What is the best way to do a Cache Trails

[scuba_2]

I find myself taking 2 or three times as long to do a circuit than the claimed time !
So how do you pre pair for a trail I seem to take a while to get each cache up on the phone and work out which to go.
Do you guys use a real map?
look forward to some tips.
cheers scuba 

[Border Caz]

Yes, a real map!

I load the caches on to my GPS, print off a map showing the caches and note down the hints on it.

[smudger105e]

I have the same problem as Scuba_2, I started the Crazy Golf series, which was supposed to take around 5 hours for all 19, and it took me over 2 to do the first 5 (with a DNF), then another hour to do another 3 (and a DNF)a few days later...

[welshcm]

We use a real map as well, my husband has this great app - multimap I think. We put the SK co-ordinates in and plot them on the real map. Follow the real map, then when we get close use the app to find it. Works well.

[JustAlan]

Yes, a real map!

I load the caches on to my GPS, print off a map showing the caches and note down the hints on it.

Same here. I use a paper map (normally on A4 from Memory Map at 1:25,000) with the caches marked and the route plotted, and have the caches preloaded into my GPS. I normally also take along a paper copy of the cache page. Also, I've got my smartphone with NeonGeo on, in case I need to look at the cache logs.

Paperless caching - Not me

[JustAlan]

Depending on cache density, I tend to cache at about 1.5 to 2 mph (walk time plus cache finding time).

[stainless-steel-rat]

If I know i'm going to be doing a series i also print out a paper map, the bit of OS map needed I print off from Bing and mark the caches on it  and work out my route beforehand. Only other thing i do is preload Neongeo with the caches and get the map tiles cached into the phone so I dont have to wait for them to load or worry about being in a area with no coverage.

Another thing is do when working out how long its going to take i add miles for each cache in the same way that you do when on a canal boat you add "lock miles" so i add cache miles, 10 caches on a 5 mile walk makes it 15 miles at 3mph is going to take 5 hours etc.

[scuba_2]

I like your cache miles idea ssr but we did 14 easy caches on a 3 mile walk and it took 3 hours  the cache page said it should take 1.5 hours. and using your method it should take 5.8 hours?
Maybe I have to work out a formula for me.
I do need to work out how to get that paper map as everyone who has posted is using one and it makes sense.

[OMUK]

.

[drdicknvick]

I just take Memory Map with me on my PDA.
Must admit that I very seldom use it as I also have 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps on the GPS (Map62s) and navigate around the circuits using that.

[Spire67]

If doing a series.  I now plot the caches onto a map and work out a route.  To estimate timings.  I caculate the distance to walk the route and then depending on density roughly double it.  Its only a guide but it helps.

[stainless-steel-rat]

I'd forgotten that using a script on the GC map page shows you OS maps now days if thats any help to you. I use it in Firefox and you need greasemonkey and the map enhancement script Linky.

Yeah maybe adding a mile per cache is a bit much unless your doing a Vegpunk series, maybe half a mile per cache would be about right for you, 14 caches = 7 miles plus 3 real miles = 10 miles at 3mph is 3 hours 20 minutes. 

[The Tares Clan]

I used to take a paper map but do not now.

I have an android phone using Neongeo and have offline OS10k/25k maps and offline bing satellite maps.  Within Neongeo, I have a set of databases depening on where I am (Within 30 miles of home, London, Kent etc).  When preparing for a trip, I use the GC.com API access within Neoneo (and GSAK) to update all the caches to the latest.  Any area that I go to which I don't have the maps for are automatically downloaded and stored for the next time over 3G.

I carry spare batteries for the phone and use an external GPS receiver.  Last week, I did a a couple of series in Bedforshire and did 23 caches in just over 2 hours and still had approx 30% battery on the original one.

If I was going to be going anywhere "hairy", I would ensure that I had a real map/compass to make sure that I have a manner of navigation even if all of the batteries in the phone had died.

[JustAlan]

..... and did 23 caches in just over 2 hours and still had approx 30% battery on the original one.

That's impressive. Were you on foot, or in a car?

[The Tares Clan]

That's impressive. Were you on foot, or in a car?

It was on foot.  I did this series, this series and this single cache.

I have an external GPS reciever as states, an HTC Desire and a custom ROM (MildWild).