GEO WALKER

You might want to consider the water source, surface water or groundwater? You may want to attempt explaining how the soil, clays, help hold the surface water while the biological factors help cleanse the surface water. An example of mottled soil might be nice. If your strong point is not geology, you may want to tie in the symbiotic relationship w/biology or habitat.

Carbon Hunter... Nice Job!

I did manage to “weasel in” on a local 10-10-10 Event, 10-10-10 - Multi-Event - SWPA by DresselDragons (GC2CXM1) Pennsylvania. My approach was to do a walk through on an EC and upon completion inform them that they are eligible to claim a find on this one: Rocks In A Stream by Geo Walker A Platinum Level Earthcache Master (GC2FXQR) Pennsylvania As part of a geocaching event, Caching with the Conservancy 2010 by Arf2-D2 (GC24H90) Pennsylvania, I covered ECs. using a PPT.

Here in PA the "permit lenght" is 3 yrs. The "virtual" tag is just a note in their system that no container is involved. I'm not sure about permit renewals for ECs but I did mine anyway. Luckily the ECs are exempt for fees...

I understand the perspective of the prior comments as to ECs not being challenging. My particular point of view for this issue is somewhat different. ECs are created to educate others, in the area of geology and earth science. Not all of us have the same background and understanding in these fields. What may be viewed by one as “overly simplified”, may be the initial EC for someone with no background in these fields. This type of EC is not intimidating to a novice and could then lead to discovering other ECs as that persons understanding and confidence grows. Case in point, my latest EC was literally thrown together base on the location of a 10-10-10 Event. In my opinion, a very simple approach to understanding gain size and roundness. Basically Sedimentology 101, and it never was that exciting to me. The true valve in all of this lies in the understanding that was gained by those who went through the exercise. I can only draw one conclusion…. “That is what this is ALL about”… Perhaps those who do not appreciate ECs can tell me just what in the heck they learn from finding a container or reaching into a guardrail???

Very Impressive

GC2CXM1 10-10-10 Event GC2FXQR I think things went well for us. Perhaps combining this w/a 10-10-10 Event was helpful. A number of folks were trying to squeeze in a second 10-10-10 Event w/a parting commitment to return to the EC. I personally was overwhelming impressed w/the “intensity” of the “little ones”. But, as always time will tell…

Yep... email me at mrmarkgps@comcast.net so I can return an attachment.

Yep... Me too... GC2CXM1 I'll use this as a demonstration to eliminate the “intimidation factor of ECs” and activate it after the event having told them they just completed an EC… This should also eliminate any FTF rush…

I have my EC submitted for review and if all goes well we'll see what 10-10-10 may bring?

As a point of reference... GC1EXJK

If in fact they relayed the information from the sign where then is the error? If they injected their personal beliefs, based on Creationism, I personally would not delete their submittal, based on the fact that there may be a difference in opinion. Is not a difference of opinion, a form of education and understanding?

“I have seen a bunch of earth caches around here that have to do with Lime Kilns.” 1st ? Where’s “here”? Would there be a stream or some other cut that may show a soil profile? Are certain plants unique to certain soils or minerals in the soil?

1. How many have you developed? What types? 3 2. Do you feel the guidelines for submission are clearly stated? Are you aware of the recent changes? Yes 3. What is your primary reason for developing an EC? (Master’s requirements, great site you wanted to share, other?) To promote the educational aspects of geocaching. 4. Roughly how much time did you put into research? Given my background in geology and earth science, not much. 5. Did you research online or in a library? Consult an expert? If any research is needed it comes from online sources. In this area, I am considered the regional expert and have probably help develop more ECs than I’ve created. None the less, I’m pleased w/the increasing number of ECs in this area. 6. How much time did it take to write the page? Most of my time is spent in field verification. 7. Have you had to jump through hoops* to get permission? (*Being sent from person to person, major delays or requests for impact statements etc, not just a delay in receiving permission.) Nope, I prefer the face-to-face approach. 8. Did you submit at EarthCache .org or on geocaching.com? Earthcache.org 9. Did you find the submission process or forms to be difficult to use? Nope 10. Have you had a submission returned, requesting more information? Nope 11. Did you feel help was available from the EC (forum or local) community if needed? I find different perspectives through the EC Forum. 12. How would you rate the overall difficulty of developing your EarthCache(s)? Please explain your reasons. I try and keep them easy w/in the range of 1-1.5. I see no reason to make anything difficult when trying to teach someone who is unfamiliar w/the topic. These are suppose to be educational not competitive. I find many older people enjoy ECs…

I am going to try and "weasel in" on an existing local 10-10-10 Event, GC2CXM1. My thinking here is to create an actual "walk though" on setting up an EC, only to have it ready to go on the day of the event. I'm hoping that by actually showing how to do one this would cut down on the intimidation factor, and by announcing they have just done one show them how easy it is to complete one... Since there is a stream running through the park I thought using the Wentworth Scale [grain size] this should be simple enough. Just a little basic sedimentology. I'm also planning to run this past a prof down at Cal U [CUP] and see if this might help intrtoduce EC's to the university's geology club.

