justintim1999
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Posts posted by justintim1999
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If you plan on taking a trip and are thinking about holding on to travel bug(s) for more than a few weeks it would be a good idea to e-mail the travel bug owner and ask them if they would prefer to have there travel bug placed soon or would it be ok to hold on to it and bring it with you to where ever you are traveling to. I had the exact same thing happen to one of by travel bugs. A gentleman picked it up and sent me an e-mail explaining that in July he was going to be taking a trip to South America and asked if it was ok to hold on to my TB and take it with him. He also offered to drop in within the next week or so if that's what I wanted. South America.... hell ya.
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You never know...you could chain it to the tree and a few decades from now it could be a local landmark.
So that's where my bike went..... PRICELESS!!!!
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Unfortunately it's part of the game. I have a few Travel Bugs that met with the same fate. a polite e-mail is your best bet. It could be a simple case of a new cacher not knowing what a travel bug is.
If you go to http://geocacher-u.com and look under "downloads and printables" you can download the travel bug travel guide. It's a customizable zine you can use to use to input your travel bugs personal information (name, goal, owner ect). It also contains good information on what a travel bug is and what to do with it.
Check out this youtube tutorial on how to fold a zine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh1W15BWCUk.
I include one of these in a bag with all of my travel bugs so if it is picked up by a new cacher it will have a better chance of surviving.
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With a Travel Bug it's easy to hide the tracking code. With Geocoins it's a little harder. Here is a little tool you can use to hide the tracking number and be able to post both sides of a coin. Go to http://www.irfanview.com and download the free image viewer (I'm sure many other free image viewers will have this capability but Irfanview is the one I've always used) Load the picture of the coin. Using your mouse select the area around the tracking code (you can use the magnifying glass on the tool bar to enlarge the image and make it easier to work on) On the toolbar select Image/Effects/Effect browser. Select an effect (I use Explosion, Pixelize or Twirl) and use the slider to distort the selected image. When your done click ok and save the image.
Cool - you learn something every day.
I'm an Irfan user as well but I would have used Edit/Show paint dialog and used one of the tools there (like the eraser).
That works also.
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In Dr.Moro's case (http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?tracker=TBD738) It looks like he's getting the tracking number from the picture on the travel bug page. many people are "discovering" trackables online using pictures that show the tracking number. I think you should physically have the traveler in your hand to log or discover it. The only way to stop this is to educate cachers to make sure they don't show the tracking number in any of the pictures they post. For Travel bugs it's easy enough to turn the travel tag over to the side that doesn't contain the tracking number. Here is what I do for geocoins.
Go to http://www.irfanview.com and download the free image viewer (I'm sure many other free image viewers will have this capability but Irfanview is the one I've always used) Load the picture of the coin. Using your mouse select the area around the tracking code (you can use the magnifying glass on the tool bar to enlarge the image and make it easier to work on) On the toolbar select Image/Effects/Effect browser. Select an effect (I use Explosion, Pixelize or Twirl) and use the slider to distort the selected image. When your done click ok and save the image. Now you can post any picture and have the tracking number obscured.
After looking at the account profile I was able to manipulate many of the pictures of the travel bugs he has found and get the tracking number. There a lot of them I can't figure out. May just be entering codes until he hits one. Sad
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With a Travel Bug it's easy to hide the tracking code. With Geocoins it's a little harder. Here is a little tool you can use to hide the tracking number and be able to post both sides of a coin. Go to http://www.irfanview.com and download the free image viewer (I'm sure many other free image viewers will have this capability but Irfanview is the one I've always used) Load the picture of the coin. Using your mouse select the area around the tracking code (you can use the magnifying glass on the tool bar to enlarge the image and make it easier to work on) On the toolbar select Image/Effects/Effect browser. Select an effect (I use Explosion, Pixelize or Twirl) and use the slider to distort the selected image. When your done click ok and save the image.
