A Hike Told In Log Form
I dug out an old article that showcases how logs themselves can actually tell a story. Chatelaine has been known to write great logs but in digging through old articles, I found this one and thought I’d re-share.
This article was originally posted on November 21st, 2011. Check it out.
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There are many days where I get little logs for caches and it’s been spoken of here, on the podcasts, and at various events about how short logs have become a common occurrence in cache logging. Well, there’s one user who is not interested in doing cache logs in short form. In fact, many times her logs can tell a story.
I give to you the story of our Saturday hike from logs posted by châtelaine. These are posted in order and started at GC19X9R all the way to GC1H5ME.
Found it
How beautiful! I regretted not having brought a device with a camera as we crossed two pretty little streams, back to back, with the snow creating a canopy in the trees above us, with the sun glistening through, making the forest sparkle and creating a fairy-tale winter wonderland. On the other hand, I had some misgivings about actually crossing those pretty little streams as I watched Zor wobble his way across the logs. I had visions of the hike coming to an abrupt, and wet, end for me. However, Zor was making it look much more difficult than it actually was and we all made it across to safety. TFTC.
Found it
The snow was clinging to the branches of the shrubbery that lined the trail weighting it down so that in many places it drooped over the trail, obscuring it in some places and just simply making it a great deal wetter. Perks19 made a great snowplow as he took the lead, and, he was wearing wet pants. As we picked our way along the slippery trail I was the first casualty. Everyone agreed that my fall was very elegant and it was well cushioned by leaves and snow, not to mention my well-padded derriere. As it turned out, I was the only one to go down over the entire length of our hike 
. TFTC.
Found it
We were doing great until we reached the creek with the logs over it. Luckily, no one landed in the water because the logs were both very wobbly and very slippery. The cold snap, and the lingering snow didn’t make it very easy for us. However, a nice solid walking stick was passed back to the next person to help them make it across, not to mention the helping hand of a true gentleman, Zor’s muggle friend, who waited at the end of the logs to make sure that every one made it across safely. TFTC.
Didn’t find it
Seven unique cachers in the group, seven DNFs. The description reads “a nice easy cache”, unfortunately it was the first casualty of the day. There had been some obvious clear cutting so the cache is likely at the bottom of it all.
Found it
I found the trail much easier walking along this particular stretch although we had to construct our own bridge when we reached the stream. Luckily, there were some good sized logs lying nearby, what might have been the original way over, so it only took a couple of the men in the group less than a minute to create a safe way over. Although, at this point, we were all so wet that I doubt a walk through the stream would have made much difference. By now, the sun was high enough overhead, and strong enough, to be melting the snow in the treetops. Although the sky was crystal clear and the sun beaming down, we were looking through water dripping from the trees; the snow was melting so steadily as to give the appearance of good solid rainfall — a real “rain forest”. TFTC.
Found it
Now I understand why the last couple of caches have referred to this as the wet area. The stretch from the last cache to this one was particularly nasty, the bogs posing real challenges to circumvent. We managed to bushwhack around a real muddy mess only to arrive at a stream with a single log offering a way over. The log was very wet and particularly treacherous but, in the distance, we could hear traffic on the road and the sounds of civilization gave some added incentive to move across that log. It was that or backtrack and chance the bogs! TFTC.
Found it
Curious. The terrain for this cache is indicated to have a high degree of difficulty but I actually found it a little easier going. Perhaps because this stretch was a little dryer, not so many bogs, and even the bushwhacking to get to the cache seemed a little lighter. The greatest challenge on this stretch was the dazzling sunshine glinting directly into our eyes making it somewhat difficult to see where we were going. One foot in front of the other, just stay on the trail! TFTC.
Found it
When Zor and the gang first headed into the woods, the air was cold and the wind was brisk. Some of us wondered whether we had enough layers on to keep warm. Well, with the sun beating on us, and the extra cardiac workout from climbing up and down the hills and circumnavigating the many treacherous bogs, it was now time to begin delayering! Not to sure who in the group was the first to find this cache but when we heard the “Got it!” sing out from the woods, Herr Minnz commented on how good it was to hear that sound. Soon, the woods erupted into a chorus of “I got it, I got it!”. Are we beginning to get a little punch happy? TFTC.
