Entrevista para o Secret Madeira

Interview with geocacher Luis Ruben de Freitas

Posted by Mad Editor on June 29, 2013

This week we are featuring an interview with Luís Rúben de Freitas aka Luísftas. Luís is Madeiran, and his work is related to educational technologies. His free time is largely devoted to the outdoors: hiking, geocaching and canyoning.

Cache Garganta Funda, Madeira

Luís, we want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to have a ‘peek’ into your relationship with the Green Pearl of the Atlantic also known as Madeira. Can you please tell us a little bit more about yourself?
My relationship with Madeira is a happy marriage. Madeira has been the perfect couple, giving me shelter and good living conditions. That would be enough, but no… it exceeded my desires and frequently shows me how wonderful it can be, slowly uncovering its deepest secrets. It is always ready to receive me from a tiring week of work and fill up my batteries. One of Madeira’s slogans can describe it very well: Body. Mind. Madeira.

Lets talk about your ‘passion’ which is geocaching. But first … what is geocaching? 
According to the geocaching website: “Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.”

Luís, how did you discovered geocaching and what excites you the most in this activity?
I was already a hiking enthusiast and was invited by some friends to accompany them in their geocaching adventures. It was not love at first sight, but when I started doing it at my own rhythm, enjoying the landscape, taking photos, making videos … I became addicted. Soon I realized that this hobby offered me the chance to discover new locations, traditions, cultural curiosities. That is what excites me about geocaching: The opportunity to learn!

“Don’t you ever think that you have seen it all and done it all. I haven’t …”

Is geocaching a sport or a hobby? And what kind of people does geocache?
Geocaching for me is hobby. There is a competitive side to it but it all depends on your approach towards the activity.

It is hard to define a typical geocacher. The wide variety of geocaches (some urban, some on the woods, some with an easy access, some on difficult terrain) makes geocaching an activity for everybody.

What kind of equipment do you need? Can anyone one do geocaching?
The only thing that you need is to register on geocaching.com (It’s free!) and have a GPS or a smartphone with a GPS receiver. There are some applications that you can install on your smartphone that will help you a lot.

When was geocaching introduced on Madeira island? And how popular is it these days?
The first geocache in Madeira was published in 11/07/2001 by a Swedish tourist. It was called “SpaceAce #3″ and it was located in Levada dos Piornais (Lido). It had few visitors and was archived in 2003.

Pico Arieiro, Madeira

In 2004 geocaching was reborn with 5 new geocaches. 2 of these are still active: “Vaca” in Paúl da Serra and “Curral” in Eira do Serrado viewpoint.

In 2005 the first cache in Porto Santo was created: “The Prophet”.

All these geocaches were being created by tourists or by tourists that started living in Madeira.

Madeirans slowly started getting acquainted with geocaching and the first geocache created by a madeiran was “Praia das Fontes” by johnsbar, only in 2010. Since then the number of madeirans has been increasing greatly and with them, the number of geocaches.

The increasing number of smartphone users has helped in the growth of geocachers.

Having as a reference the discussion group in Facebook, I would say that there are now over 550 Madeiran Geocachers. 29.000 in Portugal. Over 5 million worldwide.

Cache Cais de São Jorge, Madeira

Then Madeira Island must be an ideal place to do some challenging geocaching. Do you agree?
Madeira is definitely a great location for geocaching. There are great challenges that would surely please the most demanding geocachers.

In Madeira there is a great variety of caches to select according to your age, physical condition, likes and time availability.

In your opinion, is geocaching the (best) ticket to discover the best places on the island and enjoy in full all the extra beauty that Madeira has to offer? 
At this moment Madeira has over 800 active geocaches. Considering the average time that tourists spend in our island it is impossible for them to find them all, or even to find a significant number. So I would not say that it is a way to discover the best places, I would say that it is developing into being a list of all the interesting places in the island. It is not a “best of”, it is a menu where you have plenty of options to choose from. The big advantage is that it shows some hidden secrets that tourists won’t find in their typical guidebooks. Through all the information that is given on the caches webpage and with the provided coordinates, tourists also become more autonomous.

