kunarion

Great! I'm glad that worked for you!

I've tried something that may or may not be what you want. I uploaded a picture into a Travel Bug log. Now it's in the TB's "gallery"". I clicked the picture so it's the only thing in view (in its own web page), then copied the URL of that picture page. Then I pasted that URL into a Travel Bug log (which makes the URL into a clickable link automatically). So if someone clicks the link, the picture shows. It's not very fancy, slightly complicated, and not really the same thing as adding a picture to a gallery. But it saves an upload. It's probably useful if you want to have a link to a picture from several TB pages, not much of a time-saver for only one. You can see my attempt here. The photo link I added is in the 5/19/2010 log. The picture's from the same page, but you get the idea. You might be able to format the URL so that the picture itself shows (instead of just a link). That would add another step. Or as Gitchee-Gummee said, upload it twice and you're done.

Some caches will be easier than others using that method, depending on the location and the accuracy of the map in an area. A great cache description and hint can help, too. But it's not uncommon for people to start caching with maps only.

About this can of worms: Whatever you decide, please leave some kind of log, particularly about excess muggles, but also mention any other reason (in as diplomatic a way as possible) why you couldn't search or didn't find it (coordinates seem way off, etc.). It's useful information to some of the rest of us, before we head out to search.

No way, I don't talk into my GPSr. But I do hold it to my ear as if I'm listening to an extended monologue. Same thing with my regular mobile phone. The best way to get "a better signal" is to lean under a park bench, walk around a bush several times, etc., while tugging on various bolt heads and fence post caps, and moving rocks with my foot. My recent cache is in a very popular picnic pavilion. It's not a good idea to inject yourself into someone else's family picnic. However, there's a "Disc Golf" tee nearby, and I think you might get away with at least a quick walk-through, if you're carrying a frisbee. Sometimes creativity pays off. I scope out a cache, to find the best time to search. It's much less trouble when there are much fewer muggles.

Me neither. Now the hint's been replaced with a different hint. But I'd like to know more about the vanishing icon feature, just in case I'd like to... um... prevent it from happening... in some future devious cache I make.

If you can have the cache info available in your GPSr, that's “paperless” (usually it means that all the goodies are entered automatically for you, for a whole batch of loaded caches). But some cache pages have images, diagrams, puzzles, or forms to fill out, and some of us must write down the answers and notes -- some Puzzle Caches must be figured out in the field, so you can't always type the stuff you need into the GPSr in advance. And many caches are more easily located if you have a satellite view. My “paperless” GPSr won't do any of that (except that I have taken photos of satellite views using the built-in camera). So even "paperless" might really be "mostly paperless". I often need the entire cache description, and sometimes the cache logs, to even figure out if the cache is still there. It's simple if you just check the page online, then go hunt. But if you're in an unfamiliar area, it's handy to pull up all the info on whatever the nearest cache is, "paperless", right on your GPSr.

You should ask in the GPS forum. It looks like there's a special process to load GPX files onto your Triton. Here's another thread that seems to be related: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=230318 And here's some info at the Magellan web site: http://support.magellangps.com/support/ind...mp;nav=0,2,7,34 I hope this helps!

That's the exact one I have. A car GPS will try to keep you on the road. A cache may be miles off the mapped roads. My Nuvi has a "pedestrian mode" which allows me to walk the wrong way on a one-way street, but still routes me all the way around a park (for example) before cutting across to the actual cache location. I much prefer my Garmin Oregon, which is designed for Geocaching, with its compass pointer and distance info. Many people use a car GPS just fine, but that was so frustrating for me to use, I ended up spinning on my head and spitting wooden nickels. You can go to a cache page, and see a "satellite map" of the cache location. This may help you get a better idea of where to look (for example, you see a fence, and can count 3 trees from the parking lot). You could also stick with caches called "quick park and grabs", which would be right near the road, BUT usually those are "Micros" (very small), and may be very tough if you're just beginning. One thing I did at first, was to be sure I knew where the cache was before I even went. I picked easy caches (the ones with 1 or 2 stars), checked for good hints, checked the cache logs to be sure people are having no trouble finding it recently, and I counted those trees in the satellite view. With all that info, I could at least know if my GPS was directing me correctly.

So it's possible that the CO used a question mark in brackets to show that the first digit (say, on a nearby sign) is an unreadable number, not realizing that the code translates to a "smiley" on the web site. But since a green "smiley question mark" conveys the same meaning (except that when you click "decypher", the info vanishes), the CO decided to leave it that way.

Odd. Looks like an image (icon) has been inserted into the hint text. I've seen strange characters glitched into cache pages, like the stuff beyond the Geochecker link on this one: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...cd-dc7c4ceaa7bc Copy/pasting the hint to a cache page doesn't transfer the "?" icon. But it does if you paste it into Open Office.

If a GPSr is set to follow street routes, that would explain it -- the closest it will get you is the middle of the street. Yes, different GPSrs will give different readings (even the same make/model). But the description, hint, and likely hiding spots can narrow it down fast. 10 Feet is not normal, for me. I'm often 50 feet away in some sticker bushes, when a teammate finds the container.

If it might keep a log sheet drier a little longer, go for it. Particularly if the log and silica pack are in a ziplock bag. Along with a new pair of nice shoes

It can be as tough to contact individual Geocachers as it is to contact a recreation department. But if you find a Geocaching Group nearby, they might have info about various local policies.