Found it
With the sun beating down, ten orange jackets/baseball caps wound their way, single file, up the hill in the pouring rain. The snow melting out of the trees was drenching us; but then, I’m sweating so much that it doesn’t much matter! Not to mention I now have mud up to my knees (and on one backside, where I slithered onto the ground several caches back). The trail, at least, was a little kinder along this stretch. TFTC.
Found it
Warning, I’m about to reveal the hint so don’t read further if you don’t want to know what it says. So, I’m looking for a cache six feet up the back of a tree. Which, I suppose, was where it was located, except that is, if you are standing down the hill, below the cache. My eyes are searching the surrounding trees at the six foot level, except they kept skimming past this particular tree. I needed the Friendly Giant to remind me to “look up, look waaaaaay up”. The cache was way above my head, albeit I am somewhat vertically challenged. Once I clambered back up the hill I realized it was where it was supposed to be but by then, someone else had reached it and signed the log. TFTC.
Found it
Its the last day of hunting season but we haven’t seen a single hunter, nor any deer, although we did hear a single shot, in the far distance. It was at this cache, however, that we saw our first sign of wildlife. Angela went tearing off into the woods, camera in hand, to capture that poor little mouse on film. TFTC.
Found it
A particularly beautiful part of the forest and the bushwhacking was very easy to get the few necessary feet into the woods to get to the cache. I felt as though I was the singular target in a snowball fight as they rained upon my head — as the snow fell from the treetops above. TFTC.
Found it
We’ve been hiking in these hills for a couple of hours and while it has been an absolutely beautiful day, a true winter wonderland with the snow glistening in the trees, and with temperatures a perfect balance of warm enough to please and cool enough to keep us moving, it has been tough, tough slogging. The trail has been very wet and slippery in many places and the rest of it was a bog. As I approached this cache, bringing up the rear, I was waiting to hear someone, anyone, call out “I got it”. I even gave them a few moments, but still nothing. So, I turn into the woods and begin the ascent up the hill. Of course, I’m almost to the top and THAT’S when Zor makes the find 
. If there is not already some principle to govern this scenario then I think we should create the “geocacher principle”: it WILL be discovered immediately after you have expended great effort to catch up with the rest of your group, just one second BEFORE you reach GZ.
Found it
When we arrived at the brook, supposedly the one over which a bridge too small is supposed to be erected, we find no sign of a bridge but the stream is a “jump over”. Onwards and upwards! TFTC.
Found it
Just when I relax my guard, the trail gets really boggy again. So, its more picking your way through the mossy mud and hoping that you don’t sink in over the tops of your boots. One thing I’m terribly thankful for is that I bought a new pair of WATERPROOF hiking boots. They are very comfortable and, so far, my feet are still dry — although my boots will never look the same again. We arrived at a stream flowing quickly through the forest with a lovely bridge built over it — i.e. not just a couple of logs thrown over it, but a REAL bridge. Only problem — it was really, really slippery so the first person over had the task of aiding the rest of the group. Everyone is still dry (relatively speaking) after we get across. Forward Ho! TFTC.
Found it
What’s an ammo can doing in the middle of the forest anyway? Well, it is the last day of hunting season… We’re playing follow the leader as we make our way to this cache. You don’t dare lift your head for fear of tripping and falling so you simply keep your eyes on the person’s boots ahead of you and pray they are finding the driest way through this muddy, messy bog. We’re moving single file, (as if there is any other way to hike the trail) a long line of neon orange vests and hats bobbing along. Probably could see us from the space station at night, we likely glow in the dark. TFTC.
Found it
I’m bringing up the rear, as usual but when I catch up to everyone, they are all standing on the trail looking into the woods. What’s going on I ask? And there is Tigertracker, looking like a giant pumpkin, standing amongst the everygreens, cache in hand. TFTC.
