PathfinderMark

I lurk because it is not a nice place to post. Unless one is a geonazi or a "purist" (whatever that means??!). It seems that only those with a particular and VERY NARROW view of what denotes "true caching" are allowed the latitude to splatter their view across the forums....all others do not seem welcome. Since I consider geocaching to be a GAME (imagine that!) and one that can be played in a wide variety of ways (hey, I think true virtuals should come back, that the archiving of the new challengings for no good reason, the stringent and obsene list of rules to create a "legitimate" earthcache, etc. are all not terribly healthy for the game). But alas, only others views are truly allowed...so I'll go back to lurking...and actually spend my time CACHING rather than screwing up other people's fun. Adios!

26 states, 2 countries (USA and Canada). Earthcaching Rocks!

Thanks TerryDad2 for asking the question -- I've sometimes mused about that question for myself and others who also love Earthcaching (all aspects). Here are my stats: Logged (184); Developed (82); States (26) / Countries (2) So hmmmm..... 5x Platinum I guess. I love earthcaching...TerryDad2 is my inspiration. Have done QUITE a few of his, and adopted 3 of his too. I get about 25 email/logs per week...it is at time overwhelming, but try to respond to each one. I would love to own an Earthcache in each US state, 22 so far. I'm looking forward to the Earthcache MegaEvent next year!

Does anyone know when the Delaware Comission will actually release this new Powertrail? I did the C&O trail in July ALONG WITH about 10 Virtuals and Earthcaches. Nice day! BTW - Delaware does a great historic caching trail called the DGT series. I've done about 10 of those, takes you to historic locations that in the old days would have been virtuals -- but don't need to be here since the "powers that be" have insitituted the series. In Maryland there was a great township/historic series calle the MML (Maryland Municipal League) series archived this summer . Also in Maryland/VA is the SSB (Star Spangled Banner) and CJS (Captain John Smith) themed historic trails...definitely personal and family favorites....IMHO there are MANY ways to do geocaching...now if only we had more TIME!

At Geowoodstock, one of the developers/lackeys was talking about this subject, and unfortunately it sounded like she was talking about something akin to Waymarking rather than "geocaching." It made me wonder whether they would even count as "finds" in our GC.com stats! I would love a Virtual category that had STRICT and well-enunciated expectations, but yet one that allowed us to experience the WOW mentioned above. I have found over 200 virtuals, and while several have been "What the ..." the majority have enhanced by understanding of history, cultural, and the area around me. Don't get me started on what I think of the Archiving of the "Four Corners" Virtual in NM/AZ/CO/UT! That was just WRONG!

I talked to someone at GW9 and they told me the heartbreaking news that Mission 9: Tunnel of Light has been archived. The container was COMPLETELY stolen. I checked online and sure enough, the listing GC1169 was archived on June 13. That is such a bummer. I was planning my next vacation around finding that iconic cache.

Agreed, the write-ups are not high quality...yet in the normal caching world, neither are some of those hides....I hope the write ups are improved, but if Geoaware team is okay with 11 earthcaches in 1/2 mile, then I choose to be okay with it too. (Even though Harry Dolphin's posts caste serious question on the "geological experience AND the CO's earthcache writing abilities).

I love earthcaches and earthcaching. I figure, if I learn SOMETHING (even if not a lot) it was worth the walk/hike/drive/ etc. So there are 11 earthcaches in a narea...does it REALLY matter? I guess I trust Geoaware team a lot more than i do armchair commentators...So far I see only one on this thread who has actually visited the powertrail...and his opinions Geoaware team seems to be listening to! I really DO HOPE that this series is here in 2012 for the Mega? Earthcache event in Maine. If it is, I will visit it. RVET series in Northern California (GC2418J, GC2417X, GC24182, GC24184, GC2418C, GC2418F, GC2418R, GC2418T, and GC24195) is a HIGH QUALITY series that examines several unique aspects of the Northern California Bay area. From Basalt "gas bubbles" to a mercury mine and a fault line, and an ephemeral pool" this is a quality set. I walked through the 2.8 mile "powertrail" with MartinRabbit and the park Rangers. The Rangers loved being able to "publish" the unique geology of the area, and hoped it would bring more visitors. So, if you don't like the NY version, go to the Bay!

Once had a micro near a hardware store...muggle replaced log with a slip of paper labeled: "Ransom note... I will return the log if you replace this slip of paper with $100, otherwise the container will disappear by <date>" I chose to move the container!

If you have access to an iphone or similar technology, you could simply buy the app from geocaching, use that for awhile (my wife uses it on her iphone/ipad when she's out without my gps). It is pretty accurate, at least here in the USA. The one downside is that you must have ATT cell signal for it to work. I'm guessing the phones are even better and cell coverage MUCH better there in GB.

