BlazingOtters

Las Vegas?

I know it is possible to create and calibrate your own maps for memory map using the European version of MM and I have read elsewhere in these forums that google maps can be used for this purpose. I was hoping someone would be able to explain how this is done in and if google maps are are the best place to start or would OSM be better. Thanks in advance.

Recently one of my puzzle caches Mr Who? had a DNF logged on it by a reliable cacher, so I disabled the cache until I had time to check it out. When I checked on it it had indeed gone and the area was fenced off due to storm damage, I was quite annoyed as there was a TB in the cache. Imagine my surprise 3 weeks later when I received an e-mail from a cacher informing me that she had found my cache - or rather her friends son had found the cache washed up on the beach at Budleigh Salterton, who after realising that it was a geocache and passed it on to her knowing that she was a geocacher. The cache must have been washed into a nearby stream during recent flooding and after a journey of over 12 miles through different water courses found itself in the sea. What is even more amazing is that the TB and log book survived completely unscathed.

Which is the cache setter's right. If HE or SHE is unhappy with the lack of "hits" they can change the puzzle. I see no difference to those caches placed up a mountainside or at the end of a 10 mile trek - Each to his own! Neil I was not saying it was anything wrong with having a hard puzzle, I was just observing that it is a shame these great caches are not reaching their full potential.

Sounds like you've got the bug Steve... It's not just the tricky ones though - I put out a couple of traditional "almost" back to basics caches a couple of weeks ago - and they've had hardly any finds. I'm wondering if it's the walk that's putting people off? I notice if I put out a cache in a great location that involves more than a few minutes walk, it gets a lot less visits then a cr*p micro in a layby. I know I haven't done your new two yet but it is not because of the walk but because I have them planned for an extended luchbreak and have been busy at work last few weeks . I would rather spend a day getting a great cache then grab 50 poor ones. By the way 'got the bug?' is easy.

I think most setters would do the same, after all they want their caches found. I met a cacher the other day who is not that new to caching but does not know any other cachers and wasn't happpy asking others for help. I think there may be a lot more people like this. I on the other hand have no problem asking for help . If I can't solve a puzzle I prefer to be drip feed help and pointers rather than to be given the solution outright. Your Exon Quest is an example of this - It is a brilliant cache one of the best i've done but it has only been found 15 times Is this because the puzzle is a barrier, or because people prefer a quick cache and dash?

I have just noticed that some of my favourite caches have only been found a few times. There are many excellent caches, with fantastic locations, containers, twists etc., that the placers must have spent ages planning and implementing yet they are hardly ever found. I believe the problem is that the setter feels compelled to include a very hard puzzle that needs to be solved before the cache can be attempted. The puzzle appears to act as a barrier to a lot of cachers. To me this seems like a waste of time and effort by the cache setter to place a high quality/unique cache and to only have it found by a few people.

Hi I have been reading this thread with interest. I would love a cool avatar, but lack the required talent. If anyone wants to give it a go that would be great. Our caching name is BlazingOtters (we are a family of 5) The Blazing part of our name comes from me being a firefighter and from us 'blazing' a trail. The Otters part of our name comes from us living by the River Otter and because we like Otters. Us your imagination for the avatar but I would like it to include an otter. Thanks Steve

There is an excellent series based around Great Trees in Devon (blatant plug ). East Devon Great Tree Hunt I find it hard to grasp that there are trees around that are over 2,000 years old!

Good reply! Ah it's our Girls team you want to worry about.... A better reply! hehe Are you up for it then Stuey

They look good - are they as good as they claim?

Well done Kim and Andy, see you at a cache soon!!!

Congratulations Tim on your 500 finds and an even bigger congratulations on your 52 cache hides (a ratio of over 10 to 1). It is not surprising that it has taken you four years to top the 500 mark when you look at all time and effort that has been put into some of your cache placements. (please don't stop though)

This isn't a gate as it has been suggested but a very clever device to save cachers a lot of wasted time and effort. It is in fact a handy template - if you can fit through one of the slots in the template then you are good to proceed. However if you are unable to post yourself through one of the slots forget it, you are too large for the tight squeezes with the caverns and tunnels ahead

I am also unable to make the 6th April

I still have the final to go - but could be tempted to do the rest again as a 'warm up' to the final.

You may have trouble with: The height of darkness.

Sounds good!!!

So the caches ive linked to above would not be allowed now ? No sorry since they were published Groundspeak has clarified some of the issues over Mandatory ALR's. One of which is that you may not set one which requires a finder to place a cache. As both were published before Groundspeak clarified the issue, they should be considered to be like any other Grandfathered in Cache. What if it wasn't a mandatory ALR for the FTFer to hide the next cache, but rather an option - so they could hide the next cache in the series only if they wanted to. Then if the FTFer didn't want to, the option would pass to the second finder.

I have been thinking about placing a cache (series of caches) with a difference. The difference being that whoever gets the FTF, is entitled/obliged to place the next one in the series and the first finder of that cache gets to place the next one...........and so on. Has anyone done or seen anything similar and would such a cache /series get approval. My initial thoughts would be to make it an alphabet themed series with the first cache having an association with the letter A. The first finder would then place the next cache in the series associated with B...and so on. There would need to be some rules/guidelines but nothing too rigid. The next cache in the series would need to be: Within 10 miles of the previous cache. Would need to be placed within 4 weeks. Can be of any cache type/size. If the FTFer did not want to continue the chain, I could place it for them. What do you think. Is it a good idea??

Well done Paul and Michelle

Due out in April, the price will be approx : $350 (£176/€235). Which could be more than the device you use it with!!

I have just spotted this .....and I thought my 4GB card was big. Just think how many maps/cache details you could store on that.

Well done Alan and Rena on the big 1000........ and also for the 64 Hides.

Me too. This has been on the 'to do' list for years it seems! Me too.