Choosing a Date for the Spring Cache Challenge 2009

[shroomAzoom]

So, I'm ready to start thinking about the Spring Cache Challenge. The past few years, it's been held on the third-ish weekend in April. My thinking in that date is that it's late enough that most of the snow is gone (and this past year was a major exception in some areas,) and it's not too far into may that people are out to camp and otherwise occupied with nice-weather-spring-type-things. Also, it's early enough to be a bit of a kick-start to the caching year.

That said, the Spring Cache Challenge does not HAVE to be on the third-ish weekend in April. Here are some potential Friday night/Saturday combos.

April 17/18: The third-ish weekend in April
April 24/25: Just a few days past three full weeks into April
May 1/2: The first weekend in May
May 8/9: The second weekend in May

So, what do you guys think? Or is it too early to start thinking about it?

For what it's worth, when I originally was planning the first Spring Cache Challenge, I was thinking of having it on April 1st and calling it something like the April Fools Cache Challenge.

[ragbag]

I like the April 17-18 weekend, with the 24-25 running a close second .  I agree that it is probably late enough that most of the snow will be gone, and it's usually too early for most people to be heading out camping. 
Hopefully, I will be around this year to participate.

Bob

[ChrisDom]

I find things get busy for me during the end of March to mid April.  I wouldn't have much time to put decent caches together until after the 2nd week in April. 

[jleecollins]

The rate we have been getting snow this year, we will be lucky if some of it even melts by mid-April.  I think we have already had as much snow in Marathon that we had total over the last three years.  After being in Thunder Bay yesterday, it doesn't look like has been much less than Marathon.

Although May can get busy I would prefer a later date.  Even the last weekend in April.

[JungleBus]

I would also lean towards the later dates, not sure if we are going away this year in late March/early April but it is usually tough coming back and trying to get our caches out in time.  I think either the last weekend of April or early May we would prefer.. I don't think camping usually starts for us anyways until later May.   

[deathsnake]

April 24/25: Just a few days past three full weeks into April


That works best for all the members of Deathsnake:D

[agimak]

Hi guys....Mike here...glad to hear something like this might happen....i have never been to an event like this but would like to come to the Bay from Ignace and meet you fellow cachers...have a fun day and learn more. I don't really know much about it, can someone e-mail me with some info?....thanks. If i had a vote for a good weekend for me it would be the last weekend in April.

[jleecollins]

The next WWFM 5 Event is scheduled for Saturday May 2, 2009.

I will most likely hold this event in Marathon for the 3rd time.  (See my posting regarding GC1GYQK - WWFM IV: Snow or Shine in Marathon)

So this is another reason that I would like to see the SCC 2009 on the weekend of April 24-25, 2009.  My wife has that weekend off (working May 1-2 weekend) and she wants to go to the SCC 2009.  So her vote is for April 24-25, 2009.
We'll have to get her registered on the forum so she can cast her vote.

Jim

[pnutbeagle]

Greetings from Marathon.  You probably know me better as jleecollins's better half.  I attended the past 2 SCC's.

First post after signing up for NWOgeocachers.com

Actually 2nd thing I did.

First, I voted for the weekend of April 24-25, 2009 for the event, since I have to work during the weekend of May 1-2.


Brenda

[hunter-killer]

I don't really know much about it, can someone e-mail me with some info?....thanks. If i had a vote for a good weekend for me it would be the last weekend in April.

Well actually the best place for info on the challenge is right here. As of now the date has yet to be determined. It is opened to anyone and usually starts on Friday at 6p.m and ends on Saturday at 5 or 6p.m, with a wind up at some establishment (hopefully with a full keg of brewskis) and points are determined by the number of finds, with bonus points for the number of hides you provided, and their type, be it a  regular, multi or puzzle cache and 1/2 point for FTF. Hiding caches is not mandatory to participate if you can, fine, if not have fun. Depending on the # of caches some cache throughout the night in hopes to be the one to claim the first prize which is a 50 inch plasma tv. and a new garmin Colorado. (wishful thinking) Actually you get a trophy that Shroom is reluctant to give up although Junglebus now has it I think. Shroom did have a solid grip on it and we never seen the actual transfer at the Fall challenge. All we seen was Shroom stomping his feet, tears in his eyes yelling no no no (I think he was frothing at the mouth as well !!!)  Our version anyway and we are sticking to it. Stay tuned and hope you can make it. As far as the dates for us, they all suck. Having Sunday & Monday off we may be able to do a few after 4p.m Saturday.

[shroomAzoom]

As far as the dates for us, they all suck. Having Sunday & Monday off we may be able to do a few after 4p.m Saturday.

Hey H+K, does that mean that you wouldn't be able to participate on either of those dates? That'd be harsh.

If the SCC 2009 gets voted for the weekend of May 2, 2009,  I could host the event in Thunder Bay with some help.

JLee, if the SCC 2009 is on May 1,2, it might be fun for you to host a WWFM event here in town. It might be really neat in the midst of all the SCC fun to have an opportunity to all meet up for 5 minutes of fun!

[the Pepsis]

Our preference would be the May 1, 2 weekend mostly because chances of good weather are greater but you never know around here!  Looking forward to the SCC whenever it is.   Jane & Bill

[Q and A]

Voted for either weekend, but with a preference for May 1-2.  April is generally busy, and with all the snow this year, probably pretty sloppy.

[shroomAzoom]

Well, I'm thinking that with a pretty even split between preferences and availability, I'm going to going to schedule the event for May 1/2 weekend. Looking at all the snow we've had so far this winter and considering how wet it was last year, I think it's the best choice.

What am I saying "wet last year?" It was a down right flood!

Jim, if you were to host a WWFM in Thunder Bay that weekend (you mentioned that was a possibility) what time would it happen? Just wondering and thinking it could be a fun diversion in the midst of caching.

[jleecollins]

The WWFM V Event would take place from 13:00 to 13:15 hours on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

All I need is a possible location.

Any suggestions for a location?  Lakehead University?, Hill Crest Park?, Intercity Mall? Old Fort William?

I should have scouted out some possible locations when I was up in Thunder Bay last Thursday.

We should probably look at somewhere central.

Wait! Wait!  I have the perfect location - by the infamous Caboose CN 78175!!!!   What do you think?

At least I know the coordinates for that one.


I have a subject under "Eventing & Outings" for WWFM V already.  I will update it.



Jim