Cathunter

I'm planning on a visit to the Slate Islands from Wisconsin and currently have no detailed maps of Canada. My focus is on a trip to the Slate Islands and detailed map coverage will be important to me there. I use a couple of different Garmin GPS units and am hoping for some insight on which mapping software will give us the best coverage of the Lake Superior shoreline and islands.

Thanks geognerd! Switching from Garmin to Magellan is a lot like switching from Windows to Linux. The data is all in there, we just have to find it.

I was happy to find that the new firmware for the 600 allows caches to be marked as found, among other things. Problem is that now I can't figure out how to pull out the list of caches I found today. Help!

After using Spinner & Plucker for a couple of years now, I have recently been having the same problem. Seeing that it's not just me, I have to think that something has been done to the PQ's that causes this.

You will have much better luck if you post in the forums at wi-geocaching.com

I took an Explorist 600 out on my kayak yesterday and after ONE quick eskimo roll, the screen was fogged over and full of water droplets on the INSIDE! After spending the night drying it out, it still works but the screen has several dark spots. My Garmin Etrex Legend has performed flawlessly under these conditions. Looking at the Magellan website, the unit is advertised as "Water Resistant", while the Garmin website states thier units are Waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes). I have e-mailed Magellan to find out where they stand on this. Anyone else ran into this issue?

Again, I think it would be great if there was a legitimate way to give a temp cache it's own cache page. But there is not- and until then I think we will probably just keep playing the game game our way, irregardless of those who are overly concerned about our practice. Our annual campout averages 50-60 temp caches, and our annual picnic is about the same scenario. Everyone is invited, and everyone can make their own decision about logging those finds online. Cache On!

When this started in 2001, events were logged with a "found it" log vs. the "attended" log type that was put into place more recently. I don't think any member likes logging multiple "attended" logs at an event to account for finding temporary caches. BUT- most feel very strongly that these temporary caches are very deserving of being added to their overall find count, and are allowed to do so. I'm sure Groundspeak does not want their server spacer and bandwidth sucked up by cache pages for temp caches, any more than they wanted it bogged down with virtuals or locationless caches. If there was a better option, such as a special log type for event temp caches, i'm sure it would be used. <tounge in cheek> I've seen plenty of multi-caches that allow a find log for each stage; perhaps the WGA should make their next bunch of temp caches a 60 stage multi that ends with an offset regular cache? Then when the event is over, and all the logs are in, they could simply change the cache to a regular cache, and then maybe just archive it after is has been there long enough to have been considered a "permanent" cache. It's become common for land managers to only permit caches to remain in place for 1 year, so just what is a "permanent" cache anyway? The fact remains that we can play the game how we choose to. It's been done this way since there were less than a dozen geocachers in this state, and even fewer caches. If it's that big of a problem in your mind, maybe you should spend some time concentrating on something more meaningful.

I have nothing against them counting their finds from the event. The issue here is should they count them on geocaching.com? You don't count your navicaches here <snip> Why should any cache that is not listed on this site be included with your stats on this site? We use the geocaching.com website because it works for us. A geocache is a geocache, regardless of how it is announced. If I choose to never log any of my finds, that's my option. If the event organizers give me the option of logging all my temporary cache finds on the event page, it's my option. Jeremy gave us the choice to log our finds how we choose to. In the future, there might be a new log type for event temporary caches. Until then, I think our members will be left to make their own choices. Meanwhile.. rather than wasting my morning on these forums, i'm going caching.

