GPSTrucker

As already stated, the GPS only gets you close it won't find the cache for you. You have to open your eyes, be observant, and search for it. Some caches can be very cleverly hidden. That's a big part of the fun.

That's how I took it as well, that he means he won't be posting every find in the forum. Congrats on your first day out Dick. It is quite addicting, fun, frustrating, and all that.

I also use the Katadyn Hiker and have been happy with it.

I agree that a hiking staff made of a strong hardwood is an excellent hiking tool and makes a very effective defensive weapon if you know how to use it. I have one made of mesquite that is very good. Even a modern aluminum one can be helpful. If bear spray, a powerful pepper spray for bears, is legal there I'd suggest carrying it. That stuff can disable a man in nothing flat from a pretty good distance. Of course it'll get you too if sprayed upwind. The whistle is an excellent idea and I never go into the woods without one as they're great for warning any local bears that you are there. Not many human attackers want that kind of attention drawn to them. A large dog would surely discourage most people from messing with you. In the end the best defense is to pay close attention to your surroundings and always remain alert. *edited for typo

If you're simply concerned about keeping track for your own reference and to help organize your retries, I've found GSAK to be very useful for this.

I personally think you should buy the best unit you can afford. I am currently saving up for an HCx myself.

Regular size caches can be very cleverly hidden. If you're worried about sticking your hand into a bush try using gloves to add some protection. They're a good idea for caching anyway. One thing to keep in mind is that your GPSr isn't likely to always put you at the exact spot. Follow it to where it says the coordinates are and then try walking around in a figure 8 pattern around that point and see if it still shows that spot. They can be off several feet at times. This has helped me get much closer to the spot. Also remember that there is an error factor and even if it says you're right on top of it, it could still be several feet away. One of my earliest caches was about 50 feet away from where the GPSr indicated. Once you get there you just have to start using your eyes and your head to investigate the area. There is almost always some kind of visual clue as to the location of the cache although they can often be very subtle and some folks put some real work into hiding them. Keep trying and you'll get the hang of it. I was pretty frustrated at first but it wasn't long before I started finding instead of just searching.

Peeves make lousy pets.

Yeah I got chiggers in my right hiking boot a couple of weeks back. True misery.

A baggie isn't likely to block the scent from a human nose, let alone an animal's much sharper sense of smell. They're great for keeping stuff dry but no way they'll block scent. That's why you have to hang your chow in a tree at night to avoid bear problems.

You're going on a trip to Vega? Light speed? What sort of GPS works out there? LOL Seriously, I'm still pretty new to geocaching but find that being observant is the best skill you can have. It's pretty much like anything else, the more you do it the better you'll get at it. If I am stumped on a cache I just stop and look around and ask "Where would I hide a cache here?" Also, just look around for anything that looks just a little bit not right. Or maybe you just suck at it. LOL

I always avoid looking like I am "up to something" and just act as naturally as possible. It's true most people really don't pay much attention unless you give them a reason to do so and I just go about my business like I own the place. I have passed up a cache here and there if the muggle level was just too high as I don't want to put the cache at risk. So far I've only been caught twice and both times that was by other geocachers who knew what I was doing and were after the same cache.

S&W spring assisted.

I sign logs all the time and I am convinced that I am famous although most people have yet to know about it.

LOL I had a state cop question me today in a rest area. I stopped to drop off a TB and I guess he saw me go into the woods and was waiting for me when I came back out. I had to explain geocaching to him and had to show him the cache. He seemed really interested and might be the next newbie cacher.

OK, maybe you two are just not very observant? Not trying to be mean but come on, 4 hours looking for a cache? You have to actually open your eyes and look around. It's a game of observation and discovery.

Just ask yourself "Where would I hide it?" They can be anywhere.

Exactly the same two words that kept rolling around in my head (lots of rolling room in there). I have to say that my jaw literally dropped when I read the OP. I can't even begin to understand this sort of thinking. Some of the responsibility? Some? As I'm now in my mid 40s I'm getting all of those little aches and pains (and some not so little) that remind me of all the things I did over the years that didn't work out so well. Never once did it ever occur to me to sue or blame someone else for what I did to myself.

What are the hemostats for? People use them for many things. You may be familiar with them from one of those other uses. Yeah, 'one of those other uses' made them quite popular when I was in college. LOL

Howdy

I have a 3L Platypus Hoser and a couple of different packs I can slip it into. One of them is a full size hiking pack with a pocket for a bladder, and the second is a day pack and I just slip it in. It works really well and I like the fact that I can move it from one pack to the next. Cleaning is easy, I just drop a couple of denture cleaner tablets into it and they do all the work.

I log all of my DNFs and if I think it's been muggled will mention it in the log and email the owner. I did this just the other day and the owner confirmed that I did indeed have the right spot and he was going to replace the cache the following day.

My pelvis was shattered in a car wreck the end of '04. I have a lot of problems with my right hip now (joint ball was driven through the back of the socket). The supplements mentioned do help some. Poles help a LOT. I use a pole for even short or moderate hikes, I haven't yet worked my way back up to long hikes yet but am getting there. You might also want to consider riding a bicycle to help strengthen the legs. I started riding a recumbent during my recovery from the wreck and still ride it a lot. When I am home from the road I use it as my sole means of transportation and it really helps build up the legs, not to mention your wind. I also carry a folding bicycle in the truck with me and try to spend some time riding it several times a week. Cycling is a good way to build up the leg muscles without impact injuries.

I have the best luck and most comfortable fit with Bollé sunglasses which I buy from an optical shop.

I know there are less expensive telescoping mirrors out there but I picked mine up at Sears. It's a Craftsman that extends out to 36 inches. The mirror is attached via an extremely strong magnet. You can slide the mirror off and use the extended handle to search for magnetic caches. Thanks, that's the one I've been keeping an eye out for. guess I'll have to swing by Sears.