Graculus

No, we can't unarchive caches so they can be adopted. This is explained in the Help Center. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

We can't answer hypothetical questions about cache locations. We'd need to see the coordinates and then check it. We also discuss "problem" caches so any decision about a location (whether allowed or not) so any decision is usually a group one.

Thanks for spoting the eror. Thatl'l teech me to properly prof reed in futere. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

Something else to be careful of. When you transfer the files to the GPS from the computer make sure you 'eject' the GPS before unplugging it. Just right click on it in Windows Explorer and you get the option. If you just unplug the GPS it may not have finished copying the files (though it looks like it has) and no caches will appear on it. Ejecting ensures it's done. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

There are many locations where caches are either not allowed at all or that require proof you have permission. The main locations are listed in the UK Geocaching Policies Wiki. I should have added roundabouts to the list when we discussed it but I simply forgot so my apologies for that. The Wiki is linked to under the signature of all the UK reviewing team when they either write a reviewer note on a cache or email you. I've now edited the Wiki page.

Magic MapIt! relies on the MAGIC map itself which does sometimes have 'hiccups' and won't load. Always worth leaving it a half hour or so and checking again.

As you are a premium member you should look at Pocket Queries. This way you can download up to 1000 caches at a time into the GPS. I've written a simple guide (with pictures!) explaining how to do this for both Magellan and Garmin GPS's. The Magellan one also explains about using Vantage Point (note, that application is Windows only, not MAC). You can download the instructions from the bottom of the Paperless Geocaching page on my resource site here.

An event after a CITO is fine. It's a chance for those working hard clearing up an area to relax and socialise, perhaps over a drink or a meal.

The guideline update (guideline, please note, not a rule as people mistakenly call it) simply requires you to get permission. We require proof of permission for lots of different locations; nature reserves, sites of special scientific interest, scheduled ancient monuments etc. This is because we do not have the knowledge to know if these locations could be damaged by geocaching. Geocachers would not necessarily have this knowledge either unless they happen to be the landowner/manager etc. So if you get permission we will happily publish the cache. It's already in the guidelines so it shouldn't be a surprise.

We do give latitude with guidelines (we always have). The guidelines are not as people seem to believe, set in stone. Will we review the actual values we've chosen? That may indeed happen. We will try it out now and see how it works. If it does transpire it's not working we may well review it. I cannot say if or when that will happen. It may be that it won't need changing.

This article in the Help Center explains about Mega and side events. If you wanted any other events during a mega week the new guidance won't stop them despite everything people are saying. We didn't make up this 'rule' it's already in the guidelines for events. All we've done (with the help of Geocaching HQ) is to clarify it by giving a time and distance. As with all the guidelines they are flexible. People are convinced we never relax guidelines. We do quite often. When we do it means a cache\event will get published and no one knows what we did. If we refuse a cache (or event) for very obvious guideline reasons then everyone knows about it and we're accused of "enforcing the rules". So if there was already an event published in Bristol starting at 7.30pm, then you're saying that if another event was then submitted starting at 7.30pm 15 miles away in Bath, that you'd expect the Bath one to be OKed? I've already said in the Facebook discussion we won't answer "what if" questions. We need to see the event(s) listed to see what they are about before making a decision. And it's never the decision of one reviewer. We all discuss caches and events to get an agreement on whether it can or can't be published. If that fails it goes to Geocaching HQ for a decision. Unfortunately everyone believes GHQ will side with us and not the CO. That is definitely not the case. CO's do win appeals.

This article in the Help Center explains about Mega and side events. If you wanted any other events during a mega week the new guidance won't stop them despite everything people are saying. We didn't make up this 'rule' it's already in the guidelines for events. All we've done (with the help of Geocaching HQ) is to clarify it by giving a time and distance. As with all the guidelines they are flexible. People are convinced we never relax guidelines. We do quite often. When we do it means a cache\event will get published and no one knows what we did. If we refuse a cache (or event) for very obvious guideline reasons then everyone knows about it and we're accused of "enforcing the rules".

All caches are reviewed using the CO's description, the MAGIC map and Google maps. If any cache appears to be an issue for any reason including the possibility of bats then the CO would be asked for more information and potentially the cache would not be published.

These changes are for the UK only. Each country can interpret the guidelines to suit local situations. For example, we don't allow caches in playgrounds or near schools. There isn't a guideline saying this but we interpret this guideline for these situations. "Think about how your container and the actions of geocachers seeking it will be perceived by the public. Although your cache will be hidden with landowner or land manager permission, concerned passersby who are unaware of geocaching, may view people searching the property as suspicious." All these UK specific guidelines are agreed with Geocaching HQ. We don't just make them up as and when we feel like it! Regarding the distances and timescales for "event stacking". Geocaching HQ have given the local reviewing teams around the World the option to define local guidelines for this as individual country situations do vary. This is what we feel will apply to the UK. When the 17 of us discussed this at our meeting last week a Geocaching HQ Lackey was with us and part of the discussion. Yes, you can appeal any decision a reviewer makes about any cache or event. There is an option in the Help Center - Email Us you can use for this. If it's a cache/event under review the reviewer will give the necessary information anyway. Why would it be the end of Piratemania? Why would it be the end? Piratemania will still take place, people will have a really enjoyable time and they'll get an event smiley. After all, isn't that what Piratemania is, an event? Regarding the need for permission for "underground" caches. I used the word landowner simply because there could be a landowner, someone who leases the land with certain rights or is a manager. Caches won't be published with the assumption they have permission, proof must be provided. It's been posted on Facebook in the Reviewers Tea Bar group. It has also been shared from there to other groups. It's also in the UK Geocaching Policies Wiki.

The UK reviewing team recently had a meeting where several topics were discussed. This has resulted in changes to various matters of cache placement and events in the UK as follows: Placing of caches in Culverts, Mines, Adits, Caves and Underground Quarries. There have been issues with disturbing bats which frequently roost in some of these locations. It was decided there would be no restrictions on placing caches in these locations but to avoid any issues cache owners would be asked to show they have permission from the relevant landowner. Please note that caches in culverts under roads managed by Highways England and in culverts under railway lines (Network Rail) will not be allowed. Both these organisations have made this request and it's explained in the UK Geocaching Polices Wiki: Highways England - Network Rail. Event stacking This phrase refers to holding multiple events that are close to each other or at similar times. Events are social gatherings of geocachers and having too many too close to each other diminishes their value to the community. Events are not just an excuse to get a 'smiley'. In the future, if an event is submitted and another event is either already published or also waiting review and they are too close to each other then the following guidance will apply: Events will be published within a similar time period only if they are more than 20 miles apart (as the crow flies). Events closer to each other than 20 miles will only be published if the end time of the first is more 10 hours before the start time of the next. In London which is a popular tourist destination and where many events get submitted it was decided the distance would be a 3 mile circle around Trafalgar Square rather than 20 miles. The time restriction of 10 hours will still apply. Anywhere else in London the 20 mile/10 hour guideance will apply. Camping events Camping is a very popular activity among geocachers and long weekend camping trips particularly so. It’s becoming common to have a lot of geocaching events during these 2 or 3 days. This does diminish the value of events as social gatherings as it's usually the same people attending each time. The event guidelines say this: An event is a gathering of geocachers, facilitating the social aspect of geocaching. It is organized by geocachers and is open to other geocachers and those interested in learning about the game. It takes place at the posted coordinates, includes start and end times, and lasts at least 30 minutes. Events with several elements, a sequence of events, or events that are near the same time or location and intended for the same audience should be submitted as a single event. Therefore in the future only one event will be allowed during a camping "long weekend". This event must be on a specific day with a start and finish time. If the camp site is closed to visitors; that is you can only get on the camp site if you are camping then this event must be open to all geocachers so needs to be held off the camp site. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

You may find the page on how GPS works on my resource site useful. It explains about using the compass (and what to set it to), waypoints and navigating to them and coordinates and coordinate formats. http://www.follow-the-arrow.co.uk/resources/gps.html Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

If you use the GSAK "Rutson RMME macro" for Memory Map it will work with any version of MM. It's recently been updated to solve the problem of the icons.

The UK Geocaching Policies Wiki has a lot of information about placing geocaches. It includes details of those areas where you must get permission, examples being National Trust land, Forestry Commission and other landowners. Also locations like nature reserves or other sensitive areas including archaeological sites where permission must be sought as well as places caches can't be placed at all. The Wiki also has links to the various maps we use when checking new caches, these include specific maps for Scotland. On the main page are links which explain why your cache may not get published as well as an example letter/email to use when applying for permission. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

You also need to be aware that in the UK we have a lot of land areas where caching may not be allowed or requires specific permission. Lincoln as you no doubt know is a very historical city and has lots are areas that are Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM). Caches in these will need permission which you'll need to show us when you submit the cache. You can see Lincoln city center on the government MAGIC map that shows such locations here. You can use the MAGIC map yourself to check locations (not just SAM's). It's all in the UK Geocaching Policies Wiki. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

Submit the cache so it can be checked (make sure you make that clear in a Reviewer note that you don't want it published yet). Then we can advise you. Cliffs are very subjective. If it was a vertical cliff that only a serious mountaineer could climb it might be OK. But if it's just a really steep slope you could climb up then probably not. But either way we can't give an answer without knowing the location. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

I've written a simple guide for both Garmin and Magellan GPS's that explains how to do a Pocket Query and transfer the two files to the GPS. It's written for Windows but the process is exactly the same for MAC. Link at the bottom of the Paperless caching page on my resource website. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

I've written a guide to doing a Pocket Query and transferring the files to a Magellan GPS. It's written for Windows but unzipping the PQ files and putting them in GPS is the same process for a MAC or PC. You can download the document (PDF) from the bottom of this page on my resource site. Please note, I also mention how to use Magellan's own software application, Vantage Point. This only works on Windows, not MAC.

You're in the UK. You don't mean Ordnance Survey British Grid coordinates do you? Like these SU 62202 04833 (10 digits) or the shorter 6 digit SU 622048? Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

There have been many posts about the communicator program not working. Suggestions are to try a different browser. This works for some people but not others. If you get the communicator to work you will find you can only transfer the basic cache information - the name, GC number and coordinates. The eXplorist 310 is fully paperless which means you can load all the cache info (GC number, coordinates, description, hints, logs etc) onto it. You do need to be a Premium Member to do this. The PM feature you need is called Pocket Queries. You can create upto 10 PQ's a day each of them for 1000 caches with all the details. Then you simply copy the files from the PQ to the 310. I've written an easy to read guide explaining how you do this. All you need is your PC/Mac, the 310 and a USB cable. Note, if you want to use the Magellan Vantage Point software I describe in the guide it does only work on Windows, not Mac. This is the page on my resource site about Paperless Geocaching. The document you need is at the bottom of the page. It's an Adobe PDF which will open with Windows/Mac.

I've written a simple guide (with pictures!) about doing a Pocket Query and transferring the files to a Garmin GPS. You don't need the communicator plugin nor any other software; just your GPS, a USB cable and a PC/Mac. The guide is written for Windows 7/8/10 but if you're using a Mac the process is much the same. It's a PDF document which Windows will open. You can download it from the bottom of this page on my resource site. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website