Winter and Geocaching... it work that well?

Kabuthunk · Veteran Member

Winter and Geocaching... it work that well?

burchil · Veteran Member

Here is my two cents - if it is worth even that. Most caches seem to remain active but unless they actually indicate that they are winter friendly (or have something in the write up that suggests this - like 'can access on ski') then you can expect to dig and possibly not find anything. Mine remain active with those that might be a problem having a note indicating that they will be a problem in the winter.

I have found a number of caches during the winter. Both those identified as winter friendly as well as those with no indication. In a couple of cases I had to dig through a couple of meters of snow - I only did that when I was sure I knew the cache location or someone else had found it recently during the winter.

For me caching just slows down. On the plus side there is usually a 'snow' trail hint.

polarbeardiggers · Veteran Member

for my three cents,when i hide my caches on the ground i will list the attributes as not winter friendly,and if i place it above ground,winter friendly,but the factors still remain as where its hidden and access to that area,will be a big determining factor,as burchill mentioned,as soon as the first cacher treads a trail ,you most likely will not need a gps to find the cache,90 percent of my caches are hidden in the country and some of the roads will be blocked off,only a skidoo will get near,i think emailing the cache owner for extra hints for a winter find is fair to ask in my opinion,after all if your willing to go the distance,thats the least i can do,those are my three cents,i'm sure that a few out there have a dollars worth of sense,.

sam and lily · Veteran Member

I personally don't " do " winter caching unless I have the good fortune to be in a warmer climate.Last winter I compiled a game plan of caches to do once the snow and cold were more managable and thoroughly enjoyed the spring.I just may cache this winter... one could just keep a watch on caches and leave someone else to do the footwork and then just follow their trail :) ! I admit to being a bit scared of caching in the woods in the winter, ridiculous when I think that I would be in there with both a GPS and a cell phone! Thats my pesos worth!

bevro · Veteran Member

Winter caching is actually not bad at all. First of all, very few muggles wandering around to interfere with your efforts. Its also a good time to focus on micros as they tend to be hidden higher than the small or regular caches. The dogs and I were busy pretty much every weekend last year and had a great time. Its a good opportunity if you have snowshoes or X-country skis to get to some normally hard to reach places during the other 3 season. Manitoba's 'hardwater' can work to your advantage in many places.

Dragonfreys · Senior Member

We started caching last fall and couldn't wait out the winter to keep at it. We enjoy being out on skis, snowshoes or other and for the most part the snow usually isn't deep enough to be a problem anyway. When we started hiding caches we made a point of trying to make all of our caches winter friendly, but it limits your options fairly quickly. It is still a main consideration for us in a hide.

Like bevro says many caches that are difficult in summer are actually easier in the winter when the wet areas are turned into highways. We certainly have a few caches in that category. Summer is such a busy time that it is often easier to find time in all the other seasons. I would much rather deal with snow, wind and bitter cold than mosquitoes, heat, humidity and poison ivy.

Our

1queenand4jokers · Senior Member

1Q4J Preparing for winter checklist

1. Extra batteries in inside pocket(making sure not to leave digital camera/gps in vehicle when not caching)

2. Extra socks/gloves for everyone and dry runners in trunk just in case boots get well a booter.

3. Small camping shovel in vehicle (just in case)

4. Pencil to sign log(pens have frozen up on us in caches).

We leave all of our caches in place so it is cacher beware. Winter friendly may mean different things to different cachers. It may be rated winter friendly even if it is a 1/4 mile walk if it is high in a tree! We have plodded through up to 1/2 mile to find a cache and NOT FOUND it! But it was fun to swim in the snow anyway.

If it is hidden in winter it will be winter friendly or a dead giveaway at least if it has been recently found and no snow has fallen (great trails). I think hiding is more of a risk in winter than finding is...People tend to sit and warm a nice spot near the cache which is a dead giveaway! I haven't done the winter ratings on all my caches yet.

Good luck and yes we look forward to finding in winter. The crisp clean air, no mosquitoes (though this year that wasn't a problem)

Wagonmaker · Veteran Member

Kabuthunk, believe you me: There is no geocaching like winter geocaching! I am very much looking forward to the winter months of caching again (provided I can take the time away from my *ahem* professional development...) There is nothing like setting out on a day/night of caching and getting your boots, parka, ski pants, toque, mitts all ready -- with backups! And the awesome feeling of getting home and sipping hot chocolate or tea as you log all your finds.

In my experience, many/most caches are winter-friendly if you are prepared to do a small amount of extra work for them (digging through snow). My philosophy is, if it's accessible outdoors in the summer, why not in the winter? Nothing about the cache changes except that it may be underneath some snow or ice, which are removable (most of the time).

I guess it's just that other cachers are wusses when it comes to the cold of winter! However, if others go out and find a cache, the spot is given away by footprints (take that as an advantage or a thrill-killer, depending on your point of view.)

I look forward to your company in winter-caching, Kabuthunk!

TurdleEggs · Senior Member

What everybody else said :)

Winter caching is lots of fun; it sure made last winter pass by quickly for me.

ThreeTs · Senior Member

That and a few dozen or so Stuntman poker chips thrown in for good measure....