GEO WALKER

How you choose to operate your geocaching account is not relevant or interesting to me as a cache owner. How you choose to go geocaching (i.e. as a group or as an individual) is not relevant or interesting to me as a cache owner. I expect to receive a unique email from each account that wishes to "find" my Earthcache. I don't want a life story, and I don't care about who was or was not with you at the site. I don't want to keep track of who was part of your group. I want one email per find log. Remember as a cacher each of us choses what ECs we want to spend time on, and those we don't...

I would agree w/the majority of the group. IMHO “Common Sense” would dictate 1 submittal of the answers for a group would be sufficient. It does lessen the number of emails in ones incoming mailbox, and eliminate redundancy. When in a group usually the cacher designated for submitting the answers is identified in the logs of those involved. As both a participant and a CO, I have never had this raised as an issue. There are occasions, when someone will give a “Guided Tour”, if you will, of their EC, usually as an Event, and it is stressed not to submit the answers for this situation.

boo2931 only ever creates PMO caches. He also is responsible in part for the proliferation of ridiculous challenges in Atlanta. He's also like 17 and apparently is never in school because he seemingly geocaches all over the state every day of the year. ...oh, but don't get me started... I’ve had a change in understanding and utilization of PMO Caches. Years ago I viewed them as somewhat “elitist”, today however, in general, I can see a benefit in some respects that a PMO Cache will be found by someone w/a better understanding of the requirements involved in ECs… It saves time in chasing someone down for the answers and argument over whether they should be sent in. It just makes things easier for the CO… As for the Challenges… they are what they are… nothing more than a challenge…

Additionally... In the US, I would recommend checking State web sites and seeing if there isn’t a Geological Survey. Many have educational based sections, also federal sites such as USGS and the National Park System. Another source may be Geological “Road Trip” type guides, try colleges and universities for this. Remember that your clientele will have a variety in age range as well as educational backgrounds. I prefer questions which lead to “observational” type answers. Let them tell you what they see… And as always, keep it simple… After thought... If there is a local Earthcacher in your area ask if he/she would take a look at it prior to submittal. I do that for folks around here...

In what way is it unethical? It has no impact on anybody else. While it may not be what you or I would choose to do, it's an entirely harmless action and it's permitted by the website. It would be like cheating on a test. Shoot you already know the [your] answers before arriving at the site... Unless of course I'm missing something? That's not really an awesome analogy. It's more like skipping the class sessions where you already know the subject material and then aceing the test. Personally, I wouldn't do it anymore than I would log a find if I were doing a maintenance run on my virt. Still, why should I care if someone else does it? Skipping class is one thing but if you can't pass a "test" a.k.a. the requirements you established, then something is wrong. In this case, Cheating = Creating the Test...

In what way is it unethical? It has no impact on anybody else. While it may not be what you or I would choose to do, it's an entirely harmless action and it's permitted by the website. It would be like cheating on a test. Shoot you already know the [your] answers before arriving at the site... Unless of course I'm missing something? In what way is it cheating? That implies that there is some sort of advantage to be gained. There isn't. It has absolutely no impact on anybody else. It may not be the standard practice, but there's nothing actually wrong with it and the site permits it. Ethics are based on standards regardless of impact. As for the site allowing this activity, perhaps it is an oversight on GSAs part or a matter of resolution between GSA and GS. I can only image a professional group such as GSA accepting this type of behavior as a matter of compromise. Nonetheless it is an unethical way of getting a “smiley”. Can you claim a find on any cache you’ve created, say other than an event?

In what way is it unethical? It has no impact on anybody else. While it may not be what you or I would choose to do, it's an entirely harmless action and it's permitted by the website. It would be like cheating on a test. Shoot you already know the [your] answers before arriving at the site... Unless of course I'm missing something?

It's just flat out unethical to do so...

I'm now starting to see an increase in visits as well. I love the recent kids response to GC34N3V. This is why I do it...

I like the idea as well. It's not as cumbersome as last year. At the present I haven't seen too much of an increase. Since we have a large # of newbies in our area I'm holding a guided tour of one of mine nearby just prior to a rather large local annual event. I hope this will help introduce the concept of ECs?

As for a response: Some COs just dont reply back while others do. I try my best at confirming the answers. As for archiving: In my area some ECs are archived on a seasonal basis. So the archiving may be only temporary. As for exiting the game: Most COs transfer their ownership. Hope this helps…

We had about 28 attend GC4VGK5. I was pleased w/the turn out. We even had a guest from Germany...

Done

I did run into this situation a couple of years ago. I would recommend trying to get the issues corrected via private email thereby keeping everything under the radar and away from public scrutiny.

Given the missed opportunities of the past, I seriously doubt it..

Like the rest of you I too am disappointed... I’m seeing more and more hoopla over the Geocaching in Space Souvenir. I’m a bit confused as to why this group [GS] is willing to ignore a souvenir for recognizing the earth we live on and so easily create one for what amounts to nothing more than a “trinket in space”? I’m sure I’ll get the proverbial “nasty-gram” from someone in GS for posting this, but it just might get their attention…

You may want to keep in mind the government shutdown has the GSA offices closed right now. I don't know how many of the EarthCache reviewers actually work for the GSA, but I'm pretty sure some of them do. They may not be able to answer you just now. I always thought that the GSA was an independent non-profit professional organization and not actually part of the government. Now granted a lot of their work is in conjunction w/the USGS. Or is this the case where their offices are w/in a federal facility and many of the reviewers are employed by USGS?

I'm noticing more and more that many geocaches on Geotrails are used to develop an awareness of local history. So perhaps tourism boards or historical societies may be of some help?

Here's what I carry in a Lock-N-Lock: Pool Thermometer - from a Pool Store pH Kit - from a Pool Store Hand Lens Magnifier Measuring Tape – from a dollar store Magnification Card replaces “cheaters” - from a dollar store Plastic Protractor – from a dollar store Compass Mineral Guidebook This should cover most ECs...

I would have to agree, building materials play an integral part in man’s use of geology. Large cities often conveniently illustrate this concept in a rather small area.

Glad to see this added to the FAQ... Thanks

For wetlands, you may want to take the geological approach of sediment distribution or stream morphology, creation. What are the chances of having a historical site dealing w/the oil & gas industry? Perhaps a geological approach may fit the site? You may also want to contact a local university or college w/a geology or earth science department. Check for a state geology website. They often have educational publications available. Hope this helps...

If this is truly a sand dune, I would suggest checking out some of the ECs near the southern end of Lake Michigan. It looks to be in Grand Haven MI. I would check w/the State Geologic Survey or a state geological entity and see if there is anything you can find on the hill as to its formation and/or source. A local university may also be a source of information.

Thanks for the clarification...

I guess the 1st question that comes to mind is “Are the requirements identical w/in the 2 EC’s? Now GSA will “prohibit” future EC approvals based on “type”, but I am unaware of the limitation of x# of EC’s w/in a given radial distance. Now for those who create EC’s this shouldn’t be too hard to calculate. We could use the mapping provided by GS and forego any need for a full blown GIS.