Found it
We’re cautiously making our way down the hill, its really slippery underfoot, when Treehugger21 makes an interesting find. At first glance it appears to be a twisted piece of wood, covered in wet leaves. But, at closer look, it has a rubber foot. Its a cane or walking stick, must have been left behind, perhaps by other cachers. Anyway, it is much too short for her, she figures its a hobbit cane. She is kind enough to let me take it as I am sure that I can put it to use (might be an interesting cache container, stay tuned). I do discover, however, that I have much in common with the hobbits as it is the perfect height for me! TFTC.
Found it
Guess where we stop for lunch? We’ve reached the car belonging to the pretty half of Tigertracker; she and Pom, the super, geo-caching dog, have to take their leave so we decided to stop for a group photo and since we’re stopped, decide to have our lunch. Half the group dropped to the ground to eat, I couldn’t have got back up so stayed on my feet. I thought we were getting strange looks from the vehicles driving by because, after all, we’re a group of ten people wearing neon orange clothing, sitting on a muddy road, eating. Well, I would have looked at us strangely. As it turns out, however, we’re relaxing right beside the sign indicating the camp of the Albert County division of Bacchus. (In New Brunswick, the BACCHUS are criminally active and maintain a strong association with the HELLS ANGELS — according to Wikipedia.) I hadn’t realized where we were, hadn’t noticed the sign, and frankly, was too tired to care — and we’re only half way along our planned hike! TFTC.
Found it
Whew, I’m glad to be back in the forest again. Its much easier climbing a hill on a winding trail than walking straight up the hill on a paved road! The guys made a quick find but had a little difficulty actually getting to the cache as it appeared to be stuck — perhaps a little frozen from the snow and cold temperatures? Anyway, they made the find and ZG strikes again! TFTC.
Found it
We lost the sunshine and a little of our zip. What started out as a group of merry men (and women) has become a file of people trudging through the muck, with one thought in mind — a hot bath and a hot toddy at the end of the trail; and maybe not in that order! TFTC.
Found it
Just put one foot ahead of the other, I’m muttering to myself, just pull your foot out of the muck, swing it forward and plunge it back in. Perhaps that’s what so tiring, its not the walking nor the climbing, nor the jumping over streams; its the mud sucking your foot down, and making it feel that you are lifting a ten pound weight each time you try to free it from that bog. Just keep moving, one foot, then another, then another… TFTC.
Found it
All I can say is that we’re back in the bog! But, we’ve still got thirteen more to go so from somewhere, I WILL find the strength. I can’t imagine why anyone would ever want to hike for the sake of hiking??? On the other hand, the two muggles with us can’t figure out why we want to interrupt a good hike to look for silly things hanging in trees. Obviously, they have no sense of adventure! TFTC.
Found it
The reason that I’m always bringing up the rear is that I have to stop to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and of course, it takes a minute or two to jot down a note or two. So, I’m dawdling along, watching my feet when I look up and am greatly startled by a black bear — well, it was disguised as a black lab and had a couple of muggles in tow; a mother and young son. Weird place to walk a dog but each to their own. A few steps later I bump into a young couple, they don’t appear to be with the mom and son but how coincidental. These are the only people we encounter on the whole trail. They must have thought we looked pretty strange too.
Found it
I always tell, whomever asks, that there is only one downside to retirement — you have to be old 
And, I’m beginning to feel it for the first time today — my old lady hips are really starting to make themselves felt. I’m just hoping that if I keep going they will eventually freeze and I won’t feel them. Tomorrow might be another issue! TFTC.
Found it
Recent logs suggested it might take a minute to find this cache; that it might be off coords. With seven pairs of eyes, well, it didn’t really matter. Nice quick find. The forest has become a lot quieter. Is it us? Are we just too tuckered out? The good news is that my old lady hips have finally just frozen and walking is once more pain free. TFTC.
