Crossing the line

This article was originally published on Cache Up NB. It has been mirrored here for archive purposes only.

A recent caching experience while on a business trip out of town got me to thinking about how far cachers go when it comes to getting a cache they really want to find.

Caches come in many shapes and sizes and can be found pretty much everywhere. But sometimes through the course of our hunting, we discover that the journey to find a particular cache might have us “crossing a line” that for some is a no brainer, and for others, it’s a big no-no.

This line varies from cacher to cacher. Some cachers won’t grab finds for caches that are hidden on private property, even with consent. Others think that having a cache in a person’s yard crosses a line and makes it uncomfortable for some cachers when they go to sign the log. Some cachers have been known to hide caches in areas where very clearly marked “No Tresspassing” signs reside, and thusly finders need to tresspass to get their name on a log. Have you found a cache in a no trespassing area?

Last night, I think it’s safe to say that I probably crossed a line that maybe I shouldn’t have. Being out of town for the week, I wanted to do some caching. Whenever I travel for work, I always look to snag finds on cache types that aren’t abundant back home. In this case, I wanted a couple of virtuals. I picked one out, figured out the subway route I needed to take, and made my way to the cache.

After getting across town, and walking to within 300M of the coords, with rain pouring down, I found myself at a park. Real nice park right on the waterfront. In fact, it’s a pier park dedicated to a local master shipbuilder with a real nice view of the city across the water. An awesome location. Problem was, the whole park was fenced off, and all gates/entrances were locked. The sign at the gates said the park closes at 8pm and it was only 6, but no unlocked entrances to be found anywhere.

I had two options: 1) Just walk away as it is just one cache, or 2) Find another way in. Well, truth be told, I was soaked to the bone and had traveled across town to get here and it seemed like a waste if I walked away. I wasn’t about to break any laws or any locks or anything like that, but upon inspection of the large snowbank adjacent to the fence, it became quite clear that it would be very easy to climb the bank, and hop the fence. So, I chose option 2 and entered the park via the snowbank.

Now, I did walk to the coords, take a photo, make note of what I needed to, and took in the view (which despite the rain and fog, was quite nice). I returned to the snowbank, hopped back over the fence, and made my way in the even heavier rain now, back to the subway station (about a 15 minute walk).

So, did I cross the line? My personal justification was that since the park hours were listed as closing at 8pm, the park was actually open, even though no gates were open so I “technically” didn’t go against any park regulations. However, I think the intent of having the gates closed is to keep people out when the park keepers decide to “close” it so I think by hopping the fence and going in, I kind of went against what the park owners had in mind. I didn’t break anything, steal anything, or damage anything, but I did enter an area that was clearly gated up with the intention of keeping people out. Did I cross a line?

The thing was, I could have easily walked away and it really wouldn’t have mattered because it is just one cache. But in the heat of the moment, I made the call to hop. There are far worse things I could have done, but in the end, I do feel a bit guilty as I do think I went against what the city’s intentions were. Would I do it again? Probably not, but it’s hard to say. It’s not my best caching moment, but it does bring me to the point of this article.

Every cacher out there has their own line, as I am sure all of you have. What do you consider to be just beyond that imaginary line? How far do you go to get the find you really want? It might not even be a matter of law or regulation breaking. It might even have to do with a danger factor, or other circumstances that reveal themselves in the midst of your hunt.

Tell me, what have you done that maybe wasn’t the best thing to do to get your find?