SierraFive

Deceangi are an anciant celtic tribe from North Wales. Apart from a GPS, you can spot a cacher from the number of times he/she has to stop to tie his / her laces in roughly the same spot without looking at their feet!!!

Hey, just because I don't drink doesn't mean I can't party until the next morning or beyond and that I need some quiet boring little spot out of the way where all the miserable people go!!!!! If however, a quiet spot means I won't get my tent spewed over with vomit or an intoxicated individal tripping on my guylines and flattening my tent and me in the middle of the night, then fair enough I think from everyone's comments that severe drunkeness is not a major problems and thanks to those that don't drink a lot and who posted comments.

Just for clarity, I didn't make any inferences about cachers drinking or driving. I'm not sure what was alarming about my original post though! SimplyPaul was right when he observed, "not wanting to indulge in the socially acceptable drug of choice can isolate the non-drinker" but you have to be a non drinker to fully understand just how big that isolation can be. It's a bit like wearing two heads!!!! I appreciate everyone's comments, I will definitely have to whizz along to an event. I just have to find the right one.

Thanks everyone for your reassuring comments. Congratulations to Kerrie (Andybug&ladybird) on reaching 1300 caches at the weekend. One of your caches was the first one I ever did. I guess, i'll just wait for a cache event close to where I live to crop up. Hopefully other cachers will be accomodating. There certainly seems to be a good community feeling within these forums and everyone seems to be on first name terms. That is really good although a little daunting for a newbie like me gatecrashing such a meeting so to speak!!!

Well, I guess i'm starting to feel a little reassured. Are there any other cachers out there that don't drink who have been to an event and could give me some insight? Also, second question. What is the usual course of events at one of these meets. Are there special caches for the meet only or is it hunting for caches that already exist. Is it a competition type environment? I.e. what could I expect???

Serious question. For the record I don't personally drink alcohol. I have absolutely nothing against anyone that does, however being the only sobre person at an event, especially if others have been drinking heavilly, is rather unpleasant. I can cope with others being merry but outright smashed out of their heads is something else. I probably notice references to alcohol more than others but tha purely because of the type of society we all live in. I have lost track of the number of times of when I have told someone I don't drink and I get the "What Never!!!!" response and the ensuing conversation about my reasons for not drinking etc etc and the "Go on, have a drink, go on..." type comments from others. Believe me, it's only when you don't drink that you realise that it is everywhere!!!!! I'm just intrigued by the references to alcohol in the event type postings and how important is the alcohol to the event. Would anyone go if there wasn't any alcohol? Again, I should emphasise I have nothing against anyone who drinks or attending events where alcohol is consumed. I just like to ensure that alcohol is pnly a small part of whatever it is i attend and not the sole / main reason for the event. If that makes sense!!!!

I have seen many caching events promoted, arranged, talked about and reviewed about on these pages. Many have photos and some have even had downloadable film footage of the event. A lot of them make mention of alcohol and the vast quantities that have been drunk or the drunken antics of others. Sure, alcohol can add to any occassion but the emphasis placed upon it I find rather alarming. I would consider attending one of these events but the thought of spending a weekend amongst a group of people drunk out of their minds puts me off a little. Is it only the "Alcoholics" as one poster was requesting that attends these events or are there those that tend to be a bit more sobre that attend as well. Geocaching yes, social get together yes, weekend of unrelenting alcohol consumptionm no thank you.

Of course the image theif didn't want your fingers in it because you could I.D. your picture from your finger prints silly

I always write something and always upload a picture of my exploits for that particular cache (Unless of course i've forgotten my camera). That way, i can look back n the future at some of my days out etc. It's sort of an online photo scrap book for my own use!!!

Yeah, basically, when a waypoint is saved with the geocache icon (treasure chest -closed) it 'knows' that is a geocache. When you hit 'Go To' on a geocache, you get the normal compas page, with a bit of info on the cache (nameofcache by cachestetter) and the distance to it like normal. When you find it, you can press a button at the bottom which is called 'Found'. At that point it congratulates you, and asks you if you want to look for the next closest cache. The symbol changes to an open chest once you have said 'found'. Bit of a gimmic really. From what i read, I thought it would hold informationd (from PQ downloads) with descriptions, or even better, clues. I do use it as above, but wouldn't make a song and dance about it! I agree with Geo-Kate. I have a GPS60CS. Never really use the Geocaching Mode. I had hoped it would hold cache information, clues etc as well. It doesn't. All it really does is give you a different icon to associate with any waymark. I don't keep cache locations in my GPS after i've found them anyway,I just delete them. The GPS your looking at buying though is good and worth buying!!!

