GGA Challenge # 7 - You are the Iron Horse!

  • Challenge Period: Monday 3/29/21 to Sunday 4/11/21
  • Deadline for Submitting Proof: Wednesday 4/14/21 by 11:59 PM
  • Points apply to: April GGA drawing, prizes to be awarded at the May event

Did you know that when caches were first placed back in the year 2000, nobody had a clear guide as to how to gauge Difficulty (D) and Terrain (T) ratings. Take for example Iron Horse (GC89) which has earned 326 FP. Back when it was published in October of 2000, the terrain for this cache was listed as a 2. Today, the terrain rating has been adjusted to a 4 to reflect modern expectations.

The phrase "iron horse" began back in the early 1800's and was used to represent a steam locomotive. For this challenge, you will be the "Iron Horse" as your goal is to collect T stars. Stars from D ratings will not count for the purpose of this challenge. You get to choose how easy or hard you want to make the challenge. There is no limit as to how many caches you use to complete your journey. It can be done with as many or as few caches as you like. So if you wanted to complete the wanderer level for instance, you would need 6 T stars. You could find 6 T1 caches, 3 T2 caches, 2 T 1.5 caches and 1 T3 cache, 1 T5 cache and 1 T1 cache, etc. If you take advantage of the bonus options, you can earn up to 3 stars to use towards your total. The number of stars needed for each level is listed below.

 

Wanderer level - Collect 6 T stars

Seeker level - Collect 12 T stars

Explorer level - Collect 20 T stars

Adventurer level - Collect 50 T stars

 

Bonus options:  There is a limit of 3 T stars that can be earned as a bonus. 

  • Take a picture of a GGA sign in front of a train and post it in the 2021 album on FB. You will earn 1 star.
  • Attend a CITO sponsonsored by the GGA during the challenge period. You will earn 2 T stars.
  • Invite a fellow cacher who has not played in the challenges to complete this challenge. Include both names in your proof. You will earn 3 stars. 
  • Publish a cache with a level T3 or higher during the challenge period. Include the GC code in your proof. You will earn 2 stars.

 

Send your proof of completion to ggachallenges2021@gmail.com by the deadline to earn your points and chances in the April drawing (prizes to be distributed at the May event)! Include the following details in your email:

  • Your geo-nick
  • Your real name
  • The level for which you qualify
  • Your qualifying caches with dates found
  • Please tell me if you earned any bonus points. 

Please feel free to share any non spoiler photos from your adventures in the 2021 album on FB!  Remember, this is the first challenge for the new leaderboard! All completed levels earn you chances for prizes. The winner of the quarterly Adventurer drawing will win bragging rights and a special prize which will be highly coveted!