ranger-rob

I totally agree with the Camelbak brand pack. If you can afford it (and he can handle it), I suggest the "Talon" for a large pack[1]. It'll hold 3L of water and a world of "stuff". On the smaller end of the scale, the "M.U.L.E." [2] holds 3L of water [3] and light essentials (swag, snacks, bug repellant wipes, small first aid kit, etc). A major consideration if you want to give him a pack is fit, comfort, and capacity. Ditto on the rechargeables (NiMH) with a car charger too. A GPSr will *eat* some batteries! Mine have paid for themselves a dozen times over. A mirror on an expandable stick [4] is real handy for looking in, on, under, behind things Perhaps you could raid a "Dollar Store" and load him down with swag. And with gas as expensive as it is, buy him a tank (or 2). [1] 1820 cu. in. [2] 540 cu. in. [3] That's about 7 lbs. (+/-) of water full. I usually only fill mine 1/3 or 1/2 full unless it's hot. [4] Available at most auto parts stores

To the best of my knowledge [1] there isn't anything in the way of books except for one in the "For Dummies" line and I think I saw one in the "for Idiots" series but that may have been me mis-reading the spine as I went by in a rush for the checkout counter at BAM (or was it B&N, I forget). However, I can sympathize with you. I didn't have my eTrex Legend out of the packaging for an hour and I was ready to toss it and forget about geocaching all together it was so frustrating. That said, try this: Get a beverage of your choice and find a comfortable place to sit outside (away from tree cover) Turn your unit on and let it aquire and lock on to whatever sats it can. If you haven't done this it can take *awhile* - mine took over 30 min. initially. Now it takes between 2 and 5 [2]. Regardless, just let it sit until it settles down. Enjoy your beverage of choice and observe the display occasionally. Once it's settled down (the lat/lon numbers are present), pick up the unit and "play" with it. The joystick (above left of the display) is your friend. It allows you to scroll up, down, left, and right in the menus as well as select the desired menu item. Slowly work your way through each menu and see what's what, where it is, and what it does. This may take a little time. Like I said previously, I was so frustrated that words like "drill press" and "sledge hammer" got used so I feel your pain. Here's the link to the Garmin website where you can get the manuals for your unit: http://www.garmin.com/products/manual.jsp?...ct=010-00439-00 Time and practice though is the best teacher. <edit> Oh yeah, if you don't want to wait through the initialization screens, press the top right button (as you're looking at the display) until the first usable screen appears. On mine it's the satellite tracking and aquisition screen. AND the information displays at the top and bottom are configurable too. I know, more stuff to muddle through but not to worry, you will quickly determine what works best for you. Personally I use the pointer and accuracy displays. Your preferences will probably be different. In the words of Tim Wilson, "Just relax and try to have fun with it." [1] I never looked specifically for a Garmin manual. [2] on a cruddy day or when moving in a vehicle where the antennas view of the sky is partially blocked

And discovering the need for a dozen or so rechargable AA batteries, and a car charger. And coming to the realization that the majority of your expendable cash is spent on gas, stuff from The Dollar Store and <name of favorite electronics retailer>. And the strange looks from your existing circle of (non-caching) friends/co-workers when you tell them that you spent all weekend, $40 (or more) in gas, looking for tupperware, waterproof match cases, magnetic key holders, ammo cans, etc. and having nothing but some trinkets[1] to show for it. And the entries in your cell phone phonebook become less and less actual names and more and more the nics of cachers you know [2] - oh yeah, and your usage jumps from all of the "phone-a-friend" calls. And planning (driving) routes to vacation locations/relatives/out of town friends based on how many caches are along the way you haven't logged yet. Yup... Welcome to our addiction [1] probably from The Dollar Store [2] but only by their geocaching.com nick name, not their real one

I'm not afraid of snakes. Heck, I'll even do my impersonation of Steve Irwin with one if it's non-venomous and then release it away from the trail so it doesn't get needlessly killed[1] . However (comma), let one startle me and whatever I have in hand/available are going to be pressed into immediate service [2]. Again, I don't condone the needless killing of anyhing in the wild [3] but scare me real good and all bets are off, I don't care how many legs it has (or doesn't have) [1] snakes are real high on the "It needed killin'" list in rural Alabama [2] see [1] [3] despite it's appearance, my apartment isn't "the wild"

I usually just tell them what I'm (we're) doing and briefly explain the game. If the cache is in hand I show them the log book (or the whole thing if it's a traditional) and explain a little more. When it's time to re-hide it, I explain that I'm about to re-hide it and if they'd turn around or walk away a short distance so I can do so and not spoil their fun if they decide to take up the game. I've never had the least bit of trouble doing this, as long as strange looks don't count. I think there may have been several "conversions" using this method

"Pokey stick", mirror, gloves, unsuspecting family members, yup, I'd say that about covers it.