“Number of caches on Madeira Island: 801, Porto Santo: 49, Desertas: one and Selvagens: one”

(June 2013)

How many caches are there on Madeira? Any cache on Porto Santo also?
At the moment that I’m writing, this is the number of geocaches:

• Madeira Island: 801
• Porto Santo: 49
• Desertas: 1
• Selvagens: 1

These numbers are constantly growing and changing with the regular creation of new geocaches and with the discontinuance of others.

As a means of comparison, the district of Lisbon has 5.158 geocaches. In Portugal 30.980. Over 2 Million Worldwide.

Luís, you already practiced geocaching in Portugal as well as abroad, for example in Spain and Denmark. How do you compare geocaching on Madeira with those countries?
Geocaching in Madeira is similar in terms of the containers and types of geocaches that you can find, but it is unique in its landscape. I believe that this is what makes geocaching in Madeira special.

Do you have a favorite cache? And can you tell us more about it?
I have found almost 700 caches. Which is a humble number considering the fact that some portuguese geocachers have found more than 10 000. Nevertheless, it is hard to choose a favorite. I have several memorable experiences. My favorites involve discovering a great place and all the adventure involved in getting there. Naturally our companions are important, as sharing these experiences with others makes them richer and more permanent.

What is ‘Geo Tourist Friendly’?
A Geo Tourist Friendly geocache is a cache that is located in an area that is considered to be of interest to tourists.

Bocas das Voltas, Madeira

Last but not least … what advice would you give to travelers visiting Madeira who wants to do some geocaching? 
If it’s your first time in Madeira, I would select the most interesting places in the Island and search for the caches along the way.

If you are a frequent visitor and already know much of the top places in the island then you can search for geocaches that show you more unknown locations.

Don’t you ever think that you have seen it all and done it all. I haven’t…

More of Madeira Geocaching (and Luís aka luisftas) can be found at …

madeirageocaching.blogspot.pt
facebook.com/geocachingmadeira
instagram.com/luisftas
youtube.com/luisftas
twitter.com/GeocachingRAM

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Caldeira do Cascalho

LEVADA DA BICA DA CANA - CALDEIRA DO CASCALHO

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu4zwJntKvQ&hd=1
Track: http://pt.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=4627137



Esta cache tem como objectivo percorrer uma levada pouco conhecida mas que nos leva a uma área muito bonita da Ilha da Madeira. Esta é uma das mais antigas levadas da ilha que deve o seu nome ao facto da sua nascente ficar abaixo da Bica da Cana, sendo neste local que nasce a ribeira da Ponta do Sol.

Aos poucos vamos acompanhando a levada e entrando num suave vale com urzes e giestas a balançar ao sabor do vento. Ao chegarmos à primeira stage estaremos perante a Caldeira do Cascalho. A Caldeira do Cascalho é composta por duas caldeiras semi-circulares com cerca de 400m de altura. A Levada da Bica da Cana foi esculpida no topo desta caldeira permitindo aos que nela caminham usufruir de magníficas vistas sobre a vertente sul da Ilha.

Esta cache tem apenas uma stage e a stage final. 

Na primeira stage encontrarás a metade das coordenadas que te falta.
O tempo neste percurso é inconstante sendo frequente a presença do nevoeiro. Tenta evitar os dias nublados para que possas desfrutar da paisagem. O percurso continua até a Cova Grande.

This cache is intended to cover a little known Levada which takes us to a very beautiful area of Madeira Island. This is one of the oldest Levadas on the island and it owes its name to the fact that its source is below Bica da Cana. It is also here that the Ponta do Sol river is born.