IMHO, I wasted $90 on my starter unit -- A Lowrence GoFinder2. It was a horribly slow unit with BAD maps and TERRIBLE accuracy. If it read "50 feet" at the find location I felt fortunate! In fact, I was all excited about geocaching in 2007 when I bought it (had gone out on two occasions with my brother who was really into it). However, my poor choice of a unit actually kept me from getting into the hobby until 2009, when I used a CSx, found that it WAS actually easy and accurate to use a nice GPS, then went and bought myself a Colorado 400T. The starter unit actually KEPT me (figuratively speaking) from geocaching because of its limitations. On a side note, the Lowrence line are inexpensive and advertised on the gc.com website banners, but my experience was terrible as was a friend of mine who bought their "nice" color screen one -- both were SO inaccurate (and unable to be calibrated) that it made caching nearly impossible.

Wow, wasn't expecting that level of angst...not sure what ALRs are, but hey. How else would you figure an "FTF" for earthcaching? Otherwise it seems you're trying to figure out what time someone SAYS they were there....I really don't care who is FTF, but have simply tried to allow a "winner" of that title for THEIR SAKE. If there is a better way to do it, I'd love to know. I thought I was allowed to express my view on a forum??! Not sure where all the angst is coming from....

I have "edited" the FTF meaning slightly when "awarding" FTF for my earthcaches. I state it as "First to Finish logging requirements." Thus, it clears up what might otherwise be a bit murky water (pardon the earthcaching pun). Thus, until I get the answers AND log (and before it was "outlawed" the attached picture), it is not a find. Once I get that stuff, there is a "find."

I am glad to see Earthcacher writers "branching out" to territories where they don't live. There really aren't that many people who write more than one or two, so needless to say, many areas on the globe have VERY FEW earthcaches (since noone who likes doing the EXTRA HARD WORK) lives nearby. I own earthcaches that I have written in 17 states....It is my "travel hobby" and since I travel a lot, if I should ever need to check on one for safety reasons, I can probably do so (and if not, I will gladly archive it to maintain the quality of the sport). All that to say, GO FOR IT!

I don't believe anyone has mentioned that as the EC logging requirement rules have changed, many of CS earthcaches would no longer meet the modern requirements....thus many of them cannot be "simply rewritten" and resubmitted as some users have stated. I really wish GS was more transparent in this process.....I don't know CS but have enjoyed his earthcaches! I have NOTHING to push about reinstatement of CS (I don't have enough info nor do I wish to get involved in a debate with GS!) But I do hope that somehow GS can see it clear to allow adoptions of these caches. As one who has written 70 earthcaches and adopted 3 from TD2, I value the contribution that ECs make to our world and our game!

So, its great to know about BaseMap and Mapsource for the future...but what about my lost Waypoints? I will look into the recovery software mentioned. Thanks.

These are for cords that I wish to WRITE earthcaches FOR....I have written/gotten approved about 55 earthcaches, and had cords for 20 other LOCATIONS.... I have tried to find out HOW to back up the waypoint data for months but no forums or help files seemed to know how to do that either.... I wish that the waypoints created a txt file like the "found geocaches" geocaches.txt files does.

HELP! I was attempting to clean individual waypoints off my machine since it only displays the first 50 or so that are closest to me. BUT, I accidentlly did a "delete all waypoints" BIG PROBLEM. I have about 20 sets of waypoints for earthcache locations saved (was saved) there that I hadn't transfered to paper or computer. Is there any recovery possible? If so, how? I have a Garmin 400t.

HELP! I was attempting to clean individual waypoints off my machine since it only displays the first 50 or so that are closest to me. BUT, I accidentlly did a "delete all waypoints" BIG PROBLEM. I have about 20 sets of waypoints for earthcache locations saved (was saved) there that I hadn't transfered to paper or computer. Is there any recovery possible? If so, how? I have a Garmin 400t.

I am a Junior High teacher that has also been a rockhound since childhood. I read geology articles and books when possible. I took one geology class in high school and another in college (earth science), along with science methods education classes of course (how to teach science to kids).

I have "marked waypoint" for about 350 spots, some of which I still might need for "checking" my existing cache.s. However, since I've dowloaded the .gpx files, the secondary files seems to load waypoints into my internal memory, and thus my "waypoints memory" is FULL. How do I MASS DELETE the AUTOMATICALLY added waypoints? I know how to "delete all waypoints" but that is NOT what I desire. Do I need to update software on the unit? If so, how?

I wish to download only those "unfound" caches hidden by a certain user. I have a Garmin Colorado, so I wish to use the gpx format rather than what appears to be the "check and download" .loc option. Any ideas whether this is possible?