This past weekend we ventured out to search for TCD2V, Crownland Creekside Cache
 
Last find was Oct 2010 - 5 years and a few weeks past.
It sounded like the cache was in a really nice area, only a 30 minute drive from home. We were looking forward to the hike, whether or not we found the cache. I did bring along stuff to repair or replace it just in case.

When we reached the posted coordinates, there was the cache, an ammo box partially buried in compost but visible, and not too far off the trail. Opened it up and found it to be in great shape and fully stocked. A little damp, but much better than expected given the elapsed time since it was last opened.

I've found over a thousand caches, and I have to say that this was one of the better finds. The uncertainty and anticipation associated with it being unfound for so long sure fueled the fun.

Later that day I posted some photos and the tale of the hunt to the Central Ontario Geocachers Facebook page. I did leave out the fact that it was a TerraCache. The response was pretty good - 44 likes, lots of "wow, a five-year lonely cache" and "what a great adventure' type comments. clearly, there is an appetite for cache hunts like this was. Lots of requests for the GC code. That's when I told them it was a TerraCache (I also provided the TC code and a snapshot of the listing page so they would see what the TC3 site looks like on the inside). While one user made some negative comments at that point, a few others went on to say they were not aware of TerraCaching. So maybe a few new users will sign up (I'm pretty sure a few have already). Either way, a few hundred Ontario geocachers now know that TC is still alive and well and that there are lonely caches waiting for a find.

This is what I wrote in the original post:

"This is what an ammo can looks like when it sits in the woods without being opened for 5 years. Wow, how can you top the feeling: we hiked an awesome section of the Bruce Trail today and found a well-stocked ammo can that has not been found since October 2010. The cache was found 8 time before that date, and then silence. It brings a new thrill to the hunt. Will the cache still be there? What shape will it in, if we do find it? The cache was there and it was in pretty good shape and full of new swag. And, we scored 83.66 points for finding this lonely classic hide"

the only "negative Nellie" posted:

"Well that explains why it hasn't been found since 2010, nobody knows about it! Terracaching? I had no idea that was still around. Last time I looked there were so few 'terra-caches' in my area that it wasn't worth the bother...."

 to which I replied:

"Well, I can say that it sure was worth my "bother" - I had a blast finding this cache. Also found an older GC cache on the way, from 2007. Cache container was broken, logsheet and contents wet. Why equate numbers with "worth the bother". Unless its about the numbers. Yes, TC is still around and just underwent some pretty big site improvements. I really enjoy it. I enjoy finding caches, I don't care what site they are listed on. Most of my finds or on groundspeak and I gladly pay for that. But some of my most rewarding finds were on alt caching sites. like finding this old well stocked ammo can."

 to which "Nellie" replied:

"this terracache is in the Niagara region? And had not been found since 2010? Not exactly a 'remote' area, and there are hundreds of active cachers in the region, so I take this as hard proof that no one is bothering to sign up with terracaching.com..... well except you of course. Good hunting!"

 to which I again replied:

" I never said anything about it being remote. Finding the cache was a lot of fun, that's why I shared it. What does number of users have to do with it. Most of the active TerraCaches in Ontario are owned by long-time COG members. Hard proof? Was there some debate? I shared my experience of a cache hunt in Ontario. You seem pretty intent to poo-poo it. Thanks to those who posted encouraging comments, I appreciated reading them. Community is a big part of the game."

 This was followed by a comment from a different user

"I for one, didn't know terra cache existed. I had never heard of it."

 to which "Nellie" replied:

"most people haven't, though the website is much improved over the last time I visited...."

 Score one for TC (or maybe >1), if you ask me.

 Thought the community might enjoy reading this.