Gradually we follow the levada and enter a gentle valley with heather and gorse swinging with the wind. When we get to the first stage we stand before Caldeira do Cascalho (Gravel Ravine). Caldeira do Cascalho is composed of two semi-circular ravines with about 400m high. Levada da Bica da Cana was carved at the top of this ravine allowing us to enjoy magnificent views of the southern slope of the island.

This cache has only one stage and the final stage.
In the first stage you will find the other half of the final coordinates.
The weather on this route is inconsistent with frequent presence of fog. Try to avoid cloudy days so you can enjoy the scenery. The route continues till  Cova Grande.

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Pico Cidrão

Translation: 

PICO CIDRÃO
Video: Pico Cidrão

A LENDA DO BICHO CIDRÃO

O som é aterrador e toma conta do corpo e do espírito de quantos o ouvem, num misto de desassossego e angústia, num desejo de fugir e de ficar, numa ânsia indizível de despenhamento. Parece um uivo mas é também um grito, profundo e rouco que devia vir das entranhas da terra mas surge inesperado do alto da serra. São centenas de gargantas escancaradas e escarpadas gemendo alto uma dor qualquer que é natural, e por isso mesmo, sem tempo e sem fuga. (...)
O Pico Cidrão é uma serra quase inacessível ao homem. Habitam-no o vento e a águia. Constituído por rocha basáltica, negra e dura, é todo ele recoberto de cavernas abertas como bocas escancaradas.
Conta-se que há tempos habitou aquelas paisagens abruptas e quase inexpugnáveis um pastor. Esse homem tinha um cão que era o único e fiel amigo de muitas solidões. Habituado àquelas lonjuras feitas de escarpas, o cão tornara-se quase tão bom saltador quanto as cabras que guardava.



Um dia, recolhia o pastor o seu rebanho, o cão, que andava atrás de um animal extraviado, calculou mal o salto e despenhou-se no vácuo, resvalando de escarpa em escarpa. Rolou; rasgou-se nas lâminas de pedra num uivo de dor imensa e acabou sendo ele mesmo um pouco de cada rocha.
Como sempre ante o irremediável, o ser humano segue um de dois caminhos: ou se fecha num castelo inexpugnavelmente seco e silencioso, ou retribui à Natureza o golpe inexplicável e sempre tão aparentemente inútil que é a morte, num grito feroz de lágrimas.
E o pastor fez-se eco do uivo do cão:
- Que mãe és tu, que me rouba o irmão, o amigo!...
Tu, que tudo me tens negado, tu, vens tirar-me o companheiro da minha vereda!! Maldita sejas! Maldita... e só, para sempre! Ah! Antes o tivesse um dia oferecido ao Demo!...
O vento tomou conta do uivo e da maldição, e das palavras fez sibilações. Enquanto o pastor viveu, guardou-as nas cavernas do Pico, escondidas e secretas, onde só a águia penetrava para as limpar da poeira do tempo. Quando, por fim, o pastor se foi juntar ao companheiro de outrora, o vento ordenou à águia que soltasse o uivo e a maldição que num eterno jogo de escondidas habitam desde então as alturas do Pico Cidrão.
Dizem as gentes da região que aquele grituivo aterrorizante provém do ser híbrido e demoníaco que são os espíritos dos dois amigos, finalmente um só, o Bicho Cidrão.

THE LEGEND OF THE BEAST OF PICO CIDRÃO

The sound is terrifying and takes over the body and spirit of its hearers, a mixture of distress and anguish, a desire to escape and to stay in an unspeakable eagerness to fall. It looks like a howl but is also a cry, deep and hoarse that should come from the bowels of the earth but comes unexpectedly from the top of the mountain. Hundreds of throats are flung open and scarps moaning loudly a pain that is natural, and therefore has no time and no escape. (...)

Pico Cidrão is a mountain range almost inaccessible to man. In it Inhabits the wind and the eagle. Consisting of black and hard basaltic rock, it is all covered with caves open like gaping mouths.