If you have, or have access to, a home use type paper shredder that cuts strips... then all you need is a sheet of paper (or mylar - for a really waterproof log). Send Mr. Paper on his one way trip through the shredder and you'll have a *bunch* of log sheets

You make a good point however (comma), if the owner gets *permission* (as is required by GC) then a cache near some government buildings shouldn't be a problem. I have a cache at our local E-911 office. The director loves it because it's great for public relations and because she gets to put promotional "stuff" in it whenever she wants. It's all a matter of who you ask and how you explain geocaching. (and what type of government building it is)

I agree. The very worst thing (short of all of the sats getting ko'ed) that could happen would be Hollywood getting their mittengrabbers on this. The craze following the movie would surely get the government and LEO's even involved because, inevitably, someone would do something stupid and blame it on Geocaching [1]. And just imagine the potential plot lines, international terroism, drug dealing, kidnapping, and anything else with a track record for selling bazillions of movie tickets. Although, the merchandising end could be entertaining, the official "Geocaching the Movie" cache box, official "Geocaching the Movie" trail mix, ... back pack, water bottle, hiking pants, hiking staff, car seat cover, first aid kit, spare tire cover, infant onsie, breakfast cereal, GPS holster, etc, etc, etc. [1] much like violence in video games gets blamed for a slew of things and skateboarding has been all but banned in some places

The list looks to have been covered so if I'm repeating, I apologize. I tend to hit Home Depot and Lowes a lot becasue they're close and there's a world of cacher friendly stuff there. Also, I've been given[1] a bunch of promotional stuff from my local E-911 office. I don't know why they feel the need to advertise but I'm happy to leave the travel mugs/tumblers, neoprene can coozies, and color changing pens/pencils, to name a few things, in trade caches across Alabama and Northwest Florida. So you might try asking some of your local (city/county) government agencies if they have any promotional items you can have to leave in geocaches [2]. [1] given = free, free = good [2] be prepared to explain geocaching

You know, some days I'm glad that ignorance is bliss. I've been playing that way since I joined. There's caches not 10 miles from where I live that I've never even looked for because I'm not the least bit interested. That's not saying anything against the owner or type of cache, I'm merely not interested. I suspect that you're among a large, quiet number of like thinking cachers and that's the beauty of it. With the exception of the criteria for the hide itself, there are no rules to this game other than the ones you place upon yourself. Wear your seatbelt (until you enter the parking lot) Obey the posted speed limits (when your radar/lazer detector chirps) Don't tresspass (when anyone is looking) and Trade up, trade even, or don't trade

yes I just finished tying the net part. I haven't decided if I'm going to use a cloth backing or just drape the netting over the conatainer [1]. My next step is to leave the whole thing out in the weather for a few weeks [2] to see how it fares. In the mean time, I'm going to try and decide what color to paint the can. Right now I'm leaning toward a textured terracotta [3] spray paint available in Home Depot [1] at this point it's a .30 cal. ammo can but that's subject to change if I find a better container. [2] or after the next good rain. [3] the swatch looks a lot like red clay. A material that's quite abundant here in Alabama

HAHAHAHAHA! That was so much better than my idea of jury-rigging a "Bouncing Betty" type device and placing a concrete filled ammo can on the trigger. I was going to give them a slim chance of surviving to tell warn their friends. Now the burning question. What department does Wal-Mart keep the unstable dynamite in?

I use the medium cell phone holster from Maxpedition. It's better suited for urban/car caching, In my opinion (http://www.maxpedition.com/product/product_cpm.htm) and a Radio/GPS pouch[1] I picked up at Ranger Joe's in Columbus, Ga. This is more suited to hiking, again, my opinion. (http://www.rangerjoes.com/blackwater-gear-pouch-radiogps-p-2347.html) Both use quick release type[2] buckles opposed to velco type closures. I find that to be a huge plus as I haven't had too much luck with belt mounted carry cases that involved velcro[3]. [1] This does double duty. I use it for a radio at work and the GPS on weekends when the "bump" factor is pretty high. The eTrex sits deep in the case and the heavy nylon provides some degree of padding and a lot of snag protection. There's also room for a bundle of extra batteries if you're so inclined. It's not too signal friendly though. [2] Fastex (?) [3] Or it's clones. The fluffy part seems to "unravel" over time and the stiff part picks up fibers and clogs up. Either way it loses it's effectiveness over time.

Guilty! My best friend is into caching[1]. I stopped and helped look for several[2] but didn't have a GC acct or a GPS so I didn't bother to "play". It wasn't until I went to an event that I created an account and began keeping track[3]. Maybe I'm the only one but I don't consider not finding a cache a "DNF" until I've looked for it on at least two different occasions, more if the difficulty is higher than two. We usually have a sheet full to look for and don't want to spend all day on one[4]. I don't want so much to not have a DNF as I don't want to be the one to drag the owner to look just because I can't find the thing[5]. If I know it's there, I'm gonna keep looking until I find it or it gets disabled/archived. Right, wrong, or otherwise, that's just what I do. [1] As well as her son and daughter - but *she* dragged me into it! [2] 5 or 6 [3] Which I try to do A.S.A.P(ractical) [4] Ok, *I'm* impaitent as heck. [5] *Especially* if there are "Found it"'s logged after I looked

Having seen chimps (in a zoo) and what they throw when they're agitated, that could be very entertaining for everyone but the designated "retriever". Might want to include some Handi-Wipes and Fabreeze as part of the swag.

