Team OPJim

So I used to qualify for a local geocache which requires the finding of 14 icons. I had 14 with benchmarking. But now it is gone, I only have 13, so I can't log a find on the geocache unless I find a different Icon. Bummer. https://coord.info/GC2HRF5

Well put.

If it is posted on the Internet it must be true. if a cache has multiple DNF then NM “could” be appropriate. It is not appropriate the first time it isn’t found unless there are is other preponderance of evidence that maintenance is not needed, such as but not limited to finding only a portion of the cache, seeing that the location is compromised (hint says hanging in a tree and there is only a fresh cut stump), or the area of ground zero is within a newly fenced area with a “no trespassing” sign, etc etc etc. My objection remains to the first DNF posting NM because they are sure if there own cleverness in finding caches Some say that there is no harm to posting a NM. This, from todays email shows another cache which bites the dust due to a NM from five years ago. Now it is geotrash. https://coord.info/GC3MDVG

As with most areas of life, I advocate moderation. A cache that is clearly needing attention, like the hanging lid without a logbook needs a NM. a cache that had many DNFs NM could be appropriate. I don’t know what the correct answer is but it is clearly not 1 DNF, perhaps five, definitely 10 or more. I believe the actions in my area for archiving caches are a bit over aggressive, which is a view shared by other local Cachers as well. I guess my question when I can’t find a cache is, is the problem me or the cache? When in doubt, just post the DNF

Almost every day I get notification of a local (within 60 miles) cache being archived. Some of them are archived even though contemporaneous logs clearly show the cache is fine, but the CO is either MIA or doesn't get how to log a maintenance log (not everyone is computer savvy). My question is, how likely is this cache to become geotrash if it is no longer on the radar?

The reviewers have been archiving caches because the CO didn't "clear" the NM with a reviewer note, even though the subsequent logs clearly state that the cache has been maintenanced, is in good shape, and has been found. So it isn't true that it is not a demand. COs are required to respond to all NM/OAR logs, with archiving of the cache as the penalty for noncompliance. I support the notion that NM should not be used for a DNF unless there is clear evidence that the cache was missing (such as the stump and sawdust for a cache hanging in a tree example above). I recently had a NM placed on one of my multicaches, because said cacher had looked everywhere and couldn't find it. My maintenance run, which came at a very inconvenient time, required a 60 minute drive and 30 minute hike, and when I got there, the stage was hanging right where it should have been, over this cacher's head while he focused on digging around the stump where he thought it was hidden. Bottom line, I felt compelled to rush there because the reviewers are so aggressively taking action if you don't respond, and I knew it would be another month before I could get there otherwise. So to quote the statement above, "how do you know it needs maintenance if you couldn't find it?" A DNF is a DNF, no matter how much confidence you have in your own caching ability.

I agree that the survey wasn't particularly helpful. My take is that I really liked those Wheel of Challenges that emphasized finding creative caches: ie with more than 10 favorite points, special cache types, like letterboxes or multicaches Adventures labs What I didn't like were: emphasis on numbers, finding many random caches emphasis on number of days caches. I live in a rural area, and work full time, which precludes finding that daily cache which I would have in an urban area.

What is the Lackey response to this thread?

I have had the same problem since July. Originally I thought it was just part of Groundspeak's general incompatibility with Safari, but in fact it happens with Chrome and Edge as well. What dismays me is that three months later, there still isn't a fix. I came to the forums, because 6 weeks after sending two messages to Groundspeak about issues, I have yet to receive a reply (unless you count the autobot generated message that they have your comments and will get back to you in a couple of days). Hopefully there will be a fix soon, because having to upload logs, then manually go in to add the pictures is very cumbersome.

First we had Wherigo, but then Groundspeak lost interest it in and wouldn't support the software so it became too difficult to manage. Adventures are obviously their intended replacement, but without adequate support: ie making it offline friendly just like the other types of geocaches, it will also become a difficult and frustrating aspect of geocaching that will cause people to say "why bother." I did one in Lincoln, NM which is the Billy the Kid state park. It was very interesting, but I literally had to drive 10 miles down the highway, open the app and all the questions, then go back to find the answers, then drive back down the road to input the answers. I messaged the CO about this and this is his response: "I debated placing that adventure, but there is SO much history in Lincoln, I had to try it. That's why I had the geofence opened up pretty much to the intersection of 380 and 70 in order for people to get stops opened before entering Lincoln. I hope you enjoyed the visit and stops despite the tech challenges in Lincoln. The whole point is to see somewhere new and interesting. " Bottom line Groundspeak, if extreme workarounds are required, then what are you using our Premium membership fees for?

This really needs to be fixed. Yes, it is true that you need to have some connections to show you are at the location: aka geofencing. However, there are some locations that simply don't have adequate signal to download the information. But if you already have it, then a smartphone can still work. Please fix this bug in the app.

