Media:

January 2006 article in Temagami Times

May 2006 article in Temagami Times

June 2006 Poster

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This article appeared in the Temagami Time, Jan, 2006

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TLA Geocaching Challenge 2006

Although we are well into Winter here in Northern Ontario where snow and ice cover our great outdoors, and frost and cold (and in the case of this winter so far…rain) puts outdoor plans to rest, indoor planning is well underway for the 2006 TLA Temagami Geocaching challenge.

I’m sure that the last thing on peoples minds this time of year is going geocaching, but winter geocaching can prove to be quite rewarding. Winter caching invokes a complete different set of challenges for the cacher. Locating a cache container under a pile of snow adds to the complexity of finding a cache as well, hiding your footprints/tracks, etc to stay anonymous. That said there are many of “winter friendly” caches that are doable. Check them out at geocaching.com. You’ll be surprised how rewarding finding a cache in winter can be.

In Summer 2005 we introduced the TLA Community to the game of geocaching. We set up and hid 10 caches as part of the TLA Temagami Geocaching challenge around the lake. A number of you found all 10 during our contest. I was impressed to say the least that so many people participated and impressed with the number of ‘complete cards’ that were turned in. So on behalf of my wife Wendy and myself, congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all who participated. We had a lot of fun setting up this challenge and we are looking forward to improving on it in 2006.

Although still in the early planning stages, we will be collecting the existing caches over the next few months. While we will relocate some of them, some will be retired and replaced with different types of caches (you’ll have to wait for those details). Look for a few new twist to the game next year as well as a few ‘harder’ to find caches. Someone actually said that they were all too easy….a challenge that I will take to heart. Of course the game will still be setup with family fun in mind, and there will be something for everyone. One other comment we got was “well I wanted to play, but I’m not a TLA member.” This challenge is sponsored and organized by the TLA, but is open to EVERYONE to participate.

Regarding the existing caches (used in the 2005 game)….all are still active on geocaching.com. they will become deactivated sometime this spring. As long as they are ‘active’ on geocaching.com, you will be able to do them, and still claim them in your geocaching totals, but obviously not towards our game next year and this year’s game is over. Any trading items in the caches will be redistributed into the new caches for next year or moved to other caches. Any travel bugs, coins, etc that are found in the existing caches will also be redistributed as per the terms of the game.

Last year I created a web site for the game and that site has been updated with photos that I received from you folks, and some others that we took. Please visit www.tlccnet.com/tlageo. This site will be updated with the 2006 details as they become available as well.

We are still looking for prize donations for the 2006 Challenge. If any one has something to donate please contact one of us or Peter at the TLA. A few people offered their time and we will probably take them up on that to help maintain the caches this year. If you have any comments or prizes or advice or pictures or just want to say hi, you can reach me at terrylang@tlcconsulting.on.ca Thanks again for the great year, and we are looking forward to the next.

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This Article Appeared in the Temagami Times, May 2006

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TLA Geocaching 2006

Spring is in the air, that mmmm…first spring BBQ, what is brown is turning green again, and those pesky mosquitoes will be upon us soon enough. Of course, spring also means that we are well into the planning stages of the 2006 Temagami Geocaching Challenge.

If we had one ‘complaint’ about last years challenge, it was that it was too easy. OK, that will not be the case this year, we are planning a few more challenging caches to hunt, including a puzzle cache, and at least one multi-cache, at lease one micro-cache, and a few other surprises that we’ll leave for the actual competition. You just may need your thinking toques to find a few of these.

We will be doing some easy caches, some intermediate ones, and a few challenging ones. So there will be something for everyone. The game will run similar to last year where you have to pick up an official game card (or download and print it yourself), travel to each cache and collect the correct paper punch on your card. For each correct punch you get, you will get one entry into the draws for the prizes. A complete card (all 10) will get you entry into a special draw. All Caches will be registered with Geocaching.com and available for everyone to find. This game will be open to everyone.

The official game will be starting June 1, 2006 and will run until August 31. All entries must be submitted to the TLA building before midnight, Friday August 31, 2006. Game cards will be available from the TLA, or downloadable online.

The official TGCC website will be www.tlccnet.com/tlageo . All of last years details are there including updated photographs. This years details will be put up when they are available.

A couple of reminders…..you are welcome to trade for items that you find in the caches (except the special paper punches or course) If you take something out, you must put something back (usually of equal or greater value), and you must sign the log book. Please report any problems with any caches as soon as you can to the TLA. Finally, one of Geocaching.com’s practices is ‘Cache in, Trash out’. Help keep our area beautiful and if you find any trash around the trails, etc, pick it up and pack it out.

Good Luck Cachers!

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This Poster will go up around local bulleten boards, June 2006

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