Shaner316

As a suggestion only, would putting some holes in the bottom of the large 65L container help to let the water drain out? It was more of an issue with the water and mud ON the contents (almost 300 plastic eggs) rather than at the bottom really. The problem has been solved as the 65 L container has been removed and a small cache has been left in its place. Less hassle, less maintenance. Totally takes away from what I was trying to do, but apparently it was not such a good idea. The only good thing that came from it was a great learning experience about the game.

You know what? You are right! You are ALL right! I don't know what I'm doing, and my caches are apparently not very good. I'm just going to change the whole cache then I don't have to worry about it. So once again I appologise to every one. I'm very sorry.

Yes, apparently I do

I told him that becasue he was not the only one, and the dammage was already done. There was never any mention of 'terrain' anywhere, so I don't know where that is coming from. (And if there was a terrain issue, which there is not, appartently the FTF would have been more important than your own safety by the sounds of it anyway) I am very happy with the way the cache is, just not the state it was left in. If you had gotten to the cache the next day with Geobabe, would you have let him pick through all the muck, water, sticks, leaves and dirt? Or is it fair to leave the cache in that state for the next finders small child? Probably not. Heck I even told him to apologise to YOU about the cache, because I heard you had a head full of burrs you received at the cache. I had no control over you getting them and I STILL said sorry. So don't say I dont respect my fellow cachers. I was just upset about how the cache was treated. I would not do that to someone elses cache. For example, I found one of your husbands just the other day. It was soaking wet inside and the log was damp, so what did I do?? What any reasonable cacher would do. I dried it out, placed a new, dry log book in it, and enclosed it all in a brand new zip lock, leaving it in better shape than I had found it. Not the other way around. Im just trying to make sure my caches (and every other one I come across) are as dry and as much fun for the next guy as possible. Maybe expecting others to do the same is just plain silly

Well after about an hour of maintenance, I finally have the cache and all 276 eggs dried off. The cache sounded like a good idea, but perhaps in hindsight maybe not. I think I'll just let it be for now, and if it gets wet again, just replace it with a small container with just a log book in it. I hate to do that as everyone who has found it has really enjoyed it. (Even got a few emails personally thanking me for the fun they and their families had during the egg search) No wonder micros are so popular!! LOL

He's not asking for people to be careful in the rain - something any sensible geocacher will do without being asked. He's demanding that people not find his cache in the rain. It's not just FTF hunters who are going to ignore that request. Geocaching is an outdoor game! The cache should be able to stand up to the rain. Keep the log in plastic bags, and put in another large ziplock for swag. OMG!!! I never "DEMANDED" anything of anyone. It was a polite request due to the nature of the cache. Apparently you seem to think that it is ok to have people treat caches any way they want. Here's an idea for you... I think it is supposed to rain here on Thursday afternoon. Ill go out and leave the lid of my cache off for exactally 10 minutes that day. Then on friday, why dont you take a drive down here (Its only about 6 hours away) And you and your child can hunt through all 276 wet Easter eggs as there wil be lots of water in there because 'somebody' was not responsible before you got there. See how much you enjoy it. Heck I'll even personally drive you right to the cache. And seriously, who can turn down a trip to Niagara Falls???

Rite in the Rain Thanks. I am familiar with this product and it is great. Its not the log Im worried about. Its the inches of water in the bottom of a huge cache that troubles me. Thanks for posting the link though. Im sure someone who has never heard of it will find it usefull.

My thoughts exactally. Thank you

It's not a problem with the container. It is water tight. The problem is the irresponsible cachers causing the cache to get wet. If you go back and read the original message you would see that. The problem isn't "irresponsible" geocachers. The problem is that your request is not reasonable. Geocaching is an outdoor game. If your cache is so delicate that it can't stand up to regular wear-and-tear, which includes geocachers finding it in all weather conditions, it needs a better container or it needs to be archived. It sounds to me like you want to own a geocache, but you don't want to take on the responsibility of maintaining it. ok maybe you are missing the point. The container is 65 L. Its HUGE for a cache. Because the cache requires people to have the lid off while they search is why the request was made. Its only common sense that if its raining and you have the lid of the cache off for more than a few seconds, (and its going to takemore than a few seconds to hunt through 276 plastic eggs for the log book) its going to get wet inside. Not pleasant for the next cacher, or their small child who is excited about the idea of hunting through the eggs but has to deal with 1 or 2 inches of water in the bottom of the cache because the last guy has no respect for the cache because he does not have to maintain it. Again, if you had read my earlier posts, you will see that I in fact DO maintain my caches as well as those of others that I come across. Thats not the issue. Its the fact that they didn't seem to care if the cache got wet or not. If it would have gotten muggled, fine. I can deal with that. It Happens. But when people do not have enough common sense to at least cover the cache with an umbrella or something while they are looking instead of letting it just sit there are collect water, thats where my problem is.