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I think it's ok as long as you don't give away the location of the hide. Try to take the pictures away from gz or close enough that you can't make out the surroundings. There is a local cacher known as tiny superman who uploads some creative pictures of his finds. Check out his gallery at
http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?guid=1e6fb4e5-b654-4b46-bd27-93a5bb21799b
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Check out the Geocaching Podcast. This weeks show (#297) talks about this very subject.
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Thanks for athe links. This is a great site. I just finished ordering the unit.
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Just pick upthe Oregon 450 now while it is so cheap. It really does not make much sense to get anything else if your main use is caching.
Thanks Red90. I would love to but I don't have $350.00 to spend.
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Try to hide what you think a beginner may find out in the field. Hide a nano, micro, small and a large. Try to match the location with a cache that will not only fit but is original. Make sure your containers will withstand weather, both hot and cold. If you can try to include a traditional, multi, mystery ect. Above all make sure that its fun, safe and not to difficult to find. I placed a few beginner caches recently. I will send along an e-mail through Geocaching.com. If you want I will send you pictures of some of the caches I've hidden. Should give you an idea of what will work.
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I live in Massachusetts and Ocean State Job Lot always has them. a Small is about $1.50. I just bought a 4 quart for $3.50.
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I am currently caching with my Garmin Nuvi 1350 so I'm already left wanting. I don't know how but it works for me. I'm looking for something cheep that will allow me to get some fairly accurate coordinance for hiding caches. Trying to do it with the nuvi got me in all sorts of trouble. Would be nice to have something a little more rugged and suited for Geocaching.
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1. GC code is generated when you first start your cache page.
2. Take multiple readings. Use your waypoint averaging feature, or take three or four readings on different days and average them.
3. Make sure there are no other caches within 528 feet of where you are planning on placing yours. Do a search on geocaching.com and check to see. If there are caches in the area load them into your gpsr and check to see if they are to close to yours.
4. Make sure the cache is placed and ready to go before you submit it for review. Select "Post a reviewers note" for each cache. In the note tell the reviewer (1) that the cache is in place and you have permission to place it. Include the contact info of that person. (2) what type of container it is (make sure it is labeled "geocache" (3) How it is hidden, in a tree, under a rock ect. The more information you give the reviewer the faster your cache will be published.
If there is an issue with the cache the reviewer will "disable" the cache temporary until the issue(s)are resolved. Post another reviewers note with your solutions to the issues and re-submit the cache for review. All "post a reviewer notes" between you and your reviewer will be removed from the cache page when it's posted.
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If you are just finding the cache and logging the find all you need is your gpsr, a pencil or pen and a bottle of water. I like to trade swag and move travel bugs as well as help out fellow cachers so I carry a little more in my bag. Two lock and lock containers one for swag one for travel bugs. 3 sizes of zip lock bags for various logs that may be getting wet. a few extra pencils and pens, a few log books and log sheets (for micro and nano caches) electrical tape, rubber bands..... You get the idea. A few other things to consider are, First aid kit, bug spray, cell phone. I went to Walmart and picked up a Field line Pro series bag for around $16.00. It carries everything I need and fits comfortably around my shoulder.
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Was also looking at the Garmin E-trex 10 (pricing)
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Ok. It's come down to three units. Garmin Etrex 20, Magellan GC or the Dakota 10. If anyone has one of these units let me know how you like it. Thanks
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What would you suggest for an entry level gps?
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Been caching for a while and I'm just starting to hide some caches. I borrowed a friends Oregon 300 to hide a series of 6 cashes and it worked quite well. Unfortunately I don't have $350 to spend on a new gpsr . I'm looking for something under $200.00 that I can use for finding and hiding caches. What's my best option?
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Education. The more experienced cachers can reach out to inexperienced cachers and show them the correct way to cache (travel bugs included) the better off the game will be. I try to watch all of the travel bugs I move to make sure they are picked up and logged after I have dropped them. If I notice that a cacher posts a note that the trackable is missing I check the logs. A large majority of the time an inexperienced cacher has been to the cache and took the travel bug not knowing what it was. A simple e-mail asking if they noticed the trackable in the cache when they visited usually starts a conversation. I have a simple word document I send to them and encourage them to e-mail me with any questions. It dose take up some of my time but it's worth it for the love of the sport. I also agree with a previous post regarding cache owners removing missing travel bugs from there caches only after they have physically verified that the trackable is indeed missing. Cache maintenance is another big problem.
