nfa

Hi, Just wondering...what was the geocacher (not tanders1, the previous visitor)thinking, taking the cache and never returning it. This sounds more like someone butting in than a cache owner gone bad (or lazy). I think the geocacher (again, not tanders1, the previous visitor) should have emailed the cache owner that it was time to do some maintenance on the cache rather than take it upon themselves to remove the cache from its hiding place. NFA

Hi, Thanks for the replies so far...I woud love to hear from more people about what they look for and enjoy in a multi-cache. Thanks, NFA

Hi, In setting up a multi-cache, what are peoples' thoughts on a number of things? number of stages math games vs puzzles vs straight coords to the next stage virtual vs micro vs a mixture (in the stages leadng to the final cache) degree of difficulty (how hard do you like it?) should the stages be ineresting spots, or are they just links in the chain do you like to find all stages from one parking spot, or spread out with travel between stages length of time you prefer...1-2 hours vs a couple of days I've got some ideas, but would like to hear from more experienced members. Thanks, NFA

Hi, I'm saddened to hear of your loss, Team Yellowdog. My "Blackdog" (Zeke) has just this weekend stopped coming out on hikes in the woods with me, and it is breaking both of our hearts...he keeps trying to follow, but his hips are shot. There is nothing like them in the world, my thoughts are with you. NFA

Hi, Here are some of my ideas: Nalgene water bottle Mesh bag for gear organization Bandanas Biners Multi-tool GPS case Backpack Cache containers (in various sizes) Flashlight Whistle Band-aids (this is the first aid item I use most, and a gc.com logo-ed one would be cute) NFA

Hi, Thanks to all replies so far...I'm going to try and get out this weekend to find a couple of caches and benchmarks. NFA

Hi, I've gone out a couple of times looking for benchmarks, and have trouble finding them using the coords given... Do you ignore the coords in favor of the directions? NFA

Hi, Rock climbers in the adks and the catskills leave equipment in place on climbs...how is that any different from geocachers leaving caches in place? This is just a knee-jerk response in the negative by the DEC when faced with something new. They will come to their senses, it's just a hassle in the meantime. NFA

Hi, I notice that lots of forum posts, especially by new members, concern questions about informaiton that is readily available on the gc.com site. Lots of these are answered with a Look Here link that takes the seeker to the desired location. The site contains lots of information, but is not designed to give a new members an easy time of finding it. A simple sitemap page, linked to in the left-hand column along with all the rest, would make life a lot easier for newbies and old-bies alike. Just my $0.02 worth, NFA

Hi, Happy to take on Fill in the Blanks NFA

Hi, FTF - Fenetre Toujours Franc - french words establishing a code meaning, "nice enough cache, but the inside smelled a little like socks"...for times when you want to say that in a log, but for some reason, want to be a little tricky. NFA

Hi, This is going to sound crazy, but how about saying, "this cache needs some maintenance" or "when you come out to check on the cache, would you consider moving it to a better spot, how about over by the big group of birch trees?". Why do you need secret code to be rude to people, when you could just skip being rude in the first place? NFA

Hi, I've used a huge heavy-duty garbage bag (bring 2 in case the first isn't in shape for the return crossing) with a knot tied in it. Ziplock-bag anything that can't afford to get a drop of water on. thread a string through the knot before you cinch it, and tie this around your shoulder, so you don't waste a hand dragging the floating garbage bag along. At the end of the day though, it may be easier to walk around...I only know this method because I always bring garbage bags, and I've been forced to use this method in the past when I found myself on the wrong side of water. Good Luck! NFA

Hi, I just got a great GPS case that clips on to my backpack strap from EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports). They call it a cell phone case, but I came right out and told the woman behind the counter that I was going to store my GPS unit in it, and she didn't call anyone (like the mattress-tag police ). It cost me $8, is padded, and has a pocket for batteries...I'm sure that you could spend more, but why would you? NFA

Hi, I got 4 on my first day of geocaching, but to be fair, that was in the Adirondacks in winter, with 2+ feet of snow on the ground, and it snowed about 6 inches that day. I liked going for multiples, and have done them since, but find 50+ to be a little like peak-baggers racing up the 46r's, fun if competition is your thing, but it seems to get away from the point (at least for me)...I like walking through the woods, taking my time, chasing down animal tracks, and stopping to smoke a backwoods when I feel like it...I don't think that cache-bagging in a Nashville parking lot would work for me...although to be fair, I've never tried it. ciao nfa

lefty nfa

hi, how about a small ziplock inside a flat tupperware inside a gallon ziplock? nfa

