartsdale
Out early this morning for some hiking and fresh air, making room for the feast later this afternoon.

Very fun cache!

Thanks!

HD