I am adding my second to this issue. The map is unusable and wondering when Groundspeak will look into it

Yes that is true. Another issue is that the find nearby caches searches according to your filters not for all caches nearby. Which means that if you log the cache first and have the search function set to show only I found caches you can’t drop in the travel bug

I came to this discussion to get an answer on how to leave information specifically the location of my bonus cache when I have set the adventure to be non sequential ( because I have found it annoying with other adventures I have done to learn that I drove past some locations on the way to the “first” location). Am I correct in assuming that in fact there is no way to access the final completed screen on the adventure for editing?

[Sarcasm warning]. Maybe they could redo this next year but add a final step where you then go find 100 caches in a 10 square mile area

Thank you for pointing out that I didn't personally poll every geocacher on the planet earth. I admit that I only came onto the forums when I realized that Groundspeak had locked out further comments on their blogs. My consensus is based on: 1 reviewing forums, 2 reviewing twitter and social media, and 3 contact with other cachers. It also includes my own opinion. Bottom line, is I am hoping that someone in Groundspeak will take note and never do that [find 35 caches regardless of type or quality] for future promotions. I have likewise lobbied them via other social media. Honestly, the hairsplitting over words and meaning (see the huge argument over the word "penalty" in another post about this topic that completely went sideways) is why I rarely visit the forums. A simple observation about a geocaching related issue soon breaks down into a Webster Dictionary argument. So I will return to the 99%

If there is a consensus, it appears that most players were very disappointed that the final step was "find another 35 caches."

I concur. I would like to see promotions that aren't twice as hard for those who have already found everything nearby

First, appreciation to the Groundspeak Lackey's who worked to create a new, unique challenge promotion for us, thank you for your work and efforts. I know you are trying to make the "sport" (hobby) grow and give us a reason to get out and find interesting geocaches. Thank you. My comments below are not intended to attack you, but provide feedback to consider when you work on the next promotion. The promotion started right after I had been out of state with access to hundreds of unfound caches. I worked on it but quickly found that living in an area with few unfound caches it was a challenge that required going at least an hour away. Got the detective, clues and gems. Was very disheartened to see that the final step was "find 35 caches". So this challenge is to find 57 caches, but find the first ones in a particular order, then just do a power trail. In a metro area where hundreds of unfound caches about, this is very doable, and you could go to an area and just "cache" As a rural cacher who has found (or placed) most of the surrounding caches, this requires preplanning. With the mystery aspect, where I didn't know what the next task was until I completed the previous one, planning was not an option. If the entire promotion would have laid out from the beginning, I could have only sought the clues and gems, then saved finding other caches until later. Of course this also means crisscrossing the land, ignoring nearby caches now only to return later. The final step was unimaginative, and essentially reduces geocaching to a numbers game: meaning that powertrails, rather than going to interesting locations, or looking for unique geocaches is the best way to succeed. I was disappointed that this was the final step. I decided that finding 20 more caches in the final 7 days was not worth it, and voluntarily stopped the promotion My suggestion is that future promotions need to consider that not everyone lives in an urban area with large quantities of unfound caches, that travel may be required, and that knowing what will be required will produce MORE interest in the promotion. "Begin with the End in Mind" as per Covey's 7 habits. This promotion didn't allow that. Moreover, people cache for many different reasons, and that one reason is just as valid as another. I'm hoping the next promotion will not focus on numbers, and if travel will be required allow us to plan ahead for this travel. The mystery is much like a surprise birthday party: “I don't approve of surprises. The pleasure is never enhanced and the inconvenience is considerable.”-George Knightly from Emma by Jane Austen

Thank you The Jester!

Can you tell me where the real Mystery at the Museum Thread is? I would like to read it but a simple search was not helpful I still regret all the time wasted reading about the definition of "penalty"

This may not be the correct forum, but does anyone know of a listing of Earthcache owners? I have an Earthcache I either need to adopt out or archive and I'm wondering where I could look for potential CO. Cache is in Arizona, specifically the Arizona Strip (adjacent to Utah and Nevada)

I just discovered this thread as well. I have an Earthcache I have struggled with this issue on. People will claim a find then want to wait 2-3 weeks to send answers. I have asked them to send the answers the same day they post the found it log. This is simple logistics, I am not going to keep a spreadsheet comparing who logged it and who sent answers. This Earthcache is an overlook on a scenic highway and gets a lot of visitors, so daily or more often finds in the summer are not uncommon. Do both at the same time. This particular Earthcache is pretty easy though: look out and see how many layers you see. There are a couple other questions but generally if the answer is even reasonable I will say ok. However, if I get a logged find and no answers I send them a message reminding them. The biggest issue is foreign travelers complaining about lack of internet. If they try, I work with them. If they don't I delete the log As the guidelines say, "send the answers then post the log".

I've actually created four.

After almost 10 years of geocaching, one develops the desire to do something new (getting bored with microcaches, LPCs, etc). Wherigo seems to have the most potential. The problem is that there is very little support for it. With a smartphone, the issues of GPS manufacturers not supporting has gone away. However, the app (for iPhone at least) is very bug ridden. The best whereto design program I can find (ranger fox) is good. Groundspeak seems to be ignoring what could be the best new direction in this area (the sudden success of Pokemon Go shows this). Does anyone know what the official GS position and intentions with this are?