Hi, I'm talking about a lake that is ringed by a mix of private and public land, and people owning land on the lake talk about landowners' rights extending 10 feet from the shore...what happens 15 feet out from the shore...I'm sorry, but this does seem a little grey to me...that's why I was asking. Thanks, NFA

Hi, Now that the ice is off most of the lakes and ponds in the area, I was thinking about placing an underwater cache, and wondered where gc.com comes down on them? Is the water the property of the landowner closest to the cache? Is the water open territory if the cache is placed with safety and discretion in mind? Is water-caching frowned or smiled upon? Just wondering before I go out and get wet... Thanks, NFA

Hi, I figure I'm probably due a little more beating, and it'll probably do some people some good to vent at the dumb newbie (it doesn't hurt me any). Thanks for the advice though, I'll probably shut it down in a day or so, after the people involved have had a chance to see me eat a little crow. bye, NFA

Hi, as long as we're getting the whole story let's do that...the DEC has ruled that no physical caches will be allowed within the Adirondack Park, due to the constitutional restrictions placed on the park. Once I found that out, I altered the traditional caches I had placed in state land to virtual caches. I did it incorrectly (by focussing the geocacher on non-permanent found objects of interest like beaver chewed sticks and deer skulls in the areas). Once I was told that this was not in accordance with the guidleines for virtual caches, I altered the caches (again) to reflect and meet the gc.com policy by making the focus of the caches permanent and beautiful adirondack landmarks...this was ignored, and the caches remained in limbo...water under the bridge (which is why I didn't mention them). I mentioned the cache on my land, because I had been working to place numerous caches for over a week without success, and when one was finally accepted, it was done with what I took to be a warning about the cache's quality. I was defensive at that point...wrong, maybe, but some of you might understand the post I made last night in light of "the whole story". at any rate, I got an email from mtn man last night, somebody who was involved in a lot of the dealing of the last day, and can speak to what actually happened, and he took issue with my post...rightfully. I was in error in both the tone and content of my post, and wish to apologize to mtn man and to others (read approvers here) who took offense or felt insulted by my post. Below you will find a copy of the email I sent him this morning in response to his email... Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa! I hope this topic can now be put to rest...rest assured I will think long and hard before criticizing the good people who make geocaching.com possible, the volunteers who help the whole process work as well as it does. NFA - Jamie

nothing...thanks nfa

ok thanks for the feedback nfa

Hi, I have q problem/question. It took 8 days to get a traditional cache on my own property (GCJ6GM) approved by mtn man, which is no big deal really (although it is longer than it has seemed to take in other cases), but I understand he was sick, and he is a volunteer, and they are really busy this time of year, and .... The weird thing was the constant harassing reviewer notes I got suggesting that the cache was actually on state land, or that a cacher would have to cross state land to get to it (which really, why would this be a problem even if it was the case, since lots of cache hunts cross or even finish on state land). This is not the case in the case of my cache however, it is for certain on my land, and the land is accessible from many sides without trespassing on private property other than mine (which cachers have my permission to do) or even stepping on state land. He also suggested that I was trying to weasel out of the DEC permit process somehow. Anyway, the cache was eventually approved...but...with a note on it for potential visitors that said: I've visited some other listings for caches on private land, and haven't seen this kind of warning/bad press on any of them...what's the deal? Can somebody please access a decent mapping program and verify my cache is in fact on my land...or since I am a paying member of gc.com in good standing, give me the benefit of the doubt (god forbid). I resent the ongoing implication that this cache is not on my land, and that I am involved, through this cache, in some sort of wrong-doing or sneakiness. I would like the unfriendly note removed from my cache listing when, and if, somebody takes the time to check their facts thoroughly. I am a newbie to gc.com, and love most of what I have experienced here, but this listing experience has left a bad taste in my mouth. Thanks to all of the volunteers who work so hard to help make geocaching.com possible. I will continue to use this service even if nothing is done to remedy my current complaint, but would hope that it could be addressed despite whatever grievance mtn man thinks he has with me. I bear him no ill will, I simply want my cache posted the way it should be. Thanks again, NFA

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