Colorado's Virtual Matrix Challenge

This is a variant of the Fizzy Challenge concept, applied to the active Virtual caches in Colorado. The cache container is at the listed coordinates, but you need to satisfy the cache prerequisites before you can log a “find”.

On the date this cache was published, there were 170 active Virtual caches within the boundaries of Colorado. Cumulatively, these 170 caches complete 31 combinations of the standard 81-cell Difficulty/Terrain matrix. To qualify for and successfully log this challenge, you will need to have logged a “find” on a Virtual cache located within Colorado for each of these extant 31 D/T matrix combinations. The following matrix depicts the 31 required combinations. The numerals given in each matrix cell represent the number of Colorado Virtuals caches having the designated D/T rating. For example, there are 105 caches that possess a 1.0 Difficulty and 1.0 Terrain rating; four caches have a 3.0/1.0 rating; and no Virtuals have a rating of 1.5/3.5. Again, to satisfy the requirements for this challenge, only one cache needs to be logged for each of the 31 cells that contain a number. I'm grateful to Alpine Reviewer for assistance in creating this matrix graphic!

The rate of archiving Virtual caches is very low. Hence, it is likely that most of the 170 Virtuals in Colorado (and hence the 31 D/T combinations) will continue as “active” . However, if current caches become archived and thus eliminate specific D/T combinations in the grid before you have completed them, the affected combinations will be eliminated from your prerequisites for this challenge.

Update on March 24, 2018. From the time the matrix was compiled in December 2010 to the present, eight Colorado Virtual caches have been archived, reducing the number of those Virtuals from 170 to 162. The recent advent of the Virtual Rewards Program has added six new Virtual caches to our Colorado inventory; the net “loss” of Colorado Virtual caches from December 2010 to March 2018 is two. Two of the archived Virtuals held unique D/T matrix combinations. Three of the recently published Virtual Rewards caches have unique combinations, resulting in a net gain of one D/T cell for a revised total of 32 D/T combinations required to satisfy this challenge. The two matrix grids on this page have been revised to include all the changes described in this bolded update.

When you log your “find” on this challenge cache you need to include in your log a list of the 31 D/T combinations. For each combination provide the name of the Virtual cache that you are using for the combination. Also include the cache’s GC number and the date you found it. The blank matrix here allows you to easily track your progress. Thanks, Alpine Reviewer, for preparing it.

The 5-Star "Difficulty" rating for this challenge cache is based on the difficulty of satisfying the challenge prerequisites. The 3-Star "Terrain" rating relates to the field effort required to reach and sign this cache log. The cache is located on Roosevelt National Forest land, and can be reached by a 4.2-mile round trip hike on a trail system; the last few hundred feet necessitate limited bushwhacking in moderately rugged terrain. About 625 feet of total elevation gain is required; all of the elevation gain is on-trail. The cache container is of “regular” size, and should not be difficult to locate.

Our grandfathered Virtual caches are real treasures that are becoming more and more appreciated by serious cachers. I'm hopeful that this challenge will result in amplified awareness amongst geocachers of the diversity and value of these wonderful caches within Colorado. Enjoy them! And enjoy working toward completion of this challenge!

This cache is placed in honor of OneKindWord, a fellow cacher who has made a serious effort to find many caches that are in categories other than “Traditional”. He is particularly fond of Virtual caches. I’m hopeful that he will pursue FTF on this challenge.