Ferreter5

I have several ammo cans and Lock-n-Lock containers hidden. I've never had to replace an ammo can and have only had to replace one Lock-n-Lock so far. I do like the Lock-n-Locks for fitting in those odd-shaped places and I often use them when setting up Poker Run events -- granted, the containers for the events are only out for a day.

I would also like to get some sort of daily summary notification of photos posted to a cache I own or am watching. This could potentially be a killer to anyone on dial-up. Also not sure how much load this would add to the Groundspeak mail servers. If attaching images were considered, I suggest it be added as an option on the account's profile so users could choose whether to receive these notifications at all and choose whether to have the images attached.

One of the things I like about my Approach II is that I can compress it down with the built-in compression straps so it's rather flat. Conversely it can be expanded to allow me to carry loads of stuff when necessary -- the waist belt is really a shoulder-saver when carrying lots of stuff.

The counties and towns around here have several trails open to the public that pass through private properties. In speaking with the folks who worked to establish these trails I discovered that the sections marked with "Stay on the Trail" signs mean exactly that -- you do not have permission to leave the trail in that section. I don't see how in these cases around here that it means anything else.

I have a Montainsmith Approach II, which isn't in production anymore, but the Approach 3.0 appears to be its successor: http://mountainsmith.com/products.asp?prod...ubCategory2Id=1 I love that I can compress mine every which way, have room for extra clothes, fit in an ammo box, adjust the waist belt as the load changes, put a 2 liter water bottle in the inner sleeve, etc. I don't use it when I'm only going on short jogs, but for an all-day hike it's on my back.

Hey, that was a neat blog article with the photos! Thank you for pointing it out. Which did you end up buying and how do you like it?

Was wondering, what kinds of historic, educational, or places of natural beauty did you have in mind for the 50 stages?

These guys seem to have a good selection of quality NiMH chargers: http://www.thomas-distributing.com/nimh_battery_chargers.htm I'm providing the link as I had a tough time finding a source for a good battery charger. I'm using a LaCrosse BC-900 these days. I'm getting ready to buy a charger..Do you like that charger which is one on my list plus the Maha C-9000 I have a slightly older version of this MAHA charger that I use for all of my AA and AAA recharging needs. It works great. Can fast charge (hardly use it 'cause I have enough batteries something's always ready to go), slow charge, and condition batteries.

That's a good thought. Get a headlamp for a great floodlight and use a handheld for a light with more throw. Thanks for the suggestion! I currently use a Streamlight Twin-Task 3C as my main flashlight around home and when I'm going out hiking at night now, and I have a Streamlight Twin-Task 3AA as my backup.

Exactly why I waited until the end of 2007 to buy my Vista HCx, which I like very much!

The longest one I've found had 10 stages all in one park, including the final. It was hidden by a friend of mine and there have only been occasional maintenance issues with waypoints. The one thing he learned with his multi was to anchor the stages in place so they don't go missing as easily. How long would the travel distance be for your 50-stage cache? Be careful and think about how to minimize the need for maintenance. This'll help with so many stages. Personally, I might do such a cache but probably over several outings.

Hey Kit Fox. Thank you for the link to the previous discussion. The more I read the more I'm convinced that some of the headlamps listed in my original post may be way overkill. Can't wait to hit the stored to try out some in-person!

Was wondering, how well do FireTacks light up when using an LED headlamp/flashlight vs Xenon/Halogen/Incandescent? I've never done a night-specific cache before, but I might like to start this summer.

Hi Team Perrito Blanco. Wow, I guess that is very lightweight and small. I wouldn't have thought something like that would provide loads of light. My only headlamp experience is a small Energizer 2-LED unit that runs on 3 AAA batteries. I've used it around home when I need light and use of both of my hand to do something (e.g. work under the sink, carry firewood at night). It's okay for stuff like that but I wouldn't want to use it out night hiking/geocaching. But, maybe some of the ones I originally listed are overkill (e.g. Petzl DUO).

Hey, thanks, Fathergoose. It seems several folks are preferring smaller and lighter headlamps to the larger and heavier ones. When I do my shopping I'll have to pay attention to that.

Hi CurmudgeonlyGal. Thanks for taking the time to reply with your experiences. Hmm, now I think I'll add the EOS to my list of ones to check out. Unfortunately, everything is a tradeoff! I hope to try before I buy. I'll be hitting the stores around here to see what the have that I can look at and try out. I think I'll end up with 3 to 4 on my list that I'll specifically seek out to try in-person. It's sort of frustrating around here because there are mostly a few chain stores that don't usually carry much serious outdoors stuff. We have Dick's, Gander Mountain, and EMS. Dick's is suburb generic-stuff hell. Gander Mountain usually at least has some stuff to look at if not all I'd like. The EMS store is so tiny they are mostly a clothes and backpack store. I may have to trek an hour east to check out the Bass Pro. Either way, I do like to try before I buy!

Hi Fathergoose. Thanks for pointing out the Petzl Tikka. Do you prefer the Tikka due to its size/weight? Brightness? Focus options? Do you find having only LED bulbs sufficient vs a headlamp that also has a halogen bulb? Thanks again for pointing out the Tikka.

Howdy. I've been doing some reading on headlamps and was wondering what other geocachers are using for night hiking and night geocaching. Some I've been considering include (in no particular order): Petzl DUO LED 14 Petzl MYO XP Zebralight H50-Q5 Princeton Tec Apex Anyone have experience with any of these headlamps or any others you'd recommend I take a look at?

Super cool to hear!

If this statement is true -- and at this point I don't see why it wouldn't be -- then I can understand why the geocachers there are feeling surprised. I'd guess the cache reviewer for that area would also be feeling a bit confused because they were working from what they thought were the guidelines for placing caches in that park. I know if one of the park directors I have worked with to build a working relationship and friendship with started throwing away caches in an about-face with no explanation, I'd be caught by surprise. I'd also be on the phone to them to find out what happened and see what I could do to help. My question from earlier in this thread is, has anyone had a meeting with the park supervisor about this? It seems to me whoever might have worked with the park folks on the previous guidelines would be a good candidate to re-establish that relationship.

When you post a Should Be Archived log the reviewer gets an e-mail with a copy of your log. So does the owner. The reviewer will investigate and take action appropriately. Doh, smithdk already answered!

With regard to their claims, is there a mechanism via which you can file for the park to produce their documentation on these issues? This is starting down the hardball route, but may eventually by necessary. On another more friendly note, is it possible to visit the park office and nicely request a meeting with the supervisor/director?

Sounds like there are a few possible improvements for this feature: Allow the user to turn it off completely. Make the splotches take into account the "Hide My Finds" checkbox. Allow the user to specify the number of caches that constitute a splotch (e.g. 10, 25, 50, 100, etc).

That's what we take it to mean around our area -- that if there's around two feet of snow on the ground it won't be covered with snow.

I'm not sure if cache reviewers can see archived listings, but if so then you could request your local reviewer to pull that query for you -- not sure if this would be against any reviewer rules though.