SKS

That would require the OP to so more work than dropping a container for someone else to maintain. Not sure he's up for that. No prob - maybe someone can handle the EarthCache details for him. Problem solved! MooseJawSpruce, if I may speak plainly, may I suggest you use your "slightly more polite answer" as your first response in the future? Next, I hadn't considered the Earthcache possibility and haven't created one before but that's probably a better option. Wmpastor, thank you for your encouragement. I appreciate it. SKS

Hi, I want to place a cache on Caribou Peak, between Augusta and Lincoln, MT. I live in Washington and would like to get a sponsor who lives not too far away from the cache who would be willing to provide maintenance if necessary so I can get approval. Let me know ASAP as I plan to leave tonight for a week backpacking trip during which I would place the cache. Thanks, Sam

My weekend just cleared up! Gymrats1, Jiffy98 and I would like to carpool with someone if you have the room.

Jester, Glad you're ok. Looks like quite a ride!

Yes!

Thanks TotemLake for organizing another great hike. This was my first time on snowshoes and it was a good experience. Gymrats1 and I had a fun time.

My first choice would be the Snow Dog trip. 2nd choice is Skyline. I'm fine with whatever the final decision is. Got my first pair of snowshoes and am eager to try them out.

I've had issues with loading some gpx files onto Mapsource and having the caches displayed with the cache "nickname", and other gpx files will load and display cache by GC#. Just by a lucky guess it appears that the discrepancy is caused by which version of gpx file is selected in my geocaching.com account details. Version 1.0 displays with "nickname" and version 1.0.1 diaplays with GC#. Does anyone know why this changes from one version to the other, and can v.1.0.1 gpx be made to display by "nickname" in Mapsource?

I have been experiencing the same problem and then found the answer. The way the PQ displays depends on which .gpx version you have selected in your geocaching.com account settings/preferences. The choices are version 1.0 and 1.0.1. The version 1.0 will display with the name, Version 1.0.1 will display with the GC#.

Decided to start a new topic specific to 2011 after seeing the old one come up. My plans are mostly for the Cascades: Mt Index Mt Persis Mailbox Peak Monte Cristo Goat Lake off Mt Loop Hwy Lake Serene by Index, WA Kendall Katwalk, Snoqualmie Pass Eagle Lake by Skykomish Rooster Mountain Bathtub Lakes by Mt Pilchuck and possible one Montana trip: Grasshopper Glacier, North of Cooke City in the Bearpaws.

With GSAK you can right'click on a cache and change status to found. Another way is to download another copy of that cache page after you've logged it, this will update it's status to found. There are also other more sophisticated ways of handling that but I'm not that skilled with GSAK. Also, I set up individual databases for different areas around here. When I want to update the caches I usually delete the old files in the database and load the new PQ in it's place. My PQ only contains caches that I haven't found and that are active (selections I made when creating the PQ). So if there are caches I've found in the old database that I haven't updated by changing their status, and I don't delete the old caches, the new PQ won't update them either because it only loads caches I haven't found and the old, found caches remain unchanged and still listed as unfound. Hope some of this helps.

I plug directly into computer w/ usb cable, not through hub. Also I don't have SD card installed. If I do it gives me option of which to connect to. Magellan suggested finding a computer with XP SP2. I have SP3 installed. I don't know if it will make a difference and they didn't say why it might. Both my computers have SP3. I keep you all posted to any changes.

Running Windows XP, cable is connected right (down across battery cover). I'm afraid all the common causes for this problem are not the problem. I think the problem started shortly after trying to update firmware to new, unauthorized version later last year. Even though the unit says it's in file transfer mode I think there's something internally that's not allowing it to connect, either software or hardware.

I have an Explorist 500LE that won't talk to computer. Unit will enter usb file transfer mode but computer has no idea it's there. Tried new cable, no change. No error message, nothing to indicate it's connected at all. Would like to update firmware with latest, but without usb communications that's not going to happen. Any help is appreciated. Sam

3. Don't leave ANY valuables. 4. Don't lock the doors. In fact, roll the windows down if it's not raining. That way you won't have to buy a new window or clean up broken glass. (It goes everywhere!) Thieves, being who they are, won't let a locked door stop them if they think no one's around. They just break the window. A geocaching buddy found that out recently. There's no 'best' answer. I can't condone violence. Thieves should be shot.

When is it legitimate to list a cache size as unknown? Is is simply up to the cache owner or are there other guidelines that apply?

I found the 2.57 file and tried to upgrade my 2.17 file. No change, no problems. Still the same as before. Still can't see WAAS satellites.

Carbon, Arbitrary doesn't mean Random. The 500 ft rule has a good reason for being in place as stated by others here. So, don't get discouraged Hope you find (another) good spot for your cache. Good Luck.

I have a Magellan Explorist 500LE. Now that I've used it for a couple months on a regular basis I'm pretty happy with it even though it has limitations. I was somewhat disappointed with it initially. I think many things could have been better. It has a cheesy battery holder for AAA batteries. I bought a LiIon batt and SD card seperately, also bought topo maps. Pre-loaded maps show only main roads, no streets or lesser roads. The keypad is laid out very nicely and easy to use with one thumb. LiIon battery life is good w/ backlight set on low. Cable connection to unit is a head-scratcher, as in "what the ---". What were they thinking? It uses a screw on connection. Not the kind of connector you'd expect from a late 20th century electronic handheld device. Loading maps from the topo program was quite frustrating, very un-intuitive. When Geocaching files are loaded the hints are cut down to only 50 characters displayed, even though the hint is longer. And another person said they knew that the entire hint was loaded as part of the .gs file but just wasn't all displayed. That's all I have to say for now. I like mine enough for now but when it's time for a new one I'll probably go with one of the Garmin's. But at that point I'll do a lot more research before buying than I did w/ the 500LE. Good Luck.