User:Michael5000

Bio

Me

I am a 42 year old social worker living in the Portland, Oregon graticule. I began geohashing in October 2009, but I have been an arbitrary traveler for at least twenty years. I have an atlas of every road I've ever traveled, an extensive collection of U.S. Counties, and am gradually running down each and every road of Southeast Portland.

I blog a little about my exploits in arbitrary travel, but also a lot about my exploits in arbitrary book-reading, arbitrary movie-watching, and arbitrary topics such as boring postcards and flag criticism, at The Life & Times of Michael5000.

You will probably want to visit:

• Michael5000's Great Hall of Pointless Geohashing Statistics
• Michael5000's Geohashing Map Room

Mrs.5000

Mrs.5000, my helpmeet and lead co-adventurer, is an architect, bricoleur, and book artist of no little reknown. She is thought to prefer expeditions in which there is some secondary payoff, such as exercise, attractive scenery, or burritos, but she is as game for a random road trip as the next person. She has joined me on Expeditions #1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27.02, 28-31, 38, 41, 45, 47, & 58-69.

Other Humans

Niece #1 joined us for Expedition #4 and was a brilliant puppet for Expedition #15a.

Rebel joined us for Expedition #15.

Sarah joined me for doomed Expedition #17.

BigBrother5000 joined us for doomed Expedition #30.

A Really Nice Guy and his son saved our sorry stranded asses in doomed Expedition #60.

And it would be churlish not to mention Robyn, the human who introduced me to the pursuit and who is my geohashing hero and geohashing spiritual counselor.

Hashscot

Cinnamon Bear, my hashscot, is a 35 year old North American brown bear. He has many years of experience as a travel mascot. He has traveled in 44 U.S. states as well as England and Wales, and has been to Hadrian's Wall, the White House, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other well-known sites. He has been to the top of the highest mountain in New Jersey (with me) and to the tops of Oregon's Mt. Hood and Washington's Mt. Saint Helens (without me).

Cinnamon Bear has been along for Expeditions #2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 16, 18-22, 25, 26, 28-39, 41, 48, 51, 54, 55, & 57-70.

Recent Expeditions

70.2011-07-27 45 -122 Near Highway 99E between Milwaukie and Gladstone.

• Expedition Success!

69.2011-07-24 45 -123 Between Cannon Beach and Seaside.

• Expedition Thwarted
• Candida Nashe joins us!
• 50th Oregon Expedition!
• Only my second McMinnville graticule Expedition.
• July 2011 becomes my month with the most geohashes (13) and by FAR the most failures (7, with the previous record being 2).

68.2011-07-23 45 -122 Off of Springville Road in Northwest Portland.

• Expedition Thwarted
• Candida Nashe joins us!

67.2011-07-21 46 -121 Near White Pass in the Washington Cascades.

• Expedition Success!
• First Expedition to Yakima County
• First Expedition (by me) to the Mt. Rainier graticule.
• Second successful expedition (by anyone) in the graticule.
• (Self-Awarded) Honorable Mention for Endurance Geohashing

Michael5000 achieved level 4 of the Minesweeper Geohash achievement by visiting coordinates in Portland, Oregon and 4 of the surrounding graticules.

66.2011-07-19 46 -117 In a canyon west of Asotin, Washington.

• Expedition Thwarted.
• First attempt (by anyone) at the Pullman graticule.

65.2011-07-19 45 -118 On a ridge above the Grande Ronde River near La Grande.

• Expedition Thwarted.
• First attempt (by anyone) at the Pendleton graticule.

64.2011-07-18 45 -117 On the Union Pacific Railroad south of Union, Oregon.

• Expedition Success!
• First attempt (by anyone) at the Enterprise graticule.
• Three virgin graticules in three days!

Michael5000 and Mrs.5000 earned the Railhash Achievement by visiting the hash situating on the railway. (45, -117) geohash on 2011-07-18.

63.2011-07-17 43 -117 In desert hills east of Juntura, Oregon

• Expedition Success!
• First attempt (by anyone) at the Vale graticule.