I think its important that everyone realises that Section 86 would make it an offence to put a cache on a postbox or post office property. I have included the wording of the legislation below. Whilst the legislation indicates that it's only an offence if you do it without due authority, in reality it is highly unlikely that you would get the authority you require to place a cache. Certainly your local postal worker will not be in a position to grant the authority on behalf of the universal service provider. Whilst caches are often placed without the permision of landowners, placing a cache under these circumstances could lead to prosecution. Therefore if by some amazing chance you did get given authority to place a cache on a mail box or on post office property,make sure you get it in writing for your own protection. 86. - (1) A person commits an offence if, without due authority, he affixes any advertisement, document, board or thing in or on any universal postal service post office, universal postal service letter box or other property belonging to, or used by, a universal service provider in connection with the provision of a universal postal service. (2) A person commits an offence if, without due authority, he paints or in any way disfigures any such office, box or property. (3) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale. (4) In this Act- "universal postal service letter box" means any box or receptacle provided by a universal service provider for the purpose of receiving postal packets, or any class of postal packets, for onwards transmission in connection with the provision of a universal postal service, and "universal postal service post office" includes any house, building, room, vehicle or place used for the provision of any postal services in connection with the provision of a universal postal service or a part of such a service.

I stumbled across a little piece of legislation relevent to cachers in the UK. Under the Postal Services Act 2000 it is an offence to affix advertisments or other things (Read here caches) to post boxes or other property belonging to or used by a universal service provider (Read here Royal Mail / The Post Office / Parcel Force). Just thought i'd mention it in case anyone was looking to place a cache on a post box somewhere or other Royal Mail property. Especially as the cache placer would be traceable via the notices etc in the cache!!!!

That is REALLY REALLY REALLY COOL!!!!!!

Re the screws / nails and trees! Lets face it, I cut my grass every week. I prune my roses. You can prune a tree and it will continue to grow. You can even tap a tree for its sap. I don't think a small hook or nail will cause too much damage for a reasonably sized tree. Pulling it out however and leaving a hole could open the tree to infection though. Providing the nail or hook etc is done with care, discreetly, with the land owners permission and not likely to cause anyone an injury then I don't see a major problem. I think the hook or nail should be central to the cache though. For example, there is a cache near where I live where you need to take two pieces of string with you of predetermined lengths. When you get to the location you put each piece of sting onto a very small hook at the base of two trees and where the other ends of the two bits of sting meet, a micro cache is hidden. That use is much better than say a six inch nail just being driven into a tree trunk to hold a cache on place simply because the cache owner couldn't be bothered to find either a more suitable location or means of attachment.

Of course, those cache placers that want to direct custom to their own business premises could always pay Groundspeak for an advert on the Geocaching.Com website. That kind of DIRECT advertising to cachers is okay with Groundspeak but then again they make money out of that. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Groundspeak making money etc. It's just that it seems a little bit of double standards for some people to have their caches refused simply for making mention of some nearby shop or attraction that I might actually want to visit at the same time as i'm getting adverts to buy Signal the frog toys that I really don't want. Personally, I think that providing cachers don't have to pay to enter a premises to get a cache then thats fine. I would rather visit a cache near an apple farm (As mentioned above) than be directed to some crappy cache by a dumpster (Subject to other forum postings).

Yep, like membership to Groundspeak/Geocaching.Com. How about merchandise that Groundspeak offer, we have stickers, and compasses and clothing, pens etc etc. You can buy fake rocks and books on the subject. Theres people making and selling their own cache kits on Ebay (Old film containers complete with chopped down pencil and slip of paper). Your right about GPS devices. Whilst the most important piece of kit, the GPS manufacturers have honed in on the activity with there software now including special Geocaching facilities. It helps them sell more and make more money. There are now teambuilding events being created, no doubt at a cost. What about Jeep travel bugs, definite advertising results there. Yep, you sure can make a lot of money directly out of Geocaching but just don't whatever you do, put an obscure reference to someplace that might have an ice cream advertising poster in it's window.

Does it really matter if a cache is commercial. After all, you'll either bag the cache or not bother doing it. If you do decide to go after the cache, you don't have to buy anything anyway. Providing you don't have to pay to get to the cache, who cares. Whilst I can understand the points made about descriptions, any old store owner could place a cache outside his store etc and go on about the wonderful surrounding area, mill, oak tree, whatever. If however, the result is that you end up on the doorstep of the store looking for a cache then is there really much difference from the cache that says "Get your cider from Joe's store." Yes, the wording might be different but the end result is the same. This is a bit of a gray area because no end of commercial properties will benefit from geocachers. How many caches do you see with a mention of where to park your car for a low fee, or suggested places to get something to eat or local museums etc worthy of a visit. They all support commercialism even if the cache placer doesn't benefit directly. Is it okay for a cacher to place a cache and say there is a cafe nearby where you can get a drink and name it? What about if he names the cafe? Does it make any difference if more than one place is mentioned, i.e. the cache is not promoting one particular premises? What if the cache owner owns one of the premises? What if he doesn't? I think the reality is that commercialism is probably already going on, it's maybe just not spelled out very loudly.

