Tree Climbing for a cache…Good or bad idea?

[cheezehead]

I have not come across any caches that require that you need to climb a tree to get it. I came across a huge, but not your typical white pine that would be a great spot for a cache. Is this a good idea? It wouldn’t be the easiest tree to climb. But I thought that I could make a ladder that would help a person get to a steady limb. And no, the ladder would not be attached to the tree. I think this could be a pretty cool cache if I set it up right. I’m just worried if this is a good idea. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Uncle_Fun]

I have a cache in the Milwaukee area that is about 35′ up a large pine tree. I picked this tree specifically because it has large well placed limbs that are easily climbed. As long as it is rating properly, it is up to the cacher to decide if they want to climb. Several have opted not to climb to get to my cache.

Uncle_Fun

[RSplash40]

I would not recommend this, not everyone who does this is that atheletic (yup, I fit that category). But as others have pointed out (yup, me too) this your game, play it how you want. That being said…

While it may ruin the surprise of the hide, you should at minimum put up huge banners in your description and explain what a person may have to do to get it. Or explain it in full.

There are the 10 icons you can pick as descriptors, you should make good use of those in your descriptions too.

–mike

[Trekkin and Birdin]

I know there is a scary one in Eau Claire. Last weekend lagrac did a pine tree climb of about 30 feet in Waterloo Iowa. And there is one that isn’t too terribly tough in a gnarly old oak that he put out in Winona that I actually climbed. So they are out there. I guess it would be good, as others said, to give some sort of heads up so cachers are prepared.

[rogheff]

Some people like to climb trees. The cache rating should indicate what folks are up against. I’ve personally never hidden one. Oh, wait, yes I have.

I’ve personally only found one, and it terrified me (I have a fear of heights). But it was in my “Personal Clear of Unfound Geocache” zone, so I had to get the smiley.

Come to think of it, they only other cache that I was terrified to find (also in my PCUG, was placed by that very same geocacher. I won’t mention his name but it rhymes with Shybyeslyefry.

Hhhhmmmmmmm, cache idea.

[benny7210]

I believe caching is all about personal preferences. As for me I have climbed a few trees(3) to get to the cache. After each climb,when I had both feet on the ground, I said that I would NEVER do this again. I am pushing the sixty mark. And I don’t think that the old bones would heal that quick! I have asked MYSELF is it really that important to get that one more cache. At the expense of laying in a hospital bed. So at this point in my life I have said NO to all tree climbing. It’s not worth it. Another thought of mine would be that all individuals that place a cache should so note it in the text that you will be climbing trees. At this point is is up to the cacher to do it or not….. Thats my two cents worth.

[Jeremy]

I’d say it is a good idea as long as people know what to expect. If saying that it is up in a tree would ruin the surprise, at least give it an appropriate terrain rating (probably a 4).

There are a bunch of “Evil Monkey…” caches in the southern part of the state, most of which require some tree climbing (usually not more than 10′ high though). If you had “Evil Monkey” in your cache name, I bet a lot of folks would know what was needed to get to the cache.

Personally I enjoy climbing trees and will go out of my way to find these types of caches. I’m fact, I just spent the entire morning sitting 15′ up in a tree!

[Team Margaritaville]

I’ve found an Ammo BOX in a tree in a Green Bay Cache!

[elfdoctors]

I think geocaching is best when it brings you to beautiful places. If climbing a tree enhances a particular view- go for it. Otherwise it seems somewhat inappropriate as it discriminates against 1) older cachers (I hope I have a few years before this applies to me) as well 2) families with kids.

[greyhounder]

Me climbing a tree for a cache? Very bad idea!

Others climbing a tree for a cache? That’s for the individual to decide. I hope no one would attempt this type of cache without safety in mind.

Bec

[gotta run]

One alternative I’ve seen is to have a tree-climbing cache but allow people to “virtually” find the cache as long as they “see it.” Sort of an on your honor system. So that’s an option you could use if you were worried about it.

If I were to to it I would just make a tree climbing cache and state it in the listing so people were forewarned. You can work yourself into a pretzel trying to accomodate every possible type of cacher into every cache you place.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[ecorangers]

😆 Professor gives a “senior discount” for his Evil Monkey caches. They (senior cachers) log saying they spotted the cache and that’s good enough for him. Tami

[Frizz]

This is a log from a cache I found this weekend:http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=8d687d47-b121-4f92-b38c-e71fa232d2f8, kinda sums up how I feel about climbing. 😉

[greyhounder]

@ecorangers wrote:

😆 Professor gives a “senior discount” for his Evil Monkey caches. They (senior cachers) log saying they spotted the cache and that’s good enough for him. Tami

How senior is senior? Perhaps I qualify? 😀

Bec

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

@ecorangers wrote:

😆 Professor gives a “senior discount” for his Evil Monkey caches. They (senior cachers) log saying they spotted the cache and that’s good enough for him. Tami

How about the “those branches can’t hold me” discount?

[Author]

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