Trip to Seattle to retrieve another Project A.P.E. Cache

Well, Geocaching has taken me to yet another place I never imagined going. Washington State!  To fiind and log another A.P.E. cache.

The Project A.P.E. caches have become something special to a lot of cachers for a lot of different reasons.   

What the Heck is Project A.P.E.?

Short answer: a publicity stunt.

But I am sure you want a longer answer...
A  Publicity Stunt

In May of 2001, 20th Century Fox, was preparing to release its summer blockbuster, “Planet of the Apes.”

They wanted a publicity stunt, and saw that computer geeks everywhere seemed to be flocking to this new hobby, Geocaching. an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value. Today, well over 440,000 geocaches are registered on various websites devoted to the sport.

http://www.geocaching.com/

 Geocaches are currently placed in 222 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica.

To try and capatalize on this potential market, Fox Studios formulated a “sub-plot” that had absolutely nothing to do with the movie:

Renegade humans were trying to reveal an “Alternative Primate Evolution” theory by placing artifacts around the world. Code Name: Project A.P.E.

In other words, Fox Studios was placing movie artifacts in Geocaches.  First ones there get the best trinkets.   The movie prop that was placed in the Washington APE Cache was a torch.

Only two original A.P.E. caches remain active in the world, they are:

Mission 9: Tunnel of Light (Located In Washington State)

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=7d120ae2-855c-430d-9c14-3d7427de4bdd

&

Mission 4: Southern Bowl (Located In Brazil)

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=1f8a5fa0-c036-4d48-8765-7a64f90cd679

So I went on an adventure to Washington State with a friend to grab the illusive A.P.E. cache and add to my geocaching stats.

We decided to travel the shortest distance to the cache so we decided the best route was by way of the Annette Lake Trailhead.

We signed in and headed out to retrieve the cache.

We started on the Annette Trail. and followed it up to the railroad grade. we then proceeded up the old RR grade for a about 200yrds or so and not knowing for sure where to go as the old GPS was doing some jumping we admired the views till it settled down and then headed for the cache.

The other way in involved hiking through a 4 1/2 mile trail through a dark tunnel. So we decided on the shorter trail, but we did venture into the tunnel for the complete experience.

I would recommend "Look out below" and the "Ashal Curtis cache" on your way to Ape. If you do these caches + ape plan for at least 6 hours. Also, .. on Look out below, Don't stop at the cache.. Keep on the trail for another mile or so to get to the water fall. Also, be prepaired for elevation. Lookout below really worked us over.

By writing our names in the Project Ape Cache logbook, our duo has essentially elevated our status from GPS fanatics to supreme geocaching gods.  Na,na na,na BOO boo!!  I now have the illusive icon.