Michael5000 and Mrs.5000 earned the Multihash Achievement by reaching 2 hash points on 2011-07-17. It's a Double Hash.

62.2011-07-17 43 -118 A few miles east of US-395 in the Malheur National Forest.

• Expedition Success!
• First attempt (by anyone) at the Buchanen graticule.

61.2011-07-16 44 -118 In agricultural land between John Day and Prairie City.

• Expedition Thwarted
• First attempt (by anyone) at the Prairie City graticule.

60.2011-07-16 44 -119 Deep in the Ochoco Mountains.

• Expedition Thwarted
• First attempt (by anyone) at the Kimberly graticule.
• Most laborious and difficult car-based geohash to date.

Michael5000 and Mrs.5000 earned the Train wreck consolation prize by failing to reach the (44, -119) geohash on 2011-07-16 due to a flat tire.

59.2011-07-15 44 -120 Rural Wheeler County.

• Expedition Success!
• First Successful Eastern Oregon Expedition
• Second Successful hash of graticule
• First Successful Wheeler County Expedition

58.2011-07-15 45 -120 Off I-84 near Arlington.

• Expedition Thwarted
• First attempt at Goldendale graticule

57. 2011-07-04 45 -122 In Sellwood.

• Expedition Success! Kind of!
• Independence Day Hash!
• Unusually uninteresting expedition!

56. 2011-06-17 45 -122 On Marine Drive, just east of Portland International Airport.

• Expedition Success!

55. 2011-05-29 45 -122 In a powerline right-of-way off of Skyline Drive.

• Expedition Success!
• Somewhat reckless Bushwhacking!

54. 2011-05-22 45 -122 The I-205 median four miles into Washington.

• Expedition Success!
• 10th Clark County Expedition!
• Mild recklessness!

53. 2011-05-07 45 -122 A suburban street in Southwest Portland.

• Expedition Success!

52. 2011-04-27 45 -122 A sidewalk in The 'Couv.

• Expedition Success!
• The Curse of Wednesday is broken; I'm now 1-4 for Wednesday Expeditions!

51. 2011-04-21 45 -122 The middle of a street in Happy Valley.

• Expedition Success!

50. 2011-03-18 45 -122 Industrial site south of Foster Road.

• Expedition fail: private property, bashfullness.

49. 2011-03-09 45 -122 Residential neighborhood north of the Columbia.

• Deterred due to private access.
• First failure after 18-Expedition winning streak.

48. 2011-02-26 45 -122 On the Columbia River Bike Path.

michael5000 earned the Frozen Geohash Achievement

by reaching the (45, -122) geohash on 2011-02-26 while the temperature was 28°F.

47. 2011-02-04 45 -122 Just off Hwy 26 near Tanisbourne.

• Geohashing Synergy: Shoe Shopping!

46. 2011-01-10 45 -122 Somebody's yard in Irvington.

• First Expedition of 2011!

Late 2010 (Expeditions #39-45)

45. 2010-12-24 43 -124 In a tidal flat just off of East Bay Drive.

• First successful expedition (for anyone) in the Coos Bay graticule!
• Sixth (6th) Virgin graticule!
• First successful expedition (for anyone) in Coos County!
• Christmas Eve geohash!
• Muddy!

44. 2010-12-12 45 -122 In an empty lot by the railroad corridor in Milwaukie.

• Geohashing Synergy: This one was attached to a run in the Brooklyn neighborhood.

43. 2010-12-06 45 -122 In Happy Valley, off of Sunnyside Road.

42. 2010-11-11 45 -122 Near LaCamas Lake, north of Camas.

• Veteran's Day Hash
• Geohashing Synergy: Bike ride around the lake.

41. 2010-10-31 45 -122 Under a tree at SE 40th and Woodstock.

• Visited at the end of a weekend road trip.

Michael5000 & Mrs.5000 earned the first Hashiversary achievement by attempting a hash point exactly on the first anniversary of their inaugural geohashing expedition.

40. 2010-10-07 45 -122 Somebody's house, in Irvington.

• Another completely unremarkable Expedition!

39. 2010-09-24 45 -122 Somebody's driveway, in Sellwood.

