glennaa

I say leave it like it is. There's already too much emphasis on numbers here in geocaching - by including bm's it just adds to the controversy. People already argue that virts aren't real caches, locationless aren't, and shouldn't be included in the total; Bm's would be treated the same way. Actually I would be happy if my stats page just showed the total of each type of geocache and benchmarks, but no net total.

I think you could bring the wife along - and leave with someone else's; it's a swingers' club. Next door was an adult video place, and next to that was a strip club. I guess they have a little something for everyone.

I live inside the loop. I've hit most of the benchmarks inside the loop west of downtown, and have been working on those between the loop and Beltway 8. I haven't had much luck with those along Hempstead Highway. I logged Coach's as a DNF, so you still have a chance to see if you can find it - just show up after 8 PM!

Though I didn't find this one (I think it would have been inside the new entrance, but it was before business hours), I would love to go back when this place is open to see if it is still there. Anyone else find any "now" strange locations for benchmarks? Here's a link to the present business' web site; don't open this at work: Coach's

Here's the worst one I've ever found: It was on the side of a building, so I felt that if I scraped off the paint, it would be like vandalizing the building; especially since I'm a hobbiest, not a pro. It was readable to me, but it was hard to get a picture where you could actually read the designation. I have cleaned off ones that are covered with dirt and such, and carry a long screwdriver (as a probe), a small trowel, and rags; but these are for those in the ground.

I was also stopped once while benchmarking. It was on a power pole in the back of a shopping center. I showed the cops my D/L, GPSR and PID printouts and explained what I was doing, he asked who I worked for, I said it was volunteer work for the NGS, and he let me go at that.

As a benchmarker, I always take photos to identify the mark and the location. If I don't have a photo I don't log it. I usually take photos of caches (I like to remember how they are hidden and the containers), but since I would consider them spoiler photos, I don't post them. My only cache photos uploaded have been for virts or for maintenence issues on someone's cache container. What types of photos would cache owners like to see in their cache galleries?

I guess I am selective about posting DNFs. If I actively search for one, I will post a DNF. If I hit the "Go to" button, I'll either post a DNF, a note or nothing depending on the situation. If something blocks me from getting to the area, like a closed road, no trespassing sign, I'll post a note. If I go to an area and don't search for personal reasons (I don't like caches on lawns, neighborhood yards, etc) I usually won't post anything. I also like to benchmark, so I'm used to seeing the purple frowns, since about 35-40% of all my benchmark hunts end up as DNF.

If it was in my logbook in my cache, I would have removed it. Otherwise I would have left it there and emailed the cache owner. Suggestive swag would have been removed, since it is a trade item afterall. Did you email the owner and the person who signed the logbook to tell them that you removed a page from the logbook and why?

I use an Excel Spreadsheet. I like seeing mine on a map, so I have it set up so that I can export a CSV file that will work on Street Atlas USA, using various symbols for different types of caches (or benchmarks), and color coding for not attempted/finds/DNF (and also destroyed/inaccessable for benchmarks)

I would also mark it as destroyed. I guess the numbers aren't as important to me, as long as I can access the list of all of my attempts, whether they are "founds", "not founds", "notes", or "destroyed". This isn't the NGS, so depending on your criteria, I could see it marked as either "Found" or "Destroyed"; but definitely make a mention that it is no longer useable if you mark it as "found".

I've been using ExpertGPS. It allows importing and exporting of CSV files. My mapping software is Street Atlas 8, it also allows importing of CSV files, so I have an Excel spreadsheet that has a worksheet for geocaches, a worksheet for benchmarks, and a worksheet to convert to a SA8 lat/long file with my chosen symbols and colors for type of cache/benchmark found/not found/not attempted, etc.

I would second that request. I like hunting benchmarks as much as geocaches and it can be a pain to get to the benchmark page.

I also always add a picture, whether I find it or not. If I don't have a picture I will usually just log a note until I take a picture.

The firmware upgrade is free if you have a cable, so I would say it's worth it. Just download it from garmin's website, and follow the instructions, and you'll be up to the latest rev.

It's a bit more complicated, but I've been using ExpertGPS by the same people who make EasyGPS. I export to a CSV file, replace "dot" with "geocache", using Excel (though any text editor with find/replace will work), then reimport to ExpertGPS.

I wonder if people do this to up their count - destroyed benchmarks don't increase the benchmarks found count. If I have visual evidence it's been destroyed (as in this case) I would mark it as destroyed. If I don't have evidence (as in the case where I'm 95% sure I'm in the location but can't find anything) I'll mark it as a DNF.

I'm not totally sure what you are trying to do, but if you have a master list (loc file) on your laptop, and you have downloaded more waypoints and want to add them to your master list, just open the second file and cut and paste them into the first. I have been using Expert GPS, as it allows me to create CSV files that I can then import into Street Atlas USA.

While looking for AW0332, I found these sticks and tapes designating the spot, as well as orange marking paint on the driveway and the curb. The grass was high, so I couldn't look for the disk without disturbing the sticks. I have been conservative about logging finds, only logging when I actually see the monument / disk considered the benchmark, but the sticks clearly have the disk designation on them. Should this be logged as a find, or left as a note until I actually see the disk?

Is there a ruling as to how much land on either side of the tracks is RR property? I've never actually seen a "no trespassing" sign or anything.

I'm new to benchmark hunting, and wanted to know how to log a missing disk. I found the location, but where the disk should be, there is a telltale grout circle, with a cross shaped nail in the middle. Would this be considered a "found" or "not found". I left a note with pictures for the log, but wasn't sure if I should log it as "found" since the disk was gone. AC6338