Caching Name: MikeOtt
Real Name: Mike Ott
1. How did you become involved in geocaching? My father who lived in north Jersey sent me a local newspaper article on geocaching in 2002. I already had a simple ETrek GPS for hiking/kayaking in Vermont. It seemed interesting and when I went to GC.com I saw that there were two geocaches only two miles from my house, so that was my start.
2. How did you choose your caching name? The newspaper article my father sent me featured a geocaher, Brian Snatowski (not sure its spelled correct) who’s caching name was BrianSnat. It was easy to copy that concept to create my caching name.
3. What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual? I try get virtuals whenever possible. I started out mostly getting hiking traditional caches that were ammo boxes. (seems that was mostly what was available way back in 2002.) I also like Earth Caches and field puzzles. Least favorite are many stage multi and very difficult to solve puzzles.
4. Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally? One of the most physically challenging was GCD, the oldest cache in Washington, that I did with Tim from Amanda and Knobbie. It took over 5 hours including a 2+ mile hike to the cache with and over a 1700 foot elevation gain.
Also a really hard cache in south Jersey was GC1169 Malaga Challenge a true 5-5 cache. I did that with IMSpider , his north Jersey friend TheSurfCaster who brought climbing gear, and and rflester. It was a long kayak paddle across a lake and up a narrow river and then the fun part of using climbing gear to get about 50 feet up in an old tree. No signing the log for everybody, we all took turns making the climb.
5. What are your current geocaching goals? Since I am less than a 1000 away from 25,000 cache finds, that would be nice whenever it happens. I have worked on caching in all 50 states ( greatly helped by Hostanut and JeffS47 caching trips) and only need 2, so a goal would be to get Georgia (highly likely) and Hawaii (high unlikely). Still working on Canada to improve on over 400 finds in 6 different providences.
6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t? Either Hawaii, Mexico or Europe since pretty much covered the US and Canada.
7. What is your most memorable caching experience? I enjoyed the Project Ape cache GC1169 Tunnel of Light that was over two mile each way hike through an old RR tunnel. My favorite was a Vermont cache GC1ZK09 Radar Days. It was over 3 miles each way on gated road that took you to an abandoned 1950’s Cold War radar station on the top of a mountain. I spent a few hours exploring the old radar installations, I went by bike but ended up walking, pushing the bike up the steep mountain road. Coming down was a quick fast trip, but I had to stop two times as the bike brakes were overheating.
8. What do you like about geocaching? Getting out and hiking in the woods and seeing new and unique locations
9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area? GC3DYYT “Your key to Cache” is unique. Also recommend GC4QTGE, GC2QCZC AND GC4MJJD (look them up!)
10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests? Right now it’s mostly my 2 year old grandson and twin 1 year old granddaughters. I do volunteer for White Clay Creek State Park (Delaware), White Clay Creek Preserve (Pennsylvania) and the Mason-Dixon trail system.
