hawkeyetob

To the OP, You know one of the many things I love about this game? YOU as cache owner get to decide where YOU want to place your cache so long as it meets the guidelines; permission, safety, etc., etc. FWIW, there is a parking garage cache in a town not too far away that has solar panels on it and a cache. To my knowledge, no other cache like it around for many miles. When placing/finding a cache, the question I usually ask is "Why did you bring me here?" For the particular parking ramp cache, it was to look at the solar panels. In addition, it was near to a college campus. Many of the students had no idea it was so close! If you want to place the cache and you are satisfied with it, I'd say go for it! Happy Caching! - hawkeyetob

For our caches, we did place a FTF coin but made no mention of it on the cache page. (No bribery involved.) Those who are interested in the FTF seemed to appreciate the coin as well as the clean log. If I recall correctly, one cacher was not interested in the coin but it was gone by the second or third finder. We also make a point to acknowledge the FTF folks on the cache page once it is found. The key: Do what you are comfortable with...it's your cache! Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

I would echo the full disclaimer part in the description but possibly for a different reason. We geocache as a family. Although we take plenty of pictures for our use, we do not post pictures of our children online. A number of earthcaches want a picture of you with your gps. For those, it's a parent only photo op. Not saying don't use your trail cam, but just adding the children component for your consideration. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

Recently, we had 100 geocoins made after seeking advice from others who have gone to the trouble of having coins minted. One of the best pieces of advice we received was this: Geocoins and travelbugs are meant to be either released or kept in your possession. If released, you need to acknowledge you basically have relinquished control and it is likely you will never see the GC / TB again. If this will bother you, keep the item in your possession and enjoy. Treat any posts for your GC/TB as a gift and you will enjoy it more. Now I realize not all of us can be this "zen" like with our gc / tb but we have found this "let it go / set it free and enjoy it" approach to be helpful for us. FWIW, some of our coins have moved on to apparently geocoin heaven almost immediately while others keep on trekking. Every e-mail we receive is like opening a present; we are thankful and happy. Also FWIW, we own/purchased a few coins which we will not release for sentimental reasons or we really like holding onto them. At a recent geocaching event, I was talking with an experienced cacher who said he had someone actually return a TB after years on its journey...that is cool! To sum up: I understand and sympathize with the frustration. I would hope you consider the advice passed on to us above. Whether you choose to set them free or enjoy them in your possession is up to you. Happy Geocaching! - ht p.s. Disappointed by the few snarky responses...know that there are many, many more helpful and supportive geocachers out there!

We are in a rural area with not that many caches other than the ones we and another cacher have placed. For us, our hints lead towards being spoilers since we genuinely would like folks to find our caches and not go away frustrated. All of our caches are around 1.5 / 1.5. That being said, we clearly post "hint leans towards being a spoiler" so people know what they are getting into when they click. For us, having a "too" descriptive hint for those who choose to view it is much better than no hint at all or those pesky "no hint needed" hints. Happy Geocaching...non-cheating and guilt free! - ht

Out last weekend at this cache: Pier 1 This cache is the remains of a concrete pier for an old railroad bridge. Cache is towards the top. Concrete, with re-bar sticking out + muddy shoes = minor dings and scrapes. The result, cache found with no major first aid required. Happy Caching! - hawkeyetob

Our new truck came equipped with the GPS navigator equipment. Her voice and guiding ability made us think of someone named "Gert." So now, Gert takes us close to the cache...we pull out our GPSr to find the cache. When one of our party finds the cache we say "Gert!" so others know it is found. By saying Gert, we honor our wonderful truck AND everyone has a chance to find the cache. It's kind of like shouting BINGO! Saying "Gert!" is part of the fun! Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

If we were voting I would concur with left = small, right = regular. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

When we decided to start hiding caches, it took us a few days. First we took coordinates at different times of day and tested each with the walk away method. At one point we brought a friend it with a different GPSr to check as well. In the end, we decided we tried our best with a reasonable and diligent effort. However, to remove as much doubt as possible we made sure we gave really good clues. Most of our caches even give a warning in the description that the hint may lean towards being a spoiler. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

I am glad you mentioned this. When we were in the process of designing and creating our new geocoin, my wife mentioned that as a practical matter, we should view each coin released as never coming back to us. After we discussed it, we agreed, we were okay with that concept. We also decided if we don't want to release a coin for whatever reason, we should just hang on to it. Recently, we reached a milestone and purchased a coin to commemorate it. We agreed that coin stays with us. Statistically, if someone found one of our coins and decided to return it to us some years down the road, it would be cool. However, we agreed with Kryten, as we release the coins we are really hoping to get as many logs as we can and we are thankful for what we get. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

Wow, thanks for all of the replies. One reply made me re-consider this issue a bit. The fact that the CO did not disable at a minimum after this length of time is a good point. As a CO myself, I make an attempt to address issues ASAP. However, I also know things come up as well. If something came up, a temporary disabled would make sense. Note to self: Next time do a poll. It appears thus far is to lean towards the NA to allow the reviewer to address the issue. The caveat appears to be unless I want to step in to adopt. Still open to additional weigh-ins or input...still winter...this morning it was -20F! Thanks everyone! Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

Looks like I should have done a poll instead! Thus far with 4 replies: Caching Busybody - 1 Post NA - 1 DNF - 1 Contact Reviewer - 1 Hmmm, not really bothered by the cache or really the situation. As I mentioned, just looking for some input...winter here...just looking for folks thoughts. Clearly, given the wide variety of responses, not as cut and dried as some would suggest. Thanks for the input thus far! Happy Geocaching! -hawkeyetob