• A completely unremarkable Expedition!

The Belle Epoch: July & August 2010 (Expeditions #23-38)

38. 2010-08-31 45 -124 On a hilltop near the ocean in the Siuslaw National Forest.

• First documented Expedition in the almost entirely landless North Lincoln City, Oregon graticule (by anyone).

• First Lincoln County Expedition!
• FINALLY A TUESDAY GEOHASH!
• Fifth Virgin graticule deflowered!
• 25th Oregon Geohash!

--

37. 2010-08-29 45 -123 In the woods northwest of Vernonia.

• My first Expedition to the McMinnville, Oregon graticule!
• First Columbia County Expedition!

36. 2010-08-29 46 -123 In the Capital State Forest, twelve miles WSW of Olympia, Washington.

• First Thurston County Expedition!
• First Washington-side expedition to the Astoria, Oregon graticule (for anyone).

35. 2010-08-29 46 -124 A vacant lot in Ocean Shores, Washington.

• First Grays Harbor County Expedition.
• First documented Expedition in Ocean Shores, Washington graticule (by anyone).

Second Consecutive Triple Hash: all three 2010-08-29 Expeditions Succeeded!

Michael5000 earned the Multihash Achievement by reaching 3 hash points on 2010-08-29. It's a Triple Hash.

• August 2010 will likely never be equaled, geohashingwise.

34. 2010-08-28 47 -123 In light forest near the Matlock-Brady Road, fifteen miles west of Shelton, Washington.

• First Mason County Expedition.
• First expedition to the Olympic National Park, Washington graticule (for me); second successful Expedition (for anyone).

33. 2010-08-28 47 -122 Off a residential street in Parkland, south of Tacoma.

• First Pierce County Expedition!
• First running Expedition!
• The Seattle, Washington graticule becomes the first besides Portland that I've made three Expeditions in.

32. 2010-08-28 46 -123 In Clatsop State Forest, roughly 10 miles west of Clatskanie, Oregon.

• First Clatsop County Expedition
• First expedition to the Astoria, Oregon graticule (for me); third successful Expedition (for anyone)

All three 2010-08-28 Expeditions Succeeded!

Michael5000 earned the Multihash Achievement by reaching 3 hash points on 2010-08-28. It's a Triple Hash.

• First Geohashing adventure involving use of a ferry.
• August 2010 is now easily my month with the most Expeditions and the most successful Expeditions.

31. 2010-08-16 42 -122 In the forested hills south of Ashland, Oregon.

Expedition Succeeded!

• First documented successful Expedition in Medford, Oregon graticule (by anyone).

Seven Oregon graticules attempted; six successful.

• The Medford graticule is only the third that I've launched more than one Expedition on.
• Jackson County becomes my fourth most geohashed county.
• August 2010 is now tied for most Expeditions (5) and is the month with with the most successful Expeditons (4)!

30. 2010-08-14 42 -122 In the forest west of I-5, south of Ashland.

Expedition Failed.

• First documented Expedition in Medford, Oregon graticule (by anyone).

Seven Oregon graticules attempted; five successful.

• First three-in-a-row days of attempted geohashing.

29. 2010-08-13 42 -121 In National Forest land east of Chiloquin, Oregon.

Expedition Succeeded!

• First ever geohash of Klamath Falls, Oregon graticule (by anyone).

Six Oregon graticules attempted; five successful.

• First Klamath County Expedition.

Eight Oregon counties attempted; seven successful.

• Birthday Geohash!

Michael5000 earned the Birthday Geohash Achievement by reaching the (42, -121) geohash on his 42nd birthday, 2010-08-13.

• First Successful pair of Expeditions on consecutive days.

28. 2010-08-12 42 -123 In the hills south of the Applegate Valley, Southern Oregon.

Expedition Succeeded!

• Second ever geohash of Grants Pass, Oregon graticule (by anyone).

Five Oregon graticules attempted; four successful.

• First Jackson County Expedition.

Seven Oregon counties attempted; six successful.

• Thursday still can't lose: 4-0 on Thursday expeditions.

