Circle of Confusion
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Posts posted by Circle of Confusion
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I came across these garbage bags at Canadian Tire for about $5.99 (if I remember corectly). They are sold in sets of three containers; each container (a little bigger than a film can) holds 12 "Large 17 inch bags."
I think they would be great to cary while going Caching, or leave a pack as a trading item. I bought one set, but have not used it yet...
Circle of Confusion
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We're leaning towards gc.com trackable....only because it seems the crowd favourite.
It seems when geocoins (trackable or not) get found in a cache, they are kept by the initial finder rather than logged and then left in another cache to continue their journey. If this is the case, then why pay more to have them trackable, and then have to fit our design into gc.com's geocoin criteria? It's possible we can come up with a more creative coin (and keep the costs down) if we don't have to have it approved by gc.com (supposedly they prefer 2D rather than 3D). We'll keep you posted.
I have been looking into making a coin too, off and on. Anyways, it was sugested before that one could attach a TB tag to the coin, if that person wanted the coin tracked. And that space on the coin would be left for a hole to be drilled, if said cacher wanted to attach the Tag. A space that didn't interfere with any graphic on either side.
Just a thought,
Circle of Confusion
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[This poll is bordering on the ridiculous, unless you're looking only for information concerning caches located in provincial parks.
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Anyhow, I know there's a cache in Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park that hasn't been visited in close to two years. The last entry was a DNF. I intend to locate it this summer. I intend to place more provicial park caches this summer, in areas that will see far less geocaching activity than my current park placements. I expect those caches to see 4 to 6 visits in their first year, and then only a couple a year after that, perhaps with year long or more stretches of inactivity.
My suggestion of 2 years is simply because it's a nice round number, and always falls in the same season in which the cache was placed. 18 months, as you suggest, makes the cache fall outside the guidelines in an off-season (likely when it can't be retrieved for archival anyhow).
True that I don't have any BC park Caches, or that I have found any 4+ hour hikes in bc parks. I did try for one cache that had not been found in 18 months, 2 summers (at the time), and it took me over 4 hours round trip. I don't know if it was a BC park. That Cache, it turns out, was missing.
The reason I asked for examples of caches with the 18 month timeline is so everyone gets an idea if there are any caches that are not found that long, and what conditions (terrain etc.) that make up such a cache. I choose 18 months to try and distingush caches under 1 summer or over 2 summers. You gave one example, thanks DBC (would you be kind enough add a link to the listing so we are all clear on which one you are talking about?).
You say your cache might not be visited for two years. It might be that your cache is visited every 6 months. For people like me who don't do many long treck caches, I just want some examples, so I (and others) can better judge a fair time frame for inactive caches.
I doubt that any caches are going to be archived 2 minutes after the expery date, 1 year, 2 years, or what ever it might end up being. This is especially true if we are self policing like the policy says. We are just trying to eliminate "geo-trash" (to quote ibicus), as I said earlier. Not to make the sport unpleasant for the players.
Circle of Confusion
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Informal Poll:
How many cachers have an active physical cache that has not been logged in 18+ months? Active as in confirmed present, by either a previous finder or the cache owner.
How many cachers have a cache that went over 18 months without a log, but have been logged since? The cache has to have been physically avalible the whole time, no caches that went missing or removed then replaced over the timeline. Feel free to include caches that are disabled for the winter.
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Which is why I'm concerned. I have three provincial park caches that haven't been found since Sept 10 and Sept 11 2005. I don't expect them to be found until at least May 2006 again (maybe later). Which is why I'd want to see either this part of the proposal scrapped, or have it's length fairly long, as in 2 years since a visit before the cache would have to be removed.
Two years is a long time.
Besides ... it almost sounds as though the BCGA isn't really putting forth proposals of their own. They're just being a conduit for proposals from BC Parks. I'd like to see the BCGA oppose this section of the BC Parks proposal, rather than simply offer up reasons and understandings on why BC Parks might implement it.
That is not how I read the post. Seems like they talked about a lot of the proposed policy.
...Chillibusher and I was scheduled to discuss where BC Parks was heading on the development of a geocaching policy and what type of input was required still... ...While discussing the ideas put forth... ...this is something that is workable and further input and discussion about... ...I asked what we could expect in terms of a timeline for meeting again...Why go through the proccess of making a new policy when the one that is on the table is a very good starting point. Seems the only thing that is of concern (the timeline for inactive caches) isn't even set yet in the policy that you seem to be rejecting already.
One further question ... if I visit my own provincial park caches once per year, would that count towards the visitation status? As long as I'm actively maintaining my own caches, then they really can never be seen as trash, right?
Personally, I don't think so. Only because, one could SAY that they have been out there 'maintaining' there cache, but in reality they haven't...
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The proposed policy seems like common sense. I am all for it. Infact I think all my caches (even though I don't have a provincial or federal park caches) already follow the guidlines.
