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One word about the coordinates listed in the BACKCOUNTRY book: they use the NAD27 datum. Geocaching.com uses WGS84 datum. Not sure if you took that into account in the coordinates in your text file, Steve, but I thought I’d mention it. The results using the “wrong” datum will make in your GPS receiver aren’t critical, but they can bite you.

BTW, the BACKCOUNTRY book is terrific! It’s great fun to take one of their trips and pick up caches along the way.

I sure would like to come with you guys on El Camino, but I’m not sure the Mighty RAV is that mighty. It’ll be great to hear how the road is.

Happy hunting, all!

-----Original Message-----
From: az-geocaching-admin@listserv.azgeocaching.com [mailto:az-geocaching-admin@listserv.azgeocaching.com]On Behalf Of Team Tierra Buena
Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2003 8:56 PM
To: az-geocaching@listserv.azgeocaching.com
Subject: [Az-Geocaching] El Camino del Diablo Strike Force: Mission Briefing

This is going to be somewhat long. If you're not planning on joining us next week for the El Camino del Diablo expedition, you can probably skip this posting.

We will be meeting next Sunday, January 19, at 8:30 AM at the Wellton entrance gate to the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR). Directions below. We will probably enter the range very soon after 8:30, so if you are late you will have to enter on your own and catch up to us. However, we will wait for you if you can reach us by radio (FRS or CB: Channels 2 and 12, Amateur: 146.52 simplex).

Important reminders:

All adults (18+) must have an individual permit. Search the email archives on azgeocaching.com for more information on how to obtain a permit.

Fill up your gas tank in Wellton. There are no services within BMGR.

Bring sufficient food and water.

Don't forget to call the telephone number you were given when you received your permit to advise them of the required information, and to receive any information on travel restrictions for the period you tell them you plan to be in BMGR. Call before you leave in the morning. The number is staffed 24/7, and there is no guarantee of any cellular phone coverage, even at the gate.

Directions:

After driving myself nuts trying to get the columns to line up even in plain text, I decided instead to attach a text file with the directions. You can line them up on your own computers if necessary.

Finally, since someone asked in an earlier post, you may be interested to know that the authors rate the difficulty of the road a 4 on a a scale of 1-10 high. They define Difficulty 4 as: "High-clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. Expect a rough road surface with rocks larger than 6 inches, but there will be a reasonable driving line available. Patches of mud are possible but can be readily negotiated; sand may be deep and require lower tire pressures. There may be steam crossings up to 12 inches deep, substantial sections of single-lane shelf road, moderate grades, and sections of moderately loose road surface."

Using a similar scale, they rate the scenic attractiveness at 9.

Steve
Team Tierra Buena
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness". -- Dave Barry