Soak it with a water hose on slow drip for a few hours,  let it soak in for
a few hours after turning off the slow drip so it's not mud when you dig,
and... use a pick axe.  You may hit impenetrable layers of caliche that you
can only get through by brute force.

-----Original Message-----
From: az-geocaching-bounces@listserv.azgeocaching.com
[mailto:az-geocaching-bounces@listserv.azgeocaching.com] On Behalf Of
Richard Daines
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 8:25 PM
To: listserv@azgeocaching.com
Subject: [Az-Geocaching] Digging holes


Not a geocaching question since we are not allow to dig or use pointy
objects to make holes but I can't see that that is a problem for Arizonans
in the desert areas since I find it virtually impossible to dig a hole in
this caliche soil.  I believe it's also known as hardpan.  Just how to you
guys dig a hole, my gosh, I just wanted to plant a few cacti before the
temps went over 100F one morning.