The Gauntlet
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Florida Finders Fest
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The Gauntlet, in many ways, is the heart and soul of Florida Finders Fest. Every Finders Fest has had a Gauntlet and for
many, it is their primary activity during the event. Here's how it works...
We place a series of caches along a beautiful trail in the heart of the Ocala National Forest. Teams are taken to the starting
point and abandoned... er, I mean, dropped off.
From the starting point, teams will hike to the other end to be picked up. Maybe. Along the way they should find all the
placed caches (which will be activated after the event). There is also a list of "Targets" to find to earn "Bonus Points". These
are scavenger hunt type items. Some are existing features and some will be planted just for the event. In addition, there are
a number of special items placed at points along the trail. They are numbered. Each team draws a number unique to their
team and locates and retrieves the special items bearing that number for additional Bonus points.
It's golf style scoring - the lower the score the better. The number of minutes it takes to complete The Gauntlet are your Base
Score. To that will be added Penalty Points for any caches DNF'd. From that total, we subtract the Bonus Points. The lowest
score wins!
It is HIGHLY recommended that you form teams of 6 adults. The trail has many spots where it is possible to take a wrong
turn. If a team has to focus all its attention on staying on the trail it will likely miss a lot of targets. And vice versa. Therefore,
there is an advantage to having a larger team allowing delegation of attention. However, due to logistical requirements, all
team members must be able to fit in two Jeeps, which can each seat a driver, plus 3 adults, semi-comfortably for a short
trip. We can probably squeeze in a few kids (literally) on top of them. In any case, the drivers will be comfortably seated.
Transportation to the starting point is provided by jeep. You only need to worry about getting to the event, which is easily
accessible on paved roads..
IMPORTANT -- There are a limited number of team slots available. Should we run out of slots, preference will be given to
teams of six members and in order of receipt of registration, so watch for Gauntlet registration to be activated by logging a
will attend on the event cache page. If you have logged a will attend, you will receive announcements, even if you do not
have the event on your watchlist to receive other logs.
We reserve the right to combine teams and add members to teams to create teams of six members. So form full teams and
sign up early. Once registration begins, there will be a Gauntlet registration page to register the name and composition of
teams.
What to Bring - Each team will need a GPS and a Digital Camera. Also, a clip board may be handy as there will be some
reading and writing involved. Walking/poking sticks will be a big help. Water is probably a good idea too.
There will be an "Oasis" stop along the way, sponsored by the Spacecoast Geocachers Association (SCGA). Water, fruit and
snack bars will be served by our delightful and vivacious Oasis Hostess, but depending on your needs, you may want to
bring more. And bug spray. Lots of bug spray.
Trail Conditions - The trail is mostly firm and dry. There will be little if any bushwhacking involved.
Time/Distance - The total distance will be approximately 5 to 6 miles but that is still being finalized.
Weather - We are having regular discussions with TPTB (i.e. we are praying) for good weather, but we plan to go rain or
shine. I mean, after all, we'll be back at base camp warm and dry regardless. Besides, weather should be viewed as part of
the adventure.
Starting Coordinates - If I told you that I'd have to kill you. They will be provided to teams as they start, beginning at 8AM at the
posted coords on the day of the event.
Prizes - We are assembling a selection of prizes. There will likely be geocoins involved.
Trophy - The Best Cacher In the Land - Traveling Trophy Will be awarded to the winning team.in
many, it is their primary activity during the event. Here's how it works...
We place a series of caches along a beautiful trail in the heart of the Ocala National Forest. Teams are taken to the starting
point and abandoned... er, I mean, dropped off.
From the starting point, teams will hike to the other end to be picked up. Maybe. Along the way they should find all the
placed caches (which will be activated after the event). There is also a list of "Targets" to find to earn "Bonus Points". These
are scavenger hunt type items. Some are existing features and some will be planted just for the event. In addition, there are
a number of special items placed at points along the trail. They are numbered. Each team draws a number unique to their
team and locates and retrieves the special items bearing that number for additional Bonus points.
It's golf style scoring - the lower the score the better. The number of minutes it takes to complete The Gauntlet are your Base
Score. To that will be added Penalty Points for any caches DNF'd. From that total, we subtract the Bonus Points. The lowest
score wins!
It is HIGHLY recommended that you form teams of 6 adults. The trail has many spots where it is possible to take a wrong
turn. If a team has to focus all its attention on staying on the trail it will likely miss a lot of targets. And vice versa. Therefore,
there is an advantage to having a larger team allowing delegation of attention. However, due to logistical requirements, all
team members must be able to fit in two Jeeps, which can each seat a driver, plus 3 adults, semi-comfortably for a short
trip. We can probably squeeze in a few kids (literally) on top of them. In any case, the drivers will be comfortably seated.
Transportation to the starting point is provided by jeep. You only need to worry about getting to the event, which is easily
accessible on paved roads..
IMPORTANT -- There are a limited number of team slots available. Should we run out of slots, preference will be given to
teams of six members and in order of receipt of registration, so watch for Gauntlet registration to be activated by logging a
will attend on the event cache page. If you have logged a will attend, you will receive announcements, even if you do not
have the event on your watchlist to receive other logs.
We reserve the right to combine teams and add members to teams to create teams of six members. So form full teams and
sign up early. Once registration begins, there will be a Gauntlet registration page to register the name and composition of
teams.
What to Bring - Each team will need a GPS and a Digital Camera. Also, a clip board may be handy as there will be some
reading and writing involved. Walking/poking sticks will be a big help. Water is probably a good idea too.
There will be an "Oasis" stop along the way, sponsored by the Spacecoast Geocachers Association (SCGA). Water, fruit and
snack bars will be served by our delightful and vivacious Oasis Hostess, but depending on your needs, you may want to
bring more. And bug spray. Lots of bug spray.
Trail Conditions - The trail is mostly firm and dry. There will be little if any bushwhacking involved.
Time/Distance - The total distance will be approximately 5 to 6 miles but that is still being finalized.
Weather - We are having regular discussions with TPTB (i.e. we are praying) for good weather, but we plan to go rain or
shine. I mean, after all, we'll be back at base camp warm and dry regardless. Besides, weather should be viewed as part of
the adventure.
Starting Coordinates - If I told you that I'd have to kill you. They will be provided to teams as they start, beginning at 8AM at the
posted coords on the day of the event.
Prizes - We are assembling a selection of prizes. There will likely be geocoins involved.
Trophy - The Best Cacher In the Land - Traveling Trophy Will be awarded to the winning team.in