The Matrix

There are a few challenge caches in the area that, should I choose to attempt the challenge, might impact what caches I look for. The two big culprits are the New Mexico Fizzy Challenge and 100,000 Foot Challenge.

The Fizzy Challenge requires me to fill out the caching matrix: find one of every difficulty/terrain combination. As it turns out, there are 81 possible combinations (leading to a name I prefer: Tequila: 81 Proof [note: the owner's username is Tequila]). I still have quite a bit of work in the matrix to do. In the right is my current matrix (accurate at 668 caches - around August 8, 2009). Everything in red is what I still need to complete. The thing I'm really lacking in is the 4.5 and 5 terrain (of almost any difficulty). This does make me want to go on some longer, tougher hikes (especially to finish up the 12 Labors of Hercules cache series. The last one in the series for me would fulfill another requirement (3 difficulty, 5 terrain). Plus, it would allow me to find the final cache, a 5/5 rating. It's just a little added encouragement for me to try that cache again, although doing that cache alone is worthy enough.

The 100,000 Foot Challenge also encourages doing harder terrain caches, particularly ones where I'd gain a lot of elevation. The whole point of this challenge is to get 100,000 feet of net elevation gain while hiking on cache finds. Sadly, from what I've added so far, I'm not even quite at half. I still have quite a few caches I'm sure I could add in, but I probably have most of my "big hikes" listed. This really does encourage me to find hikes that I'd gain multiple thousands of feet in. Of course, most of these hikes already are very enjoyable and are usually in great spots to begin with. This is just a little nudge reminding me I haven't done as many as I'd like. I'll keep adding to it, though.