A bit long, so I apologize in advance. Went to find a nearby cache rated 1/1.5. The description was well done complete with a good hint and pictures. There was only one logical place for the cache. It appeared it was being found fairly easily and quickly. When my family went to the cache area, it was clear a massive amount of dirt work had been done in the area. The cache location was in a rural gravel road ditch near a sign with recent bull-dozing for at least one hundred feet. No big surprise but we did not find the cache. When we returned home, I reviewed the description and double checked the coordinates. Everything looked fine. We discussed a DNF or a Needs Maintenance. Another would-be finder posted before us a DNF noting the bulldozing work. We decided a NM describing the situation as I have done above would be useful for the CO. This was posted back in July. Although I do not personally know the CO, his information indicates he lives a number of hours away. We first looked for the cache and posted the NM in July. We have stopped by a number of times over the fall to see if anything has happened with this cache. As late as the end of November, no cache. The only change we saw was on the description now is soliciting assistance to maintain the cache. Our post was the last activity for this cache since July. It seems apparent the CO has not replaced the cache. On a regular basis we have no problem assisting with drying out caches, adding log pages etc...you know, basic maintenance. Recently, we worked with a CO to adopt a cache since we were nearby and he was having difficulty maintaining it...again standard stuff. The ISSUE where I am requesting input: The CO by his request for maintenance assistance seems to acknowledge the issue and at the same time seems to indicate he wants to keep the cache in place. To my eyes, it appears to be more than maintenance but cache replacement. Is this typical for this kind of situation? Thoughts? Guidance? Input? Thanks in advance. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

Add my FWIW against the "unknown" classification without additional information. In my area, unknown typically equals micro but CO doesn't want to list it as a micro / nano. If you are set on the "fun" of an unknown, I would recommend stating something to the effect it is not a micro/nano in the description. We recently found an unknown that was a oddly shape and interesting container but the CO was clear it was not a micro. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

It sounds like your situation was similar to one of mine recently. There was a nearby cache that was clearly needing some help due to wetness. After repeated listings of wet log/wet cache etc. I wondered what my role was in this. Eventually, I e-mailed the CO and offered these options; I offered to: "Fix/dry" existing container. Replace container with a new one of my own. Adopt the cache. Assist in any other way the CO would deem helpful. In the end, the CO appreciated the help and was pleased with the adoption option after I indicated I would try to maintain the general theme and concept of the cache. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

I agree with the "bad form" comments. Wondering also about the "score" comment as well...are we graded on this hobby!?! I thought we were just all having fun playing a game. Granted, after reading the forums, it is clear some like playing this game differently than others, at the end of the day, it should still be about having fun right!?! Happy Geocaching! Happy Holidays! - hawkeyetob

Each to his own but I would offer this caution if you go with the unknown designation...for some hiders in my area, they do not want to put micro as the size so they just put unknown so seekers can just figure it out. As a result, some seekers are avoiding the "unknowns" for whatever reason. FWIW, it sounds like a small to me. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

Been where you have been! We started with a smart phone to gauge our interest. Now we use a paperless GPSr which can hold 1000s of caches. -Battery Life -Reception -Waterproof -Accuracy Nothing wrong with the smartphones, they definitely have their place. One veteran basically told me, you'll know when you need one...sounds like you may be closer. Happy Caching! - hawkeyetob

Our family just started in July. We live in Iowa. Friday night, with snow on the ground, fog in the air with found our first winter, night cache. We made the mistake of following someone else's footprints in the snow and went the "hard" way. We eventually found it and it was lots of fun! Another cache was rated a 1.5/1.5. We found the location but the snow was too deep for anything like a serious search. Regardless, we had lots of fun! Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

I am waiting to hear what the "official" geocacher handshake is! Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

Interesting thread. A few things to note: This is the OP FIRST post...seems it stirred the pot...makes me wonder if that was the intent? If not, the OP has a wide variety of Opinions. I also note the OP has hidden a single cache...a micro. Given my number of finds and posts and hides, I likely would label myself as a grasshopper. However, signing logs affects those "downstream." Our team typically states things like "Wow, someone was here yesterday, or it's been over a month, or they must have been here this morning!" when we open the cache, sign the log and read the log. No disrespect to those who want to play the game the way they want to, but signing the log does have an impact upon the others playing this game...not a big impact, but one nonetheless. Once we hid our caches, we suddenly began to understand the value of reading logs with something more than TFTC. To answer the question, if indeed it was a legitimate one, no, we do not skip logs, physical or otherwise. We want to add to this endeavor not simply be a consumer, but each to their own. Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

Background: A cache near me has been "temporarily disabled" for more than 2 months and been having water problems for close to 4 months. One poster indicates a dry log is needed and a waterproof container. Question 1. What is the etiquette for "fixing" a CO's container? I have an "extra" container which may do the job. If the container is nothing special, any thoughts on swapping out a leaky container for a waterproof one? "Fixing" or adding a new dry log is not a big deal which I have previously done for those that needed it but I am wondering about the container itself. Question 2. What is considered acceptable for logging a temporarily disabled cache? If TD, does that mean it should not be attempted or logged or if attempted understand there are problems or attempt at your own risk or do NOT attempt and if you do attempt do not log!?! Not a big deal either way...just looking for some input. Thanks! Happy Caching! - hawkeyetob

As mentioned, it really sounds like you used MyGeocachingProfile.com. Free, easy, fun! Happy Geocaching!

Our team always asks "Why were we brought here?" It is always a more enjoyable find when the answer is evident...be it for the view, to visit a park, historical place or whatever the case. We also like when the description gives you a pretty good idea of why the cache was placed in that particular area. The fact you are even asking the question is a positive and appreciated step! Happy Geocaching!

For us, we tend to ask "why did you bring me here!?!" If we cannot readily determine the answer, the lame-o-meter will begin to twitch! Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob