geostorm321

I'm a newbie but trash in caches is very annoying also so is cache that are listed a easy but then you're either bushwaking in poison ivy or hiking up a 80-90 degree hill, also listed NANOS as small and I've brought swag with me that I wanted to drop off. Not cool at all.

Hello there! I'm in the same situation here. I've taken the approach of leaving lots of good sway in hopes it inspires the next person from leaving trash. I live in the city and I've read on these boards that they have the worst cache problems but maybe I can try and turn it around with good swag. I literally leave stuff and don't take anything to try and improve the situation.....

I'm new to caching, just started a month or so ago, 35 finds...I have left really good items, two days ago I went back to caches I've already found JUST to leave good swag hoping to inspire the next person that comes along. I am however shocked at the stuff I've found in my short time doing this, used toothpicks, dog waste bags, used movies tickets, crumpled up tissues, old receipts, and I'm too afraid to even say on here what I found yesterday. It's astounding what people leave. I'm not sure if it's because I'm in the city or what but it's sad really. I don't know anyone who doesn't have a drawer with little trinkets, pencils, things OTHER than trash they can't give out. Dollartree has someone quality stuff too. I just don't get it. I wish I geocached in the heyday when there was good swag... I guess I'll never know what that was like. It just makes me sad when I see trash in a cache.

We see similar here, with 1.5 or less not only in urban/roadside, but some on trails "in the woods" too. I sorta agree with noncentric, the maps are a good way to see where you're headed, staying away from green areas on those maps if that's your preference. But, poison ivy may have grown years after a cache was placed, and the basics for heading outdoors is spraying for bugs. This is an outdoors hobby. I'm not an idiot. I have multiple chemical sensitivities and allergies and I can't use bug spray. That's why I mentioned fall and the ability to wear pants. FYI your post came off very snarky.

One way would be to view the caches on a map first: www.geocaching.com/map. Then you can change the map style to "Esri WorldImagery" by clicking on the 3 layers icon at the top right of the map. This will give you a satellite view of the map. [Note: Premium Members have an additional option to change their map preference to Google Satellite view]. You could also copy the coordinates of a cache from the cache page, then paste those coordinates into Google Maps (on your computer or phone Maps app) to get a satellite view. Thank you for the super helpful tip, I didn't realize you could change the map view!!! This should help me a lot, thanks again!!!

Hello there! I'm a newbie, Is there anyway to figure out before using the GPS and actually going to cords to know whether or not you're going to be bushwacking through woods or poison ivy before driving all the way there? I ask because I live in a city and so far most have taken me into the woods (most OFF tails) and Im shocked by some of the listings like 1 star for terrain and difficulty yet it's in the woods, off trail INSIDE poison ivy, or up 85 degree hills. I'm not trying to complain or anything but until fall (and pants time) I'd like to try avoiding poison ivy and I've gotten 56 mosquito bites this week alone and there is west nile here. So I'd like to find more of the urban caches but not sure how to find those listings or the lamp post ones or the park and grab ones. Thank you!

I think it's sweet of you to help. I just started GC'ing a month ago have found 8 caches and 3 of them I had to put new log or swag in. I wonder if there is a special paper that we are supposed to use for the logs though? Something that takes the elements should it get wet. Me too!!! I'm thinking it's pretty addictive so far lol Not sure about the logs though, most I have seen are just regular paper or little notebooks.

Thank you all for the replies. SO helpful! I wasn't expecting a response and I got like what 7? So THANK YOU!!! Yeah, I ask because I've made a few finds that were a little bit hard to get to and lol no pay off so I don't want the next person disappointed too. I like BOTH the challenge of find AND the treasure hunt of goodies and I also like to give, I like how it makes ME feel I can't understand people taking from the cache and not leaving a thing, I don't know anyone who is without small trinkets and small stuff to give/trade for. LOL don't we all have catch-all drawers? hhahaa Happy hunting!!!

Hello, Totally new here. I get the concept of if you take something you leave something of more value but if you come across a box without much in it is it frowned upon to put say like 5-7 random pieces of swag in the box just to be nice for the next people who find it? Thanks.