Feb 20/2010
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Geocache Activity 583 |
FIND 530 |
IDENTIFICATION
Difficulty 1.5; Terrain 5; size micro. Creator: morningdrifter & Stitch 1 Date First Hidden: 2/11/2010 Date Last Found: 2/13/2010 Description NOTE: The above coords will not get you to this cache. You need the clues found in GC23WE4 "Gull Island" and GC23WEB "Pelican Island" to find this cache. you are looking for a small L&L that has been placed on “Goose Island” (again, not original but I had to call it something) in Milk River Ridge Reservoir. Access to this part of the reservoir is by unimproved road which can be challenging after a heavy rain or snowfall. The area is locally used for camping and ice fishermen. You will need a boat/canoe to get out to the island during the spring, summer or fall; or you can walk out to it on the ice after freeze up. If you choose to go by ice make sure it is safe to do so. Stay off unless ice is at least 6 to 8 inches thick. A set of ice cleats will make walking a lot easier, “just ask me”. The cache contains a log book and pencil along with a FTF prize and an assortment of caribiners collected from other caches.
Hint Look Under. Comments
PLANNING
I managed to find the first two caches yesterday, but then my GPS battery died. However I did obtain the coordinates for this cache. I was hoping that the sun would shine through the fog but at 1:30 PM I decided to try for the cache today rather than wait for another day.
This time I was better equipped. I had made sure that my GPS unit was fully charged and I brought along a second battery which was also fully charged. I even brought some ski goggles. Even on a dull day, the light can be fairly intense coming off the snow.
OUTCOME
There was more snow on the road today than yesterday. Not a lot more, but enough to give me some concern about finding the cache. I parked the truck in the same location but instead of skiing to Gull island I skirted along the west side of the island and then headed directly for Goose island which was about a kilometer away. I liked the ski goggles so kept them on for the trip. I even tried a few photos where I shot the picture through the goggles. I had no difficulty finding a route up the island and so was able to keep my skis on.
My concern about the snow cover was well founded. There was just enough snow to prevent a visual search. Fortunately the second little shrub that I stuck my ski pole into, returned a reassuring "clunk". I took a few photos and then headed back. This time I could see my tracks clearly and the tracks made the return trip very pleasant. I even tried for a self-portrait, holding the camera at arm's length.
Here is my posting to the geocaching.com website:
This time I took two batteries for the GPS unit.
There was a firm two inches of snow on the ice.
I stayed on my skis from the truck to the cache.
Great idea for a multi! This was way fun.
Took a carabiner, left a patch & a pin, signed log.
Thanks again for a great set of three caches.
Here are a few photos:
approaching the lake shore
looking through the ski goggles
cache location
GeeCee with container
GeeCee with green carabiner, plus patch, pin (Ayers Rock), and log entry
looking back at Gull island (truck is dot to right of trees)
route back
passing by west side of Gull island
well equipped geocacher
back at the truck
road conditions near parking area
more road conditions
I am 1/1 for today.
