By the time many of you read this, a major election will have taken place, the results of which may very well change the world. Last month, Today's Cacher held an election of its own, of sorts. Though our little election won't change the world, it might help you to get to know a handful of cachers a little better. You voted according to the qualities exhibited by the cachers you know, or perhaps by the reputations of cachers about whom you've heard or read. A few of the "winners" were surprised that they'd even been considered, while others were ready to give a reason as to why they feel they received more votes, due to a particular instance or situation. I use the term "winners" loosely; there were no losers.

Without further ado, I give you the results of "The Cacher Most Likely to..."

The cacher most likely to hike 11 miles, just to find a micro in the woods AND Most likely to be WAY behind in logging their finds is Mopar. When I informed him that he had won the nomination in not one but two categories, he remarked, "I really don't care much for micros in the woods, but generally I'll hunt anything with a log to sign and the longer the hike, the better. It's not the treasure at the end as much as it is the journey for me. It was a soggy regular sized cache, not a micro, but just last week Geo Ho and I had the great pleasure to cache with CurmudgeonlyGal, Criminal, and Jeremy. After hiking a few miles to find the cache, Geo Ho, Jeremy and myself continued up a few more miles to check out a glacial lake. Total round trip: ten miles, 2000 ft elevation gain, and six hours for one cache. I loved every minute of it!"

Okay, that covers how he feels about an 11-mile hike for a micro. How about being behind in logging? "Hey! I won't give names, but I know one or two people who are worse then me! As a cache owner, I really hate those 'This was 57 out of 4,281 caches today. TNLN, TFTC!' cut-n-paste logs, so as a cache finder, I like to try and write a nice descriptive log for every cache, even on those big caching runs. I also type painfully slow, especially for someone who's been using computers for 25 years. Finally, I often upload lots of pictures with my logs, and it takes time to edit and crop and upload them. At any given time, I'm usually 30-50 logs behind. I must add that I rarely cache alone these days, so the cache owner does get other, more timely logs about the condition of the cache. I will also log a note ASAP if there is an issue with the cache or to trade TBs."

Most likely to hide a 5/5 cache is evergreenhiker!. "Wow! I guess my Dream Cache is getting a reputation. Actually, though, I haven't placed a five-star hide in the mountains...my philosophy is to place caches that should be fairly easy to find in the mountains. The physical side...yep...four-five stars are definitely to my liking," he explained. "My main goal in those areas to share beautiful places with others. Nothing like a good workout up high and getting to enjoy beautiful places that nature provides for us!" He continued, "I do have plans for a few more boxes in the Cascades. I think at least one will be snowshoe-oriented. Last winter, cache ahead and I attempted Geo Stumpy (Stevens Pass area) to no avail. Perhaps a box shall land in that area for others...we shall see..."

Two cachers tied as Most likely to bring home an abandoned bear cub. Pipanella made a name for herself in the Groundspeak forums by relating her story of setting out to find a cache, only to discover three abandoned kittens. She brought them home, gave them names, and her story (and the kitten's photos) sucked cachers in with a healthy dose of the 'Awwwww Factor'. With surprise, she expressed, "First of all, the kitties are doing fine. I don't know when I've gotten more unexpected enjoyment out of doing something like this. And being nominated for "Cacher Most Likely To..." just makes me smile. How can someone not help babies like that?" Pip, you had us at 'Hello, Kitty'.

CarleenP shared the nomination for being likely to bring home a baby bear. "Well, I suppose that makes sense. There is a beer commercial that talks about a Cubs fan bringing home a bear cub and I think I need my own personal mascot! I also have a soft spot for stray animals. But I don't think I would find the bear. I think it would just show up on my front porch like all the other strays do," she explained.

The cacher most likely to become a bear snack is...yours truly. First of all, I'd like to ask the individuals who voted for me in this category a question. What do I look like...Meals on Wheels? Actually, I can see why people might think I'd make for an easy gnosh. On one of my first cache outings, I came dangerously close to an alligator. Luckily, he was as surprised to see me as I was to see him, and I had the chance to make a hasty retreat before he could decide if he was hungry or not. And, on a trip through the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee years ago, I got some great photographs of a large bear by getting out of my car to snap the photos. The other drivers were content to sit idly behind their windshields while taking pictures. Wonder who got the shots suitable for framing? (insert wry smile here)

It may come as no surprise that TravisL was voted the Cacher most likely to DNF a 1/1 cache. He first achieved notoriety in Criminal's article, Finder of Not. His reaction to being chosen? "Wow - thanks for the recognition. I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me, and...Wait a second; I've got a list of folks to thank... I know it's around here somewhere...Hmm... DSL bill... Cache machine list... Halo 2 receipt... Guiness bar towel...Dang. Can't find it. Thanks, though."

The cacher most likely to get lost while caching is El Diablo. Although he seemed incredulous that he'd been nominated, he didn't vehemently deny anything. "I don't get lost....I just like to explore," he explained. A little bird told me that perhaps many cachers read the category incorrectly, and that they thought they were voting for the cacher they wish would get lost.

Two categories on the poll seemed to go hand in hand: Most likely to be questioned by the police and Most likely to seek a scary night cache all alone. Who is, evidently, guilty on both counts? None other than Zartimus. In reality, he has been stopped and questioned by the police on more than one occasion. He commented, "It's actually changed the way I walk around in the forest at night. When in transit, I cover up any stuff in the vehicle that they may think is weird: big flashlights, bat suits, etc. Just the other day I was doing some tests in the field for a Halloween cache I'm planning next week. As I pulled up to a parking area off a main road, there was a police officer on the median, sitting there waiting for speeders. Because he was just across the street and might actually ask me what I'm doing out there at midnight, it forced me to leave my chainsaw, light saber and collection of plastic knives in the truck. Like I said, it changes the way you walk around in the forest at night."

