Evanspack

Evanspack

Interviewed October 2007

Why is this lady so happy? Could it be because she has just found a difficult to locate geocache? Or could it have something to do with the number of geocaches she has found in her one year history as a geocacher? You decide.

This is Jan Evans AKA Evanspack. As you will learn from this interview this month she is celebrating her first anniversary as a geocacher. But wait until you discover the number of geocaches she has found during that one year. Here's a hint - Evanspack was the first female Delaware Geocacher to log 1000 finds!

As you will notice from several of the pictures which accompany this interview Evanspack has had geocaching adventures with several other Delaware geocachers who have been Featured in this column previously. We're happy that she took the time from her busy schedule to answer our questions so that you can get to know her better.

We understand that this month marks your first anniversary being a geocacher. Is this correct?
Yes, I found my first geocache on October 5th, 2006. It was Horn229's "It took my 115 miles to get here", which is no longer active.

What drew you to geocaching and what keeps you going?
Initially, I was looking for an activity to do with my (at the time) 15 year old son. I thought this was the perfect hobby! As it turns out, boys that age just do no

t like to hang out with their mother. But, I ended up loving geocaching! I have always liked being outdoors. I like the aspect of taking long walks and getting a reward for your efforts! I also like the challenge of urban caching. I have never gone more than four days without geocaching since I started!

We understand that you were the first female Delaware geocacher to reach the 1000 finds level. First let us offer our congratulations. That's a lot of work. How did you find the time to make to so many caches so quickly?
I go out geocaching whenever I have free time. Sometimes, finding free time is not so easy as I am a single mom, with a full time job, with a house and a huge yard that needs constant attention. So, I try to plan caching time around my obligations. Well... sometimes I might forgo a trip to the grocery store in favor of a quick cache!

How many caches have you found so far?
As of this writing (10/01/07) I have 2023. My goal was to get to 2000 before my one year caching anniversary. I broke my toe about a month ago, so I had to slow down a bit, but I was still able to reach my goal!

The geocaching map on your profile on geocaching.com shows you've been caching in a strip of states bordering Delaware. How did you come to choose these states?
I would like to expand my caching to other states, but due to limited income and time, I have to stick to areas that are close to Delaware.

Which type of cache do you prefer seeking - traditional, multi, puzzle or virtual?
I prefer the traditional cache over everything. I like the whole 'take a nice a walk and find the cache'. Although, I do enjoy the virtuals as well, since they show you a piece of history that I would have never noticed. I like that virtual caches are 'staying alive', by taking you to a point of interest and then placing an actual cache nearby!

Which find was the most challenging?
Any parks along the Susquehanna River are very physically demanding. I have now done three different hikes, and all three were very challenging.

My first experience was at Susquehanna State Park in Maryland with team Dinobalz. We did a lot of great hikes that day, and one mighty steep climb.

Next, I teamed up with some cachers to conquer Muddy Run located in PA. We hiked for approximately eight hours that day, constantly walking up and down hills.

Finally, I just completed Chickies Park again located in PA. This was perhaps the most physically challenging of the Susquehanna parks, as two of the hikes were located on very steep mountainsides. The view from each cache location are outstanding, and well worth the trip.

Which was the easiest?
Sometimes I will come across a cache that is very difficult and I will just happen to find it right away. It is pure luck. Most of the time, if a cache is difficult, I will have to search and think about it quite awhile before finding.

Do you have a favorite or favorites from among the caches you have found?
Runfrog's Estrella's SBUX REDUX was my first type of that container, so it took me a very long time to figure that out. I also liked Harthausen's Nicht Echt, again because it was the first type of that kind of hide that I had found..

I was introduced to Delawhere's caches with Here Kitty Kitty. I was quite proud of myself for finding that one on my own without any hints, since I was still very new to geocaching at that time.

What's the most unusual thing you've found in a cache?
Two pieces of Double Bubble gum. They had melted and soaked the entire contents of the cache container with a sticky goo! Thankfully, the cache was located near a nice stream, so I cleaned everything out the best I could and replaced as found, minus the Double Bubble...