27. 2010-08-05 45 -122 I84W to I5N Ramp, Central Portland.

Expedition Succeeded!

• First Geohash at two levels of altitude -- possibly for anyone.
• Proposed Over and Under Geohash Achievement based on this Expedition.
• First Expedition that would have happened even if I hadn't known about the hashpoint.
• Bicycle Geohash: 6.45 miles.
• Geohashing Synergy: Burritos for dinner!

User:Michael5000 earned the Cross that bridge achievement by reaching the (45, -122) geohash on 2010-08-05, which was situated on a bridge.

Michael5000 has visited an Easy Geohash by reaching the (45, -122) geohash on 2010-08-05 without really trying.

Michael5000 earned the The Over and Under Achievement by reaching the same hashpoint at two different elevations (45, -122) geohash on 2010-08-05.

26. 2010-07-30 45 -122 Lakeridge High School, Lake Oswego.

Expedition Succeeded!

• New record for longest successful all-bicycle expedition (31.0 miles).

25. 2010-07-25 45 -122 Lone Fir Cemetary, Southeast Portland.

Expedition Succeeded!

• First walking geohash.
• Closest geohash to home.
• Default record for longest walking geohash: 1.5 mile round trip.

Michael5000 and Mrs.5000 earned the Walk geohash Achievement by reaching the (45, -122) geohash on 2010-07-25 on foot, travelling a distance of a mile and a half, round trip..

24. 2010-07-18 45 -122 Deep in the East Vancouver burbclaves.

Expedition Failed.

• Longest all-bicycle geohash attempt (33 miles).
• First two-state non-motorized expedition.

23. 2010-07-17 45 -122 Off Marine Drive near the Portland International Airport.

Expedition Succeeded!

• First non-motorized Geohash!
• Default record for longest all-bicycle geohash (21.1 miles).

Michael5000 & Mrs.5000 earned the Bicycle geohash achievement by cycling 21.1 miles to the (45, -122) geohash on 2010-07-17.

January - June, 2010 (Expeditions #11-22)

22. 2010-06-11 52 -129 In Queen Charlotte Sound, off the British Columbia Coast

Expedition Failed.

• First documented Expedition (for anyone) in the Rennison Island graticule.
• First (and likely only) Expedition mounted from within a cruise ship.
• First Expedition at sea!

21. 2010-06-06 47 -122 In an apartment complex parking lot near SeaTac Airport.

Expedition Succeeded!

• First successful opportunistic Geohash in transit.
• Seattle becomes the second graticule to host a second Michael5000 geohash.
• First successful Seattle geohash.
• King County becomes the third county to host a second Michael5000 geohash.

20. 2010-05-30 45 -122 Forested foothills northeast of Vancouver.

Expedition Succeeded!

• First "Triathlon" Expedition: Truck/Bike/Foot.
• Best Expedition Ever, to date.
• First successful map/imagery/GPS integration.

19. 2010-05-23 45 -122 Along the Clackamas River near Estacada.

Expedition Thwarted -- No physical access in one direction, no legal access in the other.

• First Thwarted Expedition on a Sunday?

18. 2010-05-22 45 -122 A Street on the suburban West Side.

Expedition Succeeded!

• First Successful Expedition using GPS.

17. 2010-05-05 45 -122 Kingsley D. Bundy City Park in Southeast Portland, with Sarah.

Expedition Thwarted -- Time, Access, and Hostile Native Issues.

• First Expedition for Sarah.
• Declared "Anti-Ambassador Achievement."
• The Curse of Wednesday continues, with three Wednesday Expeditions all having failed.

16. 2010-04-21 45 -122 At the edge of a quarry site north of Estacada.

Expedition Thwarted -- Technical Issues.

• First Expedition with GPS technology.
• First Expedition to fail due to GPS technology.
• Failed to stage first successful Wednesday Expedition.
• April 2010 is now 3rd most active hashing month to date.

Michael5000 earned the Blinded by Science Consolation Prize by failing to reach the (45, -122) geohash on 2010-04-21 due to problems with the coordinate format on a GPS unit.