It is said that long ago dwelt those abrupt and almost impenetrable landscapes one shepherd. This man had a dog that was the unique and faithful friend of many solitudes. Accustomed to those ​​far reaches made of scarps, the dog had become almost as good jumper as the goats that it guarded.

One day, as the shepherd picked up his flock, the dog, who was behind a stray animal, miscalculated the jump and crashed into the vacuum, slithering from scarp to scarp. It rolled and was tored up on the stone blades in a howl of immense pain and he ended up being a bit of each rock.

As always facing the hopeless, the human being follows one of two paths: either he closes into an invincible castle dry and silent, or returns to Nature the  inexplicable and ever so seemingly useless blow which is death, in a fierce cry of tears.

And the shepherd echoed the howl of the dog:

- What mother are you that robs me of my brother, my friend! ...

Thou hast denied me everything, you, came and took away the companion of my path! Damn you! Damn ... and only, forever! Ah! I would rather have offered it to the Devil! ...

The wind took hold of the howling and the curse, and of the words made a hiss. While the shepherd lived, he put it in the caves of the peak, hidden and secret, where only the eagle penetrated to clean them from the dust of time. When, finally, the pastor joined his old companion, the wind commanded the eagle to release the howl and the curse that, in an eternal game of hide and seek, inhabits since then the heights of Pico Cidrão.

They people of the region say that the terrifying hiss comes from a hybrid and demonic being, that is the spirits of the two friends finally combined into one, the Cidrão Beast.

in Lendas de Portugal, de Fernanda Frazão

CACHE:

Para encontrar esta cache terás de percorrer parte do percurso Pico Arieiro - Pico Ruivo.
Abandona o trilho na coordenada indicada (ver spoiler) e segue as marcas ainda visíveis do trilho pouco utilizado.
Deverás regressar utilizando o mesmo percurso.

To find this cache you have to do part of the trail Pico Ariero - Pico Ruivo.
Abandon the trail at the indicated coordinate (see spoiler) and follow the still visible traces of the rarely used trail.
You must return using the same route.

ATENÇÃO / ATTENTION:

- O percurso é apenas aconselhado a caminheiros experientes e sem vertigens
(analisa as fotos e vídeo da listing)
- O percurso deverá ser feito apenas com boas condições climatéricas e com pouca nebulosidade para que possas usufruir das paisagens proporcionadas.
- Deverás levar água e comida, roupa e calçado apropriados.
- Pico Arieiro - Cache - Pico Arieiro: 4,7 km, 2h, 300m de desnível

- The route is only recommended to experienced hikers and with no vertigo
(analyze the listing's photos and video)
- The course must be done with good weather conditions and with little clouds so you can enjoy the scenery.
- You should bring food and water, appropriate clothing and footwear.
- Pico Arieiro - Cache - Pico Arieiro: 4,7 km, 2h, 300m gradient

FTF: JOSE AVELINO, Dríade, RRV1982

STF: ricardomariagoncas, tojoliveira, dandrade, RicardoGonçalvesrady, Gonçalinho

TTF: Elvio alpHa, ruben&alexandra, escorcios,

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Black Sheep

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX2sGL1ZIjY&hd=1



A presença de gados nas zonas altas da Ilhas da Madeira e do Porto Santo aconteceu desde os primórdios da colonização e destinou-se ao sustento das populações. A falta de predadores naturais levou a que o homem negligenciasse o acompanhamento dos rebanhos, deixando os animais soltos e entregues à sua sorte. Entretanto, a ocorrência de incêndios florestais e o corte clandestino de espécies de grande valor da floresta indígena, ao longo de séculos, também contribuíram para o aumento do espaço territorial desses gados, que desde muito cedo foram causadores de problemas gravíssimos.

