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ColdCache Program ColdCaching is an exciting new way to explore and learn about the many fascinating natural features along the thousand-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail. If you are looking for a family-friendly activity providing the opportunity to experience the thrill of a treasure hunt, learn important navigational skills and develop an appreciation for Wisconsin's fascinating Ice Age history, ColdCaching is for you! What is ColdCaching? The concept of Ice Age Trail ColdCaching is based on the popular activities of GeoCaching and EarthCaching.
As a ColdCaching participant, you can choose from a list of compelling Ice Age Trail landmarks (ColdCaches) to seek out. For some examples of the types of features you can search for, click here. Once the ColdCache is discovered, you are asked to perform a simple task and/or answer a question related to the site to verify your find. As you investigate more and more sites, you can earn more and more ColdCache awards. You can also participate by developing new ColdCaches for others to seek out. ColdCaching helps the Ice Age Trail Alliance pursue its mission of creating, supporting and protecting the Ice Age Trail. It provides a family-friendly way to explore the Ice Age Trail and learn about both Wisconsin's Ice Age history and modern-day landscape. The ColdCache program raises the profile of the Ice Age Trail among the growing EarthCaching community while attracting another group greatly increasing in numbers — users of GPS technology. Additionally, ColdCaching is consistent with Leave No Trace outdoor ethics in that participants leave only footprints on the landscape as part of their activities. Before Getting Started Because ColdCaching is an Ice Age Trail activity, for starters you'll need to be able to locate the Trail. Our Ice Age Trail Companion Guide and Ice Age Trail Atlas are the best resources for finding and navigating the Trail. You can get free excerpts from the Companion Guide and a regional map for each part of the state by visiting our Hike By County page. A GPS unit is a useful aid for ColdCaching, but is not essential. Before setting out for any Ice Age Trail hike, we recommend browsing our Plan a Hike, Trail Ethics & Use and Controlling Invasives pages. Finding a ColdCache If you're ready to start hunting for ColdCaches, visit http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?key=iatcc for the list of sites. On your first visit, you'll need to create an account with geocaching.com in order to see the full details (including location information) for each ColdCache. Each ColdCache includes instructions for performing a simple task and/or answering a question or two in order to verify your find. New sites will be added frequently, so check back regularly for new ColdCaches to explore. Earning an Award As you find more and more ColdCaches, you can register for the ColdCache awards program to receive patches recognizing your prowess as a ColdCache hunter. Click here to download the awards program log.
Please note that the ColdCache awards program is not linked to your account at geocaching.com. That is, even as you register sites as "found" on your geocaching.com account, you'll need to notify the ColdCache coordinator via the awards program log to quality for ColdCache patches. Developing a ColdCache In addition to participating in ColdCaching by searching for ColdCaches, you can also play a valuable role in the program by developing new sites for others to investigate. If you are interested in helping out, write to the ColdCache coordinator at coldcache@iceagetrail.org. The coordinator will walk you through the process of developing a ColdCache using the following guidelines and forms: Guidelines for Developing a ColdCache Site For More Information For questions about any aspect of the ColdCache program, contact the program coordinator by writing to coldcache@iceagetrail.org. |
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