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Why six? Make it four and you have room.
Doubtful you'll get a reviewer to budge. Thems the rules.
The whole idea from the beginning was to start a geocaching program to introduce people to geocaching. 4 caches would be nice for a new cacher to find but 6 would be better. Also I wanted to highlight as many different hides and containers as possible to give them a good idea of what they may encounter. 6 seemed like a nice number and the distances are so close it's a shame to have to scrap one.
You would also want to introduce them to the fact that guidelines must be followed....... just sayin'
Thats ture. just hurts to have to abandon nice spots for 10 feet.
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Try not to leave bootprints when you go over your reviewer's head.
Things go much better if you keep them on your side.
Not my intention. Just wondering if it's possible to convince a reviewer that the caches are unique and worthy of a 15 foot exception.
Reviewers don't based their decision for publishing a cache based upon whether or not it is "worthy", nor should they. Suppose it was 520 feet from the nearest cache but the reviewer decided that it wasn't good enough to be granted an exception. Can you imagine the kinds of reactions that reviewers would get if they denied caches based on whatever the subjective idea might be for worthiness?
I guess you would have to see the area and the caches to understand. Its funny how a cache hide can be 30, 40 or 50 feet off and it's tolerated. We've all found caches with posted coords that were way off. I would bet that some of them would be in violation of the 528 foot rule if the cache owner was required to update the cache with the "correct" coords. Man I'm bitter. Thanks for letting me vent.
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Why six? Make it four and you have room.
Doubtful you'll get a reviewer to budge. Thems the rules.
The whole idea from the beginning was to start a geocaching program to introduce people to geocaching. 4 caches would be nice for a new cacher to find but 6 would be better. Also I wanted to highlight as many different hides and containers as possible to give them a good idea of what they may encounter. 6 seemed like a nice number and the distances are so close it's a shame to have to scrap one.
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The reviewer is unwilling to allow the cache due to the 528 foot rule. Am I stuck. Is there any way to get approval for there cashes?
You're almost certainly stuck. Is there a river or other significant barrier between the too-close caches that the reviewer might not be aware of? If so, you could mention that to your reviewer and ask them to reconsider their decision. Sometimes, they might give you a break. Short of something like that, however, most reviewers are very reluctant to deviate from the 528-foot rule.
You also can appeal the Volunteer Reviewer's decision, but Groundspeak almost certainly won't reverse it without a very good reason.
Unless a significant barrier of some kind exists between them (cliff, interstate highway, wide river, etc) - it is highly unlikely. Sorry.
The two caches in question are separated by a pond. You have to circle around to access one from the other. Do you know what method a reviewer uses to determine distance. From one of the caches the distance to the other was 523 feet. From the other is was 510 (using a garmin oregon 300)
An online special website for the reviewer (that really isn't much of a secret) but here is a great tool for determining distances between coordinates. http://www.fizzymagic.net/Geocaching/FizzyCalc/index.html
This will help. I've already moved this cache once so I want to make sure that the next location will meet the requirements. Thanks
What GPS unit should we buy? We're new at this!
in How do I...?
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Started out with a Garmin Nuvi 1350. It's primarily a road navigation unit but it dose have a pedestrian mode. Was able to find over 700 caches with that unit. I recently purchased an Oregon 450. The 450 is a nice unit and the more I use it the better I like it. Having the information on the cache page is quite useful. I still use the nuvi for turn by turn navigation to parking areas. I also use it to make my way to the cache. Once I'm close I like to pull out the Oregon to make the find. The Nuvi 1350 runs about $125.00 and the Oregon 450 I bought for $199.00 delivered. The Explorest GC is a great unit for beginners, but if your serious about caching look at the Garmin Oregon.