brianslost

brianslost

Interviewed September 2006

This month's Featured Geocacher is a man who lives in Delaware but because he worked in New Jersey, had - until recently - more experience caching there than here. When the Delaware Geocacher Web Site went live 10 months ago brianslost resumed his caching adventures on this side of the river.

Those with sharp eyes will be able to spot brianslost in the gallery section of this web site also where appears in several Events pictures. One of his most recent being the Delaware Geocacher First Cache In- Trah Out day. Take a look. See how many times you can spot him.

brianslost is one of those geocachers who is happy to help other become more porficient. He has joined with the webmaster's team (drrichard) and the maxiam team to show us some tips and tricks on using our GPSers in a forested area.

We are pleased to present this interview with Brian.

How did you become involved with geocaching - and how long have you been doing it?
I started in 2004. I actually bought the GPS first. I had been dying for one but didn't have a use for it. I finally talked myself into it and got a Garmin Legend. I found out about geocaching from a Scientific American blurb a few months later.

How many caches have you found so far?
As of now I have 474.

Which type of cache do you prefer seeking - traditional, multi, puzzle or virtual?
I like them all though I prefer finding something solid rather than a virtual. I never got into the locationless caches either. I don't miss them from the site. I'm not much for parking lot micros either.

Which find was the most challenging?
Hmm...I am still working on Choreographed Chaos. I'm on stage 7 out of 10. Very hard and challenging cache. But I can't say its a find yet.

Which was the easiest?
Sometimes the hardest ones are easy if you come in from the right direction. And super easy ones sometimes take hours to find.

Which was your favorite?
"Maze" (GCCD29) was a great one. This was before I had my Jeep. We all piled into Evil Chicken's Jeep Cherokee and it was truly a maze in there. So much fun.

What's the most unusual thing you've found in a cache?
Found one that was all wet inside. After reading the log written by some very mean kids I realized it wasn't water.

Have you had any memorable experiences while seeking a cache?
On a SJG "Bella's Night Out" we went for "Cache Here in the Rye" (GCNABD) and chased a porcupine for about a quarter of a mile along a sand road. Couln't believe he didn't get off the road but just ran along in the headlights.

What advice would you give to a beginning geocacher?
Remember its supposed to be fun. And get into one of these great groups and go out with people. Almost all are more than willing to help you learn to use your GPS right and give you lots of tips and tricks.

How many caches have you placed?
I have hidden three and hosted one event. I currently only have one in the wild. I prefer hunting for them to hiding them. I just wish I had a better imagination to hide some really neat ones.

Have any of them proven to be more "popular" than what you expected?
I got a lot of messages about "Figment's Folley" when I disabled it. Seemed it was a lot of people's first cache. I can't believe no one has filled that park with a new cache yet.

Have any of them proven to be more difficult to find than you expected?
Of my own caches? Yes, the woods in Banning Park are a satellite dead zone, all seasons. I got all kinds of letters telling me my coords were off. Its just the lack of reception in those woods.

Have any of them been muggled? If, so how did you handle this?
Luckily I have never had one muggled.

Note: At left we see brianslost with Lavarock and Angry EMT near a cache site somewhere out there....

What advice would you give to someone designing a cache placement?
Only my own preference but find a spot in the woods to put at least an ammo can. Problem is, Delaware is full. I prefer a nice big box to trade things in. But like I said, its my preference. Lots of people love really evil micros in a signpost on Market Street.

What's your best caching story?
Swimming with the stingrays in the Grand Cayman Islands and being able to log a cache at the same time (GC6CE7). Those were the most amazing creatures!

Beside geocaching, what other things do you like to do?
Right now I am working on my helicopter pilot license. I am loving it more than anything but its taking a lot of my time away from caching.

Note: This is the brianslost's avatar

Which Delaware cache site would you'd like to see featured on the web page and why?
Brianslost chose not to answer this question.

 
Our thanks to biranslost for being our featured geocacher this month. Best wishes on getting that helicopter license. Once you get it we may have to deputize you as our "eyes in the sky" to scout out cache locations.

brianslost teams with the drrichardh team and the maxiam team to help them learn a bit more about GPS use