I can see the page for one of the zoo caches now <wavy imagination lines> "Terrain:1 Difficulty:5 ... Located in the rear corner of the Bengal Tiger exhibit and surrounded by shredded clothing and various bits of gnawed swag, this 5-gallon metal can is painted day-glo orange and has the Groundspeak logo imprinted on it for easy identification. The key to getting to this cache is speed ..." </wavy imagination lines>

The last thing I took was a promotional item for AmSouth Bank that I'll leave elsewhere. Generally, I don't take stuff. I don't know why, I just don't. I tend to leave mini carabiners with either a key ring or a couple of feet of parachute cord (a lot of handy without a lot of expense) or promotional stuff from the local E-911 office (pencils/pens that change colors, travel coffee mugs, stash-away tote bags, county maps, and whatever else I can get).

I have (and use) several depending on the situation from a CamleBak "Viper" (lotta water, little swag) to a well-traveled Army LC-2 big ruck w/a lot of pockets (lotta everything!). In between is a fanny pack, an "El Cheapo" Wally Whirled day pack, and my small (not so well traveled) Army ruck. I choose and pack accordingly depending on the situation and how much junk I think I need to haul with me.

The suggestions that follow are my unsolicited opinion. You know your situation, I don't. 1. Unless you're caching at night, the flashlight can be replaced by one of those high-intensity, keychain sized LED's. If you do cache at night, giving the kids high-intensity yellow chem-lights to carry will make them visible for a long way[1]. 2. You may want to consider a medium sized mirror on a collapable stick [2]. These make looking under/in/around/on top of things a lot easier and quicker. 3. My opinion on a first aid kit: Regardless of what else is in it, ensure you have some mole skin and atheletic tape [3]. Nothing kills a nice walk like a blistered or chafed foot. Also, an ice pack [4] (slap/squeeze the bag and it gets cold) to cool off the little ones in a hurry on a hot day. 4. Spare batteries. I strongly reccomend the Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargables if you're not already using them. If you're going to be serious about caching, you can't over-spend on these. I have 3 sets, two charged and ready, one in use. Mine have paid for themselves at least 100 times over by now. [5] Anyhow, that's my $0.02 worth. I hope that you may find some of it useful. [1] They're not expensive, they're a lot of fun to twirl and spin (adjust the cord lengh accordingly), and don't blind other people. (My kid was bad to shine his light in peoples faces when he was younger. A cheap, 2 D-cell light can be annoying. When it was my 4 D-cell Mag light, it really did a number on your eyes). [2] Most, if not all auto-parts stores will have these in several sizes and price ranges. The 2"X3" version is small enough to be easily packed and large enough to be useful. [3] As a general rule I tape my feet and never wear sandals. That's just my personal preference. Alabama's woods are covered up with briars and stump holes (among other nasty surprizes) along with a fair number of caches, so what starts out as a cache day in Birmingham can easily end up a tromp through the woods. [4] That is, of course a regional thing. Your climate may vary. [5] Your GPSr unit may want you to specify the type of battery (Alkaline/NiCad/NiMH). Consult the owners manual.

It looks like all of the basics have been covered. There are however, two things I won't go in the woods without that I haven't seen listed. They are: 1) a good, sturdy knife. I personally carry a 1960's vintage Air Force Survival knife, but any heavy bladed "survival" type knife of moderate quality should suffice. It's a probe, it's walking stick maker, a toothpick, an emergency marshmallo roasting stick, it's a lot of things. It's not real heavy or awkward to carry though [1]. and 2) a pair of wire cutters heavy enough to cut barbed wire. Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea, I don't use them to make my own gates in other peoples fences. Aside from being illegal, it's plain wrong. There are however, sufficent amounts of loose, rusty strands of barbed wire (pron: "bob-war" in AL) from old, abandoned fences lurking in the local woods waiting to entangle an unwary passerby (namely me). I've had to cut myself out several times. The first time was with a Small (3.5 inch handle) Gerber multi-tool. It worked, barely and the cutter wasn't the same since. They come in handy for briars as well. [1] <shameless plug> The original sheath was leather and after almost 40 years of service, ready for retirement. I replaced it with a Spec-Ops brand "Super Sheath" from either Brigade Quartermasters (www.actiongear.com) out of Kenesaw, GA, or Ranger Joe's (www.rangerjoes.com) in Columbus and Hinesville, GA. (I might have bought one from each, I forget) and was so impressed that I bought another one for my other large knife.