He described his propensity for night caching by saying, "As for walking around in the forest at night, looking for tupperware, it's very cool, and makes it hard as hell to find even the easiest of caches sometimes. There are all sorts of nocturnal animals that crash around out there that you'd never hear/see in the daytime. I usually night cache with Tripper and we've run into many a porky and such in trees just a few feet away from where we're looking for a cache in the wee dark hours."

ThePetersPack was voted Cacher most likely to carry along everything but the kitchen sink. His wife certainly won't argue; she calls him 'Sherpa'. "Every time I would go out geocaching, I would think to myself, 'I wish I had brought that with me.' So, the next time I went out, I would make sure I was better prepared. Then, after reading a log by WaldenRun referring to BlackStoneVal replacing a container, I started carrying an ammo box with me. This habit has taken on a life of its own. Our name, ThePetersPack, came from my daughter, who compared us to a wolf pack. But now, our name has a double meaning. g-o-cashers posted a note on the New England Forum asking, "Have you experienced ThePack?", referring to the backpack I carry around."

Reacting to being voted Most likely to have the newest caching techno-gadget, CyBret was quick to point out the irony by declaring, "That's quite an honor for a guy who's usually broke! Maybe my next gadget will be some sort of Alchemist's GPS that turns McDonald's toys into gold!" The line for CyBret's new best friend forms here, folks...right behind me. Just in case it happens...

How many of you have feigned illness, only to sneak in a cache or two? According to the majority of our readers, the Cacher most likely to call in sick, only to go geocaching is workerofwood. He and his wife work for their family business, so he claims that he can't get away with sneaking off to find a cache when he's supposed to be at home, sick. "But, my job has flexible hours so I do manage to get away for the occasional FTF during the afternoon. I do most of my caching early in the morning (all those hours that come before 7am), or in the afternoons after work. Since I work as a property manager, I can always find a little time to grab a cache while out inspecting one of our buildings. It's getting hard to keep up a 5 cache per day average though... have to drive too far to find a cache!"

The ever-effervescent Planet is your choice as Cacher most likely to phone a friend. Her reaction? You be the judge. "Oh! My Gosh! This is such an honor. ...I would like to take this award and share it with all of the friends who make this possible. And I wish for world peace, no more litter, and picnic wraps for everyone! It would be an honor just to be nominated! I am so happy to receive this award. It tells me that I actually do have friends who I can call at times when I need help. If they answer, it's even better!!! It's nice to know people who are within arm's length of a computer screen when you just don't have the cache page, or something new came up that's not on your Palm. I really must share this award with my caching friend dboggny, however, as he is the one who came up with the geocacher help idea. And he's the one who has answered my numerous calls, whether he was sleeping, diapering the baby, or working. There were times when he was investigating crime scenes and I would have to call someone else; I've always understood that was a risk. So, I call Pyewacket, who has also been there if I needed her help. I've been known to call Ttepee and brdad, too. So, if I may, I would like to take this award and share it with all of the friends who make this possible. And I wish for world peace, no more litter, and picnic wraps for everyone! I'd like to thank the geocaching community, the academy, and the folks in ClayJar chat. I am so honored. I think?" We like her...we really, really like her!

Organizing five events in just over a year (with a little help from his friends), rldill is your choice for Most likely to plan/host an event. "I don't really know what to say about it," he stated humbly. "I have had a few events that had very good turnouts and I think were enjoyed by most and I do intend to host more. I enjoy hosting or helping plan events and have been asked by others who are hosting events for ideas or help in planning."

Who is Most likely to have the greatest number of active travel bugs? Why, King Boreas, of course, who won by a landslide. As the November issue of Today's Cacher goes to press, so to speak, he has no less than 81 travel bugs. He remarked, "Without knowing who was selected in the other categories, my first thought was that there were a LOT of local voters, and HEAVY campagning on my behalf. Although I was selected, I'm fairly sure that I'm not even close to the actual leaders. Anyway, thanks for the votes. I think the "key" word in this category was "active" and I have to thank my friend 15Tango. He created the perfect cache; I have had many travel bugs spend a night at the Pet Sematary cache, and it's amazing what can be done."

We're down to our last two categories, Most likely to FTF a 5/5 cache and LEAST likely to think caching is all about the numbers. By popular opinion, you selected one cacher who exhibits both the necessary skill and unadulterated love of the activity. However, this cacher wishes to remain anonymous. In all honesty, he doesn't feel he's qualified to even attempt a 5/5 without help from cachers he feels are smarter than himself. In declining the designations, he explained, "There are many geocachers who specialize in these types of caches and many of those are unknown to the forum regulars. As for the 'numbers', true, they mean little to me, but whether or not I'm the 'least likely' to be concerned by them is debatable. The forums and even the magazine are not able to hit a wide enough cross section for the vote to be a true representation of popular opinion". Fair enough.

I'd like to thank everyone who participated in Today's Cacher first poll. Unlike an election based on the greatest amount of campaign funds, or one whose candidates have their names (as opposed to their boots) dragged through the mud, your votes were based on respect, admiration, levity, and sincerity. Many cachers received a single vote in any given category, earning them the title The Cacher Most Likely to Enjoy Caching in their own right.