It's not a problem with the container. It is water tight. The problem is the irresponsible cachers causing the cache to get wet. If you go back and read the original message you would see that.

Gee I sure hope you took the lighter out too LOL

Now don't get me wrong! I have cached in the rain myself, but I always make sure to cover up the cache with something (towel, my body etc) before opening it to keep the contents dry. (especially the log book) To answer a previous question: Yes, there is a seal on it. Added it on myself to avoid moisture seeping in. But thats not the problem. The problem is guys leaving the lid off while hunting for the log book in the rain. (yes granted, due to the nature of the cache, the lid will be off for an extended time) All I ask is for a little common sense and respect of the cache. I know when I go out, I am always maintaining other peoples caches (Drying them out, replacing wet/full log books, quick tape repair job, new zip lock, throwing out banned items like lighters etc.) I always thought this to be a part of the sport we all love. Helping each other out and respecting others caches. Oh well. Live and learn. At least the FTF hunt is over so hopefully I can keep it dry without too many worries.

I just had a cache approved yesterday. The cache is a 65 L storage tote filled with little plastic easter eggs. Inside one of the eggs is the log book. I made it a fun little easter egg hunt for the upcoming holiday. It was mainly placed for families and small children to have a fun time at. I had also requested on the cache page that it not be looked for when it rains, due to the fact I did not want the contents to get wet while the lid was off while they searched for the egg with the log book in it. Otherwise it would be all wet for the next cacher(s) But wouldn't you know it, the day it gets published, it also rains. But that did not stop a handfull of cachers from going out to look for it so they could try and log an FTF! The worst part was one of the guys that went out was a friend of mine that I work with!! Even when he logged the find he wrote: "I decided to break the rule and go for this one anyway" Nice. The last log on the page (I think it was the 5th guy that day) let me know that the inside of the cache was wet already. Well....in less than 10 hours of being published, it looks as though I need to go out and do some maintenence already and go dry it out so the next cacher does not have to deal with it. So my question is: Is being the FTF really that important to people that they would rather get that first log than care about what shape the cache is in when they are done? I realize that it was only a request on my part not to do any rain caching, but would you not think the CO requested that for a reason? Am I complaining for nothing?? Or do I have a point?? I guess maybe it's beacause I don't care about FTF's. I'll get to the caches, when I get to the caches. There is no $1,000,000 prize for being the first one there, so I don't understand the motivation. Outside of the childish "I got here first....I got here first...yooouuuu didn't! HA HA you suck!"

I quite often cache with a friend of mine who has an iPhone while I use my Garmin etrex. The iPhone seems to be consistantly out by 20-50 ft. compared to Garmin. I know its about the thrill of the hunt, but I always prefer to hunt at least somewhere close to the cache location. However as stated earlier in this thread, the iPhone is great to be able to see the cache page and read a little about the area. Also helpful if you get stuck, and need a hint.

That is way too funny. I think I'm gonna use that next time. Thanks!!!

Thank you to all who have left feedback. It is appreciated. I do think that some are missing the point to the game though. (Or perhaps I just did not state it clearly?) This game is not intended to REPLACE geocaching. I love being outdoors and hunting for actual caches myself. That's what the game is all about right? The idea came from staring out my window while 30cm of snow fell. (That's about a foot for you not metric types) It was intended to be a "fix" so to speak, during those times that it is not possible to go out caching, or for those sho simply cannot do it at all. Especially for some of the older guys out there who love caching, but due to health, etc, just simply can't get around very well anymore. I was never intended as a "Here, sit around in the house on this bright sunny day and do some fake caching instead of getting your fat, lazy butt off the couch" kind of thing. Now having said that, I HAVE been guilty of perhaps playing video games on nice days myself, so I guess I'm just as bad LOL If you have any more feedback, I would still love to hear what you all think. Good or bad. Again, many thanks.

