Knight-Errant

Presumeably you are concerned about your Jean's Lucky Frog (TB2TFV9) Travel Bug since your other one seems to be moving at a substantially above average rate for the short time it has been released. Unfortunately, in MOST cases, you just have to have a LOT of patience and just hope that the travel bug just doesn't disappear. It is not unusual for travel bugs to sit in caches for several weeks or even months before being moved.

Try the word TRAVEL. I recently got my first bunch of TB(s) and was surprised that this was the activation code for all 8 of them. The activation codes are based on the manufacture batch of dog tags, so it would be highly unlikely that it would differ for any dog tags ordered at the same time. However, there is no way to know for sure which batch a dog tag came from without the tracking number. Speaking from experience we can assure you that using the method previously detailed by BlueDeuce will get prompt and accurate results.

You will find that many cachers won't move your travel bug and even fewer will actually post pictures for it. So as not to discourage those that will, we would discourage you from trying get cachers to use any other photo gallery that the one already provided by Groundspeak and previously described by BlueDeuce.

We were already working on that one, we just need to find a way to 1) get the a cache placed in space (EarthCache maybe?) and 2) get the altitude fingured into the coordinates for the correct vertical mileage.

It would appear that much of the mileage of this traveler is NOT through legitimate methods. Why is the traveler code posted on its webpage for anyone to log it at will?

For clarification, a "write a note" log for a traveler is just that, a note for the traveler. It doesn't officially tie the traveler to any cache and won't affect the mileage of the traveler. The ONLY way to tie a traveler to a cache is to "drop it" by way of a log entry for the cache itself (not the traveler). The cache log entry may be any log entry type (except that a Needs archived or a Didn't find it wouldn't make any sense), but are most often either a Found it or Write note. There is no way to place a traveler in a cache from the traveler's webpage. However, the traveler's webpage IS where you will need to go to edit an entry that shows it was placed in the cache (without any editing, the entry will remail blank).

Actually you can write a note indicating that you have found Stage 1 and are planing to work your way through the remaining stages as time permits. As the previous poster indicated, you only log a find at the final after having signed the log. I like to hide multi caches. We have a pair of local cacher who don't use a GPS. They generally only find one stage per visit to the area. They usually have to go home and print new maps for the next stage. They initially post a note, and then keep updating the note (complete with dates) till they complete the multi, at which time they log the find. I look forward to any find log, but reading about their adventures over time is a special treat. While notes for each stage are not necessary for a multi-cache you find in one afternoon, they are particularly helpful for very difficult multi-caches than may take several attempts and/or days to complete.

As already indicated, your question does not have an easy and/or hard fast answer. However, if you are still excited when you find a light post hide (LPH or LPC) you are definately still a newbie!

Perhaps if the listing stated how long it should take or how far it is to drive or walk? Is there a reason why its a multi and not a trad? If so, perhaps mention it in the listing as a 'selling point'. Does the cache hunt take the seeker anywhere intresting or worth seeing? If so, perhaps mention it in the listing as a 'selling point'. The most fun multis require the finder to visit one or more intersting locations to gather information (often off plaques, statues and buldings etc.) in order to find the coordinates of the final. It is less fun when you are simply being led by the nose from micro to micro to micro to final for no obvious reason, and so a lot of people ignore that sort of multi. Mike Our initial response to why one would not go after a milti-cache is the obvious, they are harder. However, more valid reasons include the following: 1) About many stages does this multi-cache have? Are we going to be searching for 1-2 stages or 10+ stages? We have gone after some that were way too long to finish in the time we had available, but had no way to know that when we started and since they were not in our local caching area, there wasn't opportunity to "finish on another day". 2) Approximately how far apart are the stages? Are they easy walking distance, long hike, short drive, longer drive, etc. We have encountered some we anticipated would be no more than short drives, but ended up crossing town several times. However, we are aware of others that are a bit longer drive between stages, but are on a "long drive route" that many would be taking anyway AND the cache description indicated this was the case and the direction of travel. 3) What kind of containers are we going to be searching for? Are the stages all micros or something larger or are they plaques, etc.? 4) Finally, the most valid reason for not going after a multi-cache is the substantially increased possiblity of not being able to complete that cache due to missing stages. The more stages involved, the greater possibilty of having one go missing. It is most frustrating to find the first five or so stages only to find out that number six is missing, so after all the searching we are still unable to complete the cache. Unfortuntely for your case you seemed to have more than adequately addressed most of these issues. So for a better answer than that, see the good reponse given by Von-Horst. Oh, one more thing that may not be applicable in your case, but could help others. If finds are not regular, at least have regular notes from the owner confirming the continued presence of all stages (see #4 above).