It's interesting how many other geocachers want to invent their own rules for the game. The fact is, there are almost no rules... Don't trespass, don't bury your cache, etc. This is one of the greatest assets of the sport- we have the option to do what we want to! This is not a case of a geocacher who is cheating. This event was held by the Wisconsin Geocaching Association. This is an association of over 700 members who have done great things with the state DNR and other land managers to make Wisconsin the most geocaching friendly state in the Midwest. Since the first WGA sponsored event in 2001, attendees have been given the option to log the finding of temporary caches on the event's cache page. This practice has been debated by WGA members several times, with the final decision being that everyone can make their own decision as to how they choose to log. These are logs for caches- real caches that are just as or more challenging than those posted with their own cache page. Each of this caches are worthy of their own cache page, but because they are not "permanent" caches, posting them is against Groundspeak's guidelines for posting a cache. There is a reason this seems odd to many of you- that reason is because you are not here, doing things the way they have always been done. If you look at the cache page for ANY event cache that has been held in Wisconsin, you will see that it is indeed, completely normal here.

Just a reminder- this is the last week registrations are accepted for Wisconsin's biggest and best event cache! All participants (camping or not) must pre-register. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...2d-851c22e1fba8 I can smell the pancakes already!

Our annual campout has been scheduled for May 20-22. Traditionally, the campout has been a wonderful way to meet other geocachers, and the caches hidden for the event have been nothing short of outstanding. Last years campout resulted in a gathering of 200 cachers and more than 2300 cache finds. We had to cut off registration before the event due to being filled to capacity. I invite all geocachers, cheeseheads or otherwise, to join us for what promises to be another one of geocaching's greatest events. Follow the links on the cache page to sign up, before it's too late! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...2d-851c22e1fba8

The Fall Paddle is now only a week away! The current water temperature is 62F and the 10-day forecast is calling for high 50's for the launch. The Fall Colors are expected to be at their prime for the event! Some new caches are expected to pop up in the area over the next few days and there have been rumors of a waterborne bonus hide for the event. A couple of us are planning to camp out the night before the event. Feel free to join in for a great night around the campfire!

Since the Chicago Geocachers site is dead, I just wanted to invite all the Flatlanders to Wisconsin's first 5/5 event cache. Bring your Kayaks or Canoes and spend a great fall day with us! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...47-47bc2a24679d

The easiest thing to do is go the the main page and then search for geocaches in your area by state. All the planned event caches in the state show up at the top. Hope this helps!

One last call for the WGA campout. Group sites are said to be full. Campsites are still available in the park. There are 5 days until the Wisconsin Geocaching Association Campout.

There are now 152 people signed up for the WGA campout. Payment by those who plan on camping is due. All teams camping on the group site are required to pre-pay by 4/30/04. If you have not paid, your reservation may be lost to a paying customer. Sign-Up for a Sunday A.M. pancake camp breakfast is in progress. Check the WGA web forums for the newest information. Wholly Crap, There are only 15 days until the Wisconsin Geocaching Association Campout.

Funny you mention it; I was trying to think up something out of the ordinary to cook up at the WGA campout.

Your Garmin is more than enough of a GPSr for geocaching. The MAP60 is nice, but I recommend you find a hundred or so caches and attend a few event caches before deciding on yet another GPSr. If you ever get north of the border, i'll be happy to try a few with you.

Here's one in WI that I have logged. It was a great challenge. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...27-d8d1e9819184

There are 23 days until the Wisconsin Geocaching Association Campout.

There are now 122 cachers signed up for the event, with 84 intending to campout. Stop thinking about it & sign up now!! There are 27 days until the Wisconsin Geocaching Association Campout.

I tend to make a detailed online log of each cache that I hunt, but very seldomly do I ever mention what I traded. I carry a few nice trade items with me, in case I do see something I want to trade for, but for the most part I don't trade at all. In my experience the quality of a caches contents will spiral downward rather quickly. I spent about $50 on my last hide. We'll see how it stands in a month or so.

I cannot image physically running out of room. If theres not enough room, you can have my spot and i'll sleep in a tree. Or we could build a muti-story tent skyscraper. Come, join us, there will be room. Also a reminder, if you signed up for group camping but have not paid your camping fee, please do so now by going to the campout page: http://www.wi-geocaching.com/events/?EventID=2 There are 35 days until the Wisconsin Geocaching Association Campout.

How evil is it to name a dog "cat" ?? There are 38 days until the Wisconsin Geocaching Association Campout.