I was thinking that 1 year would be adequate time for inactivity, even in the snow. But then Chillbusters point about some parks, or areas of parks, being visited less frequently is a valid point to. If this point is going to be self policed then I guess it would be subjective anyways. I see something like the following happening, for self policing. A cacher (or the owner) postes a note that a cache has not been found in some time, then an approprate time line given. This would give anyone watching the cache insentive to go out there. If the time elapses, then the owner or other cacher must go retrive the cache.
It also should be kept in mind that a less visited cache will have less enviromental impact. I think the point being that the cache shouldn't be sitting there indefinately, if it not of any use.
Circle of Confusion
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Hey Dogbreath,
Not many comments from others on the new site. I stopped by a couple of times, but have not joined. Looks like everyone has done a lot of work on it. The site looks good. I am sure you will get lots of people signing up.
I don't think anyone is afraid of over moderation, from you or TLG. The concern that I have (and that others might have) is more on lack of moderation. Or more precisely personal attacks, and a general unfriendly atmosphere. Not that I have seen any of that on the LMGA site, although I have never visited the 'old' LMGA site. I did enjoy the forums at BCGA. At the BCGA meeting last year, I was probably the only one who didn't vote for taking the forums down (although I didn't vote against taking them down either).
BCGA has been strangely quiet. I guess I will just have to wait to see if I will decide to become a member of LMGA. Anyways, Kodos on the new site...
Circle of Confusion
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I see Zellers latest flier has Lock and Locks on sale. (Sept 2 - Sept 9)
Buy one get one free. All Lock and Lock containers.
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I just started using ZipGenius. It got Cnet's top editor AND user ratings, and it's free.
http://www.download.com/ZipGenius/3000-225...tml?tag=lst-6-1
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Hey, CoC. I was asked to copy the following question/reply here for you, since the person asking has no access to the GC forums or the GC mail system. Don't reply here, since I'm not going to play go-between beyond this one-time favour (
) ... but they're a regular at http://sandbox.gocaching.com, so you can have a conversation with them over there if you're so inclined.Thanks for forwarding the message DBC. I have been to the Sandbox before, but I don't feel inclined to return any time soon. One geocaching forum is enough for me at this time. I will respond to the relivent park of *their* message.
It matters because these people are representing us (whether we are members of the BCGA or not). What is the problem with having a non-partisan representative?I dissagree. The provincial associations do not represent all of canada, and certainly could not make any agreement with Parks Canada that they could enforce on everyone. Like the OGA Admin suggested, you are free to contact Parks Canada yourself to voice your opinion.
I think the purpose of the associations getting together is to form a collective agreement that they all stand behind together. No individuals. That is what I ment by my post. Sorry if you found it upsetting.
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PS Not sure if anyone replied to your battery comment (from December). The cold weather doesn't really 'drain' your batteries, it just impedes the electro-chemical reaction. Once the battery warms up again it should start giving more juice.
But what I really wanted to say is that Lithium batteries suffer little cold temprature effects. Something like Energizers e2 batteries. They cost more, but have more power and a long shelf life. I know people who use these types of batteries in the cold weather, store them away once things warm up, then pop them back in next winter...
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Tonight we put together a quick national conference chat with caching reps from the BCGA, OGA and MGA online along with GC.com volunteers to further discuss the issue and determine a common approach.
Who were the BCGA representatives? (Feel free to list the OGA and MGA reps as well.)
And who were the GC.com volunteers involved?
I don't see that it matters what individuals where present. They are all representitives of their respective associations as a whole. Why do you need to single out individuals. What purpose does that serve?
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Hello Sue,
Try this link. I count about 40 caches within 30km.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.asp...lon=-119.422067
Also you can search by your current coordinates if you record them from your GPS or if you know the local postal code.
Well people don't normally take a picture of the log book, but there is nothing wrong with doing so. If the cache is in a nice area I might take a few pictures, but generally not at the right at the cache spot. Or I take a pic of something unusual. But it depends on the cache too. Just no spoilers.
Circle of Confusion
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well one good thing (and maybe what Garming was thinking) is that instead of one big program, they have two smaller programs. This has the advantage of being less resource intensive for smaller and/or cheaper computers that you might keep in the car/boat whatever. The might even be looking at porting it to PDA's, I don't know.
I bought a cheap used laptop to use with my GPS in the car. Nroute works great on it. It recalculates routes very fast, if I miss my turn off. I find I don't download too many waypoints while I am driving anyways. Your usage may very. Now unless they can get my GPS to download waypoints over the Satalite signal; like some kind of ultimate mobile internet uplink, I won't be complaining too much about having to close one program and open another.
oh, and did someone mention that it's free...
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Uncle T K Posted on Jul 23 2005, 04:58 AM
Hello Bob Smith
Open GSAK and then right click on the Cache that you want to Edit.
Sounds as cumbersome as his method. For 18 changes don't you think a global find and replace is a whole lot faster?
I asked Clyde (the programmer) specifically about this a while ago. You and Uncle T K are both correct. It is combersome and that is the only way to do it. The Local series here at the time had 38 caches so I know what a pain it can be.
Maybe you can bug him to get it added as a new feature...
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I have MetroGuide Canada v4, and a Garmin Rino 120. I am planning to visit my brother in the US and wanted to bring my GPS, and Laptop along.
