liquidswar

I thought so too, so I tried to only hide coins in premium caches. That doesn't work either, they still get stolen. If a true premium member found the cache, they would know how to log their find to keep it trackable and move it along. Instead, the coins just disappear off the grid. These geocoins are worth about $10 each. For a coin collector thief to just pay $30 a year to become a premium member and get access to all these additional coins, it's quite a bargain for them. I'm not dropping coins into urban caches anymore, as the last person recommended. Or at least will be 3+ terrain difficulty or something they may not like so much. By the way, I have seen a coin collector actually sign a log before. It's like there is a team of them. He just wrote his first name in HUGE letters to take up most of the space in the log roll, and then put a P.S. note saying, "Haha Kathy, I beat you to it!" A geocoin had been dropped in this 35mm film canister only 2 days earlier, so it had to be a smaller geocoin, and these people must have premium memberships to create alerts of caches that get trackables dropped into them. Anyway, all I can say is that log was the only one between mine and the last person to find the cache and drop their geocoin. That coin is still missing today. Just an example of how bad this problem is.

I'm starting to think that maybe I should stop "dropping" geocoins into the caches where I place them. That way, they at least stay out of the cache's inventory so that the coin collecting thieves don't even have a clue where to find them. Maybe the website administrators could come up with a solution on this? Does anyone else have any ideas on how to save our geocoins from disappearing out of circulation?

I came to the forums today to see if this is becoming a bigger issue as I've noticed these days. I'm in Denver, CO, and GCs are going missing like crazy! I have looked around in many caches to try to find one (because I've never actually found one before) and I'll see one was just placed 2-5 days prior, and go out to find it. They have all been missing without any cacher to log they were there or to report they have retrieved it. I just recently dropped a GC I finally found in Alabama into a Premium member cache and it went missing within 2 days, with the next logger reporting that mine, and one I discovered and left in the cache were both missing. I'm really getting fed up with this. That coin I found was it's first release and so I moved it thousands of miles to drop here, just to end it's mission here. It's ridiculous.

If open to Americans, I'd like to take #30. If not though, no worries.

I use the iPhone for geocaching. It is the best tool ever. There is a special App made for geocaching that works like the website but simplified just to help you find the caches, plus the GPS feature to help you find the cache using an actual map instead of only a compass. The app also includes the description, recent posts, hints, lists the trackables, etc.

I'm talking about the Search for Geocaches page just before you "Map It" to see the map version. I'd like to see a full list of the next nearest caches to my home and also be able to see which ones are larger than a micro or have geocoins in them. If this is already possible, please enlighten me. I haven't been able to figure out a way to hide or resort the list.

I agree with creating a new cache type for challenges. However, I don't agree with having to go to a final cache to claim that the challenge was completed. I agree with one of the members above that if you complete a challenge, you can claim the log immediately after emailing the owner how you completed it. Similar to a virtual cache. But, I don't think that's going to end up changing.

I agree with creating a new cache type for challenges. However, I don't agree with having to go to a final cache to claim that the challenge was completed. I agree with one of the members above that if you complete a challenge, you can claim the log immediately after emailing the owner how you completed it. Similar to a virtual cache. But, I don't think that's going to end up changing.

This is what I would be willing to pay: 3-year membership: $75 5-year membership: $120 Lifetime membership: $199 + free logo hat, bag or t-shirt, and geocoin

I don't think anyone understands my suggestion. I do also log a note in all the trackables' pages that were not found but still listed in the cache's inventory. I note that "the TB is no longer there - hopefully will turn up again soon." And I see that other cachers do the same for others that have been sitting in there longer, just like this cacher quoted above. But yet, it still sometimes takes quite a bit of work on our part to get anyone to do anything about it. Since we are already helping to keep track of these missing TBs by creating a note, I'm suggesting add a new type of log to report it missing. And since we are not the TB or cache owner, then it stays in pending mode for 14-days to allow whomever might picked it up to log it. I came up with 14-days because geocaching etiquette guidelines say this is how soon you should try to move a bug, or else notify the owner. After the 14-day "probation" period, then the trackable will automatically be removed from inventory and listed as being in an unknown location. That way, we don't have to depend so much on TB and cache owners to have to keep track of these things for us, when we're already doing it ourselves.

That was exactly my thinking before. I felt bad for keeping the frowny face on their cache page if I posted a separate log as a find. I didn't think they'd want those to stay there once I did find it. But I'm starting to understand the game a little more and it makes sense to keep separate logs of each adventure, both with completely different outcomes. Thanks, appreciate the advice everyone!

Actually, with the first one, I'm suggesting a shortcut right on the page where you log the found cache. Very similar to how you drop a trackable into a cache. In the current way, we have to separately find the trackable page to log it found. I'm suggesting it become even more streamlined, and of course, you have to write the serial number to claim it found, or it would be too easy for anyone to claim they grabbed it. I made the 2nd suggestion because I do log a note in all the trackables' pages that were not found but still listed in the inventory. I note that "the TB is no longer there - hopefully will turn up again soon." And I see that other cachers do the same for others that have been sitting in there longer. Since we are already helping to keep track of these missing TBs by creating a note, I'm suggesting add a new type of log to report it missing. And since we are not the TB or cache owner, then it stays in pending mode for 14-days to allow whomever might picked it up to log it. I came up with 14-days because geocaching etiquette guidelines say this is how soon you should try to move a bug, or else notify the owner. After the 14-day "probation" period, then the trackable will automatically be removed from inventory and listed as being in an unknown location. That way, we don't have to depend so much on TB and cache owners to have to keep track of these things for us, when we're already doing it ourselves.