15a. 2010-04-14 44 -123 Northeast of Monmouth (by proxy)

Expedition Succeeded

• First successful attempt (out of four) to conduct a Expedition by proxy.
• Second Expedition for Niece #1
• First successful Expedition for Niece #1

Michael5000 earned the Puppet Master Geohash achievement by manipulating someone to reach the (44, -123) geohash on 2010-04-14.

15. 2010-04-11 45 -122 South of Oregon City, with Mrs.5000 and Rebel.

Expedition Succeeded.

• First Expedition to require wading.
• First Expedition for Rebel.
• First Expedition joined by a randomly encountered friend.

14. 2010-04-01 45 -122 Powell Butte Nature Park.

Expedition Succeeded.

• First Expedition to require scaling a volcano.
• First Expedition in nearly two months.

13. 2010-02-04 45 -122 Across the street from the back of a Safeway in Milwaukie, with Mrs.5000.

Expedition Succeeded.

• First Clackamas County Expedition.
• First Expedition on a Thursday!

12. 2010-01-11 45 -122 On a residential street in Northeast Portland, with Mrs.5000.

Expedition Succeeded.

• Closest Expedition to home.
• Geohashing Synergy: Took Mrs.5000 out to dinner.
• Replaces Expedition 6 as Easiest Expedition Ever.

11. 2010-01-09 45 -122 On a dead-end road near Tualatin.

Expedition Succeeded.

• First 2010 Expedition.
• First Washington County Expedition.
• Attempt at Tron Achievement disqualified on technicality.
• Geohashing Synergy: Inspired visit to parents.

2009 (Expeditions #1-10)

10. 2009-12-27 42 -124 South of Humbug Mountain, Curry County, Oregon with Mrs.5000.

Expedition Succeeded.

• First documented Expedition and successful Expedition (for anyone) in the Brookings graticule.
• First Curry County Expedition.
• First Expedition requiring minor bushwhacking.
• December 2009 is the geohashingest month ever, with five expeditions.

9. 2009-12-25 43 -124 North of Myrtle Point, Oregon with Mrs.5000.

Expedition Failed -- Private Land, Impassable Gully.

• First documented Expedition (for anyone) in the Coos Bay graticule.
• First Coos County Expedition.
• First Expedition launched from an away-from-home base camp.
• Christmas Expedition!

Mrs.5000 earned the My kingdom for a boat consolation prize by being prevented from reaching the (43, -124) geohash on 2009-12-25 by an impassable and unforeseen little gully.

8. 2009-12-23 45 -122 Residential Area Southeast of Vancouver Lake

Expedition Failed -- Private Land.

• Earned No Trespassing Achievement!
• First, um, Wednesday Expedition!

Michael5000 earned the No trespassing consolation prize by almost reaching the (45, -122) geohash on 2009-12-23.

7. 2009-12-21 45 -122 Gillihan Road, Sauvie Island.

Expedition Succeeded

• First successful night Expedition.
• First Expedition completed without stopping.

Michael5000 earned the Speed racer achievement

by passing through the (45, -122) geohash on 2009-12-21 at a high rate of acceleration.

6. 2009-12-06 45 -122 Sunset High School baseball diamond, Portland.

Expedition Succeeded

• First Oregon-side Expedition in the Portland, Oregon graticule.
• Easiest Expedition ever.

5. 2009-11-28 45 -122 On Logging Roads north of the East Fork Lewis River in Southwest Washington.

Expedition Succeeded.

• First series of Expeditions on consecutive days.
• First Expedition requiring moderate physical exertion.

4. 2009-11-27 47 -122 East of Everett, Washington, with Mrs.5000 and Niece #1.

Expedition Failed -- difficult slope, thick vegetation, darkness.

• My first night Expedition.
• My first Expedition in a graticule not contiguous to Portland.
• Niece #1's first Expedition.
• My first failed Expedition.

3. 2009-11-13 45 -122 To the eastern fringe of The 'Couv.

Expedition Succeeded.

• My first lunch-break Expedition.

2. 2009-11-08 45 -122 To Vancouver Lake.

Expedition Succeeded.

