Caching and Adventure Labs

Lower Mainland Cache Bache #9

For the last several years there is a cache bash, that takes place in BC. For 8 years it was known as the Fraser Valley Cache Bash, and spread from Pitt Meadows to Hope, This year they extended it to Horseshoe bay and now its the Lower mainland Cache Bash. I didn't plan on doing any this year, but then noticed there was one close to home, so I made my way over there. I was already looking when I saw some familiar faces walking into the woods. We finally found it as the co-ords were off.

We shared the FTF and I headed back home, as they headed for more caches.

Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred, and Eighty Eight!!

Coming up to getting 8888 finds!! As you may have seen in past blog's I like to mark wierd numbers. Even though I do enjoy finding round numbers and milestones such as 5000, 6000, etc., I like to mark my 5555th, etc. as you can see in part of the list from my Geocaching profile page:

5000th cache Ensconcement Interchange March 17/20 Richmond, BC
5555th cache Two Posts from Blue White March 7/21 Delta, BC
6000th cache BC Spirit Quest #30: Murray's Corners Oct. 26/21 Murrayville, BC

6565th cache Cynthia Street Cache Aug. 11/22 Saskatoon, Sask.
6666th cache DHL9 - The North West Necklace Sept. 25/22 Semiahmoo, Wash.

6969th cache Welcome to San Juan Travel Bug Hotel Apr. 22/23 Friday Harbor, Wash.
7000th cache English Camp Apr. 22/23 San Juan Island, Wash.
7777th cache Bygone Hwy - Basking Rocks May 12/24 100 mile house, BC
8000th cache West Richmond Community Centre AL Nov. 9/24 Richmond, BC

8888th cache ???????? 

Will I make it to 8888 this month? Maybe you will you have to wait till next blog to find out??

NOTE: The highlighted or underlined words in my blog can be clicked on as they are links to other cool stuff!! Also if you click on any of the pictures they become BIGGER!!!

This month I was lucky emough to be chosen to chat on an Online call with 2 Lackey's from Groundspeak. They wanted my opinion of a new thing they are thinking of putting into the game. It's something called "Sharable's" but it's not yet been started. I am waiting to see if they launch this new feature or not!! 

Adventure Lab Geoart

I got to be a part of an adventure Lab geoart builder. It is being spearheaded by a cacher in Victoria called Benicha. When finished it will consist of 124 AL's with 5 stages each totaling 620 finds all from one spot. I did 26 AL's at the San Diego airport back in October when I was thru there, for a total of 130 finds and though that was a lot. 

My Adventure Lab which is the 6th one I have done now is about Shipwrecks around Victoria, BC

Here is the FB post that I saw, that lead me to asking to be a part of it:

I VICTORIA – GeoArt Project

We’re building a large GeoArt in the ocean off Ogden Point — and you can be part of it! We are halfway there!!

Each person creates one Adventure Lab (5 locations) that becomes a piece of the design.

Themes are extended to all of Vancouver Island

I can provide:• A theme• 5 questions• Multiple choice answers

All you need to do is: Add 5 photos Build your Adventure Lab Let me know when you’re ready

I’ll then assign your official ocean coordinate + title, and you can publish.

Bonus: Publishing your Lab may trigger another Adventure Lab credit (sometimes right away, sometimes in 3 months!)

No stress, no pressure — I’m happy to help make this easy

It looked like a fun project, so I asked if I could be part of it. And now I am!!! Mine just went live!! 

Mine is "I {heart} Victoria BC 071"

Now I am hearing they are planning on making one in and around the Kelowna area.

PS: On the right hand side of this webpage is where you can find my YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, links. Please feel free to check them out and follow or subscribe!!!

Blue Switch Day

This month on May 2nd was what cachers have dubbed "Blue Switch Day"

On this day 26 years ago the decision was made to discontinue Selective Availability, ending the intentional restriction on civilian GPS accuracy and significantly improving GPS technology for public use. This date is recognized by geocachers as “Blue Switch Day.”

And this happened the very next day:

The first geocache was placed on May 3, 2000, by Dave Ulmer in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon. He placed the container shortly after the U.S. government turned off Selective Availability for GPS satellites, creating a fun test to see if others could find a specific location using exact coordinates.

The original "stashed" cache was a black plastic bucket that contained software, books, money, and a slingshot. Today, there is an official Original Stash Tribute Plaque placed at the exact historical site.

M is for MAGIC!!!

Had a show out in Mission and stopped for a few caches along the way. 

This was a cache that I grabbed at this large Metal "M"

There used to be a cache here in the past that I got, but it must have been archived, and now there is a new one here. Plus there is one stage of an Adventure Lab here.

Next month, I will be heading to Edmonton to visit Family, and will also grab a few caches.....But more about that in Next months Blog....

Well that's it for this month!!

Keep on caching!!

Chris Yuill

Magicman65