Srondar & Cryss

Declining cache placements is related to the number of people involved in geocaching and the resaons for declining numbers of geocachers is therefore a reason for declining cache placements. I believe we are on topic here..

My wife and I started geocaching in 2007 and had a lot of fun. We really enjoyed the trackables, finding and leaving swag. Our enthusiasm faded after less than a year. This was due to the large number of micros placed in our area.

Guess I was wrong. "Most" people in the forum are nice. But there's always a sa in every group.

I cannot access the members area. When I click the members tab I get the following "Sorry, an error occurred. If you are unsure on how to use a feature, or don't know why you got this error message, try looking through the help files for more information. [#10230] You are not permitted to view our online list." I have emailed the admin and moderators and get no reply. Can anyone tell me why I get this error ? I can access members profiles if I look them up one at a time. Thanks.. Srondar

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Of course there are opposing opinions, always are. I just don't like micro's but that's my opinion. I think some misunderstood my reasoning. My dislike of micro's is not based on "size" or "difficulty". I like the idea of opening a cache to see what's in it. Usually nothing valuable but it's an unknown, you never know what's in them. A micro robs you of the opportunity to "see what might be in there" and to "trade swag". Without the element of curiosity, it's not much different than orienteering (another fun use of a handheld GPSr). I was impressed with the respectful and polite way my post was answered. This is unusual in most forums. As I get time, I will learn to use GSAK to filter the caches better.

I haven't been active for a couple of years and recently put new batteries in the GPS and logged on to GC.com. Thought I might go caching now that the weather is getting warmer. Scanning through the list of caches in my area, I remembered why I quit two years ago... Micro's. Yep, gasoline cost too much to drive around looking for a film canister or bison tube. Traditionally a cache contained swag (trade items). That is a big part of the fun. Sure, the items aren't very valuable but the idea is that you never know what you will find. In a micro, you know what you will find, nothing ! I screen them out of the list, but unfortunately in my area, about eighty percent of the caches are micros. Looks like these new GPS batteries are going to last a long time. If you don't like micros, don't place, hunt or log them.

Emergence is the key word, indicating mico's were not part of the original geocaching sport. Very well stated ! Further, the people who won't take the time to create a decent cache likely do not take the time to get permission to place them. To me, micro's defeat the original idea of geocaching. If I really disliked them that much, I would hunt them, then check with the property owner or manager to see if they have permission to be there. If not, post it. I'll bet 90 percent of them are placed without permission. About 40% of the caches returned in a query of my area were micro's and I know for a fact that some were placed without permission. It seems when someone is willing to invest some time and thought in a nice cache, they value it enough to get permission. Mico's are a quick and dirty solution for those who just want numbers or or are not willing to put a little thought and work into a cache. I have been logging some of them and have to say they are not much fun for me. Not having permission is a real issue when property owners and others see people messing about and don't know why they are there. I live in a rural area and when I see someone lurking about on my property and I don't know them or know why they are there, I put some extra magazines on my belt and turn on the video recorder. Few people know about geocaching and everyone is aware of the rising number of home invasions. At some point Geocaching.com and the community is going to have to step up to the bat and address this issue. In my opinion they should create and enforce strict guidelines (container size, type) for a cache and eliminate micros. This may cause a little slump in the bottom line, but the consequences of not doing it will be far worse in the long run. Why eliminate micro's ? Because they promote and encourage the placement of caches without permission. If you doubt this, do some research in your area... check for yourself. MOST micros are placed without permission and FEW larger more traditional caches are placed without permission.

I don't understand the issue, anyone can get coodinates from Geocaching.com unless it's a PMO. There's even an add-on for Firefox that will get the data from the pages and create a .gpx file. If you make them all PMO's many people will go away and you will cripple the sport. Garmin and Magellen will be unhappy. I don't like PMO's, they're unfair. I'm only a PM so I can muggle the PMO's .