The following is a concept that has been sent to Groundspeak that I have recently come up with. I have listed just the basic idea here. I have been asked to post it here to try and get some feedback about it, so please share your thoughts and ideas! I am still trying to fine tune it, so all feedback is appreciated. Thanks. I had an interesting idea today while shoveling the mountain of snow we just got here in Ontario, Canada. I am not sure if it has been thought of before, but decided to forward my idea to you anyway. After cursing under my breath that all this snow is really going to set my Geocaching back a few weeks, I wondered how I could possibly get some caching in without having to dig through the snow......then it hit me! GEOCACHING THE VIDEO GAME.!! Here are my ideas: You start off the game by logging on to the "geocaching" website (Not the actual one, but an in-game version, maybe called "VIDEOCACHING" or something) and creating your user account. After which you are awarded X number of "geodollars" which you use towards purchasing equipment* (GPS, backpack, trackable items etc) all of which can be upgraded as you progress through the game. * Equipment is discussed later in this message EXAMPLE: You start the game with only enough money to purchase a GEOMATE JR. (Or some other real or made up basic unit) and a small back pack with 2-3 storage slots in it. Eventually you are able to upgrade to a Garmin, or some other unit and a medium or large pack. From the "videocaching" website, you can search for geocaches in the area you wish, print them, place the print out in one of your backpack slots, and head out on the road. (Possibly just have the option of printing out 1 or 2 caches until you have earned enough "geodollars" to upgrade to a premium membership) After arriving at the area of the cache (depending on where/how you start your search) you follow your GPS through the terrain specified (forest, in a tunnel, across a lake etc.) to GZ. (Your GPS unit can be affected by weather, cloud cover etc, just like real life caching) From here you can start your "search" by walking around, looking up or down, picking up and/or moving objects until (hopefully) you find the cache. If found, you sign the log and have the option to "trade items"** in the cache if available. You can then be awarded "geodollars" based on time it takes to find after reaching GZ, difficulty of hide and terrain. There could also be some variables that come into play during the game. - You are caching deep in the forest and a sudden storm brews up (Hopefully you brought your rain gear or a tent) - You accidently drop your GPS down the side of a cliff (Again, hopefully brought your tent in case you get lost trying to find your way out, or some climbing gear) - You run across various animals ( fox, snake, bear) YIKES!! RUN AWAY......LOL There are more variables than I could possibly list here. * EQUIPMENT: Possible equipment can include: - Variety of GPS units - Small, Medium, Large packs with increasing number of slots for items. - Geocaching essentials (I.E. Tweezers for those hard to retrieve micro logs. First aid kit for bandaging up cuts acquired walking through thick brush. Flashlight. Hiking stick. Food. Water. Tent and camping supplies for those overnighters etc) The list is endless. - Specialized equipment (climbing gear, SCUBA gear for those underwater caches, etc) - Cache containers for placing your own caches (I think this would only work well if the game was available for online play, but neat idea) - CITO bags (Could possibly award bonus "geodollars" for collecting garbage on your hike and disposing of it) The possibilities are almost endless for this list. ** TRACKABLE AND TRADE ITEMS: These items could possibly be purchased separately from an actual online store for a few dollars each. Increasing revenue sales - Various geoswag (Again, endless possibilities from plastic army men, to gold chains.) Could be purchased separately or in a "bag" of 10, 25, 50 etc) - Geocoins - Travel Bugs ( Could possibly add the option of uploading a picture to attach to the TB so others can see the traveler as well as the bug???) I though that this game may be excellent for many types of people: 1) Geocachers in general 2) People like me who can't cache due to the snow! 3) People with mobility issues (Gets those people who can't get around very well a chance to log those 3/3 caches!) 4) Younger children (They can't always come caching with us, due to terrain etc. Can also be helpful in teaching problem solving) 5) Geoaddicts (There is nothing worse than being at home at 1am and want to go caching, but knowing that your wife will kill you if you go out for "Just One "cache) Thank you so much for taking the time to actually read this. I hope you love the idea as much as I do.

Here are pictures of staffs that geocacher El Diablo used to make. I don't think he makes them anymore but he might... http://www.geo-hikingstick.com/ There was a thread in this forum some while back about carving staffs but I am no good with the search engine on this site; you might can find it. No I don't think he makes them anymore. I tried contacting him about making a few for me, but never heard back from him. Too bad too as they are very nice

Sounds like a really neat idea! Unfortunately, like others have mentioned, you can only "suggest" the trade. Not demand it. Im sure if you stated something in the cache description such as "A great cache to trade your home-made items in" or something similar, I'm sure most cachers would go along with it. I know I would. Possibly a name such as "Home-made mayhem" or something that indicates hand crafted stuff may help as well. Good luck with your cache!

So you would have to have a CD player with you to hear the next co-ords? I assume there is no speakers in the cache? Really cool idea though!! I like it!!

I came across one on my 3rd cache. Being new, I didn't know what it was either. I knew it was not a geocoin and wasn't sure what to do with it so just left it. After getting home I looked them up to see what they were. Now that I now what they are, I have not come across another one LOL Just my luck!

I just received my copy yesterday as well. (No gold seal though!) I did find it to be very interesting and think it is going to be a great magazine. I can't wait for the next issue!!

It does not tell you the name of the cache, but it will tell you the GC number. I have one myself and we use it whenever we go out. (Granted, one of the kids usually has it while im using my Garmin) But I have used just that unit and found geocaches with it. I think it a nice little unit for the price.

Yes I feel your pain. Gosh Darn International Postal Service!! LOL Be lucky if I have it by the end of the week! So far it sounds to have very positive feedback. Can't wait to read it. (Feel like a kid on Christmas Eve...Can't sleep, can't eat, just want the present to arrive LOL)

Awesome! Can't wait for mine to arrive! (I live in Canada so may take an extra few days to get here) But am patiently awaiting its arrival in the mail!