I also started a new topic regarding this same issue. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=230214 My big suggestion is to create a shortcut for people to log their TBs as grabbed. You know how you are easily able to drop a TB into a cache from your inventory? I'm thinking they should have a similar window for grabbing a TB from a cache inventory along with typing in the serial number. I think half the reason why these TB go missing so often is either because people don't know how to claim a TB, or they forget they grabbed one. If it's listed right in front of them when they go to log the cache find, I think we will see many less TB missing. My second suggestion is to allow normal cachers to list a TB as missing instead of just the TB or cache owners. But, with the added security that once a person reports a TB missing, then the person that grabbed it has 14-days to log that they have it before the TB is officially locationless. However, while in this 14-day pending period, the TB can be greyed or striked out in the inventory list and not counted among the total number listed. That way people know really how many TBs are in the cache. I once went to a cache with 16 trackables listed in the inventory, and when I arrived, not a single one of them could be found. I have been in search for another trackable since then (3 weeks) and cache after cache with a reported inventory, I have been greatly disappointed.

I just went to another cache today that reported 2 trackable items. Empty. I think I refined my idea on what I was trying to go for in this paragraph above. If a person goes to a cache that reports a trackable in its inventory, and they find it's not there, they can log the trackable as missing. Then, allow the trackable 14 more days to be logged. If it hasn't been claimed found in 14 days, then automatically report the trackable missing, and automatically remove it from the cache's inventory so the owners don't have to keep track of these things. It would allow the TB to keep track of itself with the help of other cachers - which many of us already do anyway. On top of that, once a TB is reported missing, grey or strike it out so others know not to expect to find it there. I mention this alongside with my original suggestion of being able to claim a TB from the inventory in a similar manner of placing a TB when you log the cache find.

It has been over a month now and I still can't get my hands on any TBs. I am purposefully going to caches that record a TB in its inventory, but when I arrive, none can be found. This is really starting to get under my skin. I notice that many people end up writing a note on those TBs to report it as missing. Or if there's no note, then I'll report it missing. I have seen some TBs that were placed months ago, and one month later someone notes it's not there, and 3 months later I also find it is still missing but remains listed among the inventory. What would be SOOOO nice of the website developers would be if they could make reporting a found TB user-friendly for the "lazy" cachers. We should have a TB/geocoin field where a person can claim they found a TB from the cache inventory (plus an option for TBs found that's NOT in the current inventory) in the same window where you log the cache found. Much like how you drop a TB from your own inventory in a found cache. I believe this alone might help solve this issue of people reporting a found TB months late - or even not logging a TB at all and just moving it. One other thing that would help is if there could be a new logging category for TBs - one to report the travel bug as "Missing in Action." I understand that someone else could have just picked it up the day before I arrived, so there can be an error message that allows a retriever 14 days (the official courtesy time to move a TB) after it was originally placed in the cache to log that they've grabbed it. Then, if still not logged after 14 days, a person can then record it as MIA so the TB can be removed from the inventory. This would be a good way to keep the TB Hotels cleaned up instead of racking up 20 TBs that won't be found there. Also, maybe this would encourage some lazy cachers to log their finds in a more timely manner. On another note, I imagine the log notes on the TB tracking page would remove the "MIA" status and logs each time it is finally claimed to be found/discovered/grabbed, etc. Thanks for listening to my complaints.

Completely agree. Sometimes there are some fun adventures when simply hiding the TB. It should just be allowed to write a note along with any type of log.

Just on a side note, this mall security cop, once explained to that we were geocaching, informed me of two other caches hidden within the mall parking lot, and gave me some advice about the one I was heading to next. Too bad he wasn't consulted on spoilers - I tuned out what he was telling me when I realized he was giving away how to find it.

We had a muggle encounter recently in a mall parking lot with mall security on patrol. He saw me placing the cache back under a lampskirt from afar and drove up to inquire what I was doing with the lightpole. We are still new at this, and my husband's understanding is that no muggles are to find out about caches. Going by the letter of the law, he didn't want to explain what we were doing and told him we would just leave the property. I felt that by doing this, he'd go examine the lampskirt after we'd leave and probably destroy the cache. I explained we were geocaching, and he understood what it was already (he was just checking). However, I am finding trouble doing other urban caches because of the muggle factor - my husband's plan is to dart if we see anyone approaching (but what if it's a fellow geocacher wanting to meet and greet?). What have been your experiences with muggles approaching you asking what you are doing? Should we just try to make an excuse so we don't give away the cache, and what if we know the cache is compromised - we should explain it, right? My husband believes in not explaining ourselves to anyone but police (if we ever get approached by one). Also, anyone got any interesting stories of direct muggle encounters?

Ok, will do from now on. Thanks for setting me straight.

I'm still pretty new at this, and have had a few DNFs. I would return later to find it after a few more experiences finding other caches. I have been going to my old DNF postings and editing them as Found with the new date to help remove the old DNF, but then it logs that I've edited the note. Am I okay to do this since I eventually found it, or is it better for the owner to see how many times I DNF their cache before I find it? I notice that others don't even log their DNF and only log after they've found it that it was their 2nd or 3rd visit.

I was at the cache in Mingo, KS today (oldest still active cache in geohistory - GC30) and there are 14 logged TB that were dropped there. I did not find one of them today! I posted notes on about 5 or 6 of them that were only dropped within the last month to report them missing. There is either a TB thief in the area, or there is a larger majority of people who haven't yet learned how to report/log a trackable item.