My Question is, can I download the Base Map from the Rino into my computer/MapSource Software? The Rino built in Base Map covers all of North and South America, where as my Metro Guide Canada only has a portion of the US.
Thanks,
Circle of Confusion
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A cougar picture would be cool.
I say that cause BC is the only place I seen one face to face.I see them all the time at the bar.
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I need not remind you that the Jeep TB is not a regular trade Item. So you'll have to drive it to another Cache and leave it there...
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Please read my forum post about the end plug cache
I read your post. Looks very interesting. There was one comment about it looking like a pipe bomb. If you paint that PVC pipe White and red/orange it will look just like a bouy. It would look natural being there, even if it was seen on the surface.
Here's a Picture of one, that I found on the net. It just happens to say danger on it, but it can say anything (like "swim area"), or nothing at all. just don't have it somewhere where it will confuse or misslead active boaters.
Here is a float. Same idea.
Actually, I might try making a cachine like this.
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I have typed up what I feel would be an approprate opening statment for the Parks Canada Petition. Feel free to edit or add to it. (Or modify it for the Ontario Parks Petition). I am not one who normally writes up these kinds of things, so it might be kind of rough (and probably some grammar mistakes thrown in there).
Parks CanadaTo whom it may concern,
We of the geocaching community are contacting you about the upcoming Geocaching policy on federally run parks. We here in, strongly believe that Geocaching and Parks Canada can work together in preserving the future of your nation’s parks for all to enjoy, for generations to come.
Geocaching is great way of promoting interest in not just federal parks, but all Canadian Parks. Geocaching can be used as a great medium to teach both young and old about nature and the importance of sustaining it for the future. Geocaching also gets people out of there homes and out to the parks and encourages an active lifestyle.
The Geocaching community realizes that guidelines need to be put in place to preserve the sensitive habitat that our parks boards work so hard to protect. We feel that Physical Caches can coexist in our nation’s parks and are looking forward to being able to work together on finding a solution that works for maintaining the Habitat, but also keeps the parks usable for all who would enjoy its wonders.
We pledge to do whatever is necessary to work with Parks Canada to find a mutually agreeable policy on Caching in this Nations Parks.
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Additionally it is not the responsibilty of any cacher to point out when a cache placement is in violation of a policy.
No, but it is helpful. It is called self-policing.
If you want to talk about self policing, here are a few GC.com policies that I might point out. You did read the GC policies didn't you.
Cache PermanenceWhen you report a cache on the Geocaching.com web site, geocachers should (and will) expect the cache to be there for a realistic and extended period of time. Therefore... temporary caches (caches hidden for less than 3 months or for events) most likely will not be listed.
The intention was to keep these Urbana caches going until the logbook filled up.
What size log book did you use that filled up after 14 logs? Two Caches lasted just under 3 months, which you say was your "intention".
Off-limit (Physical) CachesCaches may be quickly archived if we see the following (which is not inclusive):
Caches hidden in close proximity to active railroad tracks. In general we use a distance of 150 ft but your local area’s trespassing laws may be different. All local laws apply.
I have not had the chance to visited any of your caches, but using MapSource I found Two Caches within 150ft of a Railroad. One measures just 30 feet, and I have seen trains on this track before. The other one to be honest, I don't know if it is an active track. Doesn't feel nice to have your caches posted in the forums does it, and yet you still feel the need to do that.
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Bc Geocoin
in Canada
I would say that there is enough interest. Any futher news on this topic?
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I have used the RAM mount for the Garmin Rino, which is somewhat different from the other models. I sent it back after using it for a few days for the following reasons.
1) It took me a couple of minutes each time to wrestle the GPS out of the holder. I am very mechanically inclined and I fix things for a living, but I'll be damned if I couldn't get that GPS out of that holder in less than 60 seconds. In RAMs defence the mount is designed to wistand a 6g shock.
2) The button that I had to BOLT to the GPS unit, that mated with the mount, covered the battery door. That meant that I have to carry an allen key around with me if I wanted to change the batteries. Not a very well thought out design, when they could have just as easily used the existing belt clip button.
3) The RAM window mount would fall off the window after 3 hours. Less if it was hot out. I think mine was defective.
I bought a Garmin window mount since, and I have had absolutly zero problems with it. My recommendation is to buy the Garmin mount.
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How do credits and units relate? I have been counting the units by reading the message logs. Now I see I have 28.27 credits. Does the BIONIC program readily show how many units I have done?
(edit: Update 47.84 credits)
) ... but they're a regular at 
I say that cause BC is the only place I seen one face to face.
BC Lower Mainland: Looking for someone to take over my caches
in Canada
Posted
Hi All,
Although I enjoy caching, I find I do not have as much free time now. I certainly do not have enough time to maintain my caches at the appropriate level anymore. I am looking for people interested in talking over my hides. Please email me, including which cache you are interested in and maybe why you are interested in the particular cache.
Thanks,
Circle of Confusion
PS I have not been on the site for a while. I hope I am not breaking any GC.com rules by posting this here.