Sem planificação e sem sustentação técnica, ou seja, em zonas inadequadas, soltos e asselvajados, sem rotação e com excessivas e descontroladas cargas animais em razão das disponibilidades alimentares, a presença dos gados foi sempre incompatível com a preservação e sustentabilidade dos ecossistemas. Mas os animais foram sendo mantidos e como testemunho da grande quantidade que apascentou livremente nas serras, o “Eco do Funchal”, de 27 de Janeiro de 1946, noticia a existência de 95.000 cabeças assim classificadas: 55.000 ovelhas, 25.000 cabras e 15.000 porcos.

Apesar de terem representado um complemento à subsistência das populações, a evolução que foi acontecendo, fez com que os gados das serras perdessem importância nos dias de hoje. Deixaram de existir proprietários de gado que se dedicassem exclusivamente a ter animais nas serras ou que deles dependessem para sobreviver, mantendo-os apenas por capricho e quase não se deslocando às serras para realizar as tarefas relacionadas com eles. A maioria dessas pessoas desenvolvem actividades profissionais sem qualquer relação com o sector agrícola e os que são agricultores a criação de gados nas serras não era a sua actividade principal.



Em contrapartida a esta actividade desregrada, muitas foram as tentativas para a sua organização e disciplina, tendo sido lavrados diplomas no sentido de controlar a ocorrência de gados selvagens na floresta. Apesar de todo o empenho, foi difícil reprimir os interesses e as resistências dos proprietários dos gados e até 1980 a presença de animais soltos pelas serras continuou a fazer-se sentir por grande parte do Território, abrangendo aproximadamente 51.400 hectares.

A retirada definitiva de ovinos e caprinos de áreas com excessiva carga animal e sem ordenamento e de áreas sem aptidão para a pastorícia, foi fundamental para o ordenamento em detrimento da desordem e contribuiu para o estabelecimento do equilíbrio biofísico das áreas de intervenção. A recuperação do coberto vegetal dessas áreas é imprescindível para a protecção dos solos e infiltração das águas, assim como, a expansão dos espaços de vegetação autóctone, nomeadamente a floresta Laurissilva, é essencial para a manutenção do equilíbrio hidrológico, por ser a principal responsável pela captação da água dos nevoeiros. Também por ser detentora de elevada biodiversidade e de paisagens deslumbrantes, a floresta Laurissilva é uma das imprescindíveis atracções turísticas da Madeira, com o seu reconhecimento internacional a reflectir-se no facto de ser classificada como uma Reserva Biogenética do Conselho da Europa, como um Sítio da Rede Natura 2000 e como Património Mundial Natural sob a égide da UNESCO.



The presence of cattle in the highlands of the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo took place since the beginning of colonization and was intended for the people's livelihoods. The lack of natural predators led man to neglect the monitoring of herds, leaving the animals loose and to their fate. Meanwhile, the occurrence of forest fires and illegal cutting of valuable species of indigenous forest, over the centuries, have also contributed to the increase in the territorial space of these cattle, which caused on an early stage, very serious problems.

Without planning and without technical support, ie, in unsuitable  reas, loose and wild without rotation and with excessive and uncontrolled stocking compared to the availability of food, the presence of cattle has always been incompatible with the preservation and sustainability of ecosystems. But the animals were being kept and as a witness of the large amount that grazed freely in the mountains, the "Eco Funchal" of January 27, 1946, reports the existence of 95,000 heads classified as follows: 55,000 sheep, 25,000 goats and 15,000 pigs.

Although they have represented a complement to the livelihood of the people, evolution has caused ​​the cattle of the mountains to lose relevance nowadays. Livestock owners who have devoted themselves exclusively to animals in the mountains or who depended for their survival ceased to exist, keeping them just on a whim and hardly went to the mountains to perform tasks related to them. Most of these people developed professional activities unrelated to the agricultural sector and those who were farmers did not herd catle in the mountains as their main activity.