Didn’t find it
The forest has definitely taken on different feel. There is no wind, no sun, no shadows, no noise; just eerie. To make matters worse, seven pairs of eyes can’t find this one. Seven unhappy campers, as Herr Minnz would say. It just seems to add to the mystique of this particular stretch of the forest. I would believe you if you told me that ghosts had absconded with the cache.
Found it
This was a quick find, a good thing after being disappointed by the last cache. It was nice to just stand on the trail while the others signed the log, take a little breather. At this point, Zor and Perks19 become worried about the time having made a commitment to Zor’s muggle friends to be finished by three. They are urged to move forward ahead of the rest of us. Since it is Zor’s muggle friends who have parked the vehicle awaiting us at the end of the trail Perks19 agrees to go back to the starting point with Zor, Angela and Chris and then to come back for the rest of us. Off they go and are quickly out of sight. TFTC.
Found it
Herr Minnz and Tigertracker were bringing up the rear when Zor and Perks19 took their leave. Treehugger21, Unruly Canuck and I make an attempt to keep pace with the departing duo but realized that we’ve left Herr Minnz and Tigertracker in our dust (well, its a figure of speech because I can’t ever imagine the Dobson Trail drying out enough to be dusty!). We stop to wait and actually begin to worry when they don’t appear after several minutes. We’re debating whether we want to backtrack through all that bog and then have to wade through it once again when Unruly Canuck gallantly offers to go off in search of Treehugger21’s father and my husband, to whom HE is not related. Fortunately, he only had to take three steps back when we caught sight of the neon orange moving through the woods. By then, Perks19 and Zor were long gone. So, we naturally had to stop and question if, in their hurry, they would cache their way out to the vehicle or if they would blow past the caches. Well, duh! Still, to make sure that the ZG find was legit, we followed their footsteps into the cache and confirmed that the log had been signed. After all, those footprints could have been baby heffalumps — you never know. TFTC.
Found it
At this point on the trail I obviously got tired, my notes are non-existent and I’m going, “did I do this cache?”. Well, yes, we did. I appreciate your effort, Hillbilly Bob, but I guess I’m just too pooped to pop!.
Found it
It was a great day, we’re closing in on 40 caches. Every bone in my body is aching at this point in time but it has undoubtedly been one of the best days of caching that I have ever experienced. Nevertheless, we’re getting close to the end and, I’m running out of steam! Forgive me if I cut and paste for the balance of this stretch. It was an AWESOME experience! TFTC.
Found it
We are SOOOOOOOOO close to the end of the trail. Zor and Perks19 are long gone; we’re trudging along, knowing that we will feel such a sense of accomplishment for having completed this stretch of the Dobson. We arrive within 20 feet of GZ, knowing that Zor and Perks19 have arrived ahead of us, when Herr Minnz questions whether we really have to look? Of course we do! Line of sight. We determine the location of the cache, we all see it there, and then we move on, knowing that ZG has logged and we’re good to go. TFTC!
Found it
Well! We set out at the 10.5km stretch of the trail and here we are at 21km. It feels like 100 km have passed and I’m certain that the crow did not fly the same route we followed! Still, it is with an amazing sense of accomplishment that we arrive here; it has been a long day. As we approach this cache we all feel a sense of awe at the enormous tree growing alongside the trail; it has been there for many decades beyond our time on earth — the stories it must have to tell! There is also evidence of destruction in the forest. Whether it be winds or the simple passage of time, Tigertracker pointed out that there must be enough 2×4’s lying on the ground to build a house. TFTC.
Found it
It has been one of the most invigorating days that I have ever experienced, but, I am happy that it is nearing its end! Only two more caches after this, and then we’re done! (or so we think). What a life we live! Amazing!
Found it
Wow! We actually accomplished this? We began at the 10.5 km mark and here we are. Wet feet, muddy clothes, sore knees and aching hips (me, I can’t speak for the others) but the end is near. We’re on the road; the rest of this piece of the trail can’t be all that bad????? TFTC.
