[Its time for a cache rating system]

I would love to see a maintenance rating for each CO, but with every suggestion I would have, there is a flaw to it that makes a cache owner feel like they are wasting there time putting hides out just to feel unappreciated. For example, if technology could calculate the DNF's a CO has and translate it into a number that would reflect the amount of maintenance they do,  that could be very helpful. It is incredibly frustrating to set out on a trail where you think you're going to get 10 finds and you only find 3, and there were DNF's that went unchecked.  I think there should be some accountability. I don't think a CO should be allowed to keep publishing caches when they have a low maintenance rating. This system would be flawed however because of all the variables in this game, such as DT ratings for example. A cache may have lots of DNF's simply because it's difficult to find. Maybe if a DT rating is 2/2 or below, it should automatically be open to a rating system to reflect your ability to maintain a cache properly. 

 

Another variable of this game that I don't understand is the lonely cache challenges that people like to do. Some have said that it is the excitement of not knowing what condition a cache is going to be found in after going 3 years without being found, but the CO rule is that you must maintain your cache twice a year, so why would any cache ever be lonely? This makes no sense. I have been told that just because a CO doesn't document their maintenance doesn't mean that they haven't maintained it, but that same person will thrill in finding a lonely cache. It makes no sense. This game has too many variables with people making up their own rules and challenges. I feel that every cache must be documented as visited and in decent condition at least twice a year, either by a finder or the CO. 

 

[Community conversation about geocache quality]

A good quality geocache is one that is airtight and watertight such as a top of the line Lock & Lock , or the favored ammo can. It is even good quality if it's in a small pill bottle wrapped in a baggie. Anything that you open up and you don't see mold mildew and water is good quality. If Groundspeak is looking to improve the quality of geocaches out there , a CO rating system can be developed such as in what eBay asks you to do. Rate the seller, rate the CO. Coordinates should be good and a decent hint should be provided in remote areas especially. just a thought. Co's are supposed to do maintenance,  so if your geocache was once high quality and irresponsible geocachers or muggles turned it into poor quality,  then the CO must get out there to make it high quality again.