The Gauntlet

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:57 am

Hey Mel - that beetle was in the parking area! We didn't see any of those during the hunt. I doubt any would bother you.

It was an impressive bug tho.

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:19 pm

Okey Dokey CoastieGal04... it sounds like we do have a number of us camping out, but are we going to Lil Otters or are we thinking about Mirror Lake, which was also mentioned?? Either place I think I am looking at a LATE arrival LOL

Hey Lil otter... if we sack out at your place, whats the coords over yaonder???

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:21 pm

Well depends on how many is camping if we camp at Lil Otters or at Mirror Lake, i think Lil otter said she can have about accommodate 10 tents?? if we go over that will move over to mirror lake, this is also why i want to know who is camping and who isn't..

Also i know some people were wondering about what time.. i got to ask the veterans who have done this cache.. any recommendations on what time we should head out??

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:25 pm

Well put down ONE tent for me. Dan will probably bunk with me. I'll have to put tape down the middle to declare MY side. LOL

I think we got down there around 0730 or 0800. That is a good time to start. That way if y'all have any energy left at all, to do some odd caches around the area, we can get those into. We were pretty pooped out by the end of our day, but we did get one or two others in.. I think... I don't really remember. LOL

Hell..if I can cache for 5 days straight, 20 hrs a day, with only 3 hrs sleep a nite...whats the Gauntle plus a few more. LOL

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:01 pm

Sounds like an awesome time and I would have loved to go again if I didn't already have plans that weekend. The gear list posted earlier was almost complete. If I were to do it over again I would have put some type of chaps over my waders as my waders got wrecked. The only thing is, the chaps may get wet. The only chaps I have are leather(for the bike) and I don't like getting them wet. Did you include a small mirror in your list?(signaling or looking in tight spots) Using a foodsaver vacuum packager keeps stuff dry.

Have a great time and be very prepared!!

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:32 pm

Mama Fishcacher wrote:

I just read Greyhounder's experience with The Gauntlet....

I'm scared to go.

Seriously.

That photo of the giant beetle has creeped me out! Shocked

~MF

That beetle was the LEAST of my troubles....

Bec

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:33 pm

And by the way....there's no way I would EVER do that cache a second time!! Those of you who want to are seriously messed up!!

Bec

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:15 am

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:15 am

greyhounder wrote:

And by the way....there's no way I would EVER do that cache a second time!! Those of you who want to are seriously messed up!!

Bec

Why....THANK YOU Bec... I resemble that remark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laughing

Crazy is as crazy does! Very Happy

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:31 am

Here is "the list" brought forward with a couple additions.

OK here's what I pulled from the logs...am I missing anything important (other than nerves of steele that is)?
Heavy gloves
A hat (one with bug netting would be nice at times)
Hip waders for slogging thru those horrid thorn bushes.
First aid kit
Snake bite/bee sting kit
Calculator
Food
Water (At least a 6 pack of H2o each is a good start)
Bring a walking stick...it could just save your life!
Inhaler
Allergy medicine (right Greyhounder)
Hand towel
C-cell MAG lite AND extra C-Cell batteries
Headlamps AND Spare Headlamp batteries
Walkie-Talkies AND Spare batteries
GPS AND Spare batteries
Spare Batteries
One change of clothes in pack
One change of clothes in car
Camera
Zip-lock bags
TP
Climbing ropes
SHOES: Mud boots, climbing shoes, old tennis
Bug spray
Tick scoops
Pepper spray (for those pesky bears)
Fanny pack filled with granola bars
Driver's license for identification
small mirror (for applying makeup, signaling and looking in tight spots)
Glasses

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:50 pm

I will not be camping. I will be getting there in the early morning.
Can any one tell me about how long I can figure on the driving time
from the Manitowoc area? With this being planned for late July the
weather can be very hot so take along lots of water. So you do not
get dehydrated. Boy I can not wait for July 22 to come.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:28 pm

benny7210 wrote:

I will not be camping. I will be getting there in the early morning.
Can any one tell me about how long I can figure on the driving time
from the Manitowoc area? With this being planned for late July the
weather can be very hot so take along lots of water. So you do not
get dehydrated. Boy I can not wait for July 22 to come.

I think it took Me, Jeff (GeoPink) and Dan (really I'm Not Lost) about 3 hrs. It's down near the Dells somewhere. LOL this should be interesting to find after a 12 hr shift then 3 hrs in the dark. Razz

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:52 am

Really I'm Not Lost wrote:

If I were to do it over again I would have put some type of chaps over my waders as my waders got wrecked. The only thing is, the chaps may get wet. The only chaps I have are leather(for the bike) and I don't like getting them wet.

Good idea Dan... I know you pretty much destroyed your waders and ended up with wet feet/legs at the end. (This is where the extra socks sealed in the vacuum pack bags came in handy. At first we laughed at Dan for doing this, but after the gear carried by most folks on the low road got wet, we were impressed when he pulled out a pair of dry socks.)

Those taking the high road should consider even more brush protection than chaps. By the end of July the thorns will be at their, er... thorniest. Smile

I wore brush pants with Cordura panels for abrasion resistance. Jeans would be OK, but they'll probably sustain some damage. I would also suggest carrying a heavy jacket (jean jacket?) and gloves for the really thick patches. Hopefully it isn't 90 degrees and humid, as you'll really be sweating in all this gear.

Again, I've got to stress the importance of trekking poles or a walking stick for those taking the high road. Getting up and down the steep slopes is a heck of lot easier when you have something to anchor yourself...

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:00 pm

You should have seen the state of my jeans by the end of the day. Bec can attest to the fact that the holes were getting so bad, it was almost indecent. Embarassed

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:04 pm

Looks like I'll have to wear my Superman boxers just in case. Twisted Evil