Try emailing the director, and asking for an appointment to see them in person. If there's no response, visit the office and set up an appointment. Bring your container, and some Geocaching info. Also, show them the likely cache spot on a map. They may also be helpful with finding a good spot (such as a place that won't be weed-whacked). If people are seen “looking around” frequently in one area (or worse, if a “mysterious container” is found by a park employee), the parks department will at least want to know why you didn't ask if you could place the container. And that makes it difficult to make future caches. Do the extra legwork, and reassure every cacher who visits, so they don't have to wonder if the authorities know there's a legitimate reason to be “searching” there. And, what Gitchee-Gummee said.

Yes, there's a process to adopt a cache. Occasionally, I'll wipe out a container, replace ziplocks, or glue velcro back on. Minor stuff. But if the Cache Owner has left the game, it's only prolonging the inevitable -- it's likely to get archived. Which is good. It opens a spot for an active player to put a container, and maintain it. For the cache you found, you should make a "Needs Maintenance" log, after you do your "Found It" log, so there's a record of the problem.

I'd expect it's for one of the reasons jholly mentioned. However, a lingering phantom traveler is a big red flag to me, so I won't place anything except a "What's Geocaching" card. If I know it's a cache where coins go missing, I'll also rescue any that are currently there (before they vanish, too).

I feel your pain. It can be a chore to find a particular number at the end of a long cache name, in the field. I've had similar trouble with extremely long cache descriptions, where the last bit of puzzle text is cut off. There's a recent series along a stretch of road -- on guard rails at the roadside -- and my plan was to start at #1, go in order. But not only are they not in any particular physical sequence, they're randomly on either side of the road. I had to search around the list for the cache at one end of the string (#23 or whatever), so I could drive the 15 miles to it, and do the caches on the way back. It's a preparation thing. I should have done a paper map, written GC numbers, and plotted it all out in advance. This is fine if you go non-paperless. But not planning ahead, I ended up just driving homeward, grabbing an occasional cache as it came into view, and noting which one it was. I couldn't find the first four, some caches were actually placed on the next road over (“120 feet off the highway”, looked like my GPS was going crazy), and it was just not a good day.

Sounds good to me. Sometimes I take a picture of cache contents, to post with the log. If something's missing (no Travelers when some are listed), I often note that.

If you decide to try anything other than DEET, bring a backup "deep woods" DEET repellent just in case. My family had a selection of "herbal" great-smelling stuff on a trip, and the mosquitoes ate us alive til we went back to the "Off!". They were the most vicious skeeters we'd ever encountered.

I can't find the Sheriff's news release, but I did find a report on it. Perhaps some cachers were on private property, and the Sheriff's Department got involved. So they have a reminder to not enter private property. That seems reasonable to me (despite the unfortunately-worded headline below). More info would be appreciated. http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/local/x...ws-briefs/print "Sheriff warns against ‘geocaching’ Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford alerted residents Monday to beware of the developing phenomenon known as “Geocaching.” This apparently is a game of “hide and seek” being played by individuals using a GPS. [snip] Anyone who chooses to participate in this new “techno game” is encouraged not to enter the property of someone else without first gaining permission. It could result in criminal charges being filed."

I've begun the epic task of signing up for that. I actually thought I was done signing up, for a moment there. Now we wait. Due to reasons beyond my control, there will be no "event cache" listing. I'm tempted to place some form of cache anyway.

GA-Kayaker is organizing a Geocaching Demonstration, in Peachtree City, Georgia, for people unfamiliar with caching. It will be on May 15th (this Saturday) from 1-3pm, at the Line Creek Nature Area's outdoor classroom. This Geocaching Demo is sponsored by the Southern Conservation Trust that manages Line Creek Nature Area and other local preserves. Cacher "cheefy" has kindly volunteered to bring his excellent information displays, and there will be several temporary caches for visitors to find. Anyone who'd like to offer a GPSr for visitors to use, or at least guide a small group with it, are welcome to join us. Or just drop by and chat. I'd also like suggestions on whether or not this can or should be set up as an "Event Cache".

I've been trying to find a decent photo of a can, for months (the above photo was too blurry for good research). My parents sent me a couple of cans from Oregon, but none looked quite like the photo. Plus there may be a different label style after 10 years. Depending on the brand it could be "Blackeye" or "Blackeyed" peas. Best I can tell, Western Family would have labelled the can "Blackeye Peas". A kind of bean.

That’s the best way to handle it. The coins in caches are active game pieces, which people placed to add a little fun and interest to the game. Geocoins are world travelers, some have been moving for months or years, and have logs and photos of all the places they’ve been. You can buy or trade for some great unactivated coins at Geocaching events (see your region forum), or at many online shops. I’d suggest allowing a coin to continue traveling for as long as it can. If your kids want their own, have them save up for it (get some Geocoins for as little as $5 retail). But don’t be surprised if they want to release their coin to travel. There are trackable coins which you are allowed to keep. One is called a "Pathtag". I know this seems confusing if you're not familiar with it. I'm confused just by typing it. But once you see one, you'll know what it is, and can tell it apart from a Geocoin. Bear in mind that the only reason you find a Pathtag is because the last person was nice enough to leave it there. There are also collectible coins that have no tracking, which you can "trade up or even" and keep. But be careful with that -- some Geocoins have extremely tiny tracking numbers which are hard to notice. When in doubt, it's usually best to leave a coin in the container.