Hannah and I submitted three new caches for approval tonight.

First is "Black Mountain Trail", a regular cache rated 1.5, 3.0.

Second is "Black Mountain Bonus", a micro size multi-cache rated 3.0, 3.0. Thanks to Cymbaline and AtlantaGal for some of the concept I sorta borrowed from them.

Third is "Return to Black Mountain", a mystery cache that's rated 4.5, 3.5. I probably should have reted this one a little higher but I'm trying to sucker you guys in.

The theme for the trio is the now defunct Black Mountain Trail which started near Woody Lake in Suches and headed south over Tritt Gap. Hope everybody enjoys them!

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Third is "Return to Black Mountain", a mystery cache that's rated 4.5, 3.5. I probably should have reted this one a little higher but I'm trying to sucker you guys in.

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I'm not sure if you're serious about this, but I don't enjoy being suckered in to a hard cache by someone using lower difficulty and terrain ratings. I do enjoy tough caches, but I like to plan for them properly (bring a lot of water for long hikes, etc.)

However, if you're just kidding around, nevermind.

I just did a topo profile on the trail from Hwy 60 to Tritt gap. There's an elevation rise of 200' followed by a 350' descent. So if the caches are not up the mountain from the trail the terrain doesn't look espcially horrible.

The total distance is also less than a mile. It will be nice to see the coords; hopefully the approvals will be done soon.

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Originally posted by Mushtang:
I'm not sure if you're serious about this, but I don't enjoy being suckered in to a hard cache by someone using lower difficulty and terrain ratings.

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As long as the rating are within a star of what the "Geocache Rating System" gives then I am fine with the rating. The GRS is linked from GC report page. You can get to it directly on clayjar's website, and I have copy on my website.

Thanks Allen. I'm glad you are reminding people about the rating system. It's too bad everyone doesn't use it. My caches have all been run through it and sometimes adjusted up or down one-half star if local conditions dictate.

Of course, in the case of a cache with a puzzle, things aren't that straightforward. For the "Return to Black Mountain" cache, I'm sure there are people with the right combination of education, experience, talent, and intrests that could read the encoded message almost as easily as reading English. The majority of people though would never be able to decode it on their own. So, I guess we will just have to wait and see if four and a half is the right rating for difficulty on this one.

I won't be the FTF on these because it will be a week or two before I have any free time to go up there. But I am working on the puzzle everynight. Thanx Owl

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Originally posted by johnnie:
I won't be the FTF on these because it will be a week or two before I have any free time to go up there. But I am working on the puzzle everynight. Thanx Owl

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If I am in town, can I go with you?

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Originally posted by AtlantaGal:


If I am in town, can I go with you?

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Yes, I would like to have some company on this one.
I will need help on the puzzle for sure.

FTF's are nice to grab, but not a driving force.
I can't get to it this weekend either, BUT, I think I can get off all day next Friday. If none of you grab it by then, you might just find a VooDoo Doll in them. (Providing I can figure out the puzzle - and that's not a given!)
Looking forward to this trail.

I have no idea how to solve the crypto cache, but I'm planning to drive up tomorrow morning to hunt the other two. If anyone wants to hook up drop me an email at kwbenson@bellsouth.net.

I expect to be at the parking lot by 9:00am before it gets too hot.

If I have any energy left afterwards I'm planning to look for '200 easy steps' on the way home.

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Originally posted by KVOM:
If I have any energy left afterwards I'm planning to look for '200 easy steps' on the way home.

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That could be a twofer. Slay's “The Parasite Spawn” – Spawn #2(Hosted) is in there (I've done 200 steps). It has been there since January. I've been eyeing it lately, tho. If you get to it, you could drop it in your Pit/Pendulum cache and get it on it's way. If I EVER figure that one out, I could move it also (and get a smiley).

I believe "Parasite Spawn" needs to be placed in an ammobox-size cache. Pit & Pendulum is a bit too small. I still have "Another Cache" on my list as a target tho.

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Originally posted by KVOM:
I believe "Parasite Spawn" needs to be placed in an ammobox-size cache. Pit & Pendulum is a bit too small. I still have "Another Cache" on my list as a target tho.

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Dang! I see where you put it. Now I've gotta learn about pendulums before I can get it - if I don't get there too late. My head hurts already.

Yes, as per PB's request the spawn is now in Pit & Pendulum. Two smileys for the price of one. Go get it!

The Black Mountain Bonus cache has not been found yet and since at least two of better cachers around have failed to find it, Hannah and I went by and checked today to make sure that no mishap had befallen it. Found it still sitting where it was placed and at least 50% of it is visable from the old (Black Mountain) trail. A spider has built a web over the cache that is blocking access but the cache is there, awaiting the FTF.

It anyone is interested in the "Return to Black Mountain" cache, a additional hint has been posted on the cache page.

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Originally posted by Owl1959:
Found it still sitting where it was placed and at least 50% of it is visable from the old (Black Mountain) trail.
It anyone is interested in the "Return to Black Mountain" cache, a additional hint has been posted on the cache page.

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(micro?!!!!) - OUCH!!!?!
Additional hint, my @$$ - HA!

Hold on to your horse's folks.
a road trip is in the plans.

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Originally posted by johnnie:
Hold on to your horse's folks.
a road trip is in the plans.

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You didn't go yet?

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Originally posted by AtlantaGal:

You didn't go yet?

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I was waiting on you to get back,
but I'm on my way the next sunup

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Originally posted by johnnie:

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Originally posted by AtlantaGal:

You didn't go yet?

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I was waiting on you to get back,
but I'm on my way the next sunup

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Heh, Lies! You were not waiting on me... you were supposed to tackle these three WHILE I was away in SC. Shame on Johnnie blaming AG for his slacking

Oh, I still have this lovely backpack to hand-off to you. Am in town until 8/12 and am only 24 away from #400. Coming to Louisville?