Highlandnick, Can I just confirm that you managed to fit the whole of the ToppoGB UK map onto a single memory card. I'm looking to upgrade my 60CS to the 60CSX so this info would be helpful. Thanks!

you just made my day, i was thinking for so long how i could my drug business running worldwide, and geocaching is just the right solution. imagine, i put up all this caches in middle- and south america, stuff them with cocaine-rabbits and give them TB's with destinations in north america, europe.. =irony off= Yep, next drug stuffed bunny step up to the Stargate Cache and state your destination........

I am aware that many travel bugs travel backwards and forwards across the globe on a daily basis in the luggage of dedicated cachers. When going through Airport security you may well be asked "Did you pack your luggage yourself" and of course the answer is invariably "Yes." well what about that stuffed toy travelbug! I hope it hasn't happened yet but has there ever been any discussion or warning to cachers about examining any travel bugs they collect before boarding aircraft to other countries. After all we are all so helpful at trying to get travel bugs to their destination (So helpful in fact that Geocaching Post Offices are springing up) that anyone could stick any item inside a travel bug, let some unsuspecting individual cacher carry it to another country and deposit it into a hole in the ground and then conveniently update the a website with its latest co-ordinates, only for the end recipient to go and retrieve it. The likelihood of this happening is probably remote but I for one wouldn't take any of the stuffed toy type travel bugs into another country. The last thing I would want is some drugs dog sniffing my hand luggage for the cocaine stuffed toy I was unwittingly carrying around. I can just imagine being caught by the police in the act of stuffing a load of drugs into a cache box in a hole in the ground. Then again, someone could knowingly smuggle drugs or whatever in a travel bug and if caught plead ingnorance, claiming that they were a simple cacher with no knowledge of the drugs. Small plastic key ring type TB's sure but i'm just not so keen on some of the bigger TB's. Examine them before you go!!!!! I'm probably just being paranoid!!!!

Two, One to change the bulb and the other to sign the lampshade!

Rucksack Waterproof Jacket Waterproof TrousersInsulating Top Gloves Wooly Hat GPS Maps & Case Mobile Phone Small First Aid Kit Bivvy Bag Notebook Pen/s Penknife (Swiss Multi) Fire Starting Kit (Striker / Cotton Wool) Torch Small Led Key Ring Light Spare Batteries Trash Bags. Small Pair of Binoculars Small Handbook of British Wildlife. (Used to have one of those self heating cans of coffee from Nestle, but getting harder to find). A few Chocolate Bars. Light Stick. Spare Boot Laces. Inflatable Seat Pad (Nice to sit on when writing up a cache log)

The Garmin 60CS doesn't have a MicroSD slot. I think it's the newer Garmin 60CSx that does. If you can't get the system to work, you can redownload the systems operating system from the Garmin website. I have done this a couple of times to upgrade my OS, it's easy.

Thanks for all the input so far. The reason why I asked the question was because I had noticed differences in the way people were rating caches. Pharisee made some good comments. The rating is also a little subjective, if your superfit them Ben Nevis might very well seem like a walk in the park but if your getting on in years, ill health, over weight, unfit etc etc, it's going to seem alot harder. What about special equipment. You might need to abseil down a rock face to retrieve a cache, yet these days even kids go abseiling at scout camps etc. So, even that type of cache might be considered easy. Is a one to five scale enough. Maybe 1 to 10 might be better, afterall, there is a bif difference between the Norfolk and say Mount Everest!!!!! I had hoped for some kind of unaminous cache list so many thanks to those that posted them. I wanted some caches to aspire to complete! Hmm, maybe i'll write to letter to NASA and ask them to put a cache on the international space station on my behalf. Not sure what the co-ords would be though, seeing as the thing is constantly moving!!!! Who knows what sort of trinkets that might attract. Not sure what the sport would be called then, ... Stella Caching? Now that would be difficult but seeing as we now have space tourists, not impossible!

Try www.maptools.com they make ruler like scales that you can put against a OSGB map and read off the latitude and longitude with ease. (You will need a large ruler in the first instance though to join up the lat / lon grid on your OSGB map so that you have something to put the scale against). Maptools.com are an American company but they will supply to the UK. I bought a couple of scales and they will fit in a standard envelope so shipping is dirt cheap too!