Have you had any memorable experiences while seeking a cache?
I think doing the Manachunk Tunnels will always rank high as a memorable experience. How often does one get to travel thru a no longer active tunnel. I liked exploring both sections of the tunnel and was fascinated by the cave ins on the one side of the tunnel.

Given the number of geocaches you have found and the fact that you've geocached in a number of other states, how well do the Delaware geocaches compare with those you found in the other states?
I feel that Delaware caches are pretty much the same as other state caches. I am partial to Delaware caches though. I particularly like all caches created by Delawhere and my favorite caches of all time are by Hart612, since he always takes you to beautiful areas.

Is there any particular kind of geocaches you'd like to see created here in Delaware?
I feel as though Delaware caches are quite diverse, and I am happy with all the caches that are created here.

What advice would you give to a beginning geocacher?
Don't give up! It takes a lot of practice! Go to events and meet other geocachers. They have a lot of good advice and a lot of good stories!

You were one of the first Delaware Geocachers to place a cache on the new Newark Reservoir. Is there a story that goes with this?
I had been watching the reservoir being built for years. I followed all the problems with contractors and bidders, so when it was finally completed, I wanted to put a cache up there. I was very new to geocaching when I placed my cache up there, and did not realize that Runfrog had already placed a cache in the woods below the reservoir. He kindly said that as long as GPSfun approves, he would too!

How many caches have you placed?
Seven

Have any of them proven to be more "popular" than what you expected?
My "Wow What a Hole II" is more popular than I thought it would be. I think it is because it is right off of Rt. 41, which is a popular route, so people can just swing by and get this cache without having to detour from their destination.

Have any of them proven to be more difficult to find than you expected?
My Hide in Hyde Park has given people some problems, due to lousy GPSr reception.

Have any of them been muggled? If, so how did you handle this?
My Pop's cache in West Chester was muggled. I was a bit disappointed, since I had placed that cache as a 'gift' to my father on Father's day. My father and I decided to put another one out in a different section of the park. My dad picked out the spot and even created the hiding place!

What advice would you give to someone designing a cache placement?
Look for an area that has special meaning to you, or for an area where there are not many other caches around.

What's your best caching story - the one you tell others to let them know the kind of fun and adventures one can have while geocaching?
I have many caching adventures, but let me tell you a couple of my favorites.

I was caching with Dinobalz, and we pulled into a cache location. Mr. D said the cache is only 400 feet away. 400 feet one way was a raging river, 400 feet the other way was straight up the side of a cliff... I said, "You have to be kidding me!" They were not and up and up and up we went! What a challenge!

Another story: I headed up to DC for a night cache run some fellow geocachers Although I had completed most of the virtuals earlier in the year, I got a whole new appreciation for the monuments at night time without the hustle and bustle of daytime tourists. The monuments are so moving at night. It was a trip I will always remember!

Beside geocaching, what other things do you like to do?
I run every day. I like to read and garden.

Which Delaware cache site would you'd like to see reviewed on the Delaware Geocachers web site and why?
The caches located in the Woodlawn Trustee area. This park is beautiful and quite large. Although it is located mostly in PA, all the caches placed in this area are from Delaware cachers.

What question did you expect us to ask but we didn't? And, what's the answer?
How has geocaching changed you?

Before geocaching, I hardly ever went out, and I stayed at home all the time, watching movies and a lot of TV. Now, I am ALWAYS out! I have met a lot of very nice people who also enjoy this hobby. I have seen new and very neat things that I would have never noticed before. I have taken some really wonderful, beautiful hikes in parks. I have a newfound respect for all the hard work that goes into creating and maintaining a trail. I love trying to plan out my next little adventure, and where it will take me... It has really been a positive hobby for me!

We extend our congratulations to Evanspack on her outstanding accomplishments and say "Thanks for sharing these answers with us."