In general NOPE... It's a survey reference point...

i was thinking more about how the salt concentration has increased over time in the lake in relation to man's activity upstream, and maybe have them point out the beach terraces in the valley left behind my the receding lake level. Maybe that would be the goal, to get them in a position to see the terraces and take a photo and answer a question related to the subject. Would something like that fly? This should work... The geomorph approach should work well and create an understanding of the vastness of the lake and the asscoiated landforms.

What are the chances of finding Sylvite? Perhaps have a comparision w/other salts??? Maybe work on an economic geologial use of salts??? Perhaps there may depressions up along the tops of the terraces, away from the present lake level, where the salts have evaporated

What are the chances of finding Sylvite? Perhaps have a comparision w/other salts??? Maybe work on an economic geologial use of salts???

In a round-about way this may be what they're shooting for. I wonder just how many caches will disappear due to the $25 price tag for a permit renewal? I guess time will tell...

HEY FOLKS I GOT A RESPONSE!!! 6/9/10 Response from Mike Redding PA DCNR State Parks… Hi Geo, Thank you for contacting PA State Parks. We do understand your concerns regarding the newly instituted fee for placing geocaches within State Parks. Unfortunately, there is some confusion regarding the information that is being relayed to the public. Please know that the $25 administrative fee for new geocaches in state parks is used to cover the costs associated with reviewing the cache site, including performing an environmental review and processing the necessary paperwork. The new fee is not retroactive for caches that are currently active and in place. However, any subsequent renewals and all new caches are subject to the fee. It’s also important to know that any geocaches that are partnered with State Parks, also referred to as "park sponsored", are not subject to the administrative fee what-so-ever. This include CITO (cache in trash out) events & educational caches such as an earthcache. We are encouraging our geocaching community to partner with our parks as volunteer & environmental educational advocates (or other means) as a way to request a waiver of the administrative fee - connecting people to the park and the importance of the resource. We are certainly not looking for a way to discourage geocaching in State Parks. The administrative fee is only meant to help offset the costs associated with administering the program. You may be aware that our agency is under significant financial constraints and our budget continues to decline on an annual basis. In addition, the administrative fee for geocaches is now in line with other event requests that occur within State Parks in which an administrative fee is also charged, for example, fishing tournaments, marathons, walks, relays, wedding ceremonies, sailing regattas, etc. Sincerely Mike Redding Park Operations

HEY FOLKS I GOT A RESPONSE!!! Response from Mike Redding PA DCNR State Parks… Hi Geo, Thank you for contacting PA State Parks. We do understand your concerns regarding the newly instituted fee for placing geocaches within State Parks. Unfortunately, there is some confusion regarding the information that is being relayed to the public. Please know that the $25 administrative fee for new geocaches in state parks is used to cover the costs associated with reviewing the cache site, including performing an environmental review and processing the necessary paperwork. The new fee is not retroactive for caches that are currently active and in place. However, any subsequent renewals and all new caches are subject to the fee. It’s also important to know that any geocaches that are partnered with State Parks, also referred to as "park sponsored", are not subject to the administrative fee what-so-ever. This include CITO (cache in trash out) events & educational caches such as an earthcache. We are encouraging our geocaching community to partner with our parks as volunteer & environmental educational advocates (or other means) as a way to request a waiver of the administrative fee - connecting people to the park and the importance of the resource. We are certainly not looking for a way to discourage geocaching in State Parks. The administrative fee is only meant to help offset the costs associated with administering the program. You may be aware that our agency is under significant financial constraints and our budget continues to decline on an annual basis. In addition, the administrative fee for geocaches is now in line with other event requests that occur within State Parks in which an administrative fee is also charged, for example, fishing tournaments, marathons, walks, relays, wedding ceremonies, sailing regattas, etc. Sincerely Mike Redding Park Operations

We have a "Mars" here in PA it's just North of Pittsburgh. I'll snoop around and see what I can come up with...

I like the responses from the kids, particularly the ones that start out My Mommy’s typing this for me… or my Mommy will be sending the picture…

What you are saying is that EVERY topic of similar interest must be posted locally or generally AND in the EC forum or the EC community won't see it. First of all that is NOT WHAT I'M SAYING... Perhaps this one is better suited for a duplication due to the fact that many EC's are in PA State Parks and many folks who develop EC's are from different states. Why would you want to soley possess information and not share it w/others? This is the first time I think I have visited the forum you referenced and perhaps the last. My main interset in forums would deal w/EC's since that is where my interest lie. So, if I don't visit all of the forums there may be others as well that do the same. Not all of us who develop EC's limit our geographic scope to one State or Country. I have one EC in Ohio and the fee issue has never come up. So the effort here is "interest" based not "geographically" based...