martlakes

The path to happiness and wisdom is simply to realise that YOU DO NOT have to find every cache. It doesn't matter how close it is, how far, etc etc etc. Just say NO! Once you've reached this Zen-like state, peace and happiness will fill your days. Just because some fool hides a 35mm can on a pole or dog bin, you are serene in the knowledge that it can happily be left to the poor addicted souls who are still dragged down by their crushing need. Given the number of caches out there now, you will NEVER find them all. Given some are beyond your abilities of rock climbing or puzzle solving, you will NEVER find them all. Given some are simply c**p, if you've got any brain cells left, you will NEVER want to find them all. Given caches come and go, being published and archived in an increasingly short time frame, you will NEVER find them all. So relax, safe and secure in the happy knowledge that you will NEVER find them all! Just go and find the ones that appeal to you. The choice is entirely yours, and you do have to choose, because you will never find them ALL. Simples! (This happy message brought to you by the Society for the Rehabilitation of Caching Addicts!)

The actual disclaimer on the cache page hasn't changed. So the bit the OP quotes is really just reminding you that if **** happens don't expect Groundspeak to bail you out. This is presumably, how it's always been. The cache page disclaimer is worth "who knows what" in terms of legal help, however, it does point out that there are dangers out there, which might be useful in a court case. AFAIK there is in fact plenty of legal stuff that means you can't sue a landowner over the normal and natural hazards that a reasonable person would expect to encounter while out for a walk on their land. Yes, they probably need to fence that old mineshaft, but no, they don't have to fence that cliff. We know this from the fact that every cliff isn't signed and the courts aren't full of cases of people tripping over a root or stone. How all of that relates to someone looking for a cache, I've no idea cos I'm not a lawyer. I know there was one nasty case a few years back, which didn't go anywhere in the end, but caused the CO a lot of grief. All I can tell you is I have a lot of caches out, and I hope I'm not going to get sued! Mind you, I don't have much dosh anyway!

As mentioned earlier, for me the key difference is that with an island at least you've got somewhere to wait. From what you say about small windows of time and cliffs, it's a much more serious proposition. So, yes, I'd make it at least a simple off-set multi, forcing people to actually look at the web page to go beyond the initial co-ords. Just for interest, if anyone is over in France, a great walk round a few island caches can be found here: http://coord.info/GC26X6Y

Just noticed this thread, interesting idea. Taking my 25 most recently found caches and toting the finds up, multiplying by 10, gives roughly 25,000 smiles. Joy! Of course, to be fair, you should take away the DNFs which represent frustration, angst, disappointment and stress! Two sides to every story! Stats ... hmmmm!

If you haven't supplied any landowner permission details then I'm not surprised reviewers would suggest NE. If you have sorted out permission and include the details I wouldn't have thought they would ask you to contact NE. It is the landowner who has to decide what happens on their land within any restrictions from the SSSI designation. If they aren't sure, obviously they can cover themselves by asking (or you asking) NE if they object. However, as you say, it can be useful to ask them if you don't know about the landowner.

In many instances you don't have to contact them. Ultimately it's the landowner who has to give permission, as he owns the land! He legally mustn't allow activities which may breach the SSSI designation or whatever, but box hunting usually isn't going to if you're not placing it in the only clump of rare plants in the area. Most restrictions are about farming practices, quarrying etc so that the natural ecosystem isn't changed. If the landowner is happy, you should be good to go. If they want reassurance, then contact NatEng to check they are happy. If you first contact NatEng they will point out you still need the landowner's permission. That's my understanding of the way it works, but specific cases may vary depending on the landowner and the designation.

Aye, that's the one - I was close with East Anglia then! There was something weirdly interesting about the idea of a blank square!

See, glad I asked! I guess you could do this on a moor or in a wood. As the skull said: power squares! Oh no! There was, I remember, a cache set in 'the most empty OS grid square' a few years back. Just white space with a power line cutting through the corner. No contours, paths or buildings. East Anglia way IIRC. Shame it got archived as I thought it was a curious and interesting claim to fame.

Any of mine are cracking! Lots of very good ones in/around Coniston Loads round Kendal, esp around The Helm (to the SE) I'd also recommend the By Gum series at the south end of Windermere see http://tinyurl.com/78496t3 or http://coord.info/GC2X5WJ Nice lake shore walk on the west side of Windermere north of Bowness - check out the ferries as you can do a cracking circular walk using 3 boats (& not very expensive) by including the foot passenger ferry from Waterhead across to the west shore. Some cracking night caches at the south end. Pirates Mystery Trail II in Coniston is always recommended: http://coord.info/GC1E26P There's very few bad caches around the Lakes, helped of course by the beautiful area, but most cache setters are on the ball. Basically just pick a rough area you want to visit, dive into the map and have a quick look. Load up a PQ and go! Hard to be disappointed really! Some helpful info on http://www.geocachetourist.com

I'm sure if I thought about I could work it out, but knowing there are clever folk out there than me, I decided to ask instead (plus I'm just lazy!) - What's the theoretical maximum of actual caches that can fit in a map sq? (not non-box ones obviously). Could make an interesting challenge to fill a grid square with caches!

Hi If you fancy a guided geocaching trip I'd be happy to help. We're in Kendal, lots of good caches close by, and good rail or bus connections depending where you are. We're out several days a week taking Safie for a walk so easy to have others along. I use an iPhone and the Geocaching App, which I find works very well once you've got you're head around the details. If you're elsewhere, try contacting some of the local cachers - most folk up here are friendly! Let me know through our profile if you fancy a trip. Cheers martlakes aka Martin!

