Replicated from the GGA EZBoard:

Brad Webb
gpsfun
(8/16/01 6:56:35 pm)
Safety Best Practices

This forum can be used to list and discuss geocaching safety issues. Since geocaching is growing so quickly, hints for novices could be found helpful. Any hints on what really lives in those holes we see in the ground? What should a geocacher do to be aware of snakes in their path?

Share what you know.

Thanks.

-Brad

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lmoseley
BigDoggie
(8/16/01 9:34:58 pm)
Re: Safety Best Practices

My thoughts:

If a cache-placer knows of physical/insect/plant hazards, s/he should either (1) place the cache in a slightly different location, or (2) provide a detailed warning in the cache description.

If a cache-finder discovers such hazards, and the cache-placer did not mention them, the cache-finder should mention them in the website log.

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mtn man
Registered User
(8/17/01 11:10:05 pm)
Re: Safety Best Practices

I find myself using a hiking stick at caches. Most of the time I grab a stick on the ground to wave in front of me and knock spider webs down. It also helps to move plants gently to the side so you can see under the brush and overgrowth. I have also heard the refreshing "thump" of the stick on the metal ammo type cache... "I Found It!"
mtn-man

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Gossamyrrh
Registered Geocacher
(10/11/01 1:32:35 pm)
Geocaching during the Cold Months

How many of us have been geocaching since last winter?

This may be a good topic for next meeting....as it gets colder, I see potential hazards arise, such as newly fallen leaves concealing rocks/holes, hunting season, and increased visibility as the leaf cover goes away (you never know who may see you or what they will think you are up to!).

Any ideas?

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lmoseley
BigDog
(10/11/01 3:25:51 pm)
Re: Geocaching during the Cold Months

Great idea!

I nominate Gossamyrrh to make that presentation at the November meeting!

All in favor say AYE!

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Q: What do Kabul and Hiroshima have in common?
A: Nothing, yet!

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tjbowers
Administrator
(10/11/01 7:50:24 pm)
Re: Geocaching during the Cold Months

I started hunting and placing caches last winter and actually prefer cold weather caching. True, it's easier for on lookers to catch you. However, for non-urban caches there are usually fewer folks outdoors.

As for fallen leaves and the like, I don't see any hazards unique to caching. We'll all have to take a little extra care where we step but after the snakes demo at the last meeting I bet everyone will be stepping a little more carefully.

Goss brought out my greatest fear of fall caching: hunting season. Some north Georgia caches are on public land which is hunted. Everyone please be sure to check on the possibility of hunting on the public lands where caches are hid. There's little chance of injury from a responsible hunter, and most are, but all it takes is one irresponsible hunter to ruin your favorite shirt (and body therein).

Goss also pointed out what I consider the greatest benefit to winter caching. Fewer leaves mean GREATLY increased satellite reception at many caches. Hooray! If you weren't able to find a cache this summer because of tree cover then be sure to hunt it in a couple of months.

Jess
"It's got to be the going, not the getting there, that's good"
--Harry Chapin

Edited by: tjbowers at: 10/12/01 7:33:45 pm

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lmoseley
BigDog
(10/11/01 9:13:04 pm)
Re: Geocaching during the Cold Months

Careless hunters can certainly be a danger.

In huntings eason, geocachers can certainly take the normal precautions like a hunter's orange vest and/or hat.

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Q: What do Kabul and Hiroshima have in common?
A: Nothing, yet!

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mtn man
and puppymonster
(10/12/01 8:05:20 pm)
Re: Geocaching during the Cold Months

mtn-man has good hiking stories of course... here are two.

1) I was hiking off trail above DeSoto Falls following the creek (I do not remember why) and I decided to turn around. It was Dec/Jan. As I was coming back I was moving fast. I was coming downhill and stepping into a stump hole and went down to my thigh. I almost broke my leg I was moving so fast. I pulled myself out, and considered it a lesson learned.

2) I was hiking on the Arkaquah Trail very close to the Track Rock Road trail head. It was not deer season, but was still turkey season. I hike very quietly ("you have learned well, grasshopper"), which makes it easy to sneak up and spot animals. In the distance just ten feet off of the trail I can see a camouflaged hunter. Fortunately he is aiming the other way. I continued walking and he is startled as he hears me close by. I said something like "kind of close to the trail, huh?", and he just mumbled. I was not a volunteer at that time, and just blew it off. Now I know that hunting that close to a trail is a no-no. I bet he never kills anything if I could sneak up on him like that!!

Hiking quietly has netted some good sightings. I thought one time I was coming up on a bear off-trail in Raven Cliffs. I came up the hill slowly and quietly and all of the sudden about FIFTY turkeys took off flying or started running (some must be braver than others). It was one of the most awesome things I have ever seen.

Good luck out there, and Good Hiking!
mtn-man

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Gossamyrrh
Registered Geocacher
(10/18/01 12:01:30 am)
Re: Geocaching during the Cold Months

Goss the guest speaker!!!! What!? I can't turn my back on you guys for a minute!

Unfortunately, Goss works weekends and probably won't make it to the meeting. However, if you are nice, she will tell you where to find her...and some good beer, too.

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erik88l r
Administrator
(5/10/02 11:33:26 am)
Georgia Outdoors - PBS TV

To kick this thread back up here's something that might be of interest:

Safety and Survival in the Outdoors
Saturday, May 11 @ 6 PM & Friday, May 17 @ 11 PM
Knowledge is the best defense against accidents in the outdoors. Throughout this exciting episode of Georgia Outdoors we'll provide you with tips to make your next outdoor excursion a safe one. Whether your plans involve just a short day-hike in the woods or a five-day mountaineering expedition, these are the things you'll need to know.

Of course accidents do happen, even to the most experienced outdoors person. We'll visit with a team of experts who study the skills of wilderness rescue and Host Michael Skinner will gladly particpate in their training episode as their lost and hypothermic hiker.

All this and more!