We concur with the previous post regarding the high quality of Tour of Duty TB's (GCR206). We also can recommend Salt Lake City Travel Bug Hotel (GCQF8F). It is especially nice during the hot summer as it is inside. It also seems to many more out-of-area visitors. However, for both of these caches it VERY important you read the descriptions for specifics regarding each cache. Surprisingly, there isn't currently an active TB hotel/exchange anywhere near the Salt Lake City International Airport. For one more, but near U of U, we recommend Travel Bug University (GCN90T).

Alternative logging requirements, like you have to take a photo of yourself wearing a red wig or something like that. EarthCaches and Challenge caches, like Delorme are exempt. Could you please provide a reference for the Challenge cache exemption? The only information we could find regarding the matter seemed pretty clear in stating that the prohibition of additional logging requirements applies to ALL PHYSICAL caches (thus the exemption for earthcaches and virtual caches). Some info here More info here in the guidelines but specifically this piece that says I hope that is what you are looking for as the search function is fairly limited and I am generally lazy. However, if you continue reading further on in that section, you will find the following (which is published on a later date than the previous and therefore would seem more applicable): Logging of All Physical Caches Geocaches can be logged online as Found once the physical log has been signed. If it is appropriate for your cache location or theme, you may ask the cache seeker to accomplish an optional and simple task, either close to the cache site (normally within 0.1 miles or 161 meters) or when writing their online log. For example, wear the goofy hat inside the cache container and upload a photograph. Cache finders can choose whether or not to attempt or accomplish optional tasks. Cache owners may not delete the cache seeker's log based solely on optional tasks. This guideline change applies immediately to all logs written from April 4, 2009 and going forward. Older caches with "additional logging requirements" (ALRs) are not grandfathered under the older guideline. While this does not specify an exemption for challenge caches, it seems to allow them, but then prevents the cache owner from deleting logs if cachers choose not to fulfill the challenge. For what its worth, it seems that nearly all the finders of caches in our local area are either 1) unaware of the ALR prohibition or 2) are respecting the wishes of the cache owner anyway. For out part, we have continued to honor the original intent of the challenge caches.

However, if the cache name has a line through it AND is in red, it means the cache has been archived (not to return again). You will only see the red line for caches you have already found. If a cache has been archived you will not see it in any search pages or maps. Partially true. The only time you will see archived caches is 1) if you are looking on a list of caches found by a particular cacher (most often yourself), 2) if you search for that particular cache by waypoint, or 3) if you are looking a bookmark list. Any other method of searching automatically eliminates archived caches from the search.

Good. I think reviewers use DNFs to help decide if a cache has gone missing and needs to be disabled/archived. So, that's another reason. I doubt there are many reviewers with the time to do that, but cachers and responsible cache owners certainly do. While reviewers don't specifically search too much for multiple DNF logs on caches, the DO use them in considering an involuntary disabling, and possibile subsequent archiving, of caches. Obviously, the difficulty is taken into consideration and well as the logging history. (For example, has the cache had finds logged at least every few days for several years, but suddenly all DNF logs for several months?)

Park and Grab, Cache and Dash, Grab and Go, etc. all seem to be interchangable terms depending on where you are geocaching. While VERY rare, we have one locally that is not only a regular size, but you don't even have to get out of the vehicle to grab the cache and sign the log (okay, you do have to open your car door). Our question is, could it still be called a park and grab if parking isn't even necessary?

However, if the cache name has a line through it AND is in red, it means the cache has been archived (not to return again).

Good answers to the specific question, but for a general answer regarding a step that is often misunderstood. . . While you can retrieve a travel bug (geocoin) from a cache, grab one from another cacher, discover one where ever it is, and write a note about one (even without its tracking code), you CANNOT just move a travel bug into a cache. You can ONLY drop travel bug to a cache while entering a log for that cache (find, didn't find, note, etc.).

ALMOST without exception your use of a Mac shouldn't make any difference (the Wherigo caches are one major exception). From the voice of experience, we can assure you that it IS possible to find caches without a GPSr (we found about 500 without one), but it is obviously easier if you can use one. The two primary advantages of a GPSr are better accuracy for your search area and better relative location of caches. (A map may show you where one cache is, but a GPSr can show you which caches are nearby.) We can affirm the suggestions already made and maybe add a few more. . . Urban caches (or anywhere else with distictive landmarks) are easier to find, as well as larger caches. We found the most useful maps for us were the maps from the "Google Maps" link from the "For online maps. . ." section of the cache webpage (just above the logs). As for puzzle caches, we just solved the puzzle and then edited the coordinates (on the Google Maps page) in the Search Maps box (and then hit Search Maps again). From there they were just as easy (or hard) as any other cache. Read the full cache description as well as the hints. As stated before, sometimes these are often helpful and sometime even a dead giveaway. In addition to the resolution differences on Google (in one case we could count the number of cars in the driveway for one house, but couldn't even make out the house just a few blocks away), keep in mind that Google is constantly updating its maps. What may have been very fuzzy a few months ago, may now be quite clear or what may have been a open field, now shows the new shopping center. So keep checking back periodically. Finally, sometimes you may be able to borrow a GPSr. (For example, in our situation, our State Parks will actually loan one to you to find the caches in that specific State Park--primarily the ones place by the State Parks division themselves). Good luck and hope you can eventually be able to get one for your use sometime soon. Opps, we just discovered something that many other Premium Members are also not aware of--the wonderful online maps section that has great links to Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, etc. is ONLY available to Premium Members. Since we have not seen the caches pages the other way, we didn't realize that these do not appear for all. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused. However, you can still cut and paste coordinates to google maps.

I logged a DNF this afternoon simply because when I went to look for it, it was a longer trail walk than I realized. Got out to the general vicinity and realized my lunch hour was ending and I had no time to look for it. I'll go back and look for it again later. In that instance we would recommend having logged just a note about your lack of success rather than a Didn't Find It. Reason being is that if several cachers did the same, many others would not even try for the cache based upon the multiple DNF's. Most often, we log a Didn't Find It if we were able to give a reasonble effort to find the cache--with reasonable effort being based upon the nature of the cache (a 2 minute search for a 5.0 difficulty would obviously NOT be considered reasonable).

One additional suggestion that we didn't see mentioned so far (it was there, we some how missed it): After logging your Didn't Find It, let the cache owner know what steps you have taken to find the cache. Is this a puzzle cache? If so, provide the coordinates you are using (if they are not already verified). How long did you spend looking? Were you searching along or in a group (of how many)? While showing the cache owner you have made a reasonable effort will not guarantee getting a good hint, it will certianly help your situation. Of course a "reasonable effort" will vary from cache to cache and from owner to owner. For instance, a reasonable effort for 1 difficulty regular size is much less that a 5 difficulty micro. We are more willing to share hints when the cacher has provided substantial details regarding their efforts in then logs. Particularly if they have multiple, but still detailed didn't find it logs.

Try here: http://support.Groundspeak.com/Support/ind...&nav=0,5,10 It should be noted that while it is possible to change your user name, it is definately NOT encouraged. Changing names can sometimes resolve certain issues, it can also create problems. Just for example, are you going to go back and change the name on the logs in all the caches you have found?

Archived caches don't count against the saturation guidelines. You can put a new cache in exactly the same spot as an archived cache, as long as no new caches have been placed within 528' since it was archived. In some cases it is possible to use the same coordinates and even the same cache container. We are aware of a few caches that were archived by the owner and then "placed" again using the same container and coordinates. (Yes, there are several valid, but not very common, reasons for doing this, but since we don't want to divert the subject of this thread, we won't mention them.) We would suggest, however, that you attempt to find out WHY the cache was archived. Often the previous cache owner will give some indication in the archiving log. It not, we recommmend trying to contact them directly. With additional details you may change you mind about attempting a cache at that location or, better yet, you may be able to create a better cache by avoiding any problems encountered by the previous cache owner.

While regular size caches can be somewhat rare, we would still recommend you start searching for regular and small size caches first. Once you get a better feel for finding them, move on to the micros. Also, as previously mentioned, take advantage of the local events and the opportunity to interact with other cachers.

If you mean you don't know what a cache container looks like, then try this. As far as not buying one, I guess you can borrow one from a friend or check one out from the city rec department. Used ones are cheap, as cheap as $40-50. Until then you can paste coordinates into maps.google.com and cache that way. While you CAN "paste coordinates into map.google.com", it is a whole lot easier to use the link to "Google Maps" link already provided on the cache web page. Map links are found near the bottom of the page, just before the logs. Opps, we just discovered that this option is only available to Premium Members--we didn't realize that until now. So, if you are not one, the map links section won't even appear for you.

Alternative logging requirements, like you have to take a photo of yourself wearing a red wig or something like that. EarthCaches and Challenge caches, like Delorme are exempt. Could you please provide a reference for the Challenge cache exemption? The only information we could find regarding the matter seemed pretty clear in stating that the prohibition of additional logging requirements applies to ALL PHYSICAL caches (thus the exemption for earthcaches and virtual caches).

Just beat that previous record. . . We just found a traveler (TBNBEE) with the last log entry showing it retrieved from another cache several counties away back in January 2007. That would make it "missing" for just under 30 months. Guess we (and the traveler owner) should be glad that it finally got dropped into a cache.