I am wondering what the geocaching community thinks about a 2 or 3 stage cache which would be something like this: "Go to the coordinates and look for an orange blaze (or some object). There you will find stage 2 which will give you instructions to find the cache. The cache is not near the coordinates". My reasoning for this is that it eliminates the use of Google Earth or GeocacheNavigator to see an arial view of the exact cache location, which seems to me about as much fun as having the cache owner take me there and point to it. Goolge Earth can be very detailed and can sometimes show the precise clump of bushes or pile of rocks where a cache is hidden (if the owners coordinates are accurate). Not much different than having the person placing the cache post a picture of the location on the cache page. We all know this is a great money maker for the wireless networks, software publishers and others who are agressivley promoting it, but isn't it eliminating the elements of challenge and skill in the sport...

Hope this in the appropriate place to post this.... I have a question regarding a cache near my home. It's in a cemetery where I frequently go. (own lots there and go there to visit). I looked at the cache about six weeks ago and there was some swag in it but no log book. Out of curiosity I have checked on it several times since. It still does not have a log but has been logged on Geocaching.com since I first checked it. That is not my concern though. I contacted the owner of the cache through Geocaching.com and told him about the missing log and that the cache needs maintenance. He has not replied but seems to be active as he is still logging found caches. What should be done about this cache, if anything ?

The definition of cache is: "a hiding place, esp. one in the ground, for ammunition, food, treasures, etc.: She hid her jewelry in a little cache in the cellar." So what's a micro.. a cache of what ? Mico's are lame. If you just want the challenge of the hunt and to use your navigational skills maybe the sport for you is orienteering.

Traditional - small, regular and large. Micro's are lame.

In Ohio, ORC (state law) allows township trustees and municipalities to regulate the hours of access to cemeteries. Almost all of them do and it's usually dusk to dawn. Violations are a minor misdemeanor. The reason for the limited hours is to protect the premises from vandalism, desecration, and other improper usage. One thing to consider is that sometimes there is vandalism and law enforcement may be watching a cemetery. A geocacher would not know this, but would look suspicious if seen in the cemetery after dark. Usually any law enforcement officer will take a second look at anyone in a cemetery after dark. They may choose to watch them for a time, and may ask them what they are doing. The registration of any vehicles will be checked and noted for future reference. In my opinion, this kind of activity does not build the reputation of geocachers. When you become a PITA to local government and law enforcement they will become less and less cooperative.

Thanks for the reply.. The cache was moved under 400 feet. It was necessary because brush and briars have overtaken the area and were making it difficult to get to the cache without getting caught in a briar patch. I have made a log entry with the new coordiantes.

I had to move a cache (not far) and need to change the coordinates. I included them in a comment but haven't found a way to change the original coordinates at the top of the page. Can anyone tell me how to do this... Thanks.. srondar

sdarken Thank you for taking the time to answer my question and for being very courteous. You make some good points. If supporting the site is a basis for the PMO's that's a a personal choice. Nothing wrong with suppporting a sport you like. I have other hobbies and obligations but I do like geocaching when I can do it. Regards.. Rondar

t4e, Yes I was and I think that's why I can't change it now. Thanks again for the reply. I did not mean to give the impression that I am upset about PMO's. I've found 36 caches since 2007, so it's obvious I don't have a lot of time for geocaching and there are certainly enough non PMO's for me to find. I have other hobbies that consume most of my free time. I just didn't see the benefit of PMO's to the geocaching sport, (placers or finders). Still don't, but it doesn't matter. I did learn one thing though, I am not the only one who wondered about the PMO's. Geocaching is a great sport, especially for kids, the elderly and Texans. Have a good one.. Rondar

Thanks for the reply... When I go to edit listing there is no check box for the PM only option under "placed by" Could this be because I am not a premium member ?

What is the purpose of the Premium Member Only Option ? I understand that Geocaching.com requires a paid membership for services beyond basic (GPX files ect.) but I don't understand why anyone placing a cache would want to exclude everyone but members. How does this promote the sport.... I placed several caches a few years ago and the remaining one is member only, don't know why. It was not intentional, and I have been unable to find a way to change it. I am not being sarcastic here.. I really don't understand how this option benefits anyone ?