• My first Expedition in Portland, Oregon graticule.
• My first Expedition outside of Oregon.
• My first Expedition in Washington.
• Cinnamon Bear's first Expedition.

1. 2009-10-31 44 -123 To South Salem with Mrs.5000.

Expedition Succeeded.

michael5000 earned the Land geohash achievement by reaching the (44, -123) geohash on 2009-10-31.

michael5000 earned the Drag-along achievement by dragging Mrs.5000 to the (44, -123) geohash on 2009-10-31.

michael5000 earned the No Batteries Geohash Achievement by reaching the (44, -123) geohash on 2009-10-31.

Other Hijinx

2010-08-10 -- Created Michael5000's Top Ten (Fake) Rejected Achievement Proposals for your entertainment and edification.

2010-08-05 -- Proposed Over and under achievement for purposes of self-aggrandizement.

2010-06-11 -- Was in Ketchikan, Alaska, one day before the globalhash would occur on an accessible waterway just outside of town, but was unable to remain in town for an extra day.

2010-04-19 -- Alerted Huntsville, Alabama friends of the location of a highly accessible hashpoint. Result: Friends proved insufficiently motivated to travel to hashpoint. Also, alerted Niece #3 of a hashpoint near her home. Result: Disappointed by eighth-grade niece's lack of initiative in not securing rowboat for what would after all would have been a relatively short row into Puget Sound.

2010-04-19 -- Fell on face while walking around staring into screen of first GPS Unit. Screen of GPS Unit suffered minor crack. Pride scuffed.

2010-04-18 -- Purchased first GPS Unit.

2010-04-11 -- Suggested simplification of the Water Geohash achievement.

2010-02-01 -- Made another attempt to score the Puppet Master Geohash achievement using cousin. Result: Failed due to repeated recalcitrance of cousin.

2009-12-11 -- Seeing a highly accessible hash not far from a cousin's home, made another attempt to score the Puppet Master Geohash achievement. Result: Failed due to recalcitrance of cousin.

2009-11-10 -- Finished entering graticules for Oregon page.

2009-11-05 -- Noting that an accessible hash is two miles from my eldest niece's college campus, sent detailed if gnomic instructions in an attempt to score the Puppet Master Geohash achievement. Result: Failed due to recalcitrance of niece..

2009-11-03 -- Laboriously created Oregon page, and links to it on individual graticule pages, out of a sudden compulsion to know which graticules are still available for the Virgin Graticule Achievement.

My Pacific Northwest

Washington

N\E	-124	-123	-122	-121	-120	-119	-118	-117	-116
48	Lake Cowichan	Victoria	Bellingham	North Cascades National Park	Lake Chelan	Omak	Kettle Falls	Colville
47	Forks	Olympic National Park Hashed!	Seattle Multiple Hashes!	Snoqualmie	Wenatchee	Moses Lake	Davenport	Spokane
46	Ocean Shores First Ever Hash!	Astoria Hashed!	Mt. St. Helens	Mt. Rainier Hashed!	Yakima	Tri Cities	Walla Walla	Pullman Attempted	Lewiston
45			Portland Multiple Hashes!	The Dalles	Goldendale	Hermiston	Pendleton

Oregon

N\E	-124	-123	-122	-121	-120	-119	-118	-117	-116
46	Ocean Shores Washington Side Only	Astoria Hashed!	Mt. St. Helens
45	North Lincoln City First Ever Hash!	McMinnville Hashed!	Portland Multiple Hashes	The Dalles	Goldendale Attempted	Hermiston	Pendleton Attempted	Enterprise First Ever Hash!	Grangeville
44	Newport	Eugene Hashed!	Springfield	Bend	Prineville Hashed!	Kimberly Attempted	Prairie City Attempted	Baker City	Payette
43	Coos Bay First Ever Hash!	Roseburg	Oakridge	La Pine	Hampton	Hines	Buchanan First Ever Hash!	Vale First Ever Hash!	Boise
42	Brookings First Ever Hash!	Grants Pass Hashed!	Medford First Ever Hash!	Klamath Falls First Ever Hash!	Lakeview	Plush	Fields	Jordan Valley