NWOG's Fall Featured Cacher is the mysterious ChrisDom. Chris burst onto the NWOGeocaching scene only a year and a half ago and has already made a name for himself as the creator of some of the most unique and entertaining caches in the area. He's also brought a couple new cache types to the area, being the first to hide a WhereIgo cache and host a CITO event! Congratulations ChrisDom on being the Fall Featured Cacher! (October 2009)

1. How did you get your geocaching alias?

   When I signed up to Geocaching.com, I didn't give the username much thought. It’s my first name, Chris, and part of my last name, Dombroskie. I wish I had chosen something with more flair, like Calvinball (my son's alias), but at least I kept it short.

2. What do you do when you're not geocaching?

   I work in forestry management on the Lakehead Crown Forest. It is the best of both worlds, I can be outside and get plenty of fresh air and exercise and I get to work in an office and keep my computer/ GIS skills up-to-date.

   I am married and have two boys, Quinn (alias Thunder Bird) and Wade (alias Calvinball). We enjoy hiking, camping and traveling which always leads to geocaching.

3. When and how did you get started geocaching?

   I have been using GPSs since the mid-90s. I had heard about Geocaching when it started up but never thought of trying it. In January 2008, my Garmin Map76 (gray LCD display) stopped working after 6 years of abuse. I updated to a GPSMAP 60Cx and read “Geocaching Ready” in the manual. My interest was sparked and I opened my Geocaching.com account on May 17, 2008. I started caching with my family but as the addiction grew, it soon became a solo sport.

4. What do you like most about geocaching?

   Puzzles!! I love puzzle caches or well hidden caches. At every cache, I feel like a detective, trying to put myself into the shoes of the hider. I think… were would (fill in any cacher’s alias here) hide a cache? Most of the time I get it right, but there are often many surprises hidden out there.

5. Do you have any geocaching pet-peeves?

   My biggest peeve is unsafe cache locations usually due to excessive garbage. Some areas are just not suitable for geocaching. Sometimes my kids join me when I geocache and when I tell them that they can't join in the hunt because it is unsafe, it’s a big disappointment.

   I would like to bring a CITO event into Thunder Bay's greenspaces next spring so if any members see a location that could use a good cleaning please post your suggestions.

6. What do you take with you when you go caching?

   Extra batteries have always been a must!! Over the past year I have added to what I take caching. I always have my GPSmap 60Cx and Oregon 400t (for paperless caching). I've started to carry a cell phone, flashlight, tweezers, camera, pencils and sharpener, compass, flagging tape and geo-swag for trading. I also keep extra logbooks, containers and baggies in the truck to replace any caches that may need attention.

7. Have you introduced anyone to geocaching?

   I have introduced my kids, who have joined me at several events. Other friends have shown an interest but have yet to come to an event.

8. Which other geocacher has influenced/stands out to you the most?

   Shroom-A-zoom and Jenn, they have brought NWO Geocachers together with the introduction of www.nwogeocachers.com, the hosting of six events in North West Ontario, overseeing the production of the first NWO Geocachers geocoin and the development of geo-games to keep us occupied. They have continually promoted geocaching and NWO Geocachers. Our membership has grown because of their contribution and I'm not just referring to DNF.

9. What is the most interesting place geocaching has taken you?

   Thunder Bay (and surrounding area). I’ve lived here for over ten years and thanks to other geocachers in the area (and their hides), in the last year and a half (since I started caching), I’ve discovered trails, waterfalls, caves, lookouts, historical sites, works of art and more, right here under my nose. And I am sure there is still more to be discovered in the area.

10. What has been you most memorable geocaching find (or DNF?)

    For me, “I Sat Today, In The Park“ (GCQ60P) in Toronto, near the CBC building will always be a DNF. This cache is memorable only because I learned two valuable geocaching lessons, “You never can tell when a muggle is watching” and “When available, read the logs”.

    It was late evening and the downtown signal bounce was making this cache impossible to pin down, so I had to rely on best guesses as to the location. Right in front of the CBC building is a bronze statue of Glenn Gould sitting on a park bench with his legs crossed. Considering the title, it seemed like an obvious place for the cache and I thought of JLeeCollins hint “feel”; so, without thinking about it, I felt around all the small openings and crevices. A security guard stopped me and accused me of being a pervert and said he was calling the police. I tried to explain geocaching to him but he had his mind set on what I must be doing (you get all kinds in Toronto). Embarrassed, I quickly walked away, never to return.

11. Which of your hides are you the most pleased with?

    I would have to say “Grand Trunk” (GC1E5M4). A great thing about geocaching, is finding unique and exciting places and “Grand Trunk” was the most unique place I knew near Thunder Bay. It is a train tunnel though the bedrock on an abandoned railbed. I hid it on July 13th, 2008 and to date only 7 cachers have logged it. On September 2009, I added 6 more caches on the abandoned railbed in hopes to draw in more cachers.

12. What is your closest un-found cache?

    9 km from home is ”24-Hour Grooming” (GC1QA0G) by deannvicki; after reading the logs, I decided to wait until the terra gets firma before attempting this find. With the days cooling off, I should have it logged before mid November.

13. What caches do you have in your sights right now?

    Mount McKay has several caches I want to find before winter: ”Mount McKay” (GC1J5MP), ”Benny's Drop” (GC1WC0Q) and ”Nurse Duncan's First!” (GCKR2A). If we get a break in the weather, Calvinball and Thunder Bird will join me on the hunt.

14. You've made many original, well-hidden and large caches. What motivates you to go beyond the tradtional tupperware container under a pile of sticks?

    I spend a lot of time driving and I am always thinking up new cache ideas. With so many new caches out there, I want to have mine stand out. Also, I don’t want my caches to be predictable. My geocaching avatar says it best "?"

15. Over 400 finds in about a year-and-a-half of caching. How do you find the time?

    I am the only early riser in my family and often get up at 5:00 am to check for new listings and head out for the hunt. Also, I travel between Northern Lights and Nipigon for work; if there is a cache in the area, I will make a detour at the beginning or end of the day. When I am on vacation, most of my caching is done between 5am and 9:30am, while the rest of my family sleeps.