[Az-Geocaching] Cache Clash~ digress to SAR

Trisha Brasher trisha at brasher.com
Thu Feb 23 18:15:24 MST 2006


SEE? Thanks Dirk!! I knew that someone from "flatland' SAR
(Phoenix/Tucson areas) would know UTM very well. We don't use it up here
(yet) in Yavapai Co, but we have had to learn it for when we work a large
search with units from your areas. The first time a Maricopa Mtn SAR guy
reported his position in UTM to me on the radio (on the Lake Mary search
about 5 years ago, and btw we did find the 2 brothers alive after almost
3 days in December freezing weather!) I turned to my Capt, who was
ex-Marine, and immediately had him start plotting positions. It was
especially important as it was the middle of the night and these
specialized rescue teams were being inserted along the sides of a steep
canyon (Mormon Cyn) so we needed to be sure we had good position reports.
But, I digress....

Trisha ~ Lightning

www.ycjp.org

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: ShadowAce
  To: listserv at azgeocaching.com
  Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Cache Clash
  Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 15:46:07 -0700

  http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/FieldMethods/UTMSystem.htm

  this site is very informative and explains how UTM works. UTM would
  look something like:
  12S E 385060 N 3704249 for the Drinking hole cache #16
  or the DMM we know as N 33 28.293 W 112 14.220

  The reason it is easier to determine distance on a smaller scale is
  UTM is metric, so lets say someone gave you those numbers and told
  you to go 100 meters west.

   With UTM the coordinates would become:
  12S E 385160 N 3704249
  while in DMM it would become:
  N 33 28.293, W 112 14.155

  It is easier to add to metric in UTM or subtract then to try to
  figure out the distance in Lat Long..
  .001 degrees in Long for the Flagstaff area is about 4.9 feet while
  .001 degrees Lat is about 6.07 feet

  In Tucson the distances are 5.15 feet for Long and 6.07 for Lat

  The differences are minor, but in some areas DMM formats are much
  different then in others.

  Most GPSr units can handle UTM and you might find a good bit of help
  on some projection and calculation type puzzles by trying UTM instead
  of Lat Long. :)


  On 2/23/06, crystalh at cox.net <crystalh at cox.net> wrote:

    OK, so for those of us boneheads that don't know what that means,
    could you tell us what UTM is?  I could Google it, but it's so
    much more fun to hear it from the "pros".

