2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration

In an attempt to score the geocache Happy New Year, guardrail10 (GC38K4R) by Bobcam, an accumulation of two hours worth of conventional searching proved fruitless.  During the search for the cache, I discovered a few things in the area that were possibilities.  Perhaps the theory I was developing was a stretch but it seemed like it had potential.

The theory is that the geocache was hidden within the storm drain that is buried just a few feet from the listed coordinates.  The signs of the drain are subtle but they are there.  We made our way down to the river bank and scouted for the opening.  We waffled a bit but then our team decided to go for it.  We explored our way the entire half mile to what we believed to be GZ.  We were able to find our way by known landmarks (manholes and storm grates).  We searched a bit and came up empty.  I was SURE the cache would be located here but no Happy Dance for us today.  While I doubt I'll make it back into the drain, I am still convinced that my theory is plausible and that we just missed the hide.

WARNING  I am not sure of the legalities of entering storm drains.  Regardless, I do not recommend going into drains and you enter them at your own risk, especially when precipitation is imminent.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Track log dump from the GPS Track log dump from the GPS	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Draining to the Mississippi Draining to the Mississippi	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration The portal to geocache? The portal to geocache?
2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration The way out The way out	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration The right went unexplored, the left goes all the way to 19th Street The right went unexplored, the left goes all the way to 19th Street	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Looking up at manhole #2 (see map) Looking up at manhole #2 (see map)
2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Dan leading the way Dan leading the way	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Norvina beating tunnel rats with her stick Norvina beating tunnel rats with her stick	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration Bart attempting to keep the walls from closing in Bart attempting to keep the walls from closing in