jfitzpat

Well, I thought about "Rabid Mesocricetus Auratus" or "Rabid Phodopus Sungoris Sungoris", but I thought that might be too much... -jjf

Well, I thought about "Rabid Mesocricetus Auratus" or "Rabid Phodopus Sungoris Sungoris", but I thought that might be too much... -jjf

Finally, something I really want to poll. OK forum regulars help me out. Do you think Jeremy killed a message because...

I'd agree about the download speed. I am surprised to hear about Anders' ruggedness problems. I really, really, really, beat up on my Vista. I've climbed grainy chimneys with it in a little bag at the back of my harness, left it outside my tent at night by accident and had to free it from ice in the morning with my axe, and dropped it about 10,000 times. But, I'd also agree that it's not perfect, and certainly not perfect for everyone. Casual users might consider if they really need to barometric altimeter and built in compass. -jjf

Well, I've seen an eTrex bounce 300' down a granite slab and record a track and max speed for the event But I have to admit that the Meridian line is much, much sturdier than the GPS315/GPS320. My friend TY did send his Meridian in for repair, but I've seen it take some very hard knocks. His memory card pops out a lot, but like you said, no big deal. -jjf

Well, I've seen an eTrex bounce 300' down a granite slab and record a track and max speed for the event But I have to admit that the Meridian line is much, much sturdier than the GPS315/GPS320. My friend TY did send his Meridian in for repair, but I've seen it take some very hard knocks. His memory card pops out a lot, but like you said, no big deal. -jjf

FWIW, I bet that reversing, using just a GPS (no map or compass) would also be pretty challenging, at least for some caches. I admit that there are times, especially in the mountains, when I've been very happy to have a working GPS. But, good map, compass, and especially route finding skills, are hard to beat in a pinch. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by bpacker: Personally, I prefer UTM. Once you understand the system, it is much easier to find locations on a map using one of the plastic overlay grids (I use the one etched into the baseplate of my compass). I'd have to agree. Being able to estimate distances without having to measure on the map is a real plus. Crossing zones is a pain though. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by RedwoodRed: [snip] In the past, everyone's comments on these forums carried equal weight, even if they were newer to geocaching (Rabid Hamsters excluded)... [snip] I'm starting to take this rabid hamster thing personally. I'm wondering if I should adopt a 'signature item' of a handful of yuck from the bottom of Ratikate and Gentle Ben's cage until mesocricetus auratus, phodopus sungoris sungoris, and their related brethren get more respect... -jjf

quote:Originally posted by Hawk-eye: [snip] Your ladies seem to have learned to use a map and compass very well ... that's impressive ... that they are able to do that at that age. I enjoy that myself ... but I've done that sort of thing a long time ... I'm a little confused by the trade and post rule ... but I'm sure they enjoy it the way you do it. And I am familiar with who you are and your web site (very nice by the way) .... so, not much more to add. [snip] Well, my oldest first tried ice climbing when she was 6 (top roped, of course), and has been our official family navigator since a backpacking/climbing trip to Sandia Peak 3 or so years ago. So orienteering is nothing new for her, or her sister. The no trade/no post are linked, but double purpose. We have a current 'no web accounts/personal info' type rule in place, primarily because of a prior problem. The 'official' reason for the no-trade policy is that "since you can't post what you take and leave, people won't know what goodies you've taken". Really, I'm just keeping the goodies out of it until the thrill of the hunt gets stale (if it does). For my oldest, a log is nothing new. There are logbooks at the top of some classic climbs (Durrance Route (Devil's Tower), The Mace (Cathedral Rock), etc.) and we've always made a big deal out of signing them. FWIW, I'll probably be in N.C. within a year or so. I promised a friend that once he got well, we'd retake a road trip from our reckless youth (though it should be a lot less reckless with our firstborn in tow). One of our stops would be the Grandfather Mountain area (near Boone), though most of the area is now closed for climbing. And we definately have to revisit Stone Mountain State Park near Cherry Lane/Elkin (personally, I think it is the best (and scariest) slab climbing in North America). There used to be a Mountain Rescue School nearby, but I'm not sure if it is still there. In any event, I'll be sure to stash a cache or two - and post them, just for you. Seriously, I could live without 'Blue Demons' dunking in my face, and I'll never visit the Golf Hall of Fame, but NC is some pretty country. -jjf

FWIW, almost all my daughters' finds (4-5 a month) are map and compass only. They are 11 and 8. It is fairly easy in clear weather in SoCal, because there are almost always good geological and man made features to triangulate fixes from. The one 'cheat' is that I let them use aerial photos to augment the topo(s). They pre-plot the cache on both the aerial, and a 'sub' topo on my site: www.lostoutdoors.com Sometimes, it is a dead give away ('Catalina if it is clear', 'Mine Overlook'), other times, it is just a hint. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by Hawk-eye: [snip] Hey ... besides that ... how do you going to know if you want to do this unless you get out and hunt a cache!?!? Even just one! Not to rag on you ... but to quote the Sec. of Agriculture from many years ago ... when asked about the Pope's view on birth control .... he stated "he no play-a the game, he no maka the rules". I smell rabid hamster ... 1. Finds with my daughters is up to about 22. They are 11 and 8 and use only map and compass (well, 4-5 exceptions). I don't bother much with geocaching when I'm out sans kids, because I'd rather be climbing. The girls are allowed to sign the log, but we don't trade and we don't post (they are 'their' finds, not mine, but accounts and posting would be outside our house internet rules). 2. I'd already subscribed before I posted. I hadn't yet bothered to 'activate'. 3. I provide a free site that is now serving up about 1500 maps a day to outdoor enthusiasts, many for geocachers. www.lostoutdoors.com 4. I am many things, but I am not a hamster. The smell must be from the hot air. If it is a matter of cost, I'll buy you a toothbrush... -jjf

FWIW The converter on www.jeeep.com not only goes between NAD27 and NAD83 (WGS84), it also displays the results in different formats. -jjf

I don't have a strong feeling about subscription. It's a free country and a free market. But, I predict that, as implemented, the cash flow generated will be but a trickle. -jjf