    Crystal
    HinkleHouse
    >
    > From: "Trisha Brasher" <trisha at brasher.com>
    > Date: 2006/02/23 Thu PM 01:54:09 PST
    > To: listserv at azgeocaching.com
    > Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Cache Clash
    >
    > Find someone ex-military (or SAR) to teach you UTM.
    >
    >   ----- Original Message -----
    >   From: "Apryl Clark"
    >   To: listserv at azgeocaching.com
    >   Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Cache Clash
    >   Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 14:09:27 -0700
    >
    >   I think there was mention about this last year and someone
    >   participated in it?
    >
    >   Apryl
    >
    >    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    >
    >     From:  <crystalh at cox.net >
    >     Reply-To:  listserv at azgeocaching.com
    >     To:  <listserv at azgeocaching.com>
    >     Subject:  [Az-Geocaching] Cache Clash
    >     Date:  Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:31:43 -0800
    >     >Hi everyone,
    >     >
    >     >I just stumbled across this today and I don't know
    anything
    >     about it except what is mentioned in the text I pasted
    below.  On
    >     the main website
    >     (http://www.sierraadventuresports.com/sierrahome2events.htm)
    it
    >     mentions the date as 5/20/06.   Anyone else know anything?
    >     >
    >     >Crystal
    >     >HinkleHouse
    >     >
    >     >
    >     >What is a Cache Clash you ask? Have you ever heard of
    >     Geocaching?  Well, we're going to hide 25-35 cache's around
    a
    >     very large area, and give you a list of UTM coordinates to
    find
    >     them.  You'll need a GPS unit to find them as they will be
    hidden
    >     well.  There is some strategy involved in deciding if you
    want to
    >     just plug all the coordinates in to your system and let it
    point
    >     you to them, or whether you would like to plot them on maps
    and
    >     only use your GPS unit when you're real close.  There is
    also
    >     strategy in your route choice.
    >     >
    >     >The first person or team done within in a maximum of 3
    hours
    >     will win.  If nobody has completed it in 3 hours, the
    person or
    >     team who has found the highest number of cache's will
    >     win.  Solo's will be $35 and teams of 2 $55.  Both solo's
    and
    >     teams may carry a maximum of 2 GPS units with
    them.  Sponsor
    >     provided prizes will be awarded to first place in both
    >     categories, and everyone's finish will be listed here on
    our
    >     results page. The Phoenix Cache Clash will begin at 7:30
    a.m. and
    >     close at 10:30 a.m.  You'll need to show up earlier though
    to
    >     sign a waiver and get signed in. We'll have a pre-event
    meeting
    >     at 7:00.
    >     >
    >     >Register now by click on the Active.com button here:
    >     >
    >     >The Cache Clash will be traveling to Phoenix, Denver, &
    LA.  If
    >     well received, plan on East Coast and Midwest Cache Clash's
    in
    >     the summer and fall.
    >     >
    >     >What is a Cache?  The cache's we place will be small
    containers,
    >     about the size of a soup can, containing a slip of paper
    (or some
    >     other trinket) identifying that you've been there.
    >     >What is a GPS unit?  GPS stands for Global Positioning
    >     System.  You may have seen people here and there walking
    around
    >     carrying what looks like a thick cell phone or calculator,
    and
    >     oddly searching for something amongst a pile of rocks or
    >     bushes.  They can be purchased at REI, electronics stores,
    map
    >     stores, and they're becoming increasingly popular in
    >     vehicles.  They cost anywhere from $80-$500 depending on
    >     features, though all of them are able to read satellite
    signals
    >     being beamed toward earth, and they tell you exactly where
    you
    >     are.
    >     >What modes of travel are allowed?  All travel must be done
    on
    >     foot, so bring plenty of water and energy bars.  We'll get
    >     started early so you won't be out in the terrible heat.
    >     >Can teams work together?  We ask that you do not as it
    would
    >     give you an unfair advantage.
    >     >How can I learn more about Geocaching and using a GPS
    unit?  You
    >     can find a plethora of information about Geocaching at
    >     www.NaviCache.com & Geocaching.com and if you want to learn
    how
    >     to use your GPS unit, REI holds regular clinics on using
    >     them.  You may be surprised when you find that there are
    probably
    >     cache's hidden right near your home now.
    >     >Why do I need a map?  You could actually do it without the
    map,
    >     and many GPS units have software built in that would show
    you
    >     where the cache's are.  Some people however prefer to see
    the
    >     "Big Picture" in order to plan their route.  Plotting 25
    >     coordinates will take some time, though may make a sizeable
    >     difference when it comes to which direction you want to go
    to
    >     seek the cache's.
    >     >Where else will you hide cache's besides under rocks?  We
    may
    >     also hide them within reach on a short tree, in a saguaro
    boot,
    >     in a cave, bushes, under bridges, etc.
    >     >How big of an area will be used?  We anticipate using an
    area of
    >     about 4 square miles, though we may adjust this for varying
    >     terrain.
    >     >Where will the Cache Clash take place?  We anticipate
    using a
    >     rural area, possibly near one of our lakes, or in a large
    park
    >     like the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.
    >     >What about a t-shirt?  T-shirts will be available for
    purchase
    >     for $12 when you register.  You must register at least 3
    weeks
    >     prior to the event in order to purchase a t-shirt, and they
    will
    >     be distributed at the event.
    >     >You're an Adventure Racing company, why are you putting on
    this
    >     event?  A big part of Adventure Racing is using maps,
    compasses
    >     and coordinates.  Many of us also do it for fun, and
    orienteering
    >     practice so it makes a great crossover sport.  There is
    another
    >     fun activity called Orienteering that bears some
    similarities as
    >     well, and the Phoenix Orienteering club, along with the
    Tucson
    >     Orienteering club put on some great events year round.
    >     >What kind of people will be doing this?  Geocacher's are a
    wide
    >     range of people.  All age groups and abilities are
    >     represented.  If you can hike around the desert, it's
    likely you
    >     can complete this event.  Some will be competitive going
    out real
    >     fast, though probably 80% will be out for fun and
    adventure.
    >     >What do I need to bring with me?  A GPS unit, and a method
    of
    >     carrying enough water to keep you well hydrated.  Trail
    type
    >     shoes are best, and you may want some sort of energy bars
    and an
    >     electrolyte replacement like Gatorade.  You may also want a
    spare
    >     set of batteries for your unit.
    >     >How will we receive our coordinates?  We'll write them all
    down
    >     on a large board and you'll need to transcribe them to your
    paper
    >     or input them directly into your GPS unit. If the group is
    very
    >     large, we may use multiple boards, or elect to hand them
    out on a
    >     sheet of paper.
    >     >
    >     >More info will be posted in the next couple of
    weeks.  Look for
    >     Cache Clashes in Denver and LA soon!
    >     >
    >     >
    >    
    >____________________________________________________________
    >     >Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv at azgeocaching.com
    >     >To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
    >     >
    http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching
    >     >
    >     >Arizona's Geocaching Resource
    >     >http://www.azgeocaching.com
    >
    >
    >   ____________________________________________________________
    >   Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv at azgeocaching.com
    >   To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
    >  
    http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching
    >
    >   Arizona's Geocaching Resource
    >   http://www.azgeocaching.com
    >
    >


    ____________________________________________________________
    Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv at azgeocaching.com
    To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
    http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching

    Arizona's Geocaching Resource
    http://www.azgeocaching.com



    ____________________________________________________________
    Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv at azgeocaching.com
    To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
    http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching

    Arizona's Geocaching Resource
    http://www.azgeocaching.com




  ____________________________________________________________
  Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv at azgeocaching.com
  To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
  http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching

  Arizona's Geocaching Resource
  http://www.azgeocaching.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/pipermail/az-geocaching/attachments/20060223/95129e80/attachment-0001.htm


More information about the Az-Geocaching mailing list