Found it
OMG!!! I can’t believe that we accomplished this hike! I have such a sense of satisfaction, you cannot believe what this means to me. I would never have undertaken such a hike for the simple pleasure of having accomplished it, like, why would you walk for the sake of walking???? But put a cache into the mix, well, that’s another story. I am so thankful to Zor for having organized this hike and to Herr Minnz for having signed us up to do it. Enough said, it was simply, an AMAZING day. That said, I will never hike the Dobson Trail without an army of supporters! TFTC.
I am always amazed at the details in Chatelaine’s logs.
Great logs. Thanks for putting it together to tell a story Zor. Congrats to all of you for your hike and your finds.
This is another example that caching is more than hiking with a purpose. Who in their right minds would hike through that kind of wet territory.
Well odlly enough, the two muggles that came with us. They had no interest in caching what so ever but they want to cover the entire Dobson trail and didn’t have that section done. That’s how we ended up going.
Still though, it was a great day for hiking and a fantastic group. I may be hurting today but it was well worth it.
Love it, Love it, Love it……….my kinda lady. My kinda caching. Well, minus the wet, rough footing and length of journey. The idea that someone, all of you, went out for fun, had fun, and then took time to record it in such great logs is what’s missing in caching to me.
The other half of CD and myself (Ms. CD) are slowly getting back into caching after almost a year off. We are looking for great caches that take us someplace, show us something or at least get us out on a on a nice trail.
Congrats to all you for getting out, having fun and getting through what sounds like a tough day.
Had a great day with the group and it is remarkable how these logs tell the story of our adventure. How someone can keep such accurate notes and then write such creative logs is beyond me, especially considered how tired and wet we all were. Looking forward to doing some more hikes like this.
Awesome logs. Not only does she paint a wonderful picture, she takes us right along on your hike with you. But we stay warm, dry and suffer no aches or pains! 🙂
Despite the wet feet, this was one of the best caching days I have had.
No one should plan for a hike on the Dobson without getting wet… it’s just a fact of the Dobson… that being said, I’d do it again in a heart beat with this fantastic group!
Thanks alot Chatelaine for putting such perfect prose to our adventure!
So when we doing the next stretch??
k – maybe not right now… my muscles still ache 🙂
For myself, the only part I don’t have left is from GC1RJMQ to GCJKRM. About half of that can be done by car as well. Not sure how bad those roads are in the winter time but something to consider for the future for sure.
As I said in another thread. CACHING IS ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE.
There is no club or membership fee or executive or agenda. Just a bunch of people who share a hobby. Someone says they want to go for a hike on a cool wet day on a wet trail and asks who wants to join. A half dozen people or more raise their hands and they all meet up and have an incredible time. So while cachers are out enjoying themselves, the rest of the population is sitting at home twidddling their thumbs complaining about having nothing to do on a miserable day. Or they go shopping and spend money.
Wow, those logs are awesome. As milosheart said, it’s as if you’re right there too. Since I started caching I’ve always thought every cache tells a story… whether it’s a great hike to a waterfall or driving up to a guardrail. Being an “old school” cacher, I enjoy reading and writing about the experience. I’m just not a fan of the cut and paste log.
Congrats group on the Dobson caches!
Wow, great logs.
Chatelaine, when is the book coming out?
There have been may post in here about the joys of caching, good friends and unforgettable hikes and this post is the best of them. It reminds all of us about a day spent on the trail and how much fun it was and it makes us want to do it all over again and again. Thanks for the logs Chatelaine and to Zor for bringing this to us in here, loved it. This is what Cacheupnb was made for.
I am chris the muggle. husband of angela, the other muggle.
thanks for the great haul Zor, we’re game anytime you have a trail of any kind to do.
Chatelaine: thanks for the great logs!
awesome time. would hike again A+++
Looks like Chatelaine’s logs (and the hike) converted the Muggles !
yeah.
pretty hard to turn down something that sounds like THAT much fun.