In contrast to this lawless activity, there were many attempts to its organization and discipline, having been issued laws in order to control the occurrence of wild cattle in the forest. Despite all efforts, it was difficult to suppress the interests and strengths of the cattle owners and until 1980 the presence of animals loose in the mountains continued to be felt on a large part of the territory, covering approximately 51,400 hectares.

The permanent removal of sheep and goats in areas with excessive stocking and without planning and in areas not suitable for shepherding, was crucial to the planning and contributed to the establishment of the biophysical equilibrium of the interventioned areas. The recovery of vegetation in these areas is essential for the protection of soil and water infiltration, as well as the expansion of areas of native vegetation, including the Laurel forest, it is essential for maintaining the hydrological balance, being the most responsible for capturing the water from fog. Also as the holder of high biodiversity and stunning scenery, the Laurel forest is one of the essential tourist attractions of Madeira, with its international recognition reflected in the fact that it is classified as a Biogenetic Reserve of the Council of Europe, as a Site Natura 2000 and as a World Natural Heritage under the aegis of UNESCO.

Adaptado de / adapted from: http://www.sra.pt/DRF/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105:pastoricia-retirada-de-ovinos-e-caprinos-evolucao&catid=49:pastoricia&Itemid=85

CACHE:

Esta cache desenrola-se em 4 stages que conduzem o geocacher para a cache final, ao longo de uma área que apresenta não só uma boa paisagem como também marcas da actividade pastorícia.

This cache plays out at four stages leading the geocacher to the final cache along an area which has not only a good scenery but also traces of shepherding activity.

STAGE 1

Esta stage irá te indicar a coordenada para a stage seguinte.
Entra na gruta e responde à seguinte questão:
Quantas divisões podes encontrar no corredor principal desta gruta?

This stage will show you the coordinates to the next stage.

Enter the cave and answer the following question:

How many divisions can you find in the main hallway of this cave?

2 = N 32º 43.956  /  W 17º 03.806
4 = N 32º 43.949  /  W 17º 03.786
6 = N 32º 43.895  /  W 17º 03.807


STAGE 2

Esta stage irá te indicar a coordenada para a stage seguinte.
Responde à seguinte questão:
O que é que encontras aqui?

This stage will show you the coordinates to the next stage.

Answer the following question:

What do you see here?

gruta/cave= N 32º 43.937  /  W 17º 03.891
pedra grande/big rock= N 32º 43.953 /  W 17º 03.863
curral/corral= N 32º 43.930  /  W 17º 03.869


STAGE 3

Esta é uma stage física. Procura o pequeno container e dentro encontrarás um número.

Faz as contas para as coordenadas para a stage seguinte.

This is a physical stage. Search for the small container and inside you will find a number.

Do the math for the coordinates for the next stage.

- N 32º 43.(stage 3 + 886)  /  W 17º 04.(stage 3 + 068)


STAGE 4

Esta stage irá te indicar a coordenada para a stage seguinte.
Responde à seguinte questão:
O que é que encontras aqui?

This stage will show you the coordinates to the next stage.

Answer the following question:

What do you see here?

gruta/cave= N 32º 43.911 /  W 17º 04.150
pedra grande/big rock= N 32º 43.932 /  W 17º 04.009
curral/corral= N 32º 43.815 /  W 17º 04.105


STAGE FINAL

Apenas precisas de retirar um pedra.
O container é frágil, trata-o com cuidado e deixa-o coberto e em boas condições.

You only need to remove one stone.

The container is fragile, treat it carefully and leave it covered and in good condition.

ATENÇÃO / ATTENTION:

- O percurso deverá ser feito com boas condições climatéricas e com pouca nebulosidade para que possas usufruir das paisagens proporcionadas.
- Deverás levar água e comida, roupa e calçado apropriados.
- Total: 2,6km, 50 minutos

- The course must be done with good weather conditions and with little clouds so you can enjoy the scenery.
- You should bring food and water, appropriate clothing and footwear.
- Total: 2,6km, 50 minutes

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