Welcome to Toads & Roads .


This is my blog. Here I will try to maintain a sense of humor and fairness. It might not always be possible but I will try, I really will.
Sometimes I may be sarcastic. That is what it is. Not asking you to like it or appreciate it but know that I will sometimes say exactly what I think.
Your choice to read, agree or disagree.

When I keep quiet and walk away, don't think you've won. I walked away because you weren't worth my time.


Please feel free to comment... I don't bite and welcome the interaction

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Labeling your geocache

GC guidelines clearly state that the GC number of your cache must be on the outside of the container.  Hmmmm
How many of us pop a couple of caches into our caching bag and drop one in an area on the spur of the moment?  I know I do.  How to solve this problem?  
One way is to generate a list of GC codes in advance and keep a list of them with you.  Then when you get to your computer and go to build your cache page you can pull one of those numbers and use it.  Change the info like hide date etc.
What if someone wants the spot you have set the cache page coordinates at?  Well when the reviewer goes to publish a cache they check for nearby caches.  They can see that an unpublished cache and/or a "not in the queue" cache is within proximity even though the cache has not been marked for publication.  
I happen to live in an area that has a lot of water around it so I am fortunate that I can set my coordinates in the middle of a lake or ocean and they will not be a problem.  Take a look on Google Earth for spots you can use and the coordinates for those spots.  They don't have to be permanent and they do not have to be exact.  
My next project will be to print a list of all my caches and bring them up to date with the current guidelines.  
Usually when guidelines are changed/updated then any cache hidden before the change date will be "grandfathered" which means that the change does not have to occur.  Only any new cache.  I however have no problem bringing any of my caches to within the guidelines if I can or even archiving them instead.

Monday, 7 May 2012

Alone Mtn, Comox Lake



Started out with The_Pollywog this morning not really sure if we would be able to make it up. Gate was open and we headed up Comox Lake.  Hairy road but beautiful in the backside of Comox Lake. The hike involved a 600 m vertical ascent over approx 900 m. We had more or less decided that there would be snow at the top so just took a drive in there in case.  Because of this we had the dogs with us against our better judgement.  We found the terrain a little loose in places and had to scramble a fair amount over some of it. Taking it slow and having really good footwear is a definite requirement.  I forgot my hiking poles and improvised with a sturdy stick that I left for the trip down at one of the chutes we had to climb through.  By the time we arrived at the base of the last vertical I gave it an honest try but returned to the bottom after only about 20 m as my legs had major muscle fatigue.  Paul decided that he would continue on and try for both caches.  It was kinda frustrating sitting 74 m from GZ and having a steep vertical hold you back but I knew when to quit.  There were a few sections I would not want to be on in the rain but for the most part the worst was the steepness.  I was calling the JR's Mr & Mrs Mtn Goat but felt it prudent to hold them back with me.  The descent was fairly fast although the scree and leaves made it treacherous in places. Trail was well marked all the way to the top.  Walked through one pocket of snow before Paul ran into it again up on the top on the way to Top of the Valley.  I can see myself doing this again but not sure when  :) Took lots of pics and one spot was a favorite photo op for us. This was approximately a 5 hour round trip for us mostly due to me and the dogs. Lots of good trail markings and interesting things to see.