E = Mc2

Now what I want is some inexpensive (read free) program that will decrypt some of these pages. I've seen a couple that I cannot figure out where to even start! The cache owner doesn't want to give hints, either. Others have found these caches, so it must be do-able. Maybe it's just that my mind isn't flexible enough, or maybe I need to print the page out and go sit on the toilet. Hey, it's where I figured out the Rubik's cube for the first time! Edited cause a grammer:

Survivor? What's that? Oh, some TV show. Who has time for that? There's still unfound caches out there!

That's the "Export" file you're thinking of. It's located in the "Magellan" program files. If you use the "Windows Explorer" to locate the DETAIL file, you can the drag the file directly to the drive letter that the SD card has, and it will transfer it over to the card. Manuals for Mapsend software can be found by going here, clicking on whatever version you have, and then clicking 'support'. As an FYI, the screen which asks you to choose between "your GPS, your hardrive, or a SD card reader" only comes up on newer versions of some Mapsend software. My TOPO (ver 3.0a) doesn't do it. You reckon if I pestered them enough, they'd send me an updated disk?

Of course, if the coords were too far off, you wouldn't have found it anyway. We have a local multi nearby that has coords imprinted into a heavy steel or aluminum foil. Said foil is adhered to an aluminum lamp post, making it nearly invisible, even if you're looking for it. Other methods I've seen include etched coords on a dog tag/metal disc, coords inside a mechanical pencil lead holder (think really, really small), and the ubiquitous 35mm film can. From the cache logs, I'd almost have to think it IS a container of some kind, but I'd pick something a little easier than a 2.5/2.5 for a first time.

Saw this cache that used Roman numerals for the coords. Then, the whole cache page was encrpyted using an offset cipher which incremented with every letter. Took a long time to decrypt, even after I had a hint. (The coords start with N...)

Or instead, spend that $45 on a quality compass from Silva or the like. Then, when your batteries fail, you still have some way of telling how to get home!

Whew, I go caching and come home to this! To answer some of the questions that have been posed in my absence: Yes, I sent it to 'logo@ ...' Yes, the auction was for empty film canisters. The same person has listed some more. I just did a search for "Geocaching" and they came up. I've been quick to link to CYBret's page on paperless here in the forums, myself. I, too, owe a heartfelt Thank You to Cybret for making the process so easy for me. Edited fro speeling

Came across this eBay auction the other day and sent an email to the PTB. No response as yet, so I thought I'd post it to ya'll. Does it, in your opinion, violate the useage agreement for the Geocaching logo? If so, I gotta get one before they have to pull it... In other eBay news, someone paid $4.50 plus #3.85 shipping for 50 empty film canisters. After getting a pickle bucket full of them from Meijer for free... Wow. I'm in the wrong business!

Going to the "Hide and Seek" tab is the way I've been doing it. I like the format of the results better than going through the home page's search box. Matter of fact, I haven't seen the home page of the site in forever. It IS still there, right? Edit: Speeling

Is it worth it? Oh HECK YES! Of course, that's one more piece of equipment to carry, but it weighs a lot less. Being able to look up cache descriptions from location with the touch of a stylus is a heck of a lot better than sorting through the notebooks full of cache pages I'd printed out! I haven't tried cachemate. Is it really that much better than using GPX Spinner/Plucker?

Keep driving in circles. Eventually, someone will call the cops about the suspicious vehicle and you can ask them! Seriously, though, my father (GMcSC) and I spent the better part of a half hour one day looking for the entrance to a park. I might suggest that, if it's an area you've never been to and you know in advance that you are going, to email some of the local cachers for advice on ones that don't show up readily on the maps.

You must use the outside software (cachemate, GPX Spinner, Plucker, etc. ) to convert the file you receive (xxxx.GPX) from your query into something the Palm can read. Once that is done you Hot-Sync your Palm, and the caches should load onto it. CyBret has a page about how to use the Palm with Spinner and Plucker to get caches loaded which you can view here.

What a degree means to a country boy: BS = What you step around in a field MS = More of the Same PHD = Piled Higher and Deeper

I've been doing this almost since I started. You've got to ask them to save the cans for you around here. They just throw them away instantly otherwise. I've still got about a 5 gallon bucket full, myself While you're at it, here's an easy locationless: GC38E3 that you can score just by placing 3 CITO bags in a cache!

First I've ever heard of this. I have a MeriGreen and a eTrex Camo. The only trouble I've had out of the Meridian was on a day of very high sunspot acitivity, the unit kept telling me that I was very far away from my actual location and elevation. The eTrex came through for me that day. The only real problem I have with the eTrex is that it loses the signal often when under any type of cover and always if the unit is not held horizontal. Having said that, the G unit does seem to aquire signals more quickly than the M unit that I have. I play one against the other when out caching. I think the advice here is to STOP MOVING for a few minutes when you get within 100ft or so (no matter what brand you have) and take a look around. Often, you'll get the score more quickly than if you run in and start beating the bushes.

Oops! That's before I found out they changed the PQ page. Sorry.

How long have you been waiting for the PQ? They don't process until the middle of the night, when the servers aren't as busy.

You can access one such page by clicking here. This page is broken down by type of cache. Would be nice if they'd also list the GC designation too, but it's a SpaceA thing. Of course, one could always load the page into Plucker and get all of them at once! I'm sure there are other similar pages, but this is the one I use. Now I know why my father hasn't been able to find this cache after I told him about it!

The "Man in Blue" mentioned folks going away for a period. All they should need do is to put something in their profile that they will be away, and arrange for others to maintain their caches in their absence. One of our local cachers just spent several months in the sandbox, and we all looked out for his caches while he was serving our country. There's a couple down South who came on like gang-busters and put out a bunch of caches. Then they went away. Haven't logged in to the site in forever... I did a cache in NC where the cache owner put three out with no finds. Turns out they were a realtor, and were trying to get folks to buy their properties. Took quite a while to get their cache archived even after two "This is on private property" logs. If a cache owner refuses to maintain, their cache should be archived. If they can't maintain, then they should ask someone else to help them out temporarily, or give the cache up for adoption. I find myself picturing the "Strawberry Fields Abandoned Cache Home" where you'd come select an orphan to bring home...

To add insult to injury, when I complained about the fact that I could not navigate their web site, I got a VERY insulting email from 'Hank'. In it, he basically called me an idiot for not wasting my time wandering about the site trying to find an answer. Then he went on to say that my attitude needed adjusting, and that he didn't want my support. Well, ^$%# me! I guess he won't get my support in any fashion, monetary or otherwise!

Trolling along, I have to agree with the majority of the posters. I prefer the hunt and the AHA! to trading. I rarely even carry any swag with me any more, since it's just one more thing to have to lug around. There have been times when I've found something neat and ended up leaving it because I didn't have anything to trade, though. Edited for content and speeling

Whoops! I was going to post a picture of my GPSr at 78,000 feet, but I get a response that "dynamic tags" are not allowed. Funny, I clicked the IMG button on the 'reply' page... Oh well.

Yeah. I seem to remember there being a link on the Magellan website, but it isn't there now. Perhaps I'll just have to do that. Thanks.

I tried registering with their site the other day, and I still couldn't get anything done. It seems that you MUST view the pop-up ads and also allow them to put cookies on your drive. Until this point, I had never handled them, but I picked one up in Clevland, OH last week and put it in a cache in KY. I like the idea of putting them in caches, but their web site has put me off WG until they clean up their act... or at least the website!

I'll have to concur with Sparky on this one. I, for one, am getting tired of the bickering between the two on something that is off topic. Let them start a new thread!