Geocache Season has Begun!

At "Hockey Cache In Canada - Gretzky #99 (Revisited)"

Today is the first day of spring, but geocaching is already in full swing. Sharon12 and I kicked the season off in Brantford on March 2nd, grabbing excellent caches such as the first half of Coach's Crew Sails the 7 C's and March Madness! both of which 13coach13 helped create. I also finished the requirements for an Alphabet Soup, I just need to go get it!

After that was a small drought thanks to a winter "last hurrah" snow/rain storm. But I still managed to grab a few caches, including an early March FTF (which was certainly interesting), a birthday cache and introducing geocaching to someone while on a date! I was also busy publishing two caches which have thus far received very positive responses! 

Sharon12 at the Battlefield Falls Cache

Smith's Knoll Battlefield Cemetery

Finally it was the 15th and my first (in season) geocaching event of the year. Sharon12 unfortunately had to work that night but that didn't stop us from using the morning to grab some amazing caches in the Stoney Creek area of Hamilton. Of course Hamilton being the "City of Waterfalls" we got an amazing view of the Battlefield Falls. Cache of the day for us would have to go to A Tropical Drink by the legendary Blue Quasar.

One of our favs

After that I went to Brantford alone for the event and to do some caches. My first cache had unfortunate incident that had me spreading profanity non-stop. Luckily I've survived so far, but this does nothing to ease my concerns regarding the Event Curse. I mean, serious personal injury? What's left? Only broken bones and death! Anyway the cache turned out to be an FTF for me so it evens out. I got a few more caches including a my first letterbox of the year. The event itself was great, I heard a couple good stories and had a good meal. 

This Saturday was GHMGC's (Golden Horseshoe Monthly Geocaching Club) meet up in Burlington/Oakville. It was my first non-event meeting of multiple cachers and caching as a large group. It certainly made for an interesting time. After a few caches me and Sharon12 split apart from the group to get some of the most interesting caches (we were on a limited time schedule) including my first Earthcache of the year. We trooper'd through from 9 till 2:30 with no drinks or food to finish the Big Smiley Series!

Beautiful day to go caching

Overall an excellent way to celebrate my first GEOCACHE B-DAY! There is no debate that geocaching has profoundly changed my life (for the better). The people, places and things that geocaching has brought me to are unimaginable and I can't wait for more!

And its definitely not over yet, on the 30th I have another event that Sharon12 will be attending with me. And after that I'm looking into the future for possibly going to a couple CITO events, the Spring Fling mega event in Barrie and the Geobash mega event in New York!

Happy caching!

The FTF Code of Honor

Inspired by a topic thread on the geocaching.com forums I wrote up a quick FTF Code of Honor, FTF etiquette whatever you want to call it.

1. If two or more geocachers arrive at the GZ at the same time then out of respect the FTF should be shared. Regardless of who spots the cache first. 
2. To claim FTF the cache must be found and signed by a geocacher after the cache is published
    2.1 Beta-Testers or anyone given coordinates or information before a cache is published cannot get the FTF. COs providing a Geocacher with information not given on the Geocache Page is also forbidden.
    2.2 Exception: A Geocacher or muggle finds the cache inadvertently prior to publication and can claim FTF
    2.3 Exception: Event caches or caches placed at events and later published. See Rule 4.
    2.4 Exception: An Earthcache may be considered an FTF as soon as:
                                 A. The requirements are met.
                                 B. An online log is posted.
                           An Earthcache FTF may be revoked by the CO if conditions are not met.
3. No laws or attribute rules set by the CO shall be broken in the pursuit of an FTF. Examples: Running red lights, caching at night when told not to. If any attribute rules are broken by an "FTF hound" then it automatically moves onto the next eligible finder. See Rule 5.
4. Event cache FTFs are left up to the CO
5. Confrontation and debate is to be avoided, do not ask for FTF confirmation from a CO. If you believe you have claim to an FTF for whatever reason, mark it in whatever program you use as such and move on. See Rule 6.
6. FTFs are not an official part of Geocaching, relax and have fun.

Anyone else got anything that should be added?