Not very recent but probably one of the funnier pics I have! (I like the creases!) I think themes are good but this is a little narrower than others, however, the rules do say you can enter any good pic. http://coord.info/GC2FT7A

Well here we are in another year so time to finish December's Competition. Thanks to all those who entered, some very nice pics covering a range of places and styles. Never easy to pic one out, but that's the nature of competition! So without further ado, I'm going to select Pink Wood by little-leggs. A slightly off-beat composition but it really captures the movement of the falling snow, and the cold, bbrrrrr! Lets hope 2012 is also a good year for caching pics. Happy New year!

I don't follow why it's such a problem for you. As log emails come in I have a quick scan, if it's cut & paste, delete. If it's interesting, read then delete. If it's a DNF, read, consider and save. Or if a log mentions emptying water out of the box, again save. So now I've got a a few emails saved which may indicate a problem with a cache or two. Decide if they need action or not. If they do, I make a list or just go and sort it out. At busy times I can have a few outstanding issues to deal with, which sometimes have to wait until I'm heading that way, or not working, so a list is handy. Doesn't seem too hard to me, as I'm interested in what happens with my caches. I don't like folk not finding them unless it's an intentionally hard one. I've got over 200 active caches to keep an eye on and I enjoy reading interesting logs, and even just noting that it's been found. Or, do what Max does and run a PQ, but the trouble with that is that problems are often mentioned long before someone actually puts a NM log on a cache. Alternatively, you can get a list of your caches which have dates and NM icons. Go to your 'Quick View' page; click on your Stat Bar to show your profile; click on Geocaches tab; click on All Geocache Hides. Get a list of your hides with NM and coins etc showing, arranged by date of placing or last found, or D/T values. Looks like this:

One last weekend of the year for caching pics! Will close this and pick a winner on Monday evening. Click, click click!

You're confusing reality with a land designation - that's why you don't get it. Reviewers can't know all details about a site, and their argument is they are not qualified to rule whether a location is potentially destructive or not, so they have to apply the 'guidelines' aka rules, and if your site is within the shady bit of the map they will ask for evidence that you have permission. The other point is that caches are supposed to have permission anyway, so whether it's a car park or not, in theory you've already asked someone if it's ok, so all you have to do is give the reviewer the details. Now you may suspect that many caches don't in fact have permission for being there, and you may well be right, I couldn't possibly comment. So, yes, permission is a thorny issue and one where the difference between theory and practise is greater in practise than in theory. However, within the limited scope for interpretation, reviewers are generally a very helpful bunch who do use many senses, common and otherwise, trying to ensure cache placement doesn't cause mayhem and destruction, whilst keeping cachers happy in their hobby. Not an easy job at times I'm sure. Best bet is to either, find another site, or find someone to ask if it's ok. It doesn't have to involve Natural England or whoever, as long as the land manager is happy as they are responsible for what takes place on their land, given the legal designation it's under. Yes, if they aren't sure about that rare clump of orchids + Tupperware, they can ask Nat England for advice. Good luck!

Into the last week of the year - get snapping! Not a lot of snow anywhere but plenty of cracking creative possibilities I'm sure. Say "Christmas"!

Stile of course, which you climb over with great style. I always chuckle when people write: "Loved the cache, quiet spot with not a sole around" Did they forget their shoes? On the interweb, you're much more likely to get "your" now - it has become synonymous. The Tallest Stile in the World? From a log by the Gingerbreadmen on GLEKGZD

Some great pics - keep em coming! By the way, Daisy, that's a bit rude!

How about returning by boat ... then you could have another 'boat only' series for the return! (sorry, I'll get me coat!)

A fair way through the month, any great pics from the weekend? (A small nudge to remind everyone of this thread!)

Taken today, north of Kendal (no it's not an official entry!) http://coord.info/GC1DNX6

I notice the dog has disappeared in the second shot - hope it's not in the giant snowball! Or are you re-hiding the cache box!?

Doesn't it depend on how many are gathered together? A nano of cachers being a pair A micro of cachers being 6 or more A regular ... ok I'll stop.

Thanks to Haggis Hunter for choosing my photo for the November competition. I think there's some festive thing happening soon, so the theme this month is "Caching in Winter and/or at Christmas". See rules below. Note: The judges will look aghast at someone managing to get the traditional robin on a snowy ammo box! Something original pleeeease! Pics of cachers unwrapping expensive new GPS units under a tree will not impress just cause envy! The first snow of the year is on the Cumbrian Fells, so winter has definitely arrived (at least in the north!). Waterproofs, hats, gloves and torches at the ready, get out and ... cache, with your camera of course! (Ps. any really good pics welcome even if they don't exactly match the theme) Good luck and have fun! martlakes The rules are the same as those used in previous months..... 1) The photo must be cache related and to do with a specific UK cache (any type including events), caching series or caching trip - please include a link to the cache or the GC.... code so we can see where the picture relates to. 2) Max two photos per caching team or cacher. (Maybe 3 if you really have an extra pic that's great!) 3) A new thread is started each month, with the OP stating these rules. 4) The winner each month is decided by the winner from the previous month - the new winner starting the thread for the subsequent month. They may set a theme if they wish. 5) Photos should be recent. Higher credit will be given to photos taken in the current month. 6) The competition runs from the 1st of the month, until a date specified in the OP by the previous months winner. This should give sufficient time for the winner (or other person if necessary) to start the new thread. If you haven't already uploaded a photo, a good tip might be to upload it to one of your log entries (it can just be 'post a note'). Then, view your log (not the cache page) click & display the photo, then copy the URL to provide a link. If it's not actually relevant to the cache you've used, delete the note and the photo - the URL will still work. On this forum, add a reply and click the small green tree icon above the text box and paste in your URL.