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Post by blazingpathways on Jan 6, 2008 8:32:58 GMT -9
I've been toying with the idea of creating a DeLorme Challenge Cache for South Central Alaska and am looking for others who are interested in making this happen. I emailed Erik and he said the only possible problem would be if someone decided later to do a whole Alaska DeLorme. I've looked at Montana's and Washington's DeLorme Challenge caches as examples and I really like how some of the progress tracking is done on the Washington site. I know that getting this set up and learning how to track everyone's progress would be a good growth experience, for me and possibly others. (I have yet to figure out how to get the Alaska Map on the cache page I've begun ... !) Is anyone else working on this already? I thought this might be a good community or team project. Is anyone interested? It looks like South Central would include maps: 43-45; 51-53; and 59-109. All of Alaska would be maps 16 -141. Thoughts on the S.C. vs whole Alaska question? Thanks.
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momima
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 45
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Post by momima on Jan 6, 2008 8:42:31 GMT -9
Hi BP, Could you explain a Delorme Challenge? I've never heard of it, but it sounds most interesting from what you've mentioned? Thanks, Momima
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Post by ladybugkids on Jan 6, 2008 9:20:06 GMT -9
Washington DeLorme Challenge ThreadWashington DeLorme Challenge Cache - definitely worth reading to see how Moun10bike set up the original challenge Link for all other existing state DeLorme Challenge cachesScobey, NorthWes and I have kicking this idea around for about a year, but never got traction. Several ideas for the challenge include: 1. Road system only 2. Road system plus ferry system 3. Road system plus ferry system plus pages accessible by major airline I'd have to dig around old e-mails for other variations we thought of, but I'm glad someone opened a thread for the idea. Maybe we'll come up with a workable one that the "powers that be" (PTB) at gc.com will approve.
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Post by blazingpathways on Jan 6, 2008 12:22:59 GMT -9
Thanks, Ladybug Kids, for posting the links.
The Washington DeLorme Challenge Cache is GCQQ9B. Montana's is GC12727.
I caught on to these two, because I travel to Montana to see family once or twice a year. I haven't taken the time to check out the other sites yet, but I suppose there will be individual variations.
The basic premise of a DeLorme Challenge Cache is to find a cache within the boundaries of every page of the DeLorme Atlas for a particular state. Even looking at the pages for South Central, alone, the questions that LBK mentioned arise - would we count pages that could only be reached by the road system and give extra credit for those that required ferry or air travel, for example.
One variation that I thought of for here was allowing all hides before the post date to count toward meeting the requirements and to identify the pages where there aren't currently hides and encourage hides on those pages, which would also count as finds toward the requirements.
Geocaching.com allows only two kinds of challenge caches: DeLorme and County. Erik (one of those PTB's) mentioned another option being the County (Bourough) Challenge. I considered this for a brief moment, but all the travel logistics seem to be amplified in this consideration, unless it were limited to SouthCentral.
It's great to see this has been a topic of discussion and there may be some interest.
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Post by clueseeker on Jan 18, 2008 16:57:35 GMT -9
One variation that I thought of for here was allowing all hides before the post date to count toward meeting the requirements and to identify the pages where there aren't currently hides and encourage hides on those pages, which would also count as finds toward the requirements. I agree! Say YES Say YES. I've been working on Maine and Maryland and would love to begin the Alaska Delorme Challenge when I visit in July. I am awaiting my new Delorme Alaska map as I write this . Maine Delorme Challenge GCW8N6 Maryland Delorme Challenge GCR7CH
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Post by blazingpathways on Apr 7, 2008 13:04:18 GMT -9
The South Central Alaska DeLorme Challenge Cache exists.
You can check it out: GC17H9E
Now the fun begins!
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Post by li1gray on Apr 7, 2008 17:22:36 GMT -9
The South Central Alaska DeLorme Challenge Cache exists. You can check it out: GC17H9E Now the fun begins! Okay, Now the real question is HOW do you set up the bookmark list. I have tried and tried to set up a bookmark list of my caches on Okinawa that I watch and thought were cool to do. Now with this cache and the other one I would like to get these set-up but I haven't been able to get it to work? I have called a friend but I just wanted to see if anyone else can explain the process "Step by Step" I know LBK has a bunch of them and others out there too. HELP!
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Post by FrostG1anT on Apr 7, 2008 21:12:45 GMT -9
Why are mystery caches excluded from acceptable hides?
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Post by ladybugkids on Apr 7, 2008 21:37:21 GMT -9
Why are mystery caches excluded from acceptable hides? Because one can't necessarily tell from the cache listing which page the final is on?
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Post by blazingpathways on Apr 7, 2008 21:40:10 GMT -9
Didn't see that LBK had already answered the question about why no mystery caches - it is because mystery caches have an undisclosed final location (at least until the mystery is solved) and the posted coordinates of a mystery cache may or may not be within the same page as the final.
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Post by ladybugkids on Apr 7, 2008 21:51:26 GMT -9
Okay, Now the real question is HOW do you set up the bookmark list. 1. Buy a premium membership for the bargain price of $30/year. (the bookmark feature is available only to premium members) 2. Log on to your gc.com account. 3. Click on "My Account." 4. Click on "Manage Bookmarks" under the "Premium Features" list on the right hand side of the page. 5. Click on "Create New List." 6. Name your bookmark list and write the description. Click the pick boxes for features you want. To have the list appear on each cache you add to the list, choose "make this list public." To receive the logs of bookmarked caches, click on "notify me when items on this list are logged." 7. Click "Create Bookmark List." 8. Go to a cache page you wish to add to the list. 9. In the upper right hand corner, click on "bookmark listing." 10. Under "for list," use the pulldown menu to select the bookmark list you want to add the cache to. Add optional comments in the bottom box. 11. Click "Create Bookmark." 12. Repeat steps 8-11 for each cache you want to add to the list. 13. You may view your list(s) any time by following steps 2-4. Drop me a note if the above doesn't work.
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Post by blazingpathways on Apr 7, 2008 22:18:51 GMT -9
The next task I am undertaking for this cache is creating the waypoint file and page outlines for loading into MapSource, so that it will be easier to tell on which pages caches are located. I'm learing this as I go, so I don't know when that will be available. The Washington DeLorme Challenge Cache has that type of file available and it looks really useful. It will also be a tool to tell us as a geocaching community where (to paraphrase Captain Kirk) no cacher has gone before...and to go boldly forth ...hopefully.
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Post by li1gray on Apr 8, 2008 7:24:28 GMT -9
;D 1. Buy a premium membership for the bargain price of $30/year. (the bookmark feature is available only to premium members) 2. Log on to your gc.com account. 3. Click on "My Account." 4. Click on "Manage Bookmarks" under the "Premium Features" list on the right hand side of the page. 5. Click on "Create New List." 6. Name your bookmark list and write the description. Click the pick boxes for features you want. To have the list appear on each cache you add to the list, choose "make this list public." To receive the logs of bookmarked caches, click on "notify me when items on this list are logged." 7. Click "Create Bookmark List." 8. Go to a cache page you wish to add to the list. 9. In the upper right hand corner, click on "bookmark listing." 10. Under "for list," use the pulldown menu to select the bookmark list you want to add the cache to. Add optional comments in the bottom box. 11. Click "Create Bookmark." 12. Repeat steps 8-11 for each cache you want to add to the list. 13. You may view your list(s) any time by following steps 2-4. Drop me a note if the above doesn't work. LBK Thanks Okay I finally got it to work and did the same thing as I did last night when it would only add them to my okinawa cache listing even though I kept selecting the Delmore listing. The cache went to the right list this morning. Thanks for the steps. I think they will help others. I could not find any thing this simple on the Geocache Forum either It is now saved in a Word doc on my PC. Thanks again for the help.
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Post by blazingpathways on Apr 10, 2008 20:00:30 GMT -9
The mapsource file with the outlines of the pages and the corners of each point waypointed is available. The file also includes all the current caches which meet the requirements of the challenge. It is possible to see which pages don't have caches and in which page a cache is located.
Could someone tell me how to put a link on the challenge page to that file so anyone can download it?
Otherwise, I'd be willing to email the file to anyone that wants it.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Apr 10, 2008 20:08:44 GMT -9
I guess you should talk to the uber-cachers that are experts on the stuff...but if it is an image you can drop it in photo bucket and paste it on the page in HTML. That is how i posted the map of the orienteering course...
By the way, you have me excited to get out and hide some remote mountain caches in areas uncached...
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Post by ladybugkids on Apr 10, 2008 21:47:50 GMT -9
Could someone tell me how to put a link on the challenge page to that file so anyone can download it? If you e-mail it to me, I'll upload it to the GeocacheAlaska! website, provide the link in this forum and provide you with the html code to make it downloadable from the cache page.
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Post by blazingpathways on Apr 12, 2008 22:36:19 GMT -9
By the way, you have me excited to get out and hide some remote mountain caches in areas uncached... I'm glad to hear to hear your excitement. From my count there are 33 pages uncached at the moment... plenty of choice, it would seem, for those remote mountain caches..... and if anyone is interested there may be some need for some remote island caches as well.... Thanks LBK for creating the links for the MapSource files! Here they are: This link has the page outlines only - you can use this file to track the pages you've completed. www.geocachealaska.org/mapsourcefiles/scakdelpages.gdbThis link has the page outlines and the waypoints of caches that met the requirements of the challenge as of 4-1-08. www.geocachealaska.org/mapsourcefiles/scakdelcaches.gdb
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Post by oleruns on Apr 13, 2008 9:33:29 GMT -9
What cache is the highest cache placed in Alaska? or anywhere??
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Post by ladybugkids on Apr 13, 2008 17:27:17 GMT -9
For Alaska, here are my guesses, many of which are approximate since I don't where many of the "mountaintop" caches are located relative to the actual summit:
Hakuna Cantata by Ridgeseeker and MTBoy: 6410' Barrel of Monkeys by MTBoy: 6119' Ridgeseeker's Holy Grail by MTBoy: ~5500'? Williwa--Anchorage's Rooftop by MTBoy: 5445' O'Malley Summit by Goatwhisperer: 5150' It's the Wrong Cache! by paddlequest: 5080' Yankee Cache by MTBoy: 5065' Rebel Cache by MTBoy: 5005' Harp Mountain Slog by MTBoy: 5001' Bomber Cache by Murray Boys: ~4900' MTBoy needs something to do after work by oleruns: ~4560' All of Anchorage by Corgi Clan: 4455' The Top of Tiehacker by Ridgeseeker: 4420' Godwin Glacier Overlook by Ridgeseeker: 4400'? March of the Penguins by MTBoy: 4305' Mahogany Ridge by Mike and the Dogs: ~4120' Prelude to an Epic by MTBoy: ~4100' The Gold Mine by OAP Ft. Rich: ~4030' Bear Mountain Summit Cache by Ridgeseeker: ~4003'
Please chime in if you are aware of other Alaskan caches over 4000' which should be on the list.
In the lower 48 states, there is at least one cache close to 14,000', an earthcache near the summit of Mt. Ranier. Mt. Hood (11,239') has a summit cache, and there dozens more caches over 10,000'.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Apr 13, 2008 17:55:58 GMT -9
Barrel of Monkeys is 6119 on top of Mat Peak. Harp Mountain cache is 5001 feet, and Hakuna Cantata is 6391 ft. As far as I know Cantata is the highest in the state. The highest cache in this hemisphere and 2nd in the world (that I have found so far, it is difficult to identify...) is my Huyana Potosi cache in Bolovia at about 17000 feet. The only cache I have found that is higher is called Chomolangma at 7571 meters above sea level. March of the Penguins is around 4300 feet, Prelude to an Epic is also at about 4100.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Apr 13, 2008 17:59:45 GMT -9
FYI: Chomolungma is the native name for Mt. Everest. There are four or five other caches around the area at about 5100 m.
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Post by ladybugkids on Apr 13, 2008 18:40:34 GMT -9
Barrel of Monkeys is 6119 on top of Mat Peak. Harp Mountain cache is 5001 feet, and Hakuna Cantata is 6391 ft. <snip> March of the Penguins is around 4300 feet, Prelude to an Epic is also at about 4100. Doh! How could I forget the last two, having done them last September? And Cantata went right through my mind when I started the list and I didn't get back to it. I updated the list above to include these notable high country caches.
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Post by Malcore on Apr 13, 2008 19:22:11 GMT -9
'The Castle Table' is at 4036ft and defenently the highest I have even been to get a cache. But a great place for a picnic.
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Post by omgcrew on Apr 13, 2008 19:37:19 GMT -9
The Chilkoot pass in only 3500'.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Apr 13, 2008 22:35:40 GMT -9
I forgot to mention the murray boys bomber cache...it is around 4900 feet in the Talkeetna Mountains.
I know there is a cache called the "last best place" on Montana's highest peak, Granite Peak at 12799 feet.
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Post by blazingpathways on Apr 14, 2008 22:37:52 GMT -9
Does anyone have feedback about the setup of this cache? As a newbie Alaskan (only 5 years here), I've mostly explored Alaska along the road system (some of it on gravel). Since I don't have major toys (read that snow machine, 4-wheeler, boat, or airplane), I don't have a good feel for what trails or possibilities lie out yonder beyond the scope of foot and bicycle travel. When I look at the challenge of 63 pages to cache and 33 as yet untouched, I wonder if it is feasible to think that the geocaching community will find ways to put caches in those 33 empty pages and that others will be able to follow and find, thereby making this a viable cache and not only an impossible dream.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Apr 15, 2008 9:23:25 GMT -9
I am somewhat in agreement. It will require significant expeditions and a lot of time and effort. As far as having 33 uncached pages, several of those are not able to be cached except by earth caches. I don't know if there is a way to exempt the uncached pages...I get out a lot, and I am excited about this cache but at the same time wonder if I really am able to do it. It will be at least a 5 year project...oh well, we are all in it for the long haul right?
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