I am aware that there are quite a few people watching my Below Above cache series and over the past few weeks I have been busy on them. There have been some changes to the cache pages and the creation of a new Below Above which is currently undergoing review, as well as a new Above Below.
The first change has been for the first time the Below Above caches and the Above Below caches has been brought together. These are all listed on each page and linked to their respective page.
To hopefully assist people who want to do the series, gain help and support, swap tips, etc I have created a Facebook group called The Below Above Caches and added a link to that on each Below Above page.
The new cache, Below Above - The Mega Breakfast will hopefully go live fairly soon and was created as people wanted me to create a new one, actually long overdue, and is my answer to people who come to the area and do 4 or even 5 of the Below Aboves, and sometimes 1 or 2 of Abanazer's caches in a weekend. I walked the route this weekend and discussed how long it should take with the person who checked the route and we think from start to finish with only short breaks it could take 16 hours to complete the cache. We both agreed that one day somebody who's super fit and into extreme caching will do it in one day and when they do I will create a harder one!
The Below Above series consists of a series of puzzle caches all rated 5/5 that are set in quarries around the area. You solve the first puzzle to get the location which the gps will take you to, parking, via point and then the the mine entrance. The second part of the puzzle involves deciphering the route around the quarry/mine to find the cache container. 'simples' These were created by myself to share my interest in quarry exploring with local geocachers, I had no idea they would become so popular and so well known, now internationally so! Check out my user name on Geocaching.com to see more details of them
Yes, a Facebook group. I was asked and as they're so big in their own right now I did it. It's as popular as the caches and somewhere to plan and for fans to get together. There is a link on any Below Above page. Today the Colswolds, tomorrow Below Above - Journey to the Center of the Earth ;-)
As many others are I am sure, I am very much looking forward to this new cache. Unfortunately I have a very busy and full schedule for the coming month, and so a FTF will be out of the question. But at least I will have time to plan, and possibly complete all in one go.. we'll see, once we all see what it entails
A challenge for those who haven't tackled a bareclawz cache yet... when this one is published be the first to get all of the active Below Aboves and Above Belows in 24 hrs. I'll accompany if you're game *genuine offer*
If anything exciting happens on FB, please someone let me know on here. However much love I have for the Below Aboves I am not going there.
I have promised that if anyone completes The Mega Breakfast in a day, let alone the lot, I'll create a harder one. I'd better get planning, Below Above - Gruidae. Be warned, it will be harder! Will I then need an even harder cache?
I am so tempted to do them all but I am not brilliant with tight spaces and I am a little on the large side and a tad un-fit.
I did White Bird with no problems, Fallen Monarch I was apprehensive about the initial crawl but once I got in and started crawling I was fine. I even managed to squeeze (only got slightly stuck) through to White Bird and exit through there.
tarmacjohn, I am sure you would be fine with the other current Below Aboves. They all have a narrow entrance of sorts, but then all open up once through.
For myself, as these caches got harder it's the navigation I have found to be the main problem. Multi 1 the first time took us longer than it should because of much back stepping, and I still get misplaced in there after a number of caching and non-caching visits. The area where Multi 2 is set.. let's just say I always take plenty of drink and batteries with me just in case.
Very much looking forward to the publication of the new one, I keep checking to see if it has been just in case I have not been sent a notification.
I heard from the reviewer yesterday and he's away till Wednesday of next week, but I clarified all the points he asked for more info on, so by next weekend I hope it will be live. Also as from today there are rosettes available for each Below Above once you have completed them. Plus they are downloadable to your geocaching profile. See any Below Above page for more details.
Thank you for the update. And thank you for the rosettes! I am now sporting those on my profile
Looking at the current cache pages I am noticing a letterbox icon and an earth cache icon on the unpublished cache links too! I think I want to move to Box. *I really do*
We really do live in an "Area of Outstanding Geocaching"! As well as the fantastic area of beauty that we have caches hidden in above ground, thanks to you bareclawz and a certain other CO we also have an increasing amount of awesome caches to find subterranean. I really do feel proud to live in this area. I am very much looking forward to the adventures to be had over the coming months.
Yes, an earth Below Above cache. A change yesterday to the cache page was adding the type of cache to the list of caches, and as you have spotted there will be a letter box and an earth cache coming over the next few months. There is actually a lot happening that isn't showing yet. Next will be the letterbox cache (Gruidae), followed by two earth caches, a true multicache and then a bonus cache. I am also looking at another quarry in this area and also negotiating with a fellow explorer for some quarries in a new area. If that comes off then there will be a few more unknown or puzzle caches. I have a few ambitions for the series. So far every one of the BA has achieved an Ambrel Top Cache coin, I like them and like collecting them so I hope to become the holder of the most and also reach the number one spot on his list. Not a lot to achieve ;-) Ambrel knows this and is waiting with baited breath for my efforts.