Von-Horst

What he/she/they said.

Just a quick question; Given that sometimes I'm out and about on the hills and occasionally tackle a more 'extreme' cache I was wondering if anyone has personal injury/sports insurance that covers geocaching? If so, can you recomend any providers and give an idea of the costs. Thanks, Mike

Just to add - whilst streetview isn't good enough to read plaques etc., it does allow you to identify the bulding or whatever the object is on, and you'd be amazed what you can find using flickr, google, panoramo (sp?) if you really and truly wish to arrive at a 'creative' or 'alternate' solution... The only thing is that most (if not all) multis are more fun when done the way they were intended!

It isn't good enough to read plaques etc, but you can see the general shapes of buildings and read shop awnings and phone numbers, that sort of thing. The cache in question involved visiting several locations spread accross Manhatten. I knew we wouldn't have the time to do it all 'in person' so I thought I'd be 'creative' and use my 'initiative' - the cache owner had taken pictures at each location and had photoshopped them to add/remove chimneys, windows, neon signs and the like and streetview was good enough to play 'spot the difference', so to speak.... Looking back on it, I'm glad that my 'creativity' was foiled - so much effort had gone into placing the cache that it deserved to be done properly or not at all. Mike

Fair enough. I guess we've been lucky then. There have been very few caches that we've found that truly were or perhaps we're just a product of the 'degeneration' of the hobby...

There we have it, expressed eloquently, the reason geocaching is what it is today. What? Inclusive, available for all and with the freedom to do it in your own way within your own financial, physical and leisure time limits?

Who would allows their scruples to go that low?? There was a multi in New York that I managed to solve this way before we went to New York. Karma (and the gods of caching) then kicked in and I left the bit of paper with the coordinates on at home.... Mike

They do guided tours on a friday. If you're in Seattle on another day of the week you can still visit and log the cache by prior arrangement (and get the free geocoin ) but you miss out on the tour. Mike

Good luck. Sounds like an uphill battle. On the other hand, what is the realistic alternative? The Study Centre may be able to point you in the correct direction on who to contact for permission. From their website; "All land is owned by someone Even Open Access land requires the landowner to give permission for a group to access it. Check first that you are allowed to take your group to your chosen site. For more information email: information.losehill@peakdistrict.gov.uk, or telephone the National Park Study Centre on: 01433 620373." Hope this helps in some way, Mike

So that we can look back at our own old logs at a later date and remember, and reminisce about, the good times we had. Mike

If you truly belive that my saying 'Lowered the tone' and wasn't 'civil' then yes. I did. Glad to do so in fact. To drag things back on topic, you may have missed I also said Not really. Mike

No. You are wrong in this instance. The ones with tunnel vision are those that seek to stifle other's expressing their opinions and feelings. As far as this topic goes, those that feel no need to log online are (and should be) free to say that they act in this way, and why. Equally, those that disagree should be just as free to say not only that they disagree but why they disagree. Mike

It isn't Groundspeak, but have you seen Geocaching Russia? Mike

Hi, You may find this link helpful as a starting point. edited to add; You may find asking in your local forum helpful. Mike

From the Finding your first geocache section of the site; "When you get home, log your experience online by going back to that cache page and using the links provided. The cache owner is automatically notified of your log and is always happy to know about your adventure, the condition of their cache, and any environmental factors". Are you obligated to do this? No, but then there are very few things that are obligatory. The guidance does, however, serve to illustrate why logging online might be viewed as 'good practice'. Mike

I don't and didn't - it was merely that your point was not made clear and that your postings appeared deliberately vague and, dare I say it, threatening. The cache listing makes it clear that special equipment is required for this cache. You have obviously realised that. It seems reasonable to expect those seeking the cache to make one or more trips to this one to work out what equipment is needed for each stage if they do not have it to hand. At each stage the seeker may decide not to proceed. The lisiting and common sense tells you that this cache (and again, it is unclear why this cache in particular was singled out) may present a greater personal risk than a micro in a supermaket car park. There is no compulsion on a third party to attempt this cache. As with any other outdoor hobby or pursuit, a geocacher should only attempt things that are within their own limits. Yes, people have been hurt caching. several have died over the years (in the US, and normally of heat exhaustion). The risk is sometimes the attraction. There is however, a world of difference between doing something with an inherent risk (which steps can be taken to reduce) and something that it outright dangerous. Perhaps if you were to more clearly express what your concerns are, as opposed to rushing off to pester a tame solicitor, you would get a better reception. Best wishes and stay safe, Mike

Hmm. I'll bite. From a letterboxing website; "Care must be taken in both planting and finding letterboxes. While planting a letterbox, avoid environmentally sensitive areas. Do not hide a letterbox far off the trail where others will trample vegetation, flowers, or otherwise cause damage". From the Dartmoor 100 club website; "Letterboxes are not sited and you do not search for letterboxes: ...Where they will obviously disturb wildlife e.g. on a badger sett or close to nesting birds. ..In other ‘no-go’ areas as defined by the National Park Authority for the benefit of conservation. These areas may be updated from time to time so please check with the Dartmoor 100 Club for clarification. Information on ‘no-go’ areas is available at all National Park Information Centres." Now admittedly these are voluntary guidelines (due to the nature of letterboxing), but isn't an SSSI an "environmentally sensitive area", or an "area...for the benefit of conservation" and therefore not somewhere suitable to hide a letterbox or geocache? Mike

Not really, but is is disrespesctful to those who go to the effort of hiding a cache not to tell them that you've found it, if only so that they are informed that it is still there... If you've taken enjoyment from a cache, it doesn't take much effort to share a little bit of that with the owner. Just my 2d worth, Mike

From the term and conditions that we all signed up to when we registered; "Geocaching, hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities involve risk to both persons and property. There are many variables including, but not limited to, weather, fitness level, terrain features and outdoor experience, that must be considered prior to seeking or placing a cache. Be prepared for Your journey and be sure to check the current weather and conditions before heading outdoors. Always exercise common sense and caution. You assume all risks arising in connection with seeking a cache or any other related activity". Mike. Ooops - beaten to the post...

PM sent - hope it helps. Mike

You asked for help in the GPS & Technology forum here, and were advised to ask for help in the UK section of the forums (which is here). You haven't yet actually asked for help in the UK forum, or in the NW forum , so it is a bit harsh to say no one will help, surely? If you ask on the UK forum, someone will help. If you ask on the NW cachers forum, someone will help. The best advice I can offer is to follow what Munkeh told you - there is an event cache (which is where cachers meet up to chat, drink, eat and tell tall tales) near you on 12 September in Kenton Bank Foot (see here) and this would be an excellent opportunity to meet people and ask for help. If you ask, they will help - if you don't, they can't! Best of luck, Mike

Looking forward to these already! Mike

We used City Navigator NT - we weren't going into the wilds so the